Bigoudi Staff - Nail Salons Woodland Hills - Human Hair Extensions

TEL: (818) 887-3627 View Our Hours

Barbara Jones
Some things we just know... As a child I had a deep interest in beauty. After taking my turn as a young person, I decided to settle down into the business. I spent my early years at Sebastian Salons Cassandre 2000 and Centre where I had the privilege to be surrounded by some of the most amazing artists in this profession. The memory of my time there inspires me to this day, and it was there that I met Makoto Akita and Carlos De La Vega through my friend, Jerico; a chance meeting of fate. Makoto had the most talented, creative, dedicated staff I had ever seen in Osaka, Japan. I believe luck struck me twice with the opportunity to be with a second group of such amazing talent. Not only did these people have great ability, but their pure passion for excellence really stood out. The melting together of these cultures is what created our salon.
The most fulfilling part of hairdressing is the opportunity to assist people in shaping an image and providing an escape from everyday life. My mission in the salon is to provide people with an elevated level of skill, innovative products, unique services, and extraordinary pampering. I want to create an experience clients can become addicted to; a healthy habit.

Sandra Hurtado - Management
I began my advanced education in cosmetology at Bigoudi Salon by being mentored by some very experienced and successful hair dressers. All of my mentors strongly believed in a continuous education, which has become very important to me in my career not only for myself but the new assistants and stylists I am now in charge of mentoring. Years after, I began working with the Wella/Sebastian research and development department testing color and working in conjunction with a chemist who specialized in hair color. It was a fascinating experience to really see the way color effects our hair. It was a pleasure to look at the transformation it created in each client's mood just by correcting an unwanted color. Due to my experience there, color has become a passion and specialty of mine. Additionally, I specialize in Japanese relaxing and straightening. It is a long process, but it is incredibly rewarding to see not only the hair transform from curly, frizzy, or damaged to beautiful, silky, shiny hair, but to see how it transforms the way the client looks at themselves. I am a firm believer in educating my clients by thoroughly showing them how to achieve the look they want at home and providing them with the right products and tools their hair needs, along with an honest, professional opinion. Overall my career has been nothing but a fun, fulfilling journey.

Natsu Ikuko Ohmura - Management
My foundation as a Stylist was built in Japan where I am from. I was taught about Good Design, Careful Work, and Thoughtful Service. Working in Bigoudi LA has been great because of the staff being kind and eager to learn and a mutual understanding of the Salon Owners concept and philosophy. The Salon is a very good environment for promoting teamwork. My favorite word is HARMONY, and this salon perfectly demonstrates it with the ease of working together with all the staff. I have also had many opportunities to learn from them as well, even after having 20 years of experience in the industry. I look forward to meeting new clients and sharing this wonderful salon environment with them.

Angel
I have been a licensed esthetician since 1997 and stay up to date on all the latest Skincare trends. I believe in the beauty every woman has within her and strive to help every client to achieve their utmost potential when it comes to skincare. Not everyone can see their beauty potential, but if I can help my clients capture and highlight one key feature, then I have fulfilled a greater purpose. I set the highest standards, not only for myself, but for the care of my clients. My services are an investment to inspire you to enhance your beauty. The results are worth more than you can imagine!

Jose Irizarry
I have been a Sebastian International Artistic Team member for 30 years which has given me the opportunity to show off my talent in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Mexico, and the United States. In the past few years I have become a Sebastian International Core Team member where I have been able to train other Sebastian Artistic Team members here and abroad. I am inspired by music, fashion, and different cultures, but my biggest inspiration is the youth of today. Our youth are not afraid to take chances, make drastic changes to their image, or break the “rules” of society. My goal as a hairdresser is to ultimately make every client feel great, as well as look the part.

Carlos de la Vega
About 30 years ago I met a man named Makoto Akita in London. We were both there to learn English, and Makoto was enhancing his skills as a stylist at the same time. We became close friends and ended up traveling the world together. Three years later, Makoto opened the first Bigoudi salon in Osaka, Japan and later opened three more (in Japan). Bigoudi is now celebrating its 26th anniversary. A few years after its opening I started working at Bigoudi.Together, we eventually opened a boutique, a restaurant, and finally, Bigoudi International - Los Angeles (which is celebrating its 13th anniversary).
Throughout all of our work together we met Barbara Jones. She became a good friend and business partner; today she is the General Director of Bigoudi International - Los Angeles.
The opening of Bigoudi International here in Los Angeles has been a great opportunity to meet a variety of wonderful customers, as well as expand and exchange knowledge in arts and fashion with the diverse cultures of Los Angeles and Osaka. We openly invite all of you to pay us a visit; we look forward to meeting you.

