About Us

Hilary Ballard
Salon owner/ Master Stylist

Hilary has been in the beauty industry since 2007 after graduating from the AVEDA Institute. Her heart beats for continuing education and ensuring her guests feel as beautiful on the inside as they do on the outside. Opening her own hair salon has allowed her to fully embrace her passion for service and providing an experience unlike any in Pittsburgh and more often found in larger metropolitan cities. Her vision is to change the culture of the hair and beauty industry through her personalized and genuine interactions with her guests as well as her staff.  

She has created a culture that values the guest experience and happiness of her team to foster an environment of growth. Hilary looks forward to what the future will bring for her company, and those who make this salon so special.

When not in the salon you can find Hilary spending time with her partner Andy and three beautiful kids, cuddling their fur babies, working on projects in her home or strength training in the gym! 

Salon Schedule: Monday 2-9 | Tuesday 12-5 | Wednesday 8-8 | Thursday 8-8

@hilarykballard

Christina Gapen
Salon Manager

Christina has been with Twelve27 since July 2019 and in those years she has continued to grow and become a pillar of our company and culture. You will find Christina behind the desk greeting guests, booking appointments and answering the phones.  It is usually her lovely voice you hear on the phone or are writing to in the e-mails.  Christina loves to spend time getting to know our guests and prides herself on making sure the day runs smoothly for the guest and the stylists.  In addition to the daily operations at the salon she runs our social media, marketing promotions and helps Hilary as her right hand man in all things salon related! 

In her free time she is a fitness enthusiast and coaches at PUNCH gym when not spending time with her adorable golden retriever Rocky, traveling when she can and always checking out the best local brunch spots!!

@christinamarie

 

 

Sierra Morosky
Tier 3 / Curly Specialist

Sierra has been with Twelve27 since March 2020 (yep… and she is still with us! To start a new job during a pandemic says a lot about a person!) and we couldn’t imagine this space without her!  Sierra is a Curl Specialist with haircutting and color techniques. Her vast education and salon experience sets her apart and the guest experience in her chair is unparalleled.  Sierra graduated in 2015 and she loves working with the Twelve27 Team because it feels like a family!!  Her career is her passion and using it as a creative outlet matched with her client relationships feeds her soul. 

When Sierra isn’t behind the chair you can find her creating a different kind of art through drawing and painting or spending time strength training in the gym. 

Salon Schedule: Monday 2-9/Friday 9-6 | Tuesday 12-8:30 Wednesday 10-8:30

@sisimua95

Tony Marrero
Tier 3 / Cutting Specialist

Tony has been with Twelve27 since July 2019 when he relocated to Pittsburgh from Cleveland Ohio. Tony has been a licensed hairstylist since 2009 and his specialty is haircuts… Long, short, textured he loves it all! Tony is also a master with hair color but has a sweet spot for redheads.  If you have sat in Tony’s chair then you know the guest connection is a top priority for him and he prides himself on creating lasting relationships with his guests.  Tony chose this career to help people achieve their ideal look on the outside to make them feel better and more beautiful on the inside! Tony loves Twelve27 because being part of a team is important to him and working with one he loves in a supportive environment makes his days that much better!  

In his off time Tony enjoys traveling to see friends and family in Ohio, cooking and working on house projects as he is a new homeowner in 2023!

Salon Schedule: Tuesday 12-8:30 | Wednesday 10-8:30 | Thursday 12-8:30 | Friday 9-6:30 

@tony_twelve27

Jessica Mitsch
Tier 2 / Color Specialist

Jessica has been with Twelve27 since February 2020 when she did a very short protege program with us after relocating and getting licensed in Pennsylvania. Jessica has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2014 and has a true passion for balayage and dimensional blondes and brunettes and will be adding Hand Tied Hair extensions in 2023!!  Jessica got into this industry to make women feel beautiful and becoming friends with her guests has become the cherry on top.  Jessica is a crucial part of our team and brings so much to the salon culture and working alongside such friendly and supportive co-workers is her favorite thing about Twelve27. 

When Jessica isn’t at the salon you can find her taking a hike around Pittsburgh or checking out the newest movie in theaters. 

Salon Schedule: Tuesday 12-8:30 | Wednesday 10-8:30 | Thursday 12-8:30 | Friday 9-6:30

@hairbyjessmitsch

 

Conner Powers
Tier 1 / Color&Extensions

Conner has been with Twelve27 since September 2021 when he finally found his salon home in Pittsburgh after graduating in 2020. He did a short protege program with us and learned our in house Hand Tied Extension Method and perfected his skills in all things color! Conner is a true blonde wizard and loves giving the guest the blonde they want while keeping their hair healthy and long!  When sitting in Conner’s chair you will learn a lot as he loves to chat but his favorite thing about being a stylist is learning interesting things from his guests and meeting new people every day.  Working in an environment that is fun, supportive and full of love is most important to Conner and the main reason he loves Twelve27 Salon. 

