
A brief history.
It all started with a dream, a hammer, and serious elbow grease.
The dream? I wanted to create a positive salon environment. A salon that nurtures teamwork and camaraderie. A salon that creates a truly enjoyable and fulfilling experience for our guests. A salon to share with other like-minded stylists.
In 2005 the idea for Violet Hair Lounge was born.
I bought a ramshackle character home in downtown Nanaimo and recruited my family as the reno crew. Thanks to their grit and patience – and my amateur design skills – we were able to open Violet Hair Lounge 10 long months later.
After occupying our quaint location for 7 years we were bursting at the seams. Another reno and another move took us to the heart of the city in 2014. Because of family, friends, and our wonderful clients, I’ve been able to realize my dream since 2006.
And while our luxurious downtown location is decidedly more upscale than where we started, we’ve always stuck to the same values that started VHL. I’m proud to now have a salon full of talented women who share these same standards.
Thank-you to everyone who has helped make Violet Hair Lounge what it is today. See you at the salon!
– Angie Gignac, Owner & Master Stylist
Not just a salon: an experience

Our values.
At the core of our company’s culture is what we call Eco-Elegance.
We’re passionate about working with progressive, eco-friendly, cruelty-free product lines, while protecting the environment with our salon practices. We are very proud to partner with some the most earth-conscious companies in our industry. And we’re always looking for ways to improve further.
Of course it’s not all about the environment: it’s about you. And when you sit in one our chairs, you’re our number one priority.
Our stylists are continually advancing their craft to ensure meticulous results and superior care. We believe your visit to our salon will leave you feeling relaxed, listened to, and taken care of.
Ready for a proper salon experience? Book online or get in touch to schedule your appointment today.
Product Love
Things we’re crazy about.
-
KEVIN.MURPHY
KEVIN.MURPHY is committed to reducing plastic in the best way they know how: by cleaning up our oceans and reclaiming that plastic to package their hair products.
KEVIN.MURPHY bottles are made from 100% recycled ocean plastics in an effort to create a circular supply chain. By doing so, they are the first ever beauty brand to implement this practice, through which they project to save over 360 tons of new plastic each year.
-
Loma Hair Care
What makes Loma unique is the belief that it’s not just about style; but healthier, stronger, shinier hair. Loma hair care products are high performing with naturally healing, organic ingredients and essential oil based fragrances that embrace this belief.
Loma is made in the USA, prints their own bottles, blends their own products, and fills their own bottles. All at a price that rivals retail outlets while delivering performance that far exceeds them!
-
Routine Cream Deodorants
Routine’s effectiveness and commitment to maintain a deep connection to their local community has resulted in a word of mouth, sought-after destination product with a loyal fan following. Ethically crafted with the health of the planet and its roommates as priority, routine was created by sisters Neige and Pippa at the base of the Rocky Mountains in beautiful Calgary, Canada.
Routine contains only clean, wholesome ingredients. No nasty aluminum zirconium, aluminum chlorohydrate, parabens, triclosan, or propylene glycol – because they love all people (and why would anyone want that in their products!?).
-
Eleven Australia
Eleven Australia is a Haircare and Lifestyle brand for the young at heart. Eleven has created an affordable line of hair products that contain effective ingredients that are PETA-approved and come in recyclable packaging.
“Haircare doesn’t need to be complicated, it just needs to work.” – Joey Scandizzo
-
K’pure Naturals
Skin care for the ages.
Each product is made with the strictest attention to quality control and detail. As a busy mom of four young kids, feeling confident about what I put in and on our bodies is super important to me, and I hope that I can help make those decisions easier for you and your family too! This is where Karen’s quest for natural skin and body care started.
Founded by Karen Johnson, made with a small and great team in Mission, British Columbia.
-
Só Luxury Bath & Body
Só Luxury is the “baby” of two besties, Amanda & Shylah. Originally operating under the name Bébé de Luxe, a brand created by Amanda when her son was a baby, the two friends came together in the Spring of 2017 to discuss a partnership. It seemed a natural fit, since Shylah’s mom, Sue, had been an integral part of the BdL team for well over a year, managing all production and packaging while Amanda handled all other aspects.
As growth does, things started to surpass the capacity of Amanda’s spare bedroom office in her townhouse and the hours she could devote to BdL at night once her son Rian was tucked into bed. Shylah swooped in to save the day and the girls were soon incorporating Só Luxury Bath & Body Inc. and signing a lease for warehouse space.