	Barbara Jones Some things we just know... As a child I had a deep interest in beauty. After taking my turn as a young person, I decided to settle down into the business. I spent my early years at Sebastian Salons Cassandre 2000 and Centre where I had the privilege to be surrounded by some of the most amazing artists in this profession. The memory of my time there inspires me to this day, and it was there that I met Makoto Akita and Carlos De La Vega through my friend, Jerico; a chance meeting of fate. Makoto had the most talented, creative, dedicated staff I had ever seen in Osaka, Japan. I believe luck struck me twice with the opportunity to be with a second group of such amazing talent. Not only did these people have great ability, but their pure passion for excellence really stood out. The melting together of these cultures is what created our salon. The most fulfilling part of hairdressing is the opportunity to assist people in shaping an image and providing an escape from everyday life. My mission in the salon is to provide people with an elevated level of skill, innovative products, unique services, and extraordinary pampering. I want to create an experience clients can become addicted to; a healthy habit.
	Sandra Hurtado - Management I began my advanced education in cosmetology at Bigoudi Salon by being mentored by some very experienced and successful hair dressers. All of my mentors strongly believed in a continuous education, which has become very important to me in my career not only for myself but the new assistants and stylists I am now in charge of mentoring. Years after, I began working with the Wella/Sebastian research and development department testing color and working in conjunction with a chemist who specialized in hair color. It was a fascinating experience to really see the way color effects our hair. It was a pleasure to look at the transformation it created in each client's mood just by correcting an unwanted color. Due to my experience there, color has become a passion and specialty of mine. Additionally, I specialize in Japanese relaxing and straightening. It is a long process, but it is incredibly rewarding to see not only the hair transform from curly, frizzy, or damaged to beautiful, silky, shiny hair, but to see how it transforms the way the client looks at themselves. I am a firm believer in educating my clients by thoroughly showing them how to achieve the look they want at home and providing them with the right products and tools their hair needs, along with an honest, professional opinion. Overall my career has been nothing but a fun, fulfilling journey.
	Anayelli Tovar Growing up in the hair dresser world, seeing my mom and aunt do hair daily inspire me to be like them. Even as a child when I was in middle school and already having great unique hairstyles, although I felt out of place in school I knew that one day one time I would be a hair dresser. I had all the ingredients , and all I needed was the will. When I was in high school I decided to go to beauty school and got my diploma before I graduated high school, I started my journey a few years ago. Being raised in the rock 'n roll world I got inspired by the era of the late 60s to the 80s in the punk rock movement. I loved their attitude and the way they would express emotions through their hairstyles with color. That's when I realize I had inherited the passion for hair from my family. All I needed was direction. Luckily for me I found a place with great education energy and great people that where willing to help me achieve this goal. A dream is what I used to have. Now I'm privileged to say that I'm part of the Bigoudi team! Y que VIVA EL ROCK !!!
	Shelli I have always had a love and a passion for hair. When I was a little girl I loved going to the salon with my mom and I would wonder why the other children were bored?! I was fascinated with EVERYTHING about the environment! The energy of the creativity and the smiles and self confidence of the clients that were finished with their service. I knew then that I needed to be a part of this! I am most passionate about color. From radiant red, to brilliant Brown's, to glorious blondes and everything in between. I enjoy a transformation and the challenge of a color correction. I am always educating myself with new techniques and education because I find there is always more to learn and it keeps my creative juices flowing. I enjoy cutting hair as well as I feel the haircut should be just as important to the individual style of each person. I love curly hair, short pixie hair, long layers.
	Minerva “Do you do hair? Are you a hairdresser?” Those were common questions I would get asked in my teen years. I would wear my lioness hair in abroad styles from the 20’s finger wave to the 50’s revival hairstyles that hit in the 80’s. And although I’m a 90’s kid I would get lost in old Vogue magazines just looking at avant-garde cuts and color and old pictures of my grandmother in the hip 70’s just try to recreate them. As a result, I was recognized by my peers and had won “Best Hair” in high school.Moreover, I joined Bigoudi International in 2011, where I had the opportunity to incorporate both structure and creative ideas. I gained “behind the chair” knowledge when stylists would give me room for my skills to develop. From enhancing my awareness for fun fashion hair colors to more conservative classic natural colors. This inspired me to expand in the artistry. I enjoy changing my looks often and well as educating the next person in my chair and seeing how easy it is to do this.Ultimately, Bigoudi International is a place that supports my self-expression and gives me creativity freedom. I enjoy putting a smile on my team’s face as well as my clients and YOU could be next! Have a great day.
	Susy I began in the beauty industry in 2010 and have been fortunate to receive the majority of my training through Bigoudi Salon’s Apprenticeship Program. I have had amazing mentors throughout the program that blossomed my passion to this craft. I love everything about hairdressing and am continually exposing myself to learn the latest techniques. My favorite thing about hair is any change can evoke youthfulness and excitement back into our lives. I am always expressing myself with fun burst of colors or dramatic short haircuts and I hope to give my clients the inspiration to do the same. Color has always fascinated me and is now my specialty. I enjoy bringing shine and life back into my client’s hair using techniques to bring exciting dimensional tones, bright shimmery blondes, or defeating the infamous stubborn greys. The challenge of color corrections also excites me. To transform a hair disaster into my client’s dream hair is so gratifying. From colors, cuts, styles, extensions, and treatments, I am dedicated to customizing a special look for every one of my clients. I feel blessed to have fallen into this industry and to be surrounded by incredible talent at Bigoudi Salon.
