Before becoming a hairstylist, I spent more than a decade in corporate leadership, eventually serving as a Vice President of Operations. From the outside, I had built a successful career, but over time I realized I was craving something more creative, personal, and meaningful.
So in my 40s, I made the decision to start over.
I returned to school full-time for cosmetology, traded meetings and spreadsheets for color formulas and beauty services, and built Hair by Gina.O around the things that matter most to me: connection, creativity, professionalism, intention, and helping people feel confident in themselves.
What started with hair has continued to grow into something more.
Today, I offer personalized hair and beauty services designed to help you feel polished, cared for, and still completely like yourself - from healthy, dimensional color and gray blending to customized cuts, hair repair, brows, lashes, and makeup.
My approach is rooted in thoughtful technique, healthy hair, realistic long-term results, and enhancing what is already uniquely yours.
I believe beautiful hair should never come at the expense of its integrity, and beauty services should never feel like they’re trying to turn you into someone else.
Whether we’re creating dimensional color, blending or transitioning gray, repairing damaged hair, refreshing your cut, shaping your brows, lifting your lashes, or creating a soft makeup look for a special occasion, my goal is the same: to help you feel like the best version of yourself.
I also believe you should understand what we’re doing and why.
That means honest consultations, realistic expectations, clear pricing, maintenance guidance, and recommendations based on what you actually need - not simply doing more because we can.
Starting over taught me that change doesn’t have to happen all at once. Sometimes the most meaningful transformations happen slowly - by taking care of what you already have, making intentional choices, and continuing to grow into the person you’re becoming.
That philosophy is at the heart of Hair by Gina.O.
For me, this work is about more than hair or makeup. It’s about creating a space where you can slow down, feel cared for, reconnect with yourself, and leave feeling a little more confident than when you walked in.
My goal is for every guest to feel heard, comfortable, cared for, and beautiful in a way that still feels authentically their own.
I’m located inside Lark Hair Studio in Salem, Virginia, and proudly serve guests throughout Salem, Roanoke, and the surrounding Roanoke Valley.
