OUR TEAM

STYLIST BIO

 Deanna Rene Foerstner

FOUNDER

With 20 years of experience as a stylist and educator, Deanna has earned the reputation as an expert in seamless balayage, color corrections, and working with her client’s natural base to produce gorgeous, lived-in color.   Deanna uses her creative thinking as her guide while endlessly seeking new ways to blend, shade, and technique to provide every head of hair with a “WOW.  She is also renowned for her precision and innovative approach to cutting and styling both long and short hairstyles.

Deanna has been in all aspects of the hair and makeup industry, from fashion events, workshops, and magazine shoots.  Working with numerous high profile clients ranging from members of prominent political families to high profile models at Fashion Week LA.

She has collaborations with some of the world’s most luxurious brands including Milbon, Aloxxi International, R+Co / BLEU, MAC Cosmetics, Paul Mitchell, Toni & Guy, and Aveda.

“It is my quest to make people look and feel their best, while utilizing state of the art techniques and products that are clean and conscious.”

Once native to Arizona, Deanna relocated to Southern California and decided to make her lifeline dream a reality by opening Indigenous Salon – Laguna Beach in 2019.

Indigenous Salon has now become one of Laguna’s sought after hair salons located right on Pacific Coast Highway.  The salon’s vibe is fresh, modern, and accented with touches of indigenous elements.  These elements are a result of Deanna’s passion for giving back to local indigenous communities around the world.  A percentage of profits are donated to help those communities in need.

Conscious – Native – Insightful – Creative

Taylor O’Connor

Stylist

 Taylor specializes in balayage, highlights and hair extensions. She started as a salon coordinator at Spa Gregories in Rancho Santa Margarita and Newport when she was only 17. She then worked as a salon coordinator for Salon One while she was working on her bachelor’s degree.

 Taylor loved being surrounded by the atmosphere of the salon life and admired the beauty, passion, and the work that went into what the stylists did. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree at Chapman University in Communication studies, she decided to go after her lifelong dream of acquiring her cosmetology license. She procured her training from the W Academy in Danville, and continued her education by assisting as a hairstylist at AP Lux Salon in Mill Valley, CA. The most prestigious salon in the area at that time, which won the Reader’s Choice award for the best salon in Marin County 3 consecutive years in a row upon their opening.

 She then decided to move to another 5 star salon called Salon 171, she made the choice because of the amazing atmosphere, location and opportunity to build her own clientele. While working in the Bay Area she decided she would travel down to Orange County to see family and start building a clientele base there to supplement her travels, which she did in Newport at Blissful Beauty Lounge for the last 2 years.

   Although she had grown fond of the bay in the four years of being there, Laguna beach was where Taylor knew she had to be…Her heart was calling her. She looked for the next and very best salon she could find in Laguna, and that was when she came across Indigenous Salon. It was love at first sight, she was head over heels with the salon, location and staff. That was just it for her….She still takes clients from the bay but has since moved to Orange County permanently. Hair is her life work, passion and dream. There is no other career better suited for this little blonde beach babe.

Taylor strives only for the best… with a sunny disposition and love for her craft she will make you look and feel like a new you! Her compassion for her clients is as great as her obsession with finding the most flattering look for them.

Danielle Taylor

Stylist

Danielle Taylor was born and raised in Arizona and always knew she would be a hair stylist ever since she was a little girl.  She went to Penrose Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona to begin her career as a stylist.  In school she realized she had a true passion and specialty for blonde hair color.  After graduating her family decided to move to California and that was where her career took off.

Leah DiMaria

STYLIST

Leah was born and raised in the city of Chicago where she developed her love for details, culture, and beauty. After attending Pivot Point Academy and working in the salon industry for three years, she quickly advanced into opening her own space.
Leah is excited and eager to expand to the west coast and deliver her best work! Leah specializes in color and silk weft extensions. 
Her passion for making people feel & look their best is what brings her happiness and makes her feel fulfilled in her career.

Jessi Anaya

STYLIST

Jessi Anaya was born and raised in Dana Point, California. She studied at Toni & Guy and has had the privilege of  creating custom color on her clients over the last ten years. With a background in tattooing and painting, Jessi is an artist at heart, but her favorite medium is Hair Coloring. Whether it’s the lived in blonde, hand painted brunette, or any shade in between, Jessi looks forward to delivering outstanding results tailored to your hair goals!

Stephanie Pineda

STYLIST

Stephanie is a loving mother who is dedicated to teaching her clients the importance of self care and beauty tips. Stephanie was formally trained @johnamico and has been servicing a diverse clientele for the last 4 years. She has also invested the past few years learning and working alongside the best top hairstylists from Chicago, Indiana, to California. Her specialties range from cuts, to color, and finishing styles. With an emphasis on ensuring her clients leave her chair feeling cared for and beautiful, Stephanie can’t wait to have you looking and feeling your best ! 

Christa Vaznis

STYLIST

Sustainable Hairstylist and International Session Artist** With 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, Christa has established herself as a dedicated and innovative hairstylist with a strong focus on sustainability. Since receiving her cosmetology license in 2009 from Regency Beauty Institute in Texas, she has committed to using products and color lines that align with her values. For the past 12 years, she has proudly used Davines’ color and styling products, known for their eco-friendly and high-quality formulations as well as being certified as a B-Corporation. Starting her career in Fort Worth, Christa built a loyal clientele through her skills and dedication. The challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic inspired her to relocate and start revised career in a more refined way. In December 2023, she moved to Orange County and obtained her California cosmetology license, marking a new chapter in her professional journey. One of the highlights of Christa’s career is her ability to travel and work as an international hairstylist. Her impressive session work portfolio includes multiple publications, reflecting her versatility and creative talent. Behind the chair, she finds joy in connecting clients and facilitating referrals, understanding that building a strong network is invaluable in the industry. Originally from New Hampshire, Christa moved to Arizona at the age of four and spent her adolescence there, completing high school in Phoenix. After a brief stint in California post-graduation, she moved to Texas and worked for a furniture company, painting and refinishing furniture until she pursued her passion for cosmetology. A notable area of Christa’s expertise is grey transitions, a skill she honed post pandemic. She assists clients in embracing their natural hair growth patterns and blending artificial color with natural hues, helping them feel confident and beautiful in their aging process. Certified in KTip extensions through SO.CAP. USA, Christa prefers this method for its versatility and ability to provide a more reparative installation, tailored to each client’s needs. While her professional life is vibrant and fulfilling, Christa currently dedicates much of her time to being the best mom she can be, cherishing the opportunity to shape and nurture her child. This balance of personal and professional life defines her as a passionate and well-rounded individual in the beauty industry.