SHIP SHAPE HAIR DESIGN

OAK HARBOR’S FIRST INCLUSIVE BARBER SALON

Serving Whidbey Island since 2021

Ship Shape Hair Design

is devoted to creating a space that includes all, by eliminating the hyper-masculinity of barber shops and the hyper-femininity of beauty parlors. Since the beginning, salons and barbershops have been the kind of places that gives a sense of community and dialogue. That’s why its important for Ship Shape Hair Design to cultivate an environment that is devotedly intolerant of racism, sexism, transphobia, misogyny, and bigotry. When it comes down to things people just want to feel safe, confident, and included without judgment… because gender isn’t required to have good hair.

About Me

Hi my name is Carolyn Merritt, I am from Oak Harbor and decided it was time to go out on my own after the pandemic came to the end in 2021, making Ship Shape Hair Design a reality that April.

Being raised in the Navy, my father use to scold me and my sisters as children when it came time to do chores and would tell us when we cleaned to make it look “ship shape”. So, naturally when I was coming up with shop names ‘Ship Shape’ seemed like the natural choice as it pays homage to my past, my home town, my current life, and let’s you know what to expect when you walk in.

I have been in the beauty industry since 2006, I started out as an apprentice at The Gallery Salon. Then after doing that for 3 years I decided it was time to make things official and got licensed in 2009. I worked at D’rock, and then, Allure Salon and Spa until my husband got orders to Japan in 2012. Where I owned and operated an in home shop til moving in 2016. After coming back to the states I got the opportunity to work under an amazing barber while living in Nevada, where I got to fine tune my cutting skills, making me the barber I am today.

I am married to Ernie, (I am sure you will see him around from time to time) and am a mother to 5 amazing kids. Our future plans are for Ernie to retire from the Navy in 2026 and finish raising our youngest child who is still at home. Making Oak Harbor home for us once again.