ABOUT US

Hi, I'm Malia Uhatafe, the owner of Salon Malia! With six years of experience as a hairstylist, my journey began in my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. I attended cosmetology school at The Aveda Institute and worked at my first salon, Aveda on 3rd, where I discovered my passion for color and styling. My next adventure took me to Mexico City, Mexico where I became an international hairstylist at the Aveda Mexico flagship salon, Dos Flamingos. While immersing myself into the Mexican culture, I also had the privilege of working alongside Aveda Global Color Ambassador Ian Michael Black and showcasing Aveda color on a runway in the heart of Mexico City. This experience sparked my love for runway hair. In January 2023, I moved to the Bay Area to explore the opportunities San Francisco had to offer. Working in the heart of the city by Union Square, I joined Cinta Salon and had the chance to work with Aveda at New York Fashion Week for both the Fall and Spring Collections. I collaborated with designers such as Naeem Khan, Alice + Olivia, Bishme, Jonathan Cohen, BruceGlen, and many more. While in New York, I also styled Tongan supermodel Veronica Pome’e for a photo shoot with the Creative Pacific Organization! Outside of work, you can find me with my family or my church community. Growing up in a close-knit Tongan family, our core values were God and family, and those principles remain central to my life today. My mission at Salon Malia is to serve others by enhancing their God-given beauty through my expertise in hairstyling. I've always had a strong desire to be a salon owner, and this studio is just the beginning of a larger vision. My journey has been filled with diverse experiences, and I’m excited to continue bringing my passion for hairstyling to life at Salon Malia. As I continue to grow and evolve as a hairstylist, I’m dedicated to making Salon Malia a place where excellence thrives. I look forward to meeting you and helping you look and feel your best!