Q: How did you find Knot Just Dreads?
Magno: I found out about it on the Internet, it seemed like the best choice.

Q: What do you look forward to most when you come in for your appointment?
Magno: I look forward to enjoying conversation with Karen about her Icelandic adventures and her humour.

Q: What do you do for a living?
Magno: I am a chef at one of the branches of the Keg in Toronto.

Q: What dread advice would you give to others?
Magno: The first few months are very, very important so be extremely patient. They get better with time and tlc, thats what Karens for ahahha.

Q: What has been the best thing that has happened to you this year?
Magno: Camping with the family and playing a soccer game with the whole family. A great experience.

Q: Favourite quotes?
Magno: “During your life never stop dreaming, no one can take away your dreams” -Tupac Shakur
“Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver and gold” -Bob Marley

Q: How did you find Karen?
Jess: I was looking to get synthdreads done for my high school prom and found Karen listed as an affiliate on the Hair Police website. I sent Karen as email, asking for a consult and the rest is history!

Q: How long have you been her client?
Jess: Since May 2005. Oh wow, I just realised that this month marks our 4 year anniversary, doesn’t it? Since then, Karen has done synth dreads, dread extenders, wool and synth accents in my dreads, the labour intensive subsequent dread removal and dozens of awesome cuts and colours for me (in literally every colour of the rainbow). Since we met I haven’t let anyone else touch my hair.

Q: Most memorable stylist/client moment?
Jess: There are so many. Being part of the “Off With their Heads” (Alice in Wonderland themed) show at Fun Haus that Karen organized was a blast. I played the Mock Turtle and Karen made this incredible, huge turtle shell out that was woven into my dreads on top of my head.

I also loved the entire process of installing the dread extenders. I think that took about 6-7 hours total, including colouring them. When you spend that long with someone, you naturally end up talking a lot, and learning a lot about each other. We always have tonnes to catch up on at every appointment.

Karen is always playing amazing, random and eclectic music in the studio. (She has quite the impressive Icelandic music collection, just ask her about it!) One day we wound up listening to an entire Eddie Izzard stand-up routine because one track came up on her iPod in between songs and then we had listen to it all. We were both in stitches laughing.

This one is also a little bit more personal than stylist-client, but I always seem to run into Karen when I’m out and about. I came in second place to her in a Halloween costume contest last year and there is no one I would have rather lost to, she totally deserved it!

Q: Any particular favourite style/colour Karen has done for you?
Jess: That’s a toughie, because no matter what the style, Karen always makes me look and feel awesome. I loved all the incarnations of my dreads, but when Karen gave me a white blonde mohawk last summer that was definitely another person favourite.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
Jess: I just finished my BA in Politics last week, so I guess I can’t really say that I’m a student anymore. Right now I’m concentrating on acting and prepping to write the LSAT in September for law school admission.

Q: Any favourite quote, or final thoughts?
Jess: Karen knows her stuff. Every cut that I’ve ever had from her looks great the day of, two weeks later, and as it’s growing out. She is a goddess of colour too. I jokingly refer to her as my “Hairy Godmother”, but it’s so true! I recommend her to anyone and everyone, because she is able to assess each clients needs and wants from the most basic cut to the most out there alternative styles. She makes each client feel like a million bucks and is one of the sweetest people that I know. I’m so happy to have her not only as my stylist, but also as a friend.

Q: How did you find Knot Just Dreads?
Kevin: I heard about Knot Just Dreads through the Queen street grapevine. I think I ran into a girl at a boutique who had nice locks and I asked her where she got her hair done.

Q: Do you know anyone else who goes to Karen?
Kevin: The hilarious coincidence is that my sister goes to Karen but she had been going to her for months before I found out. PS We communicate much better now.

Q: What do you look forward to most when you come in for your appointment?
Kevin: I look forward to having my hair look neater and I enjoy the whole experience. It is always an experience going to see your hairdresser/locktologist. Look how many shows/movies are based on it. (Barbershop, Da Kink In My Hair, The Big Tease)

Q: What do you do for a living?
Kevin: I do a few different things, I work in almost every downtown Toronto emergency room and I teach a course to doctors, nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists on how to manage cardiac and respiratory arrests. The course is called Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Q: What dread advice would you give to others?
Kevin: I always say it’s as much about keeping them clean as washing them so be careful what you do with your head. Don’t get dust or dirt on them and wash your hands after petting dogs or cats. You have to keep your hair clean. I also advise not to use products in your hair. Keep it natural.

Q What has been the best thing that has happened to you this year?
Kevin: The best thing that has happened this year is that my sister adopted a new baby girl named Raven. I am an uncle for the first time and it has added a new and exciting dynamic to our family. She is our world now. I also had a great trip to Thailand.

