We recently connected with Karinna Barley and have shared our conversation below.

Karinna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I am often asked how I got the idea for my salon’s name and its aesthetic.

Through all of life’s phases that I have encountered thus far, my love for these three things have remained consistent: art, magic, and Halloween.

I began practicing witchcraft in my early teens, around the same time that I began dabbling in hair artistry. I’d like to think that the timing of my youthful curiosity in both is no coincidence, but rather a perfect intertwining of the future I would create for myself.

There were many times where I was shamed for my admiration in what many would consider to be “strange,” and my ability to express myself was constantly repressed. My hair became one of my main physical means of expression. I discovered the magic that came with changing my own canvas, the release felt when letting go of a style that no longer served me. When I first colored the hair of one of my peers, I realized that I could provide that experience to others, as well.

Society as a whole seems to deny the very obvious occurrences of magic (or label it as something else entirely) …except for when it comes to one very special holiday. Regardless of religious or spiritual beliefs, Halloween is something that is felt by everyone (whether people choose to fear it or embrace it is a conversation for another time 😉).

Overall, it seems to bring the majority just a little bit closer, even if it is just for a day or a season. There is a child-like wonder that fills the hearts of so many during this time, along with the blissful confidence to shamelessly be anything you want to be. It teaches us to embrace the darker parts of life, for those can be where we find the most beauty.

The magic of Halloween is undeniable, and it is something that l aspire to feel and provide to others every single day.

All Hallows’ is more than just a hair salon. It is a safe space for anyone to come as they are and leave as who they want to be. It is the safe space I wish I had had many years ago. I only hope that your experience at my salon provides a little inner-child healing, just like creating it has provided for me.

Karinna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

This studio means the world to me. The beauty is in the details, and I have spent the last 5 years refining every last one down to the cabinet knobs. Every piece of art displayed are creations from local artists, small businesses, or myself. The decor of All Hallows’ Hair Studio plays a tremendous part in the magic I strive for each guest to experience.

All Hallows’ is a constant work in progress, and I believe that its continuous evolution is a reflection of my own growth. Throughout my life I have been made fun of or shamed for being who I am, but I never let it get in the way of my passion for creating art. Opening my own studio has only strengthened my perseverance and further solidified my confidence in my authenticity.

Being a studio owner allows me express myself, but what I love even more is that it has given me the opportunity to provide a safe space for my guests to do the same.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

For me, hair is one of our greatest tools of self-expression. When I reveal a color creation to a guest and see that instant boost of confidence ignite within them…*that* is why I do what I do. There are so many things that can hold someone back from trying something new with their hair, whether it be a job, a spouse, or just the fear of how it will look on them. Having the courage to step out of your comfort zone and into the person you’ve always wanted to be can be such a release.

It was not until 2020’s unforeseen circumstances when I made the decision to open my own salon. When you’re given 2+ months to sit with yourself, a lot of things come into perspective. My interest in witchcraft and spirituality expanded greatly during this time. With that, my etsy shop All Hallows’ Apothecary was born. My shop’s motto is “encouraging self-love through magic,” and I quickly realized that this related to the hair that I create, as well.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Honestly, the same way I’ve built the clientele that I have. I aspire for all of my work, whether it be creative outlets, hair, or social media posts, to be authentically me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://allhallowshairstudio.com
• Instagram: allhallowshair