Haircut & Color Specialist
Danielle is an established salon owner of “Hare and Bristle” located in the beautiful Fingerlakes region of western New York. Danielle is a Goldwell colorist specializing in textured bobs, pixies and hair you can wear.
Early Education
Graduated from OCM BOCES in 2006 completing New York State Board requirements for cosmetology license.
2007 started working as an entry level stylist at Regis. Styled bridal hair on the weekends to get my name out there.
2009 hired as a junior stylist at Lisa Finnerty LiSalon in Ithaca, NY. Completed 6 Goldwell courses in my first year and started to build a return clientele.
2011 I auditioned for a call for educators for KMS CALIFORNIA and was selected. March 2011 I was flown into Goldwell Academy Baltimore to complete a 3 day training course on “how to educate” and to speak publicly.
2012 decided to pivot away from travel education and focus on honing my craft as a fine haircutter and was hired as a second chair stylist at Changes Salon in Ithaca New York. It is at this time where I developed a strong sense of business behind the chair. I was able to devote my time exclusively to providing excellent, detailed oriented hair services. I was booked 2 weeks in advance and started to build a reputation and a repeat return client book.
In 2016 I bought my first house and decided it was time to develop my own brand of hair studio and renovated a second floor of a historic building to create a bespoke hair studio. While this was an exhilarating and wonderful time in my career and a huge jumping off point, it was also the saddest moment for me as I was tending to my mother who passed away 2 weeks after I signed the 3 year lease on my new construction. My mother and I affectionately named the salon Hare and Bristle. A play on the divine feminine and masculine with a sense of humor and play.
Logo drawn for Hare and Bristle by cartoonist Jim Garmhausen, 2016
2016 - Current
2016 Opened my first salon, Hare and Bristle, and quickly had a one month waiting list for hair services. In addition to offering hair and beauty, I featured the studio for First Friday art events and featured local art in my small gallery.
2017 Continued education with Goldwell NY and completed creative color classes using Elumen Play. I also studied with Jamie Brice at the Binghamton Goldwell Studio for an Amika Advanced Framework.
Amika Advanced Framework, Binghamton New York.
2018 Continued to build a brand of my own and develop a portfolio on my Instagram as well as style weddings on the weekends. I spent my spare time working with models to create story boards with professional photography to build my portfolio. Completed Daymaker workshop with Sean Carlson of Surface and attended regional trade shows and demonstrations. Modeled for platform artist Simon Miller for STYLE MATTERS KMS at Turning Stone Casino. During this time I was also a touring headlining burlesque dancer and dance instructor. Performing monthly in NYC, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Chicago, Syracuse, Philadelphia and Boston.
Danielle provides hair styling and makeup for Anya's wedding day.
Headlining vintage fan dance at Mod Club Toronto, 2018.
Teaching summer of 2018 at Bees Knees Dance Studio, Cortland New York.
Close up of one of my headdresses I built for the stage. I make all of my own costumes and style all of my own wigs.
2018 a silly live photo of me performing at Embers and Ashes in Toronto wearing a costume and wig designed by me.
2019 Continued to create unique haircuts at the salon during the day and would tour, perform and teach in the Central New York and Tri-State area on the weekends and days off. I was invited to teach a weekly dance class at BELLY SET GO Dance Studio for adult dancers 18 and up. It was at BELLY SET GO Dance Studio that I taught and developed my Go-Golesque series and Burlesque Beauty workshops. I taught in person weekly for 8 week mini choreography series and when the Covid shut down began I continued to teach dance and burlesque beauty via ZOOM. I also continued to mentor private dance students through a series of video instruction. See my advertisement below!
Burlesque Beauty is a step by step makeup class taught by Danielle.
Inclusive 60’s Go-Go dance class created by Danielle.
Short Hair Design by Danielle at Hare and Bristle Salon.
Salon work
Circa 2019 - 2020 start of Covid SHUT DOWN
Hare and Bristle your home for cozy hair.
Instagram post on Hare and Bristle - SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE
A pop of pink for Tess at Hare and Bristle.
Before and after Hare and Bristle Signature Custom haircut with a pin up finish.
Unique wedding hair for my very special client Hare and Bristle.
Hair and makeup styled at Hare and Bristle by Danielle Kearns for Petrune Spring fashion.
Hair and makeup styled at Hare and Bristle by Danielle Kearns for Petrune Spring fashion.
Hair and makeup styled at Hare and Bristle by Danielle Kearns for Petrune Spring fashion.
Hair and makeup styled at Hare and Bristle by Danielle Kearns for Petrune Spring fashion.
2020 Covid Shut Down
Reopening the salon after the 2020 Covid Shut down was the most difficult task I have ever had to complete as a business owner. Nothing prepared me for that massive loss. Like many artists and hairdressers we are united by our daily work with people. I was so deeply sad and lost closing my salon during the Covid lock down. I was FORTUNATE that I was eligible for loans and grants that I was not required to pay back. Unlike many of my peers and colleagues I was able to keep my salon doors open with the generosity of my building owner and local aid. I was able to reopen the salon under strict guidelines in New York State the first week in July 2020. I did my best to follow the protocol in keeping my clients safe as well as invest the money in my salon. I was able to pay back my landlords for back rent as well as purchase new shears, repaint and upgrade my salon furniture as well as invest in my own education.
Hare and Bristle has evolved as an inspired place since reopening from the Covid lock down. In addition to renovating the studio I discovered a Japanese exchange program in 2023 and the salon started to take on Japanese design aesthetics! See my builders below as they create 2 stations inspired by the woodwork I saw in the streets of Tokyo.
In addition to managing salon decor I am always working on refining my skills as a creative person behind the chair and in my sewing and design work at home. See below some of my best hair work since traveling to Japan.
Hair styling and Makeup Tokyo, Japan Spring 2023
Platinum Blonde, Vivid Toner, Pastel and Haircut by Danielle
High Lift blonde toning, lowlight and haircut by Danielle.
Platinum Blonde retouch and Strawberry Pink toner and Haircut by Danielle.
Blonde highlights and haircut by Danielle.
Hair Manicure, Haircut and Style by Danielle.
Hush Cut inspired by Japanese Beauty by Danielle.
Bridal updo with floral arrangement on African American hair by Danielle.
Creative haircut by Danielle.
Haircut and color refresh by Danielle.
Hair Manicure, haircut and style by Danielle.
Designer Color by Danielle.
Bridal hair by Danielle.
Platinum Blonde, Haircut and Fashion Toner by Danielle.
Danielle applying makeup for a wedding guest
Always Learning
The ethos of Hare and Bristle Salon and the mission of Danielle is to always be greater. Strive for excellence and customer satisfaction. Danielle is devoted to learning techniques in creative business management, advanced hair and makeup training as well as fashion and garment construction. Listed below are the classes Danielle is enrolled in for Spring 2025.
Upcoming Education
GOLDWELL Advanced Formulations May 19, 2025 Binghamton. Hands on hair color technique.
Fashion Institute of Technology - Pattern Making from Existing Garments. Spring 2025 May 14th and May 21st
