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| Meet Urs (yes, that is his complete first name) Eichenberger the founder and owner of Strands Hair & Skin Treatment Centre Inc., the pivotal dreamer around whom the Strands philosophy evolved. Stylish, healthy, beautiful hair to suit he’s clients needs, wants and lifestyle. Urs began his career in Europe . After successfully finishing his 3-year apprenticeship, he honed his skills by working in ritzy European spas and ski resorts in Switzerland . He got interested in the workings of advanced hair coloring by working with two major international color manufacturers. To this day young stylists and students who work at Strands are awed by his intuitive and comprehensive grasp of hair color. Urs regularly attends international hair shows and seminars all over the world to keep up with new techniques, tools and products. Computer imaging, ammonia free hair color, bio ionic tools and products, light treatment concepts for the skin and the latest; thermo scissors, are just some of the things that he brought to Strands. Attending advanced seminars on aromatherapy over the last 12 years and a personal invitation to a pharmaceutical and cosmetic laboratory in Toulouse France keep him interested and educated on natural and scientific developments in the hair and skin treatment field. Born in Switzerland, Urs moved to Canada for a year, liked the lifestyle here and opened his salon in 1984. Never one to stand still, he challenges himself and everybody around him to explore, innovate and excel. |
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| Erika Heitz Beauty Therapist | ||||
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Erika full circle I have come full circle this year. As an European-trained dressmaker, industrial patternmaker, clothing designer and manager, my interest in making people feel good about themselves and the confidence in their appearance started early in my life. As Strands opened its doors, I started to take an even keener interest in skincare, beauty products and make-up. Many seminars and training hours later I launched my on makeup line, Erika Heitz. After working as a self-employed designer for a while, and also working in the salon as an assistant and salon coordinator, my knowledge in skincare and beauty was put to the test as I was asked to provide all skin treatment services at Strands on an occasional basis. I discovered that I enjoyed my new responsibilities very much and with the addition of a new, high quality makeup line I am now able to provide a beautiful, healthy look for men and women of all ages. Thanks to all you "arm twisters" - the pain of coming full circle was worth it. |
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Sarah was born and raised in Vancouver, BC as were BOTH her parents. After graduating from Eric Hamber Secondary, she was drawn to study Hair Design at Vancouver Community College. Before Sarah’s decision to become a stylist, she had already shown promise having cut her own hair several times (without training) and yet produced great results! Her interest in hair colour / highlighting / streaking began at the ripe age of 13. Strands is nurturing her already adventurous nature… After only one month in her first salon job - she’s made the leap from platinum blonde to 3-D radiant redhead.
Other interesting facts about Sarah. She`s a pescetarian. Eats everything a vegetarian does, plus fish. Loves animals. There are three dogs at home: a Papillion named Gizmo and two white labs, Storm and Shiloh (one’s her mom’s dog). If stranded on a desert island, these are three must-haves for her makeup bag: mascara, lip balm, and moisturizer. (smart girl – first thing she answered was suncscreen, but we requested cosmetic-like items) I had the pleasure of observing Sarah at work firsthand this weekend. She’s friendly, efficient and professional. While my colour was processing; she served a young man with a grown-out Bieber-ish bob. Sarah asked him how he arrived at his current hair style and what he wanted next. By the end of his appointment, he had a shorter, sharper cut - fresh and chic. Best of all, he was sporting a HUGE grin and left with a hug and a promise that he’d return. Don’t you love happy endings? When she’s not working at Strands, you might find Sarah dancing at Oasis or journaling quietly... |
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Cheryl Philpott, Stylist-in-the-making Cheryl is also a BC girl – born and raised in Nanaimo. She graduated from Woodlands High School in 2004, and moved to Vancouver at 21 “looking for a change”. Cheryl enjoys Vancouver’s people and atmosphere, tested Ottawa for about six months, but has now returned to the West Coast to begin her Pro Hair Program this fall! You`ll find Cheryl at Strands shadowing Urs, applying colour, giving shampoos / scalp massages and keeping things tidy and clean. Cheryl always enjoyed doing hair: colouring, straightening and styling for friends. The only head of hair she repeatedly found challenging was her own! Vexed by frizziness for as long as she can remember, Cheryl found inner peace when she embraced her curls. She laughs when she explains that discovering the right curl-defining cream and a great straightening iron were her saving graces. Hair styling is a well-suited profession for Cheryl: it combines her love of working with people and the freedom to be artistic. So it makes perfect sense that her goal as a future stylist is to make people look and feel their best! Other interesting facts about Cheryl... She’s a crafter. You name it – she wants to make something creative out of it. Recent projects include: painting, “creating random things” and designing mini hats you can pin to your hair. Cheryl also loves animals and has a 20 lb. gray and black tabby cat named, Tiger Lily. If stranded on a desert island, these are three must-haves in Cheryl`s makeup bag: mineral face powder, curl tamer and purple toe nail polish. (also smart, asking if these are essential or non-essential items. I replied, essential for beauty but not survival.) When Cheryl`s not working, going to school or crafting – you can find her hanging out with friends and hopefully relaxing a bit! |
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