"We cater to the unique style of each client who walks through the door. The sky is the limit with me and my approach to hair and beauty,” says Leah Carlson, professional stylist and make up artist for 9 years, salon owner, and recording artist with her 3rd album to be released in 2010.
Meet our Team!
La La Luxe Salon is a modern, fashion-forward salon that brings a breath of fresh air to the trendy East Side of Providence, RI. Owner Leah Carlson and her team offer everything from precision cuts to gorgeous, head-turning color. La La Luxe caters to the unique style of each client who walks through the door. “The sky is the limit with me and my approach to hair and beauty,” says Carlson. “You have to have fun with your hair. Hair defines and compliments an individual and I have always said that your hair can make or break you.” A hairstylist by day and a musician by night, Leah Carlson has turned her vision and dream into a reality at La La Luxe. The salon is driven by a team of hairstylists with many years of experience in the industry who all have the same goal…..to give you the hair you have always dreamed of that you can manage at home.
“We all stand a little taller when we love our hair….I want everyone standing as tall as possible when they leave La La Luxe.” says Carlson.
Scroll down to meet the stylists…
Leah Carlson, Owner and Hairstylist/Colorist
Owner and innovator, Leah Carlson has been creating gorgeous hair for over twelve years. She has attended classes and mastered her craft at Vidal Sassoon Academy in Miami and Arrojo Studio in New York with Nick Arrojo (from TLC’s “What Not To Wear”). She is trained and certified in Wella color and Goldwell Color theory. Leah also specializes in razor and precision cutting, balyage and freestyle highlighting, multi-dimensional blonding and corrective color.
She has attended up-do and styling ateliers taught by celebrity stylist, Oribe in Boston and New York and brings this unique experience and expertise to La La Luxe. You can see many of her up-do’s and styles in Inside Weddings Magazine, Southern New England Weddings Magazine, Bliss Celebrations and Grace Ormonde Wedding Magazine. La La Luxe was featured in American Salon Magazine as one of Rhode Island’s hottest new salons in 2011. Leah’s artistic and innovative approach brings a free spirit to an otherwise boring “do” and a clean,classic edge to an otherwise messy head. Her passion and drive in this industry and her ever-growing salon are what set her and La La Luxe apart from anyone in the area.
“Gorgeous hair is the icing on the cake. It all starts with the one thing and one thing only: Trust. I believe that there is nothing more sacred in this industry than trust. Without it, you will never have a good experience sitting in the chair.”
Heidi Dias, Hairstylist/Colorist
Heidi’s approach to hair artistry is far from the norm. Her originality, unique style and her professional approach to color will make you and your hair stand out in the crowd. A former network educator for Bumble and Bumble NY, Heidi has mastered the modern art of cutting with the straight razor. With over 11 years as a stylist, it is her goal to send you out the door with a sexy yet low-maintenance hairstyle that you can handle on your own. Heidi is certified in Goldwell and Wella color and has trained at Arrojo Studio in New York with Nick Arrojo (from TLC’s “What Not To Wear”). Heidi blends the perfect mix of precise detail with natural talent on everyone that sits in her chair. If you need a classic and clean look or if you want something with a bit more edge…she’ll find the perfect fit for you and your lifestyle.
Mayra Cardeno, Hairstylist/Colorist
Mayra is a visionary artist who has the unique ability to forecast the end result and seamlessly create it. She has been referred to as the “Blowout Queen” because her blowouts are the best in the state. Mayra has perfected the art of the perfect blowout that can take you from a wedding to the office in the same week. Mayra’s 20+ years of experience as a hairstylist and master colorist has led her to become one of the most in-demand stylists in the area. She is certified in Coppola Keratin, Brazilian Blowout and is a certified educator and colorist for Framesi. Mayra is highly skilled in up-do’s, formal styling, long hair and textured hair as well.
Chelsea Styrk, Hairstylist/Colorist
Chelsea received her education at Paul Mitchell the School in Tampa, Florida. She has over 6 years of experience in the industry and continues to showcase her amazing techniques and skills right here in Providence. Chelsea is trained and certified in Redken and Wella color and specializes in corrective color, ombre, dip-dye, balyage highlighting, modern cuts, classic hair-styling, razor-cutting, foiling and advanced highlighting techniques. Her creativity shines through in her ability to transform an individual and take them from tired to trendsetting. Chelsea is also highly skilled in wedding and formal up-do’s and styling and is certified in Short2Long hair extensions for those of you who want the long hair you dream of for your wedding day and beyond. Her eye for detail and perfection compliments her natural, free-spirited talent, giving you the hair you’ve always wanted. So whether you’re after a clean and classic cut or a style that sets you apart from the rest, Chelsea can make it happen. Chelsea also creates custom dip-dye, ombre and pastel hair extensions for the not-so-brave.
Amy Gonyea, Salon Receptionist and Make-Up Artist
Amy has worked on Uniqlo and DKNY ad campaigns in New York, Fall 2010 collections, she has participated in New York Fashion Week, DKNY Spring 2010 collections, she was listed in InStyle magazine’s Beauty Black Book for the best make-up artist in Providence, RI in October 2010, she has been talked about frequently on GoLocalProv.com, and her work has been featured in Southern New England Weddings Magazine. If you want a natural look or if you want to look runway ready, Amy has you covered. You can be sure that you are fully taken care of by Amy from start to finish. She can accommodate the busiest of clients and can make you feel like you’re having a mini-getaway when you come in. Make-up bag a little old? Bring it in! Amy can show you what to toss and what to keep. Amy is available for weddings, special occasions and photo-shoots and will travel on-location for you.
