Meet The Team
Pastels Salon Jumeirah
The flagship salon is housed in a large, luxury, chic and custom-built premises on Al Wasl Road. Offering the latest hair, nails and beauty treatments, it caters to its loyal female-only clientele - a mix of Emirati and Expat ladies.
Management
About Me
Ruksher
Co-Founder & Business Director
Since establishing the Pastels Salon brand with business partner Steven Chan in 2004, Ruksher has emerged as a leader in the Middle East’s hair community. She won Professional Beauty GCC’s Business Director of the Year award in 2019, as well as co-winning the EIDEAL-Santi Business Leader of the Year in 2017.
Under her strong, kind and compassionate leadership, she has ensured the award-winning Pastels’ brand is recognised as a pioneering force in the hair industry, as well as a firm favourite with beauty editors, influencers and hair& beauty lovers in the UAE.
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
The fact that it offers you the ability to transform how someone looks and feels. I love the creativity that is at the core of how can transform how someone looks to make them feel fantastic.
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
I have two must-have products. The Curl Manifesto curl crème and the Kerastase Elixir Rose Oil, both of which leave my curls, soft, beautifully defined and frizz-free.
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
I love spending time at home, whether it is relaxing with my family, gardening, arranging flowers or spending time with my pets (I have dogs and a kitten!) I also love my gym workouts in the morning as they are a great way to kickstart my day!
What’s the best advice you have ever received/Motto you live by?
To be positive, remain calm and have confidence that everything will work out, even if you are faced with an adverse situation. I am a firm believer in looking forward, not back. You only live once, so it is important to live life to the fullest and to enjoy every moment. I also believe in helping any living being who is in need.
Hair
About Me
Georgie
Senior Artistic Director
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Georgie has worked in the hair industry for 15 years and has been at Pastels Salon since 2011. She has trained with notable hair industry greats including Shane Henning, Paula Hibbard, Sharon Blaine, Darren Fowler, Alan Edwards and Mario Charalambous.
Georgie is passionate about teaching, She loves sharing her knowledge and helping others improve their technique so they can not only make their clients happy but ensure they continually do beautiful work so they feel good too. Believing there is always room for improvement, Georgie attends regular training so she is up-to-date with the latest trends in the hair industry.
Georgie is passionate about teaching, She loves sharing her knowledge and helping others improve their technique so they can not only make their clients happy but ensure they continually do beautiful work so they feel good too. Believing there is always room for improvement, Georgie attends regular training so she is up-to-date with the latest trends in the hair industry.
Questions, questions ...
What do you love about working in this industry?
Two things, really. First of all, I love working in a team - the banter and energy you have, as well as the ability to bounce ideas of one another. Secondly, when it comes to the clients, my job is not just about superficial beauty; but rather you have the opportunity to really make a difference to them, and how they feel about themselves. You never know what people are going through at home and it is really a special gift to have a positive impact in their lives.
What is your favourite hair product?
Fluidissime from Kérastase’s Discipline range is my go-to product. It is anti-frizz and offers brilliant heat protection. I use heat in some form – tongs, straighteners, hairdryer – every day to style my own hair and this is invaluable! It is also heavy enough to leave the hair with a glossy and shiny appearance, but it does not weight it down. I use it on all my clients!
What’s your favourite way to spend time?
With my family - all of my downtime is spent with my husband and daughter, either having a lazy day at home chilling out, or going out to do activities.
What’s the motto you live by?
I am a strong believer in Karma. Do good, good will be done onto you. Also, always be kind. You never know what is going on in the privacy of people’s home and what they are having to deal with so always try to have a positive impact on them through your words and actions.
About Me
Tanya
Artistic Director
South African Tanya completed training with industry giants such as Wella, Schwarzkopf, Redken and Paul Mitchell to name but a few. Her great achievement was travelling to Malta as part of a Redken team and she also loves participating in shows such as Fashion Forward where she gets to work with the entire Pastels’ team. She views every day as a new challenge and gets immense satisfaction when a client leaves her chair happy!
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
Every day is different – you really don’t know the way in which someone wants to be transformed. In our industry, trends change and are always evolving so that is exciting.
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
Kerastase Elixir Ultime. It is a universal product, great for every hair. It eliminates frizz and protects up to 230 degrees and it revives the natural strength of hair.
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
Meeting up with a few good friends and going on holidays or staycations.
What’s the motto you live by?
Today is a good day to have a great day!
About Me
Danielle
Artistic Director
Scottish stylist Danielle Stewart launched her hairdressing career in 2005, working in a happening salon in Glasgow before relocating to Kuwait, where she honed her expertise on colouring European, Arabic and Asian hair. Passionate about the industry, Danielle loves working with talented stylists and is focused on education and enhancing her skill set, having regularly attended L'Oreal Middle East's education and business seminars.
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
In this fast-paced industry, it’s ever-changing: nothing stays the same for too long because there are always new techniques to learn and new products being relased.
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
I love L’Oréal Techi.Art savage panache texture spray - it gives you a nice matt finish and offers amazing hold without making your hair crispy. It is great to add texture and remove some of the softness from newly washed hair.
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
Shopping, spend time with friends and going to the pool / beach.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Always keep learning and be humble.
