Meet Our Stylists

About us...

Laura Portlock Richards - she/her

Laura is a life-long Portland resident that has been working in the industry for nearly 30 years. Her love of human connections is what drives her continued commitment to her career and clients. Laura aspires to create accessible styles that evoke self-confidence and ease.

Opening Side Salon in 2017 was an incredible opportunity to imagine and create space where clients would feel welcome and relaxed and stylists would feel supported while pursuing their career and personal goals.

When not tending to her small business, Laura is snuggling her Golden Retriever, enjoying family time and continually searching for her long-lost opinion filter.

Laura is currently accepting referral clients only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Rachel Bell - she/her

Rachel is a compassionate hairstylist with over 10 years of experience. She listens attentively to your hair needs and specializes in easy to wear styles that enhance natural texture. Rachel offers short to long haircuts with a focus on fine to medium texture234s, tailoring styles to each unique client.

Her favorite part about working at Side Salon is meeting so many of her lovely neighbors in the Montavilla community.

When she's not working behind the chair, Rachel is catching live music around Portland, exploring the outdoors, continuing her education and getting crafty in the kitchen.

Rachel is currently accepting new clients on Mondays and Fridays.

Rachel Nelson - she/her

Rachel’s laid back vibe will have you relaxing and thoroughly enjoying your salon experience. She loves to get her hands into a fashion color project and is kick ass at seamless Blonding. With her depth of knowledge in clipper cutting and styling and her love of bold fun hair, she is game to make your hair dreams a reality.

Rachel is a mama to two beautiful little ones and spends her free time working on home projects and raising amazing humans. She is available currently available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and all day on Sundays.

Giselle Karam - she/her

Giselle is an upbeat stylist who has been practicing her "haircraft" since 2005. She wants every client who visits her chair to feel comfortable with their salon experience, and confident when they leave. Specialties include curly haircuts, low maintenance styles and color services.

In her free time, Giselle enjoys playing with and walking her dogs, Harper and Sam, knitting, crocheting, counteering and watching British televesision.

Giselles is currently accepting new clients on Thursdays and Saturdays.