Camille Pettit is the coolest rocker chick with a penchant for vintage tees and Led Zeppelin you’ve ever met. Situated in her own effortless waves and bangs that seem perpetually perfect, she’s eager to dish on her hair journey, from four-year-old dreamer to Senior Stylist at Plan B Salon in Kelowna. After a stellar performance and finish in Blanche Macdonald’s Pro Hair program, Camille called the award-winning High Fidelity Hair Studio in Vancouver her home for two years until she decided to move back to her hometown of Kelowna. From women’s styles to colours to barbering to bridal, Camille does it all with a vintage flair. And by ‘all’, we really mean it. Camille’s resume has expanded by one other important job title in the last few months—mom. Now this Kelowna Hairstylist gets to live her best life at home, and her creative life at work. Just like she dreamed!
The lightbulb moment that led you to hair:
Oh goodness. I don’t think there was ever one exact moment. I used to tell my mom when I was four years old that when I grew up I wanted to be a hairstylist, which for a little while changed to a dentist! I quickly learned that dentistry wasn’t for me, but the hairstylist dream definitely stuck.
I loved hair school! I learned SO much. I left Blanche Macdonald feeling super prepared for the big bad hair world.
What made you choose to call Plan B Hair Salon and Barbershop home?
They share a lot of the same values I look for in a job and they understand the importance of a work/life balance. They also have strong attention to detail while providing customers with a laid back atmosphere where they can feel comfortable which is super important to me as well. Client comfortability goes such a long way. We have a liquor license and a full bar menu. Who doesn’t want to get their hair done and have a drink!? I also wanted to make sure where I worked had a variety of clientele as I enjoy barbering, colouring, and doing women’s cuts, so it was a perfect fit!
You were recently promoted to Senior Stylist! That’s incredible. How did that feel?
VALIDATING! It’s so reassuring to be rewarded like that for all the hard work I put into learning and growing as a stylist.
Does that title come with any major salon responsibilities?
Mainly maintaining happy clientele but I also think it’s important to show your employer your work ethic in other ways, no matter your title. Keeping up on things like punctuality, cleanliness, and being a team player all maintain importance.
How did you find out about and choose Blanche Macdonald for your Hair program?
I wanted to go to the most reputable hair school in BC and Blanche is definitely that! I did a lot of research and it always came out on top. For classes, for the program overall, and for graduate success. I felt safe building my future on their program.
What was your time there like? Do you feel like it helped prepare you for life in a salon/barbershop?
I loved hair school! I learned SO much. I left Blanche Macdonald feeling super prepared for the big bad hair world. They cover such a wide variety of hair and even some makeup. The in-depth barbering was definitely the biggest thing I took away from my time there. So many schools don’t focus on men’s hair and that is your bread and butter for clientele when you are fresh out of school! The photoshoots were an awesome addition to career prep as well.
Do you have a favourite day or teacher there?
I loved the salon days when we had actual clients. I learn best when put in real-life situations so that was where I felt I thrived. Film and TV was also really interesting and a great avenue of the hair industry to learn—especially living in Vancouver! All of the teachers were great as well. Renata was a very meticulous teacher which I enjoyed. She really helped push me to become a great stylist! Ken was also a huge help to my development! But so were all of the other teachers! I can’t choose a favourite.
Do you remember your first salon day? What was the first day you felt like “I got this?”
Yes definitely! I was nervous I had to do an inverted bob haircut. I was super stressed haha! But I rocked it and she loved it. As for my “I got this” moment, it was about 6 or 7 months into my first job as a junior stylist that I really felt like I was totally able to handle being on the floor!
Is Plan B the reason you relocated to Kelowna?
I grew up in Kelowna and that’s also where I met my partner. I stayed in Vancouver for 2 years after finishing the Pro Hair program at Blanche and I loved everything about the city. I loved where I lived (shout out to Commercial Drive!) and where I worked (my High Fidelity family) and I had so many great friends. Eventually, my partner and I decided we wanted to buy a house and have a family and we just couldn’t justify it in Vancouver! Also, Kelowna has better weather, lol!
The in-depth barbering was definitely the biggest thing I took away from my time there. So many schools don’t focus on men’s hair and that is your bread and butter for clientele when you are fresh out of school!
What’s your most asked for style and some favourite products for that style?
Kelowna women definitely love being blonde so I’d say either blonde balayage or highlights are definitely most popular! I love Redken Flash Lift with Olaplex and the Redken Shades EQ for toning!
You do bridal work as well! Can you talk a bit about how you approach those clients vs. how you approach salon clients?
Bridal work is super fun! Many times they are my salon clients. It’s important to do a trial run and also ask questions like what their dress looks like so you know if the hairstyle will complement it or not. There are more styling factors to think about and it’s definitely more meticulous. You have to enjoy doing updos to like doing bridal hair, which, luckily for me, I do!
How do you decide which bridal clients to take on?
I have yet to turn someone away! As long as they are realistic with what they want to be done I’m happy to do their hair.
When you’ve put the effort into your training and perfecting your technique, there’s a very comfortable living to be made when you can offer the most in-demand styles with skill.
Success is: found when you find what makes you truly happy and pursue it!!
When I feel uninspired: I usually get fresh air or listen to music!
What’s a common misconception about the job or industry in general?
That you won’t make any money! Thanks to technology and social media, our techniques and abilities are so vast. Especially when you’ve put the effort into your training and perfecting your technique, there’s a very comfortable living to be made when you can offer the most in-demand styles with skill.
If you could do anyone’s hair, it would be: Jennifer Aniston. Iconic!
What’s a crucial trait for success in the hair industry?
There’s always room to grow/learn. You’ll never know it all. Be humble. And also, CONSULTATIONS!!! It’s immensely easier to go into work or an appointment if you know exactly what you’re getting into and the expectations you’ll need to fulfill.
Some of your favourite things/obsessions right now?
My baby! He’s 5 weeks and 1 day old today.
You get to choose the salon’s playlist for the day, so you choose: Ooooh that’s tough. It depends on my mood. I love the Ramones or any old school punk. I’m also a sucker for classic rock ‘n’ roll like Led Zeppelin. I like to play music that will appeal to (mostly) everyone.
The advice I wish I had 5 years ago: FOLLOW YOUR PASSION.
In 5 years, find me: chasing my kid(s) around Kelowna, living a fulfilled life full of love and creativity and happiness!
