Aveda-trained cosmetologist and mother of two. I help women — especially busy mamas — feel radiant through their cycle, clean skincare, motherhood, and nourishing food.





For 25 years I've helped women look and feel their best — from the runways of New York to wedding mornings on Vancouver Island. Aveda taught me to see beauty as a whole-body practice, and becoming a mother taught me how much we need that care for ourselves.
Today my focus is beauty within: honouring our hormones and cycles, clean skincare, and food that nourishes — gentle rituals that fit real life, toddlers and early mornings included.
True radiance starts within. How we rest, nourish and care for ourselves shows up in our skin, hair and energy — and everything I share comes back to these four pillars.
Living with our infradian rhythm — understanding each phase of your cycle and working with it, not against it.
Read My StoryClean, waterless skincare, natural hair care and gentle body care that nourishes rather than strips.
Shop OlivedaNatural birth, nourishing traditions and raising little ones intentionally — because caring for ourselves is part of caring for our families.
My Births & PhilosophyBeauty elixirs, recipes and whole foods that feed your skin, hair and hormones.
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My all-time favourite Oliveda product. Made from the olive tree, it's the one I reach for when I want my skin to feel calm, hydrated and glowing — no matter how little sleep I got.
Want 15% off? Send me a message on Instagram @meldeveny and I'll share my code.
Visit My ShopPsst — my shop shows my legal name, Melissa Leach. Same Mel, just pre-wedding! 💍
Simple drinks I make at home to nourish skin, balance hormones and bring a little calm to busy days. Pop in your email and I'll send the guide straight to your inbox.
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Born and raised in Powell River, I built a career that took me from Vancouver to the runways of New York and beyond. After falling in love and starting a family in Campbell River, I stepped back to focus on what mattered most — being a mom. Now I'm sharing what I've learned about beauty that begins within.

My love of beauty began early. I trained with Aveda at 18, where I learned hair, makeup and skincare through a holistic lens — considering the whole person: your personality, your lifestyle, and the way you want to feel.
That training took me to the biggest stages in the industry. As a Lead Stylist at New York Fashion Week, I worked at the highest level, and my TV and film work — including a feature on Etalk as a wedding hair specialist — made me a trusted name for brides. I've had the privilege of working with brands like Aritzia, Lululemon and Native Shoes, and my editorial work has been published in print.
But behind the scenes, the industry didn't always align with my values. I chose to step away and refocus on what I believe beauty really is: something that grows from how we care for ourselves, from within.
Then life took a beautiful turn. I fell in love, moved to Campbell River, and became a mama to two little ones. Motherhood showed me how easily we forget ourselves — and how much a few simple, nourishing rituals can bring us back.
Today I share beauty within for women and mothers: living in rhythm with our cycles, clean waterless skincare through Oliveda, and nourishing food for beauty.

You may see Melissa Leach on my Oliveda shop and paperwork — that's me too! Deveny is the name I'm growing into, soon to be official when I marry my partner. Melissa Leach on paper, Mel Deveny at heart. The paperwork just hasn't caught up with the love story yet.
Lead stylist at one of the world's most prestigious fashion events — runway-ready looks at the highest level of the industry.
A career spanning New York, Milan, Australia, and across Canada and the United States — a truly global perspective on beauty.
On-set experience in television and film production, bringing technical precision and creative vision to every project.
Featured on Etalk as a wedding hair specialist, sharing expertise with audiences across Canada.
Editorial work published in print — recognized artistry that speaks for itself.
Sharing clean, waterless, olive-tree skincare that I use and love every single day.
Aveda shaped more than my technique — it shaped my whole approach. Rather than imposing a look, I listen first. I consider your lifestyle, your season of life, and how you want to feel.
The result is beauty that doesn't just look good in photos — it feels like you. Nourished, authentic, and completely yours.
"How we feel on the inside shows up on the outside — in our skin, our hair, our energy, and our confidence."
— Mel Deveny
My training with Aveda didn't just shape me as a stylist — it opened the door to a much deeper understanding of wellness. Aveda's roots in Ayurveda sparked a curiosity that would eventually become a defining chapter of my life.
After years of alcohol abuse that took a serious toll on my gut health, I made the decision to heal from the inside out. What began as a personal necessity became a dedicated path of education — studying detoxification, gut health restoration, and hormone balance.
That journey transformed my understanding of true beauty. I learned firsthand that how we feel on the inside shows up on the outside — in our skin, our hair, our energy, and our confidence.
It's why everything I share today — from skincare to beauty elixirs — starts with nourishing the body first.
"Aveda set the stage for everything. Learning about Ayurveda opened my eyes, and healing my body gave me a depth of understanding that I carry into every part of my life and work."
— Mel, on her wellness journey

Nobody taught me how my hormones worked, or how much they shape our skin, energy, mood and fertility. Here's how I found my way, and why I'm sharing it with you.