Q Any final thoughts?
Kevin: I feel that your hair helps define you. There are many artistic mediums out there but I think that you can say more about yourself and reach more people just by the way you dress and your hairstyle than anything else. Actions speak louder than words.

Q: How did you find Knot Just Dreads?
Karen: Recommendation from a friend.

Q: Do you know anyone else who goes to Karen?
Karen: I had actually been going to see her for a while…maybe a year? Two? Anyway this one particular time, Karen was actually in the midst of doing my hair when she mentioned to me that she had another client with the same last name as mine who turned out to be…my brother! Of course - I always knew that my brother had dreadlocks also, but what I didn’t know was that he had been going to Karen. In fact, I was actually certain that he had been getting his locs done by somebody else. Karen and I definitely had a good laugh and my brother and I have made it a point to communicate a little better from then on.

Q: What do you look forward to most when you come in for your appointment?
Karen: What I look forward to most, besides the pampering aspect, is getting caught up on Karen’s latest adventures. It always seems that so much has happened in her life since the last appointment. For example, she was on the Superstar Hair Challenge. As many of you know, so much has happened in her personal life as well. It just seems that her life is always filled with some dramatic event (whether good or bad), but Karen always seems to maintain a good attitude.

Q: What do you do for a living?
Karen: I am a social worker. There is not much more to say about that.

Q: What dread advice would you give to others?
Karen: My dread advice…go see Karen regularly then do your best to maintain it in between. I always wear my head wrapped at night and just generally do my best to keep it preserved. Some use of Knotty Boy product has also been helpful.

Q What has been the best thing that has happened to you this year?
Karen: The best thing that has happened to me this year…adopting my baby girl. She came to live with me just before the holidays and it has been such a joy. Everybody told me how rewarding motherhood would be, but you don’t fully realize until it actually happens. She is just beautiful.

Q Any final thoughts?
Karen: Final thoughts…go to Karen for your hair needs. She truly is the best. I have to admit-I did stray from her, but I won’t do it again. Her service is the best. She is professional and friendly and her technique for maintenance is the best.

Q: How did you find Karen?
Matt: I found Karen when I first moved to Toronto. I asked a friend of mine for any suggestions of a good salon and she immediately told me about the previous salon that Karen use to own before Knot Just Dreads. I walked in there one day to make an appointment and Karen just happened to be free at the time. So, I sat down and have not looked back since!!

Q: How long have you been her client?
Matt: I have been going to Karen now for 5 years.

Q: What´s your most memorable client/stylist moment?
Matt: I like to think that all of my trips to see Karen are pretty memorable!! However, finding out that Karen made it onto the reality TV show Superstar Hair Challenge was pretty memorable.

Q: Tell us something about yourself?
Matt: With regards to hair? If so, I really can not go any longer than 4 weeks without having Karen cut my hair!! If you want something else….I am a huge Oasis fan and have seen them play 9 times.

Q: What is your new years resolution?
Matt: I really don’t have one - I guess I just keep the “I don’t really have a new years resolution” thing going every year!

Q: How did you find Karen?
Rumina: I googled quite along time ago dreadlocks in Toronto (lol) and at that time a salon called Pretty Eclectic came up and this is how I first learned about and eventually met Karen.

Q: How long have you been her client?
Rumina: I would say as I am not quite sure but my first set of locks was in 2006 and she has been taking care of me since.

Q: Most memorable stylist/client moment?
Rumina: I would say every appointment with Karen is a blast. I love her kind heart and upfull caring spirit. Karen is always a blast to visit.

Q: Any particular favourite style/colour Karen has done for you?
Rumina: Now this may sound sort of weird but honestly lol every time Karen starts her maintenance on my locks she puts them all up and one and for some reason it looks so fly J and for reasons unknown it never looks that good when I put it up myself.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
Rumina: I work as a Online Billing and Support (ugh)

Q: Any favourite quote, or final thoughts?
Rumina: Peace begins with a Smile.

Karen is a miracle worker. Karen has not only manifested as my personal hairdresser but a true friend. She is a light. I love to see her grow with her salon and even after the fire she still held it together despite all the trials and tribulations. She is a star and overall a great being.

Q: How did you find Karen?
Martini: An acquaintance of mine introduced me to her at Karaoke event. We started talking about her job and she told me about all of the amazing things one can do to their hair. I couldn’t wait to sit in her chair!

Q: How long have you been her client?
Martini: I have been Karen’s client since the spring of 2006.

Q: Most memorable stylist/client moment?
Martini: At the end of our last appointment together she looked up at me and said “Martini, I have something to tell you. Right now is the first time in a LONG time that I am actually jealous of a clients hair!”

Rightfully so, the woman did an amazing job!

Q: Any particular favourite style/colour Karen has done for you?
Martini: I am currently going through a borderline psychotic love affair with my synthetic dreadlocks. However, I am most excited about the future of my baby dreads that have been growing out as I’ve been getting maintenance done for my synth. At our last appointment Karen locked some of the little guys up and told me I could start putting wax in them… JOYFUL BLISS!

