‘A day to shine’: Victoria women enjoy Beauty Day at Our Place

Published 4:00 pm Friday, February 13, 2026

Women from across Victoria spent a day at Our Place getting a boost of confidence at their annual Beauty Day.

The event, which started more than a decade ago, saw more than two dozen women arrive into the onsite chapel on Feb. 13, where community volunteers provide everything from hairdressing to makeovers.

Janice Kalin, director of philanthropy at Our Place, said the day gives women an opportunity to express their personality.

“Most of the women you are seeing here today are surviving and working on survival,” she said. “So they don’t have the time, the energy, or the finances to be able to afford something as simple as a haircut.”

Val displays her nails following treatment during Beauty Day at Our Place. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)

Kalin said the impact goes far beyond hair and makeup.

“It is just the basics, like being touched, being loved, being cared for, feeling that compassion and empathy, and also making sure that every single woman realizes that they are worth it and deserve to feel that love and support,” she said.

Many participants face stigma in their daily lives.

“If these women can go in there with their heads held high with a fresh haircut, that means the world to them,” Kalin said. “Many of these women feel invisible, so a fresh haircut can boost confidence and help them take on the day.”

And for those getting treatment, it’s not just the feeling of joy on the outside, evident from their smiles.

“It’s about feeling seen,” said Debra, a previous participant. “When someone takes the time to do something kind for you, it reminds you that you matter, and that gives you strength.”

Freelance makeup artist Erin Bradley has volunteered at Beauty Day for roughly six years.

She said her favourite part of the day is what she calls the ‘mirror moment,’ when women see themselves differently.

“They come in with whatever heaviness, but then getting pampered just feels good,” Bradley said. “Then they get to see that mirror moment and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, that’s me.’”

Bradley said while her work may seem surface-level, it often helps women align their outside with who they already are inside.

“It’s changing people’s perception of themselves, matching their vibrancy and personality with the outside,” she said.

The event taking place the day before Valentine’s Day was no coincidence, according to Kalin.

“This will help make sure that women can come in, get some roses, TLC, and feel the love that everyone else does on this day,” she said.

Along with Our Place, the event was supported by the Natural Hair Salon, and drew support from a range of community partners. MAC Cosmetics supplied makeup, Save-On-Foods donated food, and Miss B.C. 2025 Lauren Pederson helped with beauty treatments.

Lauren Pederson, Miss B.C. 2025, applies nail polish to one of the dozens of women who attended Beauty Day on Feb. 13. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)