New in town: Olivia Petersen

The hairstylist moved to Charleston from Canton, OH, and is now trying to convince her best friend to move as well.

Age:

23.

Status:

Single.

Current location:

Isle of Palms, SC.

Moved from:

Canton, OH.

Own or rent?

I’m in the process of renting an apartment.

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What made you move to the area?

The beauty of Charleston and wanting to be closer to family.

Was this move planned or spontaneous?

I always knew I wanted to move here. I finally got the courage one day to pack everything and head South before it got too late in life to make a move.

Did you know anyone in town before moving? Were you able to make new friends?

I knew a couple family members and family friends. It was super easy making friends through work.

Cost of living here compared to your previous location:

The cost of living is more expensive but the quality of life here is a lot better and different.

Community and culture here compared to your previous location:

Everyone here is humble and more kind. Back home everyone was blunt and standoffish.

Traffic situation:

The traffic is insane – the commute takes 15-30 minutes longer than back home.

One thing you wish someone had told you before moving:

To save up a lot more money because finding a job quickly wasn’t as easy.

What/who would you bring from your old town?

My best friend. I’m in the process of convincing her to move here.

Do you call this place home?

My home would always be Ohio because I know I can always go back and everything would still be the same, but I would also call this place home because it was just so welcoming and felt right.

Favorite restaurants:

Woodhaven Pizza, SAVI Cucina, OK Donna.

Hobbies:

I love going on long walks or runs, chilling at the beach or pool with friends and family, and going thrifting at local thrift shops. I enjoy watching TV series – right now I’m obsessed with Love Island and Love on the Spectrum. I recently started watching Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen on Netflix – it’s sick and twisted but so good. The ending is definitely a plot twist.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Italy. It’s so beautiful, the culture is amazing, and the food and wine would have me hooked. I would have no complaints if I lived there.

What do you do for a living?

Hairstylist during the week. I also have two other jobs – Sunday mornings at Sea Biscuit Cafe and Saturday and Sunday nights I bartend at Coastal Crust.

How did you get into hairstyling?

I knew I always wanted to do hair – I loved dyeing and cutting my friends’ hair growing up. At first, I tried the college route but I found out college wasn’t for me. I then decided to go to cosmetology school and ended up loving it.

Hairstylists often become confidants. What have you learned about people or life from your clients in the chair?

I’ve learned there are bigger problems in the world than your own. The small things matter to people, so take your time and really listen – they might not have anyone else in their life to share what they’re feeling or going through.

Where do you find inspiration for your styles?

TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram. They help me stay on top of trends, and if I ever want to try a new technique, there’s usually a tutorial that helps me nail it.

Is there a difference in the frequency of hair appointments in a cold place like Ohio and a warm place like Charleston?

There’s definitely a difference between here and Ohio. I felt like I had more appointments in Ohio – maybe because there isn’t as much to do there, so getting your hair done feels like a luxury. Here, there’s so much to do outside and stay active that a hair appointment feels more optional. I see mixed views on this a lot.

If you could do anyone’s hair, who would it be?

Tate McRae – her hair is gorgeous. It’s thick, long, and the color is stunning. Pulling off a look on her would be the ultimate confidence boost.

Connect with Olivia here.

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