We were lucky to catch up with Skylar Normington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Skylar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents did a lot of things right, but what stands out most is their unwavering support and belief in me. Both of them worked as correctional officers, so when I told them I wanted to become a makeup artist and move to Toronto, it probably felt completely out of left field. We had no connections to the hair or makeup industry, yet they never questioned my path, they simply encouraged me to follow it.

They’ve always been my biggest supporters and my anchor during moments of self-doubt. After spending 10 years in the industry, I decided to take another leap of faith and open my own salon. It felt only right to pay tribute to my dad by naming the business after him! A reflection of the foundation of support that made it all possible.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

By trade, I’m a hair and makeup artist and now a salon owner based in Toronto. I started in the beauty industry over a decade ago with the intention of pursuing special effects makeup, but I quickly fell in love with bridal hair and makeup and, more importantly, the connections I was building with women along the way.

Today, in addition to my bridal and event work, I’m the co-owner of a hair salon on the Danforth in Toronto. We’ve built an incredible team that specializes in everything from precision cutting to high-impact blonding and extensions. Our focus is always on enhancing our clients’ natural beauty while prioritizing hair health and making choices that align with their lifestyle. On the bridal side, I specialize in soft, elevated hair and makeup that photographs beautifully while still feeling like you. A big part of my role is creating a calm, seamless, and organized experience, especially on wedding days, when there’s often a lot happening at once.

What sets me and my team apart is our balance of artistry and practicality. I’m highly detail-oriented, but I care just as much about the overall experience; how our clients feel in the chair, the confidence they leave with, and how manageable their hair is afterward. I’ve built my business largely through trust and word of mouth, which is something I’m incredibly proud of.

Opening my salon with my friend and business partner, Desiree, has been a major milestone. It represents years of growth, risk-taking, and staying committed to my vision, even when the path wasn’t always clear. More than anything, I want people to know that my brand is rooted in honesty, quality, and consistency. My goal is to create work that feels elevated yet effortless, and to build long-term relationships with every client, whether they’re sitting in our salon chair or working with us on one of the most important days of their life.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I actually started out as a client of Desiree’s, it was 2015 and I had recently moved to Toronto and was looking for a hairstylist to take me as white blonde as possible. I was scrolling on Instagram and saw someone I followed had liked a photo of a girl very ashy blonde hair, just what I was looking for. (This was back when you could see your followers likes in a feed on Instagram!) I booked an appointment with her, and we immediately hit it off. Eventually I got a part time job at this salon as a receptionist, while I was working as a freelance makeup artist on the weekends, and we’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

One of my favourite parts of owning the salon, has been building our team and fostering the culture at the salon. The biggest things I’ve learned about managing a team is that culture isn’t something you talk about, it’s something you consistently demonstrate. People take their cues from how you lead, so setting the tone with respect, professionalism, and accountability is everything.

Clear communication is a huge part of maintaining high morale. Making sure expectations are understood, giving regular feedback, and creating space for your team to feel heard goes a long way. I also think it’s important to recognize that everyone is motivated differently, some people value growth opportunities, others value flexibility or recognition. Taking the time to get to know your team and understand them as individuals really matters.

In our salon, we try to create an environment where people feel supported, not micromanaged. That means trusting your team, encouraging their strengths, and giving them the tools and education they need to grow. At the same time, consistency and standards are key, people feel more secure and confident when there’s structure and fairness across the board.

Morale also comes from the day-to-day experience. Celebrating wins, keeping the environment positive, and addressing issues early (instead of letting things build) makes a big difference. I think when people feel respected, supported, and proud of the work they’re doing, that naturally translates into a stronger team dynamic and better client experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bazandbillie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bazandbillie/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bazandbillie
  https://www.instagram.com/skynormington/