Q: What kind of work do you do?
Martini: I am a retail sales associate and starving artist. Anyone want to buy some art?

Q: Any favourite quote, or final thoughts?
Martini: Karen is the real deal. You’d be hard-pressed to find another stylist in this, or any, city who is as cheerful, informative and easy to get along with as Karen. Her chair-side manner goes above and beyond and truly makes you feel completely at ease the second you sit down.

Those factors alone allow me to securely and unconditionally endorse this woman and urge you to seek her council and service for all of your hair needs.

Plus, have you seen her sweet ass? Totally worth coming in for a consultation.

Q: How did you find Karen?
Melissa: I was scouring the streets trying to find someone who could properly dread my very, very fine Caucasian hair but, to no avail. I called around and searched online and knotjustdreads kept on popping up.

Q: How long have you been her client?
Melissa: I have been going to Karen for almost five years.

Q: Most memorable stylist/client moment?
Melissa: During my consultation with her, she had told me that she could dread ANYONES hair. I put all of my faith in her, took the plunge and got dreads done by this amazing hair stylist; and what a great choice that was for me! Also, of course whenever we ramble on about music and our mutual love of certain bands.

Q: Any particular favourite style/colour Karen has done for you?
Melissa: All of it! Currently my dreads are dyed red and we are working on having my dreads turned into an angled bob. Right now it is chin length but, I want it longer. We just started out with dreading and dread maintenance, then progressing to extenders and dying, eventually I will add some synthetic dreads when my own dreads get longer.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
Melissa: I am a lab rat. I work in a photo lab.

Q: Any favourite quote, or final thoughts?
Melissa: One more thing before I go… I honestly cannot believe how well intact my dreads are and how easy they are to take care off (once you get used to it). Karen has an amazing wealth of knowledge and skill to share with everyone and I am so glad I stumbled across her!

Q: How did you find Karen?
Nancy: I met Karen about eight years ago after I walked into a chain salon in Downtown Toronto. I think she was just starting out and I needed a change from another sylist that had moved out of the city.

Q: How long have you been her client?
Nancy: I have been her client since then.

Q: Most memorable stylist/client moment?
Nancy: I think it was when Karen suggested that I go red! I also love her new kitttens.

Q: Any particular favourite style/colour Karen has done for you?
Nancy: I always love how I look after she does her thing with my hair.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
Nancy: I work for the City of Toronto in the Social Service department.

Q: Any favourite quote, or final thoughts?
Nancy: Karen is always upbeat and fun. I think she makes me look good. This is really important as I am almost, but not quite 50 and I don’t want to look like an old lady !!!! Karen always has good ideas.

Q: How did you find Karen?
Miranda: I actually worked for the same company who owned a large number of chains salons with Karen ( I too am a hairstylist). She came to me with a corrective colour issue that was solved in 5 minutes and the rest is history as they say!

Q: How long have you been her client?
Miranda: Karen and my relationship spans beyond client and stylist. Karen has been my boss for several years, I have been her boss for just about one year and we have worked together in the past very well for a great number of years. We no longer work together but we still call on each other with questions or new colour formulas, new hair techniques and just to hang out and have a laugh. As well as the odd request for a bottle of colour or two from me!

Q: Most memorable stylist/client moment?
Miranda: Karen and I have had many memorable moments together, working as a team, as close as we did for so long we spent a lot of time outside the salon having far too much fun and of course inside the salon with the fan on high chasing hair around with a broom. We have shared a lot of laughs, tears and anguish through the years but I think what I most enjoy about being around Karen are the antics we can get up to. Did she ever tell any of you about the salon sleepover? Maybe she talked about the first time she did a full head of synth dreads on someone…that someone was me and my butt was soooo numb by the end of it! The end result though…stunning! My memorable moments with Karen all involve a whole lot of laughing and giggling and usually a little scheming and pranking too.

Q: Any particular favorite style/color Karen has done for you?
Miranda: Karen did my first set of synth dreads that were very multicoloured, the base was a pinkish/rose colour but I think by the end of the head of dreads I had at least one or two of every other colour in the synth dread rainbow! I believe that I also had the most number of individual dreads as well once we started doubling up and adding to them. Those were my absolute faves!

Q: What kind of work do you do?
Miranda: I do hair, no dreads or extensions but fabulous cuts and colours!

Q: Any favorite quote, or final thoughts?
Miranda: I have seen a lot of dreads, synth dreads and extension work in my time as a stylist and honestly, the only time I ever like it is when it is done by Karen! She has a flair for her work, she knows exactly what she is doing and the quality and time spent shows in the fabulous end result.

It is never just a hair cut or head of extensions it is what frames the work of art that is your face!