	Chris Rutman I started my hairdressing career back in 1995 with the intention in mind that I would seek out the best stylists in the industry, learn from them and eventually... become one of them. As a result of this intention, I had the good fortune of finding and training under some of the world’s top stylists. Since then I have spent 11 years training and teaching as a member of the prestigious Sebastian global artistic team. I have spent time teaching seasonal cutting-edge hairdressing and styling techniques in over 75 cities across North America as well as Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul, London, St Petersburg, (Russia) and Madrid. Back in 2002, I began a specialization in Hair Extensions and through consistent marketing and a dedication to perfecting my craft. I have become one of the industry's most sought after hair extension stylists with clients flying in from as far away as New York, Miami, and Las Vegas to name a few. I always love to meet new clients and to learn a new life story. I consider my clients, and the people I work with at Bigoudi as an extension of my own family because to me they are exactly that and much more. It is a joy and a privilege to do what I do and I couldn't imagine my life without it.
	Natsu Ikuko Ohmura - Management My foundation as a Stylist was built in Japan where I am from. I was taught about Good Design, Careful Work, and Thoughtful Service. Working in Bigoudi LA has been great because of the staff being kind and eager to learn and a mutual understanding of the Salon Owners concept and philosophy. The Salon is a very good environment for promoting teamwork. My favorite word is HARMONY, and this salon perfectly demonstrates it with the ease of working together with all the staff. I have also had many opportunities to learn from them as well, even after having 20 years of experience in the industry. I look forward to meeting new clients and sharing this wonderful salon environment with them.
	Angel I have been a licensed esthetician since 1997 and stay up to date on all the latest Skincare trends. I believe in the beauty every woman has within her and strive to help every client to achieve their utmost potential when it comes to skincare. Not everyone can see their beauty potential, but if I can help my clients capture and highlight one key feature, then I have fulfilled a greater purpose. I set the highest standards, not only for myself, but for the care of my clients. My services are an investment to inspire you to enhance your beauty. The results are worth more than you can imagine!
	Jose Irizarry I have been a Sebastian International Artistic Team member for 30 years which has given me the opportunity to show off my talent in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Mexico, and the United States. In the past few years I have become a Sebastian International Core Team member where I have been able to train other Sebastian Artistic Team members here and abroad. I am inspired by music, fashion, and different cultures, but my biggest inspiration is the youth of today. Our youth are not afraid to take chances, make drastic changes to their image, or break the “rules” of society. My goal as a hairdresser is to ultimately make every client feel great, as well as look the part.
	Jonelle I've been a professional makeup artist and brow specialist for over 15 years. I've perfected the looks for runway, red carpet, wedding and editorial spreads for years. Brows and makeup are my life. My intention is to craft the face in a natural stunning way that doesn't over power you. Being in the film industry for over 13 years, I have gone down every avenue in makeup and aesthetics. Let me transform you without the fear of going under the knife or buying a million products you don't need. Jonelle's Brows is here for you.
	Linda I have been a nail technician for 30 plus years after training at Newberry School of Beauty and I still get excited when I see the smile on a satisfied client's face as they admire their freshly polished manicure or pedicure. I've enjoyed working in several prestigious beauty salons throughout Southern California honing my craft, allowing me to provide the ultimate experience in nail care. In 1996 I studied at Santa Monica School of Massage, enabling me to add a more professional and luxurious touch to my nail services. I've had the unique learning experience doing nails for celebrity clients for film and television. Just prior to joining the talented team at Bigoudi International Salon, I worked at Allen Edwards Salon where I became more familiar with spa techniques and treatments that I have incorporated here at Bigoudi in our upstairs loft area which has a private, peaceful atmosphere. I've offered gel polish since it came on the scene a couple of years ago. My clients love that it dries instantly, keeps their nails in good condition and lasts longer. My goal is to beautify while promoting healthy natural nails as well. Being detail oriented, you can count on a thorough, sanitary and impeccable mani/pedi. I'm told my pedicures are a great way to de-stress and last a long time. My intention is for every guest to leave my chair feeling uplifted and happier than when they arrived.
	Carlos de la Vega About 30 years ago I met a man named Makoto Akita in London. We were both there to learn English, and Makoto was enhancing his skills as a stylist at the same time. We became close friends and ended up traveling the world together. Three years later, Makoto opened the first Bigoudi salon in Osaka, Japan and later opened three more (in Japan). Bigoudi is now celebrating its 26th anniversary. A few years after its opening I started working at Bigoudi.Together, we eventually opened a boutique, a restaurant, and finally, Bigoudi International - Los Angeles (which is celebrating its 13th anniversary). Throughout all of our work together we met Barbara Jones. She became a good friend and business partner; today she is the General Director of Bigoudi International - Los Angeles. The opening of Bigoudi International here in Los Angeles has been a great opportunity to meet a variety of wonderful customers, as well as expand and exchange knowledge in arts and fashion with the diverse cultures of Los Angeles and Osaka. We openly invite all of you to pay us a visit; we look forward to meeting you.