Melanie Long
Owner
I became a hairstylist from a purely circumstantial situation where I had been put on academic, after four months of University, and a really bad experience with a spiral perm that left me bald.
I finished hair school with an award for being the top student in my cosmotology program and decided to work a few years before returning to University. I rented a chair in Wolfville and began what I can only describe as the best career I could have ever pursued. I have a deep desire to please people. I am a cook, a baker, a gardener, and I thrive on education. I have never felt like I have worked a real job, ever. I meet with friends, I make them feel beautiful inside and out, and I help people in their lives be better cheer leaders for themselves. I consider myself a social advocate and have been lucky enough to travel as far as Italy, to educate myself and to stay current for my clients.
I have owned my own business for most of my 28-year career. I live every day I am in my salon. Quinpool Road is my home and I have both worked and resided here over the past 2 decades since moving here in 2001.
HAIR.ink was opened in 2010 and has been my utopia for creating for almost 12 years.
As a graduate of Acadia University, I spent my first 10 years in Wolfville working in my salon, doing my degree, working for three years as a research assistant for my Dean as well. I was the dry land coach for the Wolfville Tritins swim team.
My second two decades have been spent working between Toronto and Halifax as an Educator, Ambassador and platform artist for L’Oreal Professional. I began this work in 2003 and have worked as well for the Italian Group as an educator for Voila colour. I teach current trends, collections, and advanced hair education.
Over the past two years, I have taken on R+Co product out of New York and am in the process of developing a retail centre that services the Halifax Peninsula and surrounding area. I will be selling tools such as flat irons and blow dryers along with several product lines to suit all hair types and needs.
I am a proud mother of my 11-year-old son, the owner of my chocolate lab, Louie, the Lou, and a devoted friend to my clients. I love what I do, I love people and I am grateful every day that I have my boutique salon to go and make the world a happier place.
Testimonials
Hear what customers have to say about HAIRink
Just spending time in Melanie’s company is enough because she is such a welcoming, warm, friendly and funny person. She is also an expert on color theory and the only stylist that has been able to give me the results I’ve been wanting to achieve since I started experimenting with going blonde in junior high. I would recommend her to anyone. 10/10
Wow is all I need to say not only is Mel an amazing person and stylist she is a life saver! I had so much hair loss and damage I hated looking in the mirror and felt so self conscious but Mel to the rescue! Not only did she treat my hair so I’m not losing any more she coloured and blended and added extensions I feel like a whole new woman! Such a fantastic job!!! Thank you so much Mel.
I LOVE supporting entrepreneurs who really step up and shine in service of the community by pursuing their passion. These gals have got it figured out. Thanks! 
Amazing stylist – Mel is such a lovely, caring person and an expert in her field/industry. I’ve been going to her for nearly a decade and have never been disappointed. Honest and never pushy.
I very hip salon, with one on one attention from Melanie, a lover of people and hair and how the two matter not just in her everyday life but yours as well.