MEET THE TEAM
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Hi babes! I'm Luana, a licensed professional hair artist for over 6 years, a salon owner, designer, mentor, educator, and Truss Brand Ambassador.
My passion for hair is undeniable. I strive to be the best artist I can be by continuing to push my creativity to another level. At the same time, I love to encourage fellow hair artists to do what they love through education and styling. I've risen to the top of the professional hair industry, but it has not been without hard work and dedication to my craft. Early Years I was born in Belem Para, Brazil. When I was 14 years old, I moved to the United States. As an adult, my passion for the beauty industry and hair styling grew and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in cosmetology, with a focus on hair artistry. In 2014, I graduated from Artistic Academy cosmetology school. After receiving my license I began my career at Dieci. I knew that I eventually wanted to become my own boss and, in 2019, opened East Coast Salon, in Wayne, New Jersey. In 2020, we expanded East Coast Salon to Denville, New Jersey, where I had the opportunity to bring in more stylists and also began to teach my techniques to other stylists. In 2022, with my love for teaching other stylists, and in order to expand as an educator, I decided to independently open a small-scale salon allowing me the flexibility to do all that I love within the industry. I opened East Coast Studio, in Madison, New Jersey. This new opportunity and expansion of my brand allowed me to continue to provide my clients with extremely personalized services to meet their specific hair dreams all while continuing to educate fellow stylists and allowing me to share my passion for hair and knowledge of my craft. Today In 2023, my passion for hair and teaching has brought me to expand once again. I wanted to move to a much bigger setup, where I would have the space and flexibility to host my own classes and bring in more stylists as well as other services. Welcome to La Vida Salon in East Hanover, New Jersey! Accolades I had the honor of being nominated in two categories and receiving the “Best Salon Decor” award at the 2021 Behind the Chair Awards. It was an honor to be nominated and recognized for this award. Some fun facts about me
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Hey besties!! My name is Petar, but it’s pronounced Peter. I consider it unique, but anyways… I started my hair journey in 2019. I started working at my first salon when I was only 17 years old because I found the industry so fascinating; How they are able make people feel and see themselves.
When I was choosing colleges I really had no idea on what I wanted to do with my life. I remember talking to my mom and she said “well you love making people feel beautiful and confident.” At that very moment I found my beauty school and registered. I graduated in 2022 and have been doing my apprenticeship with Luana, who has also mentored me along the way! I am also Bello Haven Extension Certified and have a strong passion for extensions, hair color, and styling. I can’t wait to see you behind my chair and getting to become besties! Fun facts:
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Hi! My name is Angelina and I’m a freelance makeup artist with over 6 years experience in the beauty industry. At 16, I attended Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan for cosmetics making, and then studied at Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology in New Jersey.
As an AP art student growing up, I loved to experiment with different colors and textures. Here is where I realized I could put my two passions of art & makeup together, and take it from paper to skin. My favorite work to do is anything creative; photoshoots, music videos, or anything editorial. I’ve assisted on A-list celebrity sets including Lil Uzi Vert & Aboogie. I’m also fashion show certified and I’ve helped execute looks for New York Fashion Week! Now that you know all about my makeup journey, here’s a little bit about me:
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Hi, I’m Jordan, the girl with all the hats! I am 25 years old and born and raised in New Jersey! I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson university in 2019 with a degree in business. It took me a little longer to find my passion, but I’m so happy to say I finally have.
I enrolled in beauty school on such a whim and I’m so happy I did. I called a cosmetology school to tour on the Thursday before Labor Day weekend. I enrolled that same day and started that following Tuesday. I can’t get enough of lived in colors!! However, I love doing something new everyday. From highlights and haircuts to touch ups and men’s cuts! I love spicing it up each day! Long hair is my jam, the longer the better. I recently became certified in Habit extensions with @hairbychrissy. I cannot wait to use these new tools to bring you your dream hair. Enough about hair let’s get to know me! Here are some fun facts about me:
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Hello loves! My name is Rhea, I am 20 years old and beyond excited to be joining Luanas team! I was born in Murrieta California and around 11 years old I moved to New Jersey, it was a really big difference but Jersey does have my heart now.
I first thought about joining the Hair World when I was in community college sitting in the parking lot waiting for statistics to start thinking this is absolutely the last place I wanna be. Not just because of statistics, but I knew I needed something bigger for myself, later in the semester I dropped out and took some steps back to figure out myself and what I really loved. Knowing I have always loved doing hair as a hobby, I took a chance and started Cosmetology school in February 2022. I graduated March 2023 and I can now proudly say I can do hair as my career. I am interested in doing lived-in balayages, vivid color, hand-tied extensions, highlights and of course Hair cutting all the goods ya know! When I’m not in the salon, you will find me out shopping for things I don’t actually need, in the warmer months I love to hike,(still learning to like the cold) and I love to go out and try new food places! Mexican food is my favorite! |
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Hey hey!! I’m Erin; I’m the smiley one full of personality! I’m 22 years old and started my hair journey after graduating high school in 2019. Some of my first memories of doing hair are in the kitchen of my mom’s childhood home. I can still smell the fumes of the box dye my grandma had me use to color her hair. In middle and high school, I was the girl everyone asked to do their hair on weekends. You could always spot me in the lunchroom cranking out braids for parties, gov ball, or sports games. My passion for the beauty industry only grew stronger, and I quickly realized this was my dream.
