Santana and Ariel are jumping to offer you hair and nail services at Shilo Beauty and Barber Shop. Call or book online to visit the team for personal grooming services. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

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Staying sharp and polished for CFB Shilo and local communities

Shilo Beauty and Barber Shop is cutting sharp these days to stay highly polished, introducing new services and staff who provide personal care to the CFB Shilo community they live in.

The grand re-opening of the shop on Oct. 7 presents the razor-sharp Santana Martens, specializing in men’s barbery and haircuts, and Ariel Pellerin, who is the nail technician providing manicures, pedicures, and gel nail services. The salon is now accepting appointments online and by phone at 204 765 4979, or check out their Facebook page at Shilo Beauty and Barber Shop.

The talented team of personal grooming technicians, headed up by owner Fred Baah, recognizes the needs of the military community to stay sharp and shiny, with Ariel and Santana, both wives of serving CAF members.

Business owner Fred Baah turned more than a decade in CAF artillery and global businesses into the spin of the barber shop pole, which represents trust, tradition, and transformation — all military attributes, that he offers through his service to Shilo.

Santana is a fresh face to the Base from British Columbia, where she started her career in men’s hair services well over 10 years ago. She’s looking forward to keeping her scissors and clippers as sharp as the male haircuts that she provides. She moved to CFB Shilo just a month ago to be with her husband, who is in 2 PPCLI.

While Santana keeps her focus on men’s styling, she also has adept hands at women’s and children’s cuts, offering hair services to the whole family.

Santana said her passion is hair styling because it’s such a social occupation and a way to give back to the military community.

“I feel it’s substantial for the military community to look good and feel good while they are out there doing incredibly hard tasks. It’s my way of supporting them and their families here on the Base.”

Nestled in the midst of the CANEX Mall, Shilo Beauty and Barber Shop is open for hair services on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and alternate Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“It’s super important for a sharp, refined cut. Looking good and feeling good go hand in hand. I know if you’re feeling off or having a bad hair day, that can contribute to your mood for the whole day,” Santana said.

Ariel is tip-top up on her nail skills after graduating with honours as a certified nail technician. With more than a year of hands-on nail experience under her belt, she’s all polished up for new clients. She said she is excited to offer exclusive one-on-one nail services to those in the Shilo, Sprucewoods, Douglas and surrounding areas, including Brandon.

“I want to share with our community a high-quality of service and attention that I receive when having personal services provided,” she said.

“When I’m not behind the nail desk, I’m buying polish or reading. I’m an avid reader,” she said, and of course, she loves spending time with her husband, who is a gunner in 1 RCHA. The couple has lived on Base for the past five years after moving from Brandon, so know the community and its needs well.

“If you want your nails to look pretty, come and see me. I work Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. with extended availability soon to come,” the nail technician said.

The shop runs under the name Maxx Beauty and Barber Shop Inc., but Fred has maintained the working name Shilo Beauty and Barber Shop due to the nine years of longevity the salon has had on Base.

“People know us and trust us to ensure they look their best. With our expanded services and new staff we can continue to care for neighbours and community members,” Fred said.

He runs the razor-sharp grooming outlet in partnership with his spouse, Ashley Fisher, engaging in businesses that serve the military community. Ashley also owns See Who’s Kickin’, a baby ultrasound facility in Brandon specializing in 3D and 4D imagery, where military families receive a 10 per cent discount.

Santana Martens has more than 10 years experience in men’s barbery and haircuts. A recent import from BC, she is accepting new clients at the CFB Shilo barber shop, which re-opened on Oct. 7.   (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

Ariel Pellier is all polished up on nail techniques and is offering nail services at the Shilo Beauty and Barber Shop as of the salon reopening on Oct. 7. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

Fred Baah and his partner, Ashley Fisher, owners of Shilo Beauty and Barber Shop, operate various businesses locally and globally, including See Who’s Kickin’, a 3D and 4D ultrasound clinic in Brandon, offering military families a 10 per cent discount.  (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)