She has a passion for what she does and takes pride in her work. And although she may not be the one standing behind the chair, she is making hair dreams come true.
Here is my interview with the Communications Director of Texture Hair Salon, Nina Dadfar.
Nina Dadfar
Salon Communications Director
Texture Hair Salon | Ottawa ON
Instagram: @texturehair
So let’s start off with how you got into the beauty industry.
I guess it was kind of accidental. I was in my fourth year and I had just quit my retail job. I was on Facebook and a friend had posted that Texture was looking for a receptionist and boom, here I am, two and a half years later with Texture Hair.
I worked in the retail industry throughout high school and university. It taught me so much about people and their behaviors. What did you learn from your experience?
You really learn to adapt to different kinds of people and different personalities. I mean, I’ve always been good with people, but interacting with them on a professional level is very different than a personal level.
You read into their body language if they’re looking for help, if they want to be left alone or want to engage in conversation.
Although I strongly believe that street smarts and people skills are paramount to success – education is important too. You have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from Carleton University.
Just like the beauty industry – social media is always changing and evolving. How has your degree helped you with establishing strategies for the shops?
Marketing is so much more than posting what you think clients would like. It’s about the colours you use, the time of day you post, the words used in a caption, the audio and everything else. So it’s taking everything into account so you can have the highest amount of engagements possible.
You started out at the shop downtown once that closed, you moved to the West End location. Do you find your approach to marketing and social media for the shop has now changed?
Yes and no. I find that the West End location and the clientele really love to interact with what I post more than the downtown location. So now, I’m still posting the same content, but I try and include more interactive posts and captions that will invite clients to respond to the post or give their opinion.
There are many issues plaguing the beauty industry. One that seems to be a constant is no shows. There are some people that still don’t get it. Can you share the impact that no-shows have on salons and beauty professionals?
Phew, this honestly is one of my biggest pet peeves EVER.
As a booked and busy salon, especially with some stylists that are fully booked for the month, no-shows take away from not only the salon, but other clients as well.
I understand life happens and the last thing that comes across our mind is contacting our hair salon to cancel an appointment, but there are some, if not most, situations where all you need to do is pick up the phone and reschedule your appointment. And the WORST is when we call a client 10 minutes after they were supposed to be there and they say I forgot, even though we do reminder calls, texts and emails.
It’s just annoying for the front desk to deal with and disrespectful to both the stylist and other clients that are on a wait list.
I have always liked cooking. I have been a vegetarian for about 5-6 years now and like to experiment with new dishes.
I love looking through Instagram to get ideas and then recreating them on
my own. I don’t really like following recipes – I like the freedom of doing my own thing – I think it makes the food taste better too.
You also have a passion for cooking. What type of person are you in the kitchen?
I’m kind of the same way. I always look at the recipe and ingredients prior to making it and depending on if I vibe with what’s on or in it, then I might make some adjustments. I cook for two people, so I have to make sure it’s adjusted to both of our liking.
Are you adventurous when it comes to trying new foods?
Oh, 100%. I love trying new cuisines from places all over the world. There are some things that I probably won’t ever try or eat again, but for the most part I will try almost anything.
Where are some of your favorite places in Ottawa to dine out?
EVERYWHERE. I love, love, love to eat. But if I’d have to choose – Pili Pili, Johnny Farina, Tingz and The Fry.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style — good question. I love a little bit of everything. Colour-wise, I wear a lot of neutrals and basic colours such as black, white, beige, and different hues of blue denim.
I love being comfortable, so a lot of what I wear on a daily basis are loose-fitting clothes. But my favourite season for fashion is definitely fall.
I love sweater weather.
I always love reading the names of nail polish colors. If you had one named after you – what would it be?
If I were to have one named after me, it would be called BBB – Bad B*tch Burgundy.
Do you like to experiment with your hair color and styles?
I try! As of right now, I’m in love with my red hair and I’m trying to grow it longer. But I used to experiment lots with different shades of red and purple and different cuts. But I’ve always let the girls style my hair how they’d like or if they want to try something new. But at home, my hair is usually in a bun because I do not possess the talent the stylists do for styling my own hair.
Do you have a skincare routine you follow?
My mom would be so proud of me. I’ve always had a cleanser and moisturizer, but it wasn’t until I was in my 20s where I started taking it seriously. As of right now, I am absolutely OBSESSED with The Ordinary products. Not only does it have such a fantastic price point, there are no extra ingredients or scents in the products I use.
Right now, I am using the Squalane cleanser, the HA serum, Glyconic Acid toner, caffeine serum, rosehip oil at night and the natural moisturizer at night. I also use a moisturizer in the morning that contains sunscreen.
What is your definition of beauty?
It’s so hard to answer because beauty is such an open-ended concept.
I always believed that beauty is being comfortable in your own skin. Because beauty comes from within.
Nina Dadfar
This is such a cliché, I know. But who are we to say beauty is your natural, make-up free skin or beauty is small hips and a big bust or whatever it is.
Beauty isn’t just physical. Beauty includes, but not limited to, how you carry yourself, the aura you send out to the world and how people attract to you.
I wish I can give a more direct and simple answer to this question, but it is so much deeper than what we see on the outside and I wish more people knew that.
