Meet Our Team

Our team at the Emerald Iguana Salon is inspired by Aveda's environmental consciousness of awareness and sustainability. As a guest in our salon, you will experience Beauty in Balance with our complete line of Aveda products and treatments.

Julie Ferreira, Owner/Stylist/Creative Colorist/Hair Loss Consultant

Julie finds her inspiration in formulating and customizing coloring with Aveda full spectrum hair color products. She loves dimensional coloring, whether it is bold or simply natural; starting with each guest's natural hair color. She has always enjoyed making people feel better about themselves, and she loves the the conversations she has with each of her guests.

Julie is also passionate about her own continuing education, as well as that of her staff. She is totally committed to her salon’s ongoing devotion to “giving back”... both to the community and to the environment.

Special training, classroom courses, and hands-on experience have helped Julie create solutions for women who are experiencing hair loss due to alopecia areota, naturally thinning hair, or who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Julie has perfected techniques for creating fullness and extra body, and for adding length to existing hair, with an eye for duplicating a natural looking head of hair. Julie is also highly sensitive to—and accommodating to—her guest's needs for privacy.

Cecilia Valdez

Joining the Emerald Iguana Salon team 6 years ago, with more than a decade of experience in the hair care industry, Cecilia’s talent, knowledge and enthusiasm for hair design is a contributing factor to her success. She believes education is essential for any stylist to be successful, and she is on a personal quest to continue to further her training with ongoing Aveda Education classes. Aveda PurePros® keeps her current with the very latest trends in cutting, razoring, and exceptional customer service.

Cecilia is certified by Great Lengths and Pure Extensions, and uses 100% European human hair. She can add volume, length, and coloring to any hair style. Cecilia’s specialties include bridal makeup and hair, precision eyebrow waxing, and—her most passionate favorite—hair color correction and foiling.

Christa Neuman

Christa is a creative, articulate and hardworking professional stylist, who is committed to helping guests enhance their natural beauty with a holistic perspective. Christa is thrilled to be back working with Aveda. Her previous Aveda Creative Styling Team experience gives way to complete an extensive knowledge of Aveda hair color, including demi and permanent hair color. She is known for her expert highlights, lowlights and three dimensional color techniques. To complete beautiful glossy hair color, Christa's talent extends into meticulous haircutting that will leave you feeling your absolute best. Christa is amazing at performing Ayurvedic scalp massage and deep conditioning hair treatments.

As a whole Christa is committed to the Aveda mission and responsible beauty practices.Her priority is to make sure every single one of her guests feels special and pampered. She is now offering relaxing and rejuvenating hand and food treatments that will lighten your mind, body and spirit.

Natasha Dawdy

Natasha graduated from the Cosmetology School at San Jose City College in 2007, and is one of the Emerald Iguana Salon's newest talents. Since joining the Emerald Iguana team, Natasha has worked closely with owner Julie Ferreira. Under Julie's training, Natasha has gained firsthand knowledge of advanced hair coloring cutting techniques. Natasha is certified to apply new Keratin Smoothing treatments. This revolutionary therapy infuses natural keratin deep into hair’s cuticle eliminating up to 95% of frizz adding amazing shine and silkiness.

She has continued studying through Aveda Advanced Education classes and is is quickly building her clientele by providing exceptional service, and by listening carefully to her guests’ wishes. Her guests love her hip and fun personality and her knowledge of current trends.

Danielle Kriege

Danielle grew up as a beach kid, living in Santa Cruz County. Moving in 2008 to San Francisco for two years, Danielle studied along side an herbalist and colon-hydrotherapist. She has also studied Ayurveda, Meditation, Chakra Balancing and is a Level 2 Usui Reiki practitioner. Danielle graduated from Wayne's College of Beauty in Salinas, CA and is the newest esthetician to our team. She commits to customizing each treatment to fit each guests individual needs.

Danielle continues her studies through Aveda's Advanced Education and is a committed Aveda Professional. You can also find her taking local classes throughout the community. Danielle is also the owner of White Lotus Wellness Center that merged with Emerald Iguana Salon in Nov. 2009.

Sarah Rorvik

Sarah was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA. She attended the Academy of Art Institute in San Francisco, but has since found herself falling back to her driving interest in helping others find wellness through beauty. Sarah has graduated from the Cinta Aveda Institute with a license in Esthetics. It is there that she learned about Ayurveda and the Aveda philosophy of skin care. Sarah thrives on her ability help her guests with their skin conditions. She will develop a treatment that is personalized to each individual.