From My Chair to Your Heart.

By Shae Tsiknaris

Wow… what a whirlwind these past few months have been! So much has happened since the AHIA Awards have come and gone. Time really flies when you’re doing what you love.

We kicked off the weekend at Hair Festival, and what an experience! It gets bigger and better every year. My brother in law Dimitri and I had the honour of being interviewed on the Hair Stage, where we shared the beautiful connection between our salon and Alfaparf. Being brand ambassadors for a brand we truly believe in is such a privilege, and sharing that moment together was incredibly special.

This year, my son Harry came along and soaked it all in. Seeing everything through his eyes made it even more magical.

To wrap up the weekend, the AHIA Awards were a true showstopper. It was their 20th anniversary, and I was incredibly honoured to be invited by Linda Woodhead to be part of the Masters and Mavericks show an experience I’ll carry with me forever. Standing on stage alongside industry icons like Caterina Di Biase, Benny Tognini, Shane Henning, Joey Scandizzo, Danny Pato, and Stevie English (who was sadly away) felt surreal. And Jane Wild’s iconic bobble heads just wow. I’d never seen anything like them!

Another highlight was meeting the legendary Adam Williams. His energy, creativity, and stage presence were nothing short of electric a true masterclass in performance and passion.

I never imagined moments like this in my life. Being part of the show came from winning Master Cutter of the Year three times an honour I still find humbling. That recognition led to receiving the Medal of Honour, alongside others who’ve made their mark in the industry. It was overwhelming and unforgettable.

What made it even more meaningful was having my mum there to witness it. She flew all the way from Perth to meet me and Harry in Sydney. My mum is my life coach always by my side. Her support is constant and having her in the room meant everything. Sharing that moment with her is a memory I’ll treasure forever.

Sadly, my husband Chris couldn’t be there, he was recovering from an operation. Even more bittersweet, he was also a finalist for Creative Colourist of the Year. Not having him there was tough, but I carried him with me in spirit. I’m so proud of all he’s achieved, and I know we’ll have many more moments to celebrate together.

The Next Generation

Another emotional high point was watching my brother-in-law, mentor, and boss, Bill Tsiknaris, be inducted into the Hall of Fame, receiving the Dennis Langford Award. Sharing that moment with him gave me goosebumps. And to top it off, our salon team took home Salon Team of the Year! Although we didn’t win in our other categories, I want to sincerely congratulate all the winners. Your passion is so inspiring.

As I always say just because we didn’t win them doesn’t mean we’re done. Being finalists is a huge achievement. It pushes us to grow, take risks, and stay curious. And being uncomfortable? That’s where the magic happens.

Life Behind the Chair

Back in the salon, I was reminded that hairdressing is so much more than just hair. A long-time client shared that her son had passed from cancer. I held her no words, just presence. Later, she said, “I’m so glad I came in. I really needed that.”

This is why we do what we do. It’s not just hair. It’s heart. A privilege to hold space through life’s highs and lows.

Watching our juniors grow has been a joy. From nervous beginners to confident stylists they’re stepping up every day. I recently did a Milano wave and let one of them take over the neutralising process. They nailed it! I’m still working on convincing them that perming is fun (they’re not quite there yet).

Style wise, big bouncy blowouts are still in, but I’m loving the shift toward undone, beachy waves. With the new GHD curl tongs and the GHD Duet, we’ve been creating long-lasting, effortless looks our guests love and can recreate at home.

A Little Life Outside the Salon

On a lighter note I’ve become oddly obsessed with pulling weeds lately. The grass isn’t growing much this winter, but the weeds? Thriving. There’s something oddly satisfying about clearing them, even knowing they’ll be back. It reminds me of split ends always returning and thank goodness they do… or we’d be out of a job!

Until next time, my beautiful people keep showing up as you are, stay inspired, and never underestimate the power of simply being there for someone.

With love,
Shae xx