Mercedes Ortiz-Olivieri, a Leo Sun/Capricorn Moon/Virgo rising through and through, had been in the industry for more than two decades when she took the helm at Trim in early 2016. Throughout her career, her top priorities for clients have been creating looks tailored to their lifestyles, working with all types of hair in their natural textures, preferring to use minimal heat styling, and sharing sustainable regimens to maintain hair health. Devoted to advanced education, Mercedes is as committed to furthering her own skill set as she is to those working around her. She serves as mentor and teacher to other stylists, supporting others’ career goals and personal growth every step of the way. She comes from a family of artists, social justice advocates, entrepreneurs, and teachers, and she lives her life to honor those legacies. One of Mercedes’ recent projects was leading three trips with other hairdressers to her family’s homeland of Puerto Rico to provide free haircuts to citizens affected by Hurricane Maria and the recent earthquakes in 2020. A native Spanish speaker, she holds Puerto Rico in her heart and soul and is always planning her next adventure to the island. An avid traveler, Mercedes knows where to find the best pancakes and spas in every corner of the States. She and her husband, Jason, a middle school art teacher and musician, can often be found at Fort Reno’s summer concerts, taking quick trips to New York (always making time for pancakes at Five Leaves), and running away to the shores of the mid-Atlantic. Mercedes is a woman of many passions—including coffee, comfort-chic footwear, and hearty laughter—but her biggest passion is helping women thrive.
Email mercedes@trimdc.com
Instagram @mercedes_trimdc
Venmo @Mercedes-Ortiz-Olivieri
Signature pixie cut? Check. Incredible eye for style? Check. Super cool Mom? Check. A third-generation Washingtonian raised by an architect and a stone carver, Sarah Hawkins has been in the industry since 2000. After graduating from NYU with a degree in anthropology, she worked as an audio book producer and eventually returned to DC to attend hair school. She’s made Mount Pleasant her home with her husband, John; their already-cooler-than-all-of-us teenage daughter, Lucy; and their cat. A stringed instrument enthusiast who plays the viola, she is often found taking in concerts everywhere from the Kennedy Center to school auditoriums, cheering on both the great masters and Lucy’s youth orchestra. She’s completed advanced training at Vidal Sassoon in London, and our Gemini loves creating hairstyles that are tailored to her client’s lifestyles.
Email sarah.trimdc@gmail.com
Instagram @sarah_trimdc
Venmo @Sarah-Hawkins-48
Erin O’Brien is a true Pisces. This water sign loves sharks, mermaids and Red Lobster. She has been slaying the hair game since 2006, gaining a following for her next-level technique. Whether it’s flawless foiling or classic cuts, Erin always brings her A game. The undisputed Queen of Puns, she’s been lovingly been dubbed Trim’s “Punisher,” and her wordplay mastery was on full display at her wedding. She and her groom, Eric, had a Battle of the Vows as their ceremony (and we’re pretty sure it was a draw). An Ohio native, she returns home every holiday season to her mom’s Christmas decor wonderland- just ask about the Pillow Wall. She’s our most local gal. Erin resides in the neighborhood with Eric and their perfect baby toddler, Lanegan and newborn son, Vaughn. She loves the color yellow, is a boxed wine connoisseur and a Beef Jerky Heiress.
Email Erintrimdc@gmail.com
Venmo @Erin-Obrien-01369
A yearly pilgrimage to the Newport Folk Festival… Shakespeare Summer Camp… Surprise Weddings… These are a few of Shannon Marie Sheridan’s favorite things. A New England Native, Shannon came to DC in 2000 to study at Catholic University, where she majored in Drama. She spent nearly all of her free time working in the Costume Shop learning about wigs, corsetry, and tailoring. Nearly all of Shannon’s early experiences with hairdressing are tied to the stage- French braiding her fellow ballerinas’ hair for dance recitals planted the early seeds of bridal hairstyling, and pre-show dorm room dye jobs laid the groundwork for her love of major makeovers. After graduating, Shannon spent over a decade managing salons by day, while freelancing as a Theatre Artist by night. She officially turned her professional focus from the Stage to the Salon Floor in 2015. Inspired by bygone eras and pop culture icons, she often describes styles as “1950s Art Student from the Italian Riviera as a counselor at a Berkshires Girl Scout camp … but in the 90s.” Whether on the hunt for the perfect clog + jeans combo, curating a Pinterest board for every room in her house, or planning for every vacation with a themed wardrobe, Shannon is obsessive in her aesthetic pursuits. She lives in Northwest DC with her husband, Rory, young daughter, Sylvia Marigold, and newborn son, Otto. Shannon is a Scorpio Sun/Capricorn Moon/Virgo Rising.
Email Hairbyshannonmariesheridan@gmail.com
Instagram @hairbyshannonmarie
Venmo @ShannonMarieSheridan
You know the friend in your girl gang who’s good at EVERYTHING she does? We’ve got one of those… meet Angie Dalio. This witty as hell Cancer is forever taking classes in one of her many areas of artistic pursuit; Ceramics, Metalwork, Jewelry Design, Sculpting. She has a crazy good vintage clothing collection- though most days she can be found in a pair of overalls – her personal uniform. An avid gardener, her wildflower beds are the envy of her neighborhood and she loves spending time there with her dog Agatha. Angie holds some pretty deep seated scientifically proven beliefs about hair, for example: everyone needs a pink hair phase at least once, maybe even twice. Her dream is to be an art student forever, all the while making hair dreams come true.
Email angiedoesyourhair@gmail.com
Instagram @angiedalio
Venmo @Angela-Dalio
Allie Edwards is our Aquarius artist and triple threat horror, historical, and horticultural hobbyist! She is an obsessive plant parent who basically holds an honorary PhD in History of Vampires in Pop Culture, and curator and dealer of vintage housewares. When she’s not hunting for treasure at estate sales and antique malls or rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight for the millionth time, you can find Allie skateboarding, adding to her collection of Betty Boop memorabilia, hanging with her partner John John and their two rescue pugs Daisy and Skully, or planning her next camping adventure! A Tampa native, Allie has been in the industry since 2018, and has a strong focus on delivering the grooviest of color. She loves creating funky, paranormal, and “flat out weird fantasy color looks”, and finds balance and harmony in the prettiest of blonde highlights and bleachouts. Most importantly, Allie is passionate about helping every person in her chair feel their most beautiful, authentic self. and providing gender affirming care in a safe space.
Email Alliemakeupandhair@yahoo.com
Instagram @allieedwardsartistry
Venmo @allie22edwards
Lived in Organic Color or Vibrant Bold Fantasy color? Alexis Urrutia nails both ends of the spectrum. A livable haircut shape tailored to an individual’s needs? Alexis gets it right every time. Creating a welcoming inclusive vibe in his chair? Alexis goes above and beyond. A DC native with El Salvadoran roots, Alexis has been a stylist since 2017. After a brief break away from the chair to expand his career in the restaurant and service industry, Alexis joins our team and brings, along with passion for hair, Big Leo Energy and near encyclopedic knowledge of his comfort TV shows Golden Girls, Sailor Moon, and Modern Family. When not behind the chair or at the restaurant, Alexis can be found traveling the world, going to concerts, traveling the world FOR concerts, and hanging with his Pit-Husky Mix, Blue.
Email okaayalexis@gmail.com
Instagram @okaayalexis
Venmo @Alexis-U
Photo credit: Farrah Skeiky @reallyfarrah