About Me
Natalie Anne
Senior Stylist
Winner of South Africa’s Hair Stylist of the Year 2001, Natalie Anne worked as a salon manager for more than 20 years before relocating to Dubai. During this time, she completed a wide range of training courses, including sessions with Schwarzkopf for colour and cutting to ensure she kept up-to-date with the latest trends in the hair industry. Her expertise includes highlights, cuts, updos and creative colour.
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
The constant arrival of new techniques and training.
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
Olaplex is my must-have product. It keeps the hair strong and hydrated, as well as adding shine. You can also use it for coloured hair, maintaining the shine and preventing fading.
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
Spending time with my family doing outdoor activities.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Treat people the same way you would like to be treated.
Nails
Beauty
The Ritz-Carlton JBR
This modern, upbeat branch offers hair services and beauty treatments including waxing and nails to its varied unisex clientele, which includes Dubai residents and tourists.
Management
About Me
Steven
Co-Founder & Business Director
Steven Chan is the Co-founder of the highly successful and award-winning Pastels Salon brand. After completing educational programmes in London and Paris, he worked in Barcelona, Hamburg and his native Singapore, before relocating to Dubai in the 90s. After working with Ruksher Malik at his salon, The Hair Shop, the two decided to team up together and with their unique vision and passion launched the Pastels Salon brand in 2004.
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
I love how innovative the industry is – there are always exciting new techniques and fantastic new products being launched. It’s never boring!
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
I think Olaplex has been a real game-changer for the industry. It allows you to do very drastic colour changes without damaging the hair’s integrity. It is also brilliant as a homecare product range, offering protection to the hair and repairing it from the inside out.
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
I love travelling with friends and discovering new places. I also love spending time at the gym.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Treat everyone with respect and kindness irrespective of who they are, where they come from and how much money/influence they have.
About Me
Natalie
General Manager & Creative Director
Acclaimed as a L’Oréal Professionnel international ambassador and trainer, Natalie regularly hosts workshops, shows and seminars throughout the Middle East and beyond for hair industry professionals. Passionate about her craft, Natalie is only one of a clutch of stylists from the Middle East to hold L’Oréal Professionnel Colour Specialist Course, the highest award in colour that a stylist can receive.
As well as being the creative genius behind the Pastels Salon’s in-house annual photoshoots, Natalie’s skills are in demand as a fashion show stylist - she has given her creative touch backstage at Dior and Dolce e Gabbana. She has been the Creative Stylist for Dyson in the Middle East since 2017.
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
Working backstage on fashion shows, doing editorial work and photo shoots, working with Dyson and L’Oreal as their ambassador are just a few things I love! I have to say I also love being on the floor and my amazing clients.
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
I’m a curly girl so L’Oreal Siren Waves is my favourite product.
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
I love spending time with my girls. I’m a gym junkie and I love to surf.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
My mum always said If you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all
I try my best to live this way, but sometimes it gets a bit tricky!
About Me
Karl
Assistant Manager & Artistic Director
Trained with Toni&Guy for both cut and colour, Karl has more than 10 years in the industry. He has worked in some of London’s most prestigious salons, including Selfridges and Electric London, where he was the principal stylist and salon educator. Karl has assisted backstage on numerous occasions at London Fashion Week and industry trade shows. Karl is also the ONLY BeautyWorks master extension specialist in Dubai.
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
Making people happy and feel good – basically giving my clients inner confidence to conquer their day.
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
Redken One United – it’s the best leave-in conditioner on the market and suitable for every hair.
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
Spending time with loved ones making memories.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Natalie Kasses told me that you never stop learning.
Hair
About Me
Vesna
Artistic Director
Vesna has worked in hairdressing for almost 20 years. She was educated in Sweden before relocating to Dubai in 2008. Vesna has been a creative force at Fashion Forward, Dubai’s Fashion Week and has assisted backstage at multiple L’Oreal Middle East shows in her capacity as a L’Oreal artist and ambassador. She won Hair Idol Middle East in 2011 and has been featured in numerous magazines such as Emirates Woman, as well as being named one of Time Out Dubai’s Top Ten hairdressers.
About Me
Rachel
Artistic Director
Originally from Scotland, Rachel joined the Pastels ‘team in 2015. After completing a two-and-a-half year apprenticeship, Rachel completed courses with Wella and L’Oreal. After time spent on a six-star cruise ship, she relocated to Dubai. She loves travelling and making her clients feel good about her hair.
Questions, questions ...
What excites you most about working in the hair industry?
When someone comes in feeling down about their hair/look but once I’m finished with them, they feel fantastic and love their new hair!
What is your must-have hair product – and why?
I am an Olaplex girl - I love all of the range as it strengthens the hair and makes my job easier to get my clients the hair they want!
Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to spend time?
I love to spend my free time with friends.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Invest in your hair because you have to wear it every day!
About Me
Ruben
Senior Stylist
Armed with a L’Oreal Professionel Colour Specialist Degree, Ruben has an unrivalled knowledge of all aspects of colouring and how to use the industry’s latest techniques to achieve a colour that will be most flattering to your complexion. Aside from colour, Ruben is a hair extensions maestro, and can use them to truly transform your look.
After completing his education in London, Ruben worked in elite salons in London, Ibiza and Marbella before relocating to Dubai. With his Mediterranean charm and relaxed manner, Ruben is a stylist who will put you firmly at ease while he works his magic to make you look and feel your absolute best!
