Vickie Vela, a New York native, began her career in the hair and beauty industry in 1981.

In her desire to continually improve her craft, Vickie advanced her education studying at the Vidal Sassoon Academy where she learned the latest innovative cutting and coloring techniques. Her passion for hair and her artistry left her unsatisfied when it came to her own hair. She was never able to find anyone, even at the most celebrated Beverly Hills salons, that could cut her curly hair.

In 2007, Vickie was introduced to Lorraine Massey (author of the “Curly Girl Handbook” and developer of the “Deva”product line) at a hair show in Los Angeles, CA.   Lorraine cut Vickie’s hair on the show stage, a pivotal moment that literally changed her life.

Vickie’s obsession of all things curly was set in motion! She began to educate herself about the uniqueness of curly hair and found that many other curly girls were left with the same dissatisfied results when it came to their hair. Vickie traveled to New York to receive personal training from Lorraine, eventually becoming a Deva educator and earning the highest level of education as a Deva “Certified” stylist. Vickie has a designer eye and has taken what she accomplished from her years as a Sassoon stylist combining her curly tutelage from Lorraine and made Vela Style her own.

In 2009 Vickie decided to focus exclusively on curly hair, opening Curls On Top hair studio, a boutique salon in the seaside community of Laguna Beach, California. No one could have predicted the response she received. Curls On Top quickly outgrew its space and in 2014 moved to its current location on South Coast Highway in the Hip District of Laguna Beach.

At Curls On Top Hair Studio, each woman’s curls are viewed as unique as the woman who wears them.

Vickie Vela-Cambruzzi

Owner/ Master Stylist

Lauren Cortez

Senior  Stylist / Colorist

Lauren was born and raised in Laguna Beach, CA. She grew up in the beauty industry, spending her youth in a local salon owned and operated by her mother and grandmother, both hairstylists. Lauren originally started her own career in 1999 as an Aveda trained Esthetician. She worked in the skin care industry for several years, specializing in helping women get the perfect eyebrow.

With a desire to expand her knowledge, Lauren enrolled in the cosmetology program at the Paul Mitchell Academy. There she expanded her repertoire learning the latest techniques for cutting and coloring hair. After becoming a California State Licensed Cosmetologist, Lauren realized she wanted more knowledge on the special treatment of curly hair, something not offered in school. She sought out Vickie at Curls On Top and fell in love with curls. Lauren encourages every woman that comes to Curls On Top to embrace her natural curls, teaching them how to love and respect their hair.

In 2016 Lauren attended the Deva Academy in Los Angeles, California where she completed the Deva advanced training course.