Amber Johansen, who was recently hired at Shear Artistry in Boothbay Harbor, is a recent graduate of Aveda Institute of Maine, which she attended after completing two years of a vocational cosmetology class at Bath Tech. 

“I’ve been passionate about cosmetology since about age 12, when I realized that I could go into this line of work. I’ve been coloring and cutting my own hair for years now, along with my friends and family's hair. I’ve loved every second of my cosmetology education and I am so excited to continue to learn and to start my career with Shear Artistry,” said Johansen.

During her time at Bath Tech, she was inducted into the National Technical Honors Society for her work and grades. 

“It was an amazing opportunity to attend the cosmetology program, most notably because the hours I racked up over two years at Bath transferred over to Aveda. Going to Aveda solidified that I want to do this,” Johansen said.

At the Aveda graduation, Johansen received an award for her shear work (hair cutting), and one for customer service. 

“I love doing haircuts and colors, especially fashion colors and highlights. Any haircut, from a simple trim to a full on restart transformation, I am always totally up for, as well as any color from a simple highlight to a crazy rainbow fashion color. My main goal is to make everyone feel confident and happy with their new look regardless of how drastic the change is.”

Johansen is an avid squish mallow collector and “can never have enough of them (especially the pink ones).” She has lived in Boothbay most of her life and attended both the elementary school and the high school, where I graduated from last year. 

“I enjoy spending time with my family and my pets. I have three cats, Blossom, Mossy and Jaq Jaq, and a dog named Honey. You may have been barked at by her while passing by my house at one time or another. I like visiting the Gardens whenever I get the chance and seeing all the pretty flowers and plants and going down to Ocean Point to walk on the big rocks along the coast.”