When not at work you can usually find him practicing or competing with his Cheer team and hanging with friends around the city. 

Salon Schedule: Monday 9-9 | Wednesday 9-9 | Friday 9-6:30

@connerpowersxhair

Kayla Quinn
New Talent / Color&Extensions

Kayla has been with Twelve27 since January 2022 when she joined our team while still in school.  After graduating in March 2022 she went through our protege program and quickly rose as a stylist to keep your eye on!  Kayla has a passion for blonding services such as highlights and balayage and she recently became certified in our in house Hand Tied Extension Method and loves it!   Kayla enjoys coming to work at Twelve27 because working with people who feel like family is very important to her.  Making connections with clients and growing those relationships is what makes the day fun and using her skills to create beautiful hair gives her an incredible creative outlet. When Kayla isn’t in the salon you can find her globe trotting to visit all of her out of town friends or thrifting at Buffalo Exchange. 

Salon Schedule: Monday 2-9 | Tuesday 12-8:30 | Thursday 12-8:30 | Friday 9-6:30

@kaylaquinnhair

Skylar Calhoun
New Talent Stylist

Skylar has been with Twelve27 since February 2022 when she joined our team while still in school. After graduating in August 2022 she went through our protege program and became a New Talent Stylist January 2023! Skylar is still working toward picking her specialty at Twelve27 but has been loving textured haircuts, dimensional color and is eager to learn more about specialty curly haircuts in 2023.  Like most everyone on our team Skylar is very close with her co-workers and coming to work feels like fun when you love the people you work with!  Being a new stylist Skylar spends her days meeting new people and this is quickly becoming her favorite part of the job. 

Skylar loves to read and draw and spends her time outside the salon relaxing with these activities.

Salon Schedule: Tuesday 12-8:30 | Wednesday 12-8:30 | Thursday 12-8:30 | Friday 9-6:30

@skylarcalhounnhair

Beth Lee
Salon Assistant

Beth has been with Twelve27 since March 2022 when she decided to move home to Pittsburgh with her husband from Las Vegas!  When Beth joined our team she started on our Guest Happiness Team while deciding if the beauty industry was for her… and it was!!  Beth started beauty school in September 2022 and will be graduating in June 2023 when she will begin our protege program and work toward a stylist position on our team!  Beth has loved working our front desk and learning the ins and outs of the salon business while spending her downtime watching and learning from other stylists on our team.  Beth is excited to start this new career because it gives her a way to be creative and work with her hands. 

When not at the salon Beth is usually.. eating!  As any true foodie Beth and her husband love to eat out and experience all that the Pittsburgh dining scene has to offer. 

Salon Schedule: Monday 2-9 | Tuesday 4-8:30 | Thursday 4-8:30pm

@beth.hair412

careers

new stylist application

Thank you for your interest in working for Twelve27 Salon! We are so thrilled to meet you and would love to hear more about your experience behind the chair.

new protege application

Hello and welcome to the beauty industry! Whether you’ve just graduated, or you’re still in school – we’d love to hear from you! Our Protege Program is truly the cornerstone of our company, focused on education and quickly transitioning new stylists from assisting to earning commission behind the chair in less than a year!

giving back

Hilary comes from modest beginnings, and has been a hard worker her entire life. She feels grateful to have earned the opportunity to run a successful salon and giving back has been part of the vision since opening our doors. It is of high priority at Twelve27 to give back just as much as is brought in, which is why partnering with local charities and other small businesses keeps the balance and fosters growth within the community.

In 2018, Twelve27 partnered with SisterFriend Org, a menstrual equity and education non-profit in Pittsburgh who’s chief goal was to provide education and health resources for lower-income and disadvantaged women in Pittsburgh.

In 2019, Twelve27 aligned with HEARTH, a transitional housing facility which educates and empowers women and children who are the survivors of domestic violence.

In 2021, Twelve27 has decided to give back to the front line workers working tirelessly in an effort to keep us all safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Any and all guests who work on the front lines with patients will receive a standing discount on their services and products purchased for all of 2021. It is simply a very small way of saying thank you for all they have done and continue to do.

In 2022 and 2023 Twelve27 is partnering with PAAR. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape has been serving the Pittsburgh community for more than 43 years through advocacy, counseling, prevention and education. Look for ways you can help give back through salon happy hours, pop up markets and service opportunities as we support this amazing local organization and bring awareness, education and help end sexual violence.