Our Stylists: Training, Specialties and How to Choose the Right One

Updated November 2026. Service prices are from our live price list; product prices are our live online prices.

Picking a stylist is the decision that matters most, and booking pages don't help much: a row of names and a time slot. This is the longer version. For general advice that applies to any salon, read choosing the right hair stylist in Wānaka.

Who are the hairdressers at UKIYO?

What do the stylist levels mean?

Level sets where you land in each price range. It doesn't mean a lower level is a worse haircut. It reflects experience, speed and how complex a job someone takes on alone.

• Master: highly experienced across colour, cutting and complex work, with a specialist focus.
• Senior: fully qualified and confident across the full menu.
• Emerging: training, supported by senior stylists; great for treatments and blow-dries.

A women's cut and blowwave above the shoulder is $115 with a Senior Stylist and $130 with a Master. The whole grid is on our price list.

Who should I book for colour?

Nicole spent many years as a senior stylist at Zaibatsu Hair Art in Dunedin before coming home to Wānaka. Advanced colour, foils and toning, and she listens first. She often books out 3 to 5 weeks ahead, so plan.

“Nicole went above and beyond to give me what I wanted when I came into the salon looking for a colour, not realizing I needed a colour correction”

Jordyn A., Google review, from our testimonials page

Yvie joined us as a Master Stylist after many years in hairdressing. Natural-looking, dimensional colour that grows out well. She's in Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Kelsey is your person for balayage and anything creative: bolder placement, unexpected tones, a complete change. Book a free consultation first for creative or first-time colour.

Jazz was born and raised in Wānaka and took 1st place in the AUNZ Trend Vision Newcomer Awards. Steady, even colour application and careful foil work. See our balayage maintenance guide for keeping colour fresh between visits.

Who is the best stylist for a precision haircut?

Nicole and Yvie. Both cut shapes designed to grow out well rather than look good for a week. Jack is also a master cutter first, and he looks after our curl cuts on the curly hair page. How often to come back depends on the shape; our cutting frequency guide breaks it down.

Who does hair extensions at UKIYO?

Jack spent ten years in London salons, between Samantha Cusick in Notting Hill and Hadley Yates in Covent Garden, and was named Extensions Specialist of the Year 2023 by Hairdressers Journal. Keratin bonds are his specialty. He'll tell you honestly whether extensions suit your hair and what upkeep costs, before you commit.

Kelsey also fits tape-ins, so you can have them cut, coloured and blended in one chair. Every set starts with a free 15-minute consultation; more on our extensions page.

Who should I book for a blow wave or treatment?

Jazz's blow waves have bounce and polish, and her head massages are why some clients book. Mya looks after our treatments and blow-dries; her Kérastase Fusio and blowwave package ($69) is the gentlest way to try UKIYO. Jesse does blow waves and treatments too. What each treatment does is in the UKIYO client experience.

What products do our stylists reach for?

Each profile lists the stylist's own picks. Nicole reaches for Kérastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydration Douceur and Sebastian Dark Oil, Kelsey for Gloss Absolu Oil, Mya for the Genesis range. Two ways to get the same result at home, by budget:

For a wider view of what's worth buying, see best hair care in Wānaka.

I'm switching from another salon. What should I tell my new stylist?

Everything you can remember about your colour: the last shade, roughly when it was done, any box dye or henna, and anything that went wrong. Photos of the result you liked help more than product names. If you're changing colour or going lighter, book the free consultation first so your stylist can test how your hair is behaving before the real appointment. Nobody here minds where you've been before, and you won't be asked to explain why you're changing.

Which stylist is best for a nervous first-timer?

Ask for whoever matches the service, then tell them you're nervous at the consultation. Every stylist here starts by talking it through before anything is cut or mixed. If you'd like to ease in, a treatment and blow-dry with Mya or Jesse is a low-stakes first visit, and you'll meet the team before you book colour. You can also book the free 15-minute consultation on its own first and decide after.

Still not sure who to book?

Message us or call 03 443 1040 and Jade will point you to the right person. Or book a free consultation and we'll work it out together. For how we compare to other salons, see how to choose the best hair salon in Wānaka.

Choose your stylist and book

Why buy from UKIYO

We're working stylists at UKIYO on Helwick Street in Wānaka, and these are the products we use on clients every day. Everything we sell is genuine salon stock, bought direct from the brands' New Zealand distributors. Free NZ shipping over $75, or pick up in the salon at 28 Helwick St.

Questions we get asked

Who is the best hairdresser at UKIYO for colour?

It depends on the result you want. Nicole and Yvie are Master Stylists for advanced and dimensional colour, Kelsey specialises in balayage and creative colour, and Jasmine is strong on foils and colour application.

Do any UKIYO stylists have awards?

Yes. Jack was named Extensions Specialist of the Year 2023 by Hairdressers Journal in London, and Jasmine took 1st place in the AUNZ Trend Vision Newcomer Awards.

Who does hair extensions in Wānaka at UKIYO?

Jack fits keratin bond and tape-in extensions, and Kelsey also fits tape-ins. Every set starts with a free 15-minute consultation.

What is the difference between a Master and Senior Stylist?

Master Stylists are highly experienced across colour, cutting and complex work with a specialist focus. Senior Stylists are fully qualified across the full menu. Level sets where you land in the price range.

How far ahead do UKIYO stylists book out?

It varies. Nicole often books out 3 to 5 weeks ahead, so book early or join the waitlist.

Who should I book for a blow wave in Wānaka?

Jasmine, Mya or Jesse. Mya also offers a Kérastase Fusio treatment and blowwave package for $69.

Can I request a specific stylist when I book online?

Yes. Online booking lets you choose your stylist and time, 24/7.

Keep reading: Best hair care in Wānaka: salon-grade products and where to get them