We learned to see the body as a whole. What goes on your skin matters as much as what goes in your body.
Then I read WomanCode by Alisa Vitti, and it changed everything.

At 41, our son surprised us.



Follow along, mama. I share what I've learned about living with your cycle, nourishing food and clean skincare.

I've been studying birth since my early 20s, and I raise my children in a way that's a little unconventional. Here are my births, what shaped me, and how we live day to day.
I watched Ricki Lake's The Business of Being Born and it shifted how I saw birth completely. From then on, I always planned on having my babies at home.

I laboured at home for three days, fully planning a home birth with my midwife. I'd also taken the Pain-Free Birth course, which really helped. Looking back now, the energy just felt off.
On the third day I decided to transfer to the hospital, and 45 minutes later my daughter was born. I had a little laughing gas, though at the time I couldn't tell you whether it helped.

This time I did one thing very differently: I leaned into the uncomfortable. I sat on the toilet, lay down with a pillow between my legs, and kept living my life until I couldn't anymore. In early labour I was out planting our vegetable garden.
This time I could say for sure that the laughing gas took the edge off. It was the birth I had always planned for.
"You could teach this."
— What my midwife told me when we first metIt isn't perfect, but these are the things that guide our home.
I follow Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions as best I can. We're not perfectly aligned, but that book has gotten me through a lot.
Homeopathic remedies, essential oils, and plenty of vitamins and minerals are part of everyday life in our home.
We pray, we go to church, and we sit down together for meals. We light a candle and are intentional about how we gather and eat.
Our family has chosen not to vaccinate. We're grateful for a family doctor who respects the choices we make for our children.
Our daughter turns five next year, and we've decided not to go the public school route. I've always been interested in how we educate our children, and this year I'm leaning fully into finding the right path for her.
We'll see where it leads. Stay tuned!

Oliveda · Waterless Beauty
Clean, waterless skincare made from the olive tree — the products I use myself and share with the women in my life.
As a cosmetologist, I've tried just about everything. Oliveda is the first line that truly matched how I think about beauty: nourish the skin, keep ingredients clean, and make it simple enough to actually use every day.
As a mama of two, simple matters. A few minutes in the morning and evening is all it takes.
I first tried Oliveda for one month, and within those four weeks my skin felt noticeably more hydrated. Then life got busy, I didn't reorder, and I let it slide.
But I've seen what 90 days has done for women I know personally, and I want to see it for myself. So I'm recommitting: 90 days, start to finish, shared honestly here and on Instagram — the good days, the busy mama days, and whatever my skin decides to do.
This is my own experience, not a promise — every woman's skin is different. Follow along on Instagram @meldeveny.
Browse the full Oliveda collection through my personal shop link.
Not sure where to start? Message me and I'll help you choose based on your skin and your routine.
DM me on Instagram for my discount code before you check out.
My shop shows my legal name, Melissa Leach — same Mel, just pre-wedding! 💍
25 years of artistry and international experience. I take on a limited number of weddings each year so every bride gets my full attention.
I work with all hair types and textures. No two brides are the same — and no two looks should be either.
Full-service bridal hair from trial to wedding day. Updos, half-up, flowing waves — every look tailored to you.
Most PopularCoordinated looks for your whole party. Bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groom — everyone feeling their best.
Group RatesA dedicated session to test your look, try accessories, and walk into your wedding day with complete confidence.
Highly Recommended



2026 Wedding Rates
All prices are in CAD. A $175 deposit is required to reserve your date.
The Bride
Hair Trial
Pre-wedding consultation & trial run at a salon or agreed location
$200
Day of Hairstyling
Full bridal hair on your wedding day
$325
Day of Hairstyling with clip-in extensions
Extensions not included
$350
Wedding Party & Attendants
Hair Trial
Bridesmaid or attendant trial
$185
Day of Hairstyling
Per bridesmaid or attendant
$185
Hairstyling with extensions
Extensions not included
$210
Short Hair
Chin length or shorter
$100
Flower Girl Hair
12 and under
$75
Additional Info
Early Morning Start
Before 6am: $150 fee
Travel Fees
Time & gas at $95/hr
Weekend Minimum (May–Sept)
$975
Weekday Minimum
$750
Ferry fees apply as per BC Ferry rates — reservations are mandatory. Accommodations may be required and are the responsibility of the client. A $175 deposit is required to secure your date.
I travel to Quadra Island and surrounding areas for your wedding day. On the water, in the forest, or tucked away in the mountains — if it's local, I'll be there.
Motherhood, wildflower fields, and the moments that shaped my story.
The quickest way to reach me is a message on Instagram, or send a note below and I'll get back to you within a few days.
Your message is on its way. I'll be in touch within a few days.