Jen Syverson, Hairstylist/Colorist
If you’re wondering how to get the best color and cut you’ve ever had, then you need to see Jen. She has a solid reputation throughout the industry and is often the top choice when it comes to photo shoots, editorial shoots and weddings. Her hairstyles have graced the runways of numerous fashion shows at StyleWeek Providence and several other shows throughout RI. Her creative flair mixed with her immense knowledge of color make her the go-to girl for hair that will define you. Jen is certified in Wella color, Wunderbar color, Goldwell color and Redken color. Her passion for hair started at a very early age and started styling, cutting and coloring even before cosmetology school. With over 10 years of experience, Jen can take you from style-less to sexy in minutes with her famous blowouts. Whatever your hair wish…she will do her best to make it come true!
Tara McCabe, Hairstylist/Colorist
Tara is an artist with creative edge, strong technique and an infectious passion for the industry. Her warm and friendly personality and her professional eye for detail will make you feel completely at ease. With over 10 years in the industry, you can feel confident that you will receive a classic, show-stopping look that is easy to manage at home. Tara combines her educational experience in Wella color with her natural skill to give you beautiful, multi-dimensional color that no one else has. Tara loves the creativity of her craft and thrives on working with each client to find the perfect balance of color, cut and manageability. Tara is active in continuing her education because she believes that no matter how long you are in this industry, there is always something new to learn.
Kristin Karboski, Hairstylist/Colorist
Whether you’re in need of a long-lasting blowout or a major transformation….Kristin is the one to see. With over 3 years in the industry, Kristin attended Toni and Guy academy in R.I. where she mastered their technique of cutting and coloring. Kristin is also certified in Wella and TIGI color. She is an extremely driven stylist that stays ahead of the trends while staying true to classic styles. Always up for a “hair challenge”, Kristin specializes in corrective color and multi-dimensional highlighting and blonding. She has a remarkable ability to listen while offering her expertise…not to mention a super sense of humor and bright personality.
Jessica Szczepanek, Hairstylist/Colorist/Nail Tech
Jessica believes that her creative energy is what sets her apart from other stylists. ”I want people to feel that energy when they sit in my chair. I want them to be as inspired as I am. I really believe that the perfect hairstyle is one that embraces the clients natural texture and/or color….but that doesn’t mean I will tell you that you can’t color your hair pale pink…I LOVE color!” With over 3 years under her belt, Jessica has an innate understanding of the modern and precision-based hairdressing methods and strives to make a positive contribution to this industry where all of her artistic abilities can be realized. Jessica is certified in Loreal INOA, Loreal, Wunderbar Color, Goldwell Color, Pravana Perfection Color, and is also a master of the CLIC Color and cutting techniques.
Jamie Millmather, Hairstylist/Colorist
With over 10 years of experience in coloring and cutting, Jamie’s phenomenal skill set and her vivacious personality engages everybody who sits in her chair. Her passion for hair led her to become regional director and color educator for Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas where she taught classes in Wella and Redken color theory. Jamie’s unique understanding of both coloring and cutting goes hand-in-hand with the ever-changing world of hair. A little bit rock’n'roll and a little bit country-traveler, Jamie is full of creative energy that shows in her work.
Amber Bianco, Hairstylist/Colorist
A graduate of Paul Mitchell the School in 2007, Amber Bianco’s career started as a stylist/assistant at Salon Marc Harris in Boston, MA. There, she learned John Sahag’s famous dry-cutting technique and mastered the philosophy of Bumble and Bumble. She trained under Marc Harris and his team where she developed a precise skill and knowledge while combining it with her own natural, artistic talent. A country-girl at heart, Amber moved back after 2 years in Boston and has spent the past few years working in RI.
Amber has the ability to create goregous, multi-dimensional color and highlights and can incorporate a perfect cut on top of it all. Her focused yet laid-back personality will make you feel comfortable and relaxed. You will feel completely at ease knowing you are in the hands of someone who’s purpose in this industry is to listen to you and make you look and feel as beautiful as possible.
Ambur Gill, Stylist-in-Training
Hailing from Anchorage, Alaska, Ambur is our new shining star. After graduating from the Toni and Guy Academy, where she was driven by her passion of hair-styling and the desire to share her own creative vision with the world, Ambur joined La La Luxe Salon.
Ambur, a graduate of our new-stylist training program, has unbelievable energy and enthusiasm, coupled with a gift for bringing confidence out of all her clients. She loves to introduce people to new ideas and styles while creating a positive change in the way people look and feel. Ambur specializes in all areas of blonding, highlighting and multi-dimensional coloring. She strives to give everyone a unique color and cut that can subtly set them apart from others or make them completely stand out in a crowd. She is also amazing with long hair and textured hair. Oh, and her blowouts will cause jaws to drop…we aren’t kidding.
We are a BUMBLE AND BUMBLE EXCLUSIVE SALON. And we are proud to be one! Our knowledge of cutting edge styling, cutting and coloring have made us an exclusive member of the Bumble and Bumble company and their philosophy.
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