Our Team
Signorita Margarita ( aka Rita)
Señorita Margarita
Born in Cancún, Mexico, in 2012, Señorita Margarita—affectionately known as Rita—arrived in Toronto on May 1, 2017. The very next day, on May 2nd, Sharon adopted her through Fetch + Releash, an incredible organization dedicated to rescuing dogs from around the world and giving them a second chance at a loving home.
Since arriving at the Distillery District, Rita has become a celebrity of her own. She is adored by our clients and has a special talent for making everyone feel welcome.
True to her name, Rita is a bit of a señorita. You will often find her proudly wearing her pearls around her neck, enjoying the attention of her many admirers, and retreating to her very own canopy bed for a well-deserved nap.
And then there is the story that made Rita famous…
One summer day in 2017, the Distillery District security guard received a concerned call about a “dead dog” lying near 90 Distillery Lane.
The security guard knew exactly who they were talking about.
“No, that’s Rita from Cancún. She’s sunbathing.”
And that pretty much sums up Rita—rescued from Cancún, loved in Toronto, and living her best life one sunbeam, pearl and nap at a time.
She may be our smallest team member, but she certainly has the biggest personality.
Valentina Maripuu
Front Desk Coordinator
Since 2022, Tina has been an integral part of the Distilled Beauty and Wellness experience, bringing warmth, professionalism, and a welcoming presence to our front desk.
As Receptionist and Front Desk Coordinator, Tina is often the first friendly face our clients encounter. With a natural gift for making people feel at ease, they help ensure each visit flows effortlessly—from coordinating appointments and supporting our team to creating an atmosphere that feels both polished and personal.
Beyond the salon, Tina is a creative at heart, with a passion for visual arts, writing, and cosplay. Their love of wig making is where artistry and craftsmanship beautifully intersect, allowing Tina to transform imagination into intricate creations and bring characters to life.
With their distinctive creativity, thoughtful nature, and genuine care for others, Tina brings a unique energy to Distilled Beauty and Wellness—helping make every client’s experience feel welcoming, considered, and memorable.
Melissa Halfyard
Weekend Front Desk Coordinator
Meet Melissa Halfyard, our warm and welcoming weekend receptionist at Distilled Beauty & Wellness Co. With her natural ability to multitask and her genuine love of connecting with people, Melissa is an important part of creating the welcoming experience our clients have come to expect.
From coordinating appointments and managing daily bookings to assisting with client communications and keeping the front desk running smoothly, Melissa brings organization, attentiveness, and a calm presence to the weekend shift. Her friendly nature and thoughtful approach help create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere from the moment clients walk through our doors.
Whether she’s greeting a familiar face, helping a new guest feel at home, or ensuring the day runs seamlessly behind the scenes, Melissa takes pride in making every client feel welcomed, valued, and well cared for.
Anelise Campbell
Stylist
With over 20 years of experience, Anelise Campbell began her career at Toronto’s renowned John Steinberg & Associates, training directly under the legendary John Steinberg. Her talent and dedication quickly established her as one of the salon’s leading stylists.
Known for her refined eye for proportion, effortless style and down-to-earth approach, Anelise specializes in creating beautiful, wearable looks tailored to each client’s hair, lifestyle and individuality.
Her work has been featured in Canadian Living and on CityTV’s CityLine, as well as at L’Oréal Fashion Week, local fashion events and more than 100 weddings. Today, Anelise is celebrated for her artistry, versatility and ability to create styles that make clients feel confident and effortlessly themselves.
John Paul Vougioukas
Stylist
With over 20 years of experience, John Paul’s passion for hairstyling began at a young age. As a boy, he spent time at Toronto’s iconic Rainbow Room Salon, learning about the industry, and later worked weekends at Salon Déjà—where he knew he had found his calling.
John Paul trained at Toronto’s renowned Marvel Beauty School before beginning his apprenticeship at Shagg Salon in Yorkville under Sharon McManus. He continued his training at John Steinberg & Associates, working alongside the legendary John Steinberg himself.
Throughout his career, John Paul has further refined his craft at Fringe Salon and Corrado’s Barber Shop, specializing in hairstyling, precision cutting and creative colour. Known for his easy going nature, attention to detail and keen understanding of current trends, John Paul brings both expertise and artistry to every client he serves.
Sharon McManus
Stylist
Beginning her career at Toronto’s prestigious Rainbow Room, UK-born Sharon McManus spent many years working alongside John Steinberg, regarded as the “grandfather” of contemporary hairstyling in Canada. It was here that she refined her artistry and developed the exceptional colour expertise that would become her signature.
With more than 30 years in the industry, Sharon has owned and managed several salons and established herself as a highly respected stylist, educator, judge and sought-after colour specialist. Her career has taken her across Canada teaching advanced colour and cutting techniques, while her expertise has also led to on-set styling for film and television, working with internationally recognized talent including Renée Zellweger, Jessica Alba, Kevin Bacon, Emma Roberts, Chris Noth and Eric McCormack.
Today, Sharon is recognized by her peers, the media and a discerning clientele as one of Canada’s foremost authorities in hair colour—bringing decades of expertise, artistry and industry distinction to Distilled Beauty & Wellness Co.
Rico Almarinez
Stylist
With more than 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Rico brings an impressive combination of expertise, creativity and artistry to every client he works with.
Throughout his career, Rico has built an extensive background in the industry, including 8 years with First Choice Haircutters, experience with Premier Salons and Top Cuts, and several years working extensively with Miss Universe Canada, where his talent and attention to detail were showcased at the highest level.
Rico is truly a multi-talented artist, specializing in precision cutting, colour, styling, elegant updos and professional makeup application. Whether you're looking for a fresh new look, beautiful colour, a special-occasion style or flawless makeup, Rico brings his experience and personal touch to every appointment.
His passion for beauty, combined with his years of experience and genuine commitment to his clients, makes him a wonderful addition to the Distilled Beauty and Wellness Co. family.
Alicia Pagliuso
Stylist
Alicia Pagliuso brings a creative eye and a passion for hairstyling to Distilled Beauty and Wellness Co. With professional experience spanning six years at Renaissance Salon and Estetica in St. Catharines, Alicia has developed her skills in creating beautiful, personalized looks tailored to each client.
Her foundation in hairstyling began at Valentino’s Hairstyling Academy, complemented by her studies in Visual and Creative Arts at Sheridan College from 2012 to 2015. Her artistic background allows Alicia to approach hairstyling with both technical precision and a natural sense of creativity.
Committed to making every client feel confident and cared for, Alicia combines her industry experience and artistic sensibility to create polished, wearable styles that reflect each individual's personality and lifestyle.
Nika Haghighipour
Nail Technician
With a passion for beautiful, well-crafted nails, our nail technician brings a meticulous eye for detail and a commitment to exceptional client care to Distilled Beauty and Wellness Co.
Working professionally crafting beautiful nails since 2021, Nika specializes in modern nail enhancement techniques. Her approach focuses on creating clean, polished and long-lasting results while maintaining the health and integrity of the natural nail.
Her dedication to client care is complemented by her ongoing studies in Nursing at Seneca College, where she continues to develop her knowledge of health, wellness and professional care.
Whether you're looking for a refined natural finish, added strength or beautifully enhanced nails, she takes the time to understand each client's preferences and create a result that feels uniquely their own.