Throughout my junior and senior years, I applied to colleges, did the tours, and followed every step my teachers and guidance counselors told me to take. But nothing felt like a home to me. I didn’t see a future in any of those places. Being bold and headstrong, I chose beauty school, Christine Valmy, since it’s clearly where my heart lies. Since then, I’ve found meaning in this quote - “Be patient everything comes to you in the right moment.” Best decision ever!!! I love every aspect of the hair world, so I greet everyone in my chair with open arms and big smiles. I feel most artistic when doing lived-in color, balayage, teasy lights, and highlights. I am forever asking my coworkers questions about formulas and techniques. Working alongside other hairdressers, I am able to learn something new. I'm a team player and love the camaraderie of working with a team. I find men’s cuts to be so much fun! And.... Gotta love the hot shave!!! I love styling women. A big bouncy blowout is my thing! But the men’s cut is on another level of creativity for me. Everyone has their idols... @Linsonhair is my favorite for color and women’s hair. I can get lost in his work. I love to take bits of each person I learn from, whether in person or online, and sculpt my own craft. As far as idolizing barbers goes, Sam Rascals kills the game - totally OBSESSED!!! Each man's cut brings me closer to perfection :)! Now that we’ve talked hair, let's get to know me on a more personal level; ★ I love to go on long walks. I have a 4-year-old labradoodle that is my sidekick. You can often catch him walking me around McLoon’s or Livingston. Yes, I do say “walking me”... little man has got incredible strength! ★ I am such a Jersey Shore gal! My family has a house on Shark River in Avon, and we rent a home in cape may with our best family friends every year. I have only just taken my first flight last year in October, so my travel bucket list is expanding from just the Jersey Shore. ★ I’m a dessert girl... I’ll never pass up some chocolate;) ★ I’m a binge girl, so I’m always looking for good show recommendations... share yours, and I’ll share mine! ★ My favorite author is Colleen Hoover... Her books are always on my AirPods in the gym, on a walk, or even on a long car ride. I’m not a reader, so I go for the audiobooks, but she’s one author with words I can’t put down, let alone stop listening to! Tell me, who’s your favorite? ★ I love my friends, and I’d do anything for them. My circle is small, but my pals are great!! I genuinely believe you don’t need a lot of friends to feel important and loved. I love to spend any chance with them, whether it be trips away, weekends down the shore, dinner dates, quick coffee runs, or a phone call. Now that you’ve gotten 60 seconds of me...I want my chair to be a safe place where you can be yourself and feel confident!! I can’t wait to have you in my chair and make that transformation, big or small, drastic or minor. Everyone is welcome!!! So excited to meet you :) Xoxo |
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Hey! My name is Marisa (but some may know me as “Whiskey”) and I’ve been in the hair industry for about 5 years now. I’ve always had a passion for self care and hair styling, dating back to elementary and middle school, where I would concoct homemade hair masks and find unique braids and hairstyles to try out on myself. That passion drove me to enroll at the Artistic Academy of Hair Design after high school where I graduated in 2019 and I’ve never looked back since!
I love being able to transform my clients into the best version of themselves with a new cut or color. I find the art of haircutting fascinating, and I love trying out different techniques to achieve a better end result, I’m always eager to learn more!! I attended the Redken Exchange Cut and Know Why course earlier this year, and I have been using the new tips and tricks that I have learned on my clients! I also love blonding and balayage for my super blondies or someone just looking for a sun kissed glow. So if you’re ever looking to switch up your look for something funky, I’ll see you in my chair! A little more about me: - I LOVE live music! You can always catch me at a concert or listening to live music at local bars around town. My personal favorite is 70’s and 80s rock and disco!! - I’m a huuggeeeee animal lover! Growing up I wanted to become a vet tech, but my love for the beauty industry was stronger and I’m so happy I choice this career path. -I am a plant mom, all the plants I’v had are still alive today! I love watching them grow big and as a treat I buy a new one to expand my collection:) |
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Heyy! I’m Katie, but I also go by blondie! I’m 21 years old and I have 3 years of professional experience in the beauty industry. I’ve always had a passion for hair, so I like to think of myself as having been in the industry for much longer. My favorite thing to do is to DELIVER! I’m sure we can all agree there’s no better feeling than a good hair day. My goal is to provide that for each person that sits in my chair.
If you ask me, school is not for everyone. I was so happy to find out about Morris County Vocational School’s Cosmetology program. I attended my junior and senior year of Highschool and graduated in 2020. Ever since, I’ve been working to build and educate myself for my clients benefit and to be able to offer the best services possible! I am constantly seeking new opportunities to learn and grow. I’m so happy to have found Luana and this team and I can’t wait to see the amazing things we all accomplish together! I want all my future clients to know that when you’re in my chair, you have FREEDOM! I want everyone who comes to me to feel comfortable to tell me anything- good or bad. Communication is KEY when it comes to giving you the hair of your dreams!! I promise to provide you a comfortable atmosphere where you have the luxury to be picky about your vision! |
