Meet The Team
Massage Therapists
Alisa
massage therapist
Alisa is a Registered Nurse with 20 years experience as a Licensed Massage Therapist. She specializes in therapeutic massage specifically designed to alleviate pain, reduce muscle tension, and increase flexibility and circulation. She prides herself on listening to her clients and customizing each massage to their specific needs.
Johanna
massage therapist
Johanna has been with Blu Spa & Salon since its opening in 2008. After graduating from Mount Mercy Academy, she went on to the massage therapy program at Trocaire College. As a practicing Licensed Massage Therapist for over 10 years, Johanna is passionate about accessing her client’s individual needs, in order to provide them with the best experience in a warm, relaxing environment.
Valencia
massage therapist
Valencia has been an active member of the massage therapy community since 2009. Valencia’s focus is on the treatment of clients with multiple sclerosis and senior wellness and maintains the highest standard of care. She is a graduate of the New York Institute of Massage, where she is an alumni member.
Melinda
massage therapist
Melinda is a graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage and has been licensed for 27 years. She specializes is Swedish, pregnancy, sports and neuromuscular massage. She is also a doTerra Wellness Advocate and loves to educate her clients on the uses and benefits of essential oils.
Amanda
massage therapist
Amanda graduated from the New York Institute of Massage in 2018. After passing the NYS Massage Therapy Licensing exam, she has been practicing massage in the Buffalo area. Since joining Blu, she has used her exceptional skills, knowledge, and passion for massage to treat her clients and give them the care they need. She loves getting to know the people she cares for and making a difference in their lives.
Estheticians
Julia B
esthetician
A 2003 graduate of Lia Schorr School of Esthetics in Manhattan, NY, Julia has over 15 years of experience as an esthetician. She has been with Blu since its opening in 2008. She specializes in customized Yonka facials, PCA chemical peels, microdermabrasion, HydraFacials, lash lifts, body treatments, spray tans, brow shaping, waxing and laser hair removal. Julia is passionate about what she does and loves furthering her education to help clients look and feel their best.
Jessica
esthetician
As an esthetician with over five years experience, Jess prides herself in giving her clients result oriented treatments. Specializing in facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and HydraFacial’s, she will educate you on what is best for your skin and why. Jess says if she can get a client to leave more relaxed and confident than when they came in, she has done her job! Besides being an esthetician, Jess is also a wife, dog mom and a huge Bills fan.
Nicole
esthetician
Nicole graduated from the Esthetics Program at Continental School of Beauty in 2005. She has been practicing for 14 years and has been with Blu Spa since its inception in 2008. Her passion for helping others, coupled with her love for skin care is what sparked her interest in becoming an Esthetician. She is always looking to learn something new and expand her knowledge in the ever-growing beauty industry. She specializes in medical esthetics, including Vectus Laser Hair Removal, HydraFacial MD and DermaMed microdermabrasion. Nicole offers several other services including personalized facials, waxing, eyelash extensions and spray tans. She makes sure that all her services incorporate relaxation as well as remarkable results. It is difficult to make time for self-care in today’s busy world, so Nicole strives to make each of her clients’ time at Blu Spa a peaceful, calming experience!
Ashley
manager / event planner
Ashley came to Blu in late 2014. She started as a receptionist and worked her way up to Senior Spa Director/Event Planner. She is our man behind the curtain- making sure all our parties and events run smoothly. Scheduling, logistics, and managing our staff. With an interest in hair nails from an early age, Ashley took cosmetology classes in high school. She went on to graduate from Buffalo State in 2012 with a hospitality and tourism degree. Ashley finally married those two passions when she came to Blu!
Hair Stylists
Megan
hair stylist
Megan is a creative stylist and color technician who has a passion for detail. She loves to do customized coloring, precision scissor and razor hair cutting and special occasion styling. Aside from hair, Meg is also an active Holy Fire III Karuna Reiki Master Practicioner and a member of the ICRT.
Julie
hair stylist
After twenty years in the industry, Julie joined Blu Spa & Salon in 2011. She has always been very motivated for the industry and loves to pursue continuing education classes. Julie’s services include hair cutting, coloring, foiling, perms and keratin treatments.
Brook'lynn
hair stylist + nail tech
Brook'lynn is a licensed cosmetologist who loves serving others while doing hair and nails. Specializing in pedicures and manicures she shows off her talent through her nail art and looks forward to introducing new products and techniques. Also having trained with Kell Grace, Brook'lynn has a wealth of knowledge in different braiding techniques. She enjoys styling and creating updos for any occasion.
Emily
hair stylist
One of the newest members of the team, Emily is very excited to start her journey here at Blu Spa & Salon. Prior to joining, Emily was a stylist for 17 years in her hometown of Shelton, CT. She specialized in women’s and men’s haircuts, color formulating and styling. She truly enjoys coming to work everyday and looks forward to building new relationships at Blu.
Amber A
hair stylist
Amber Alster has over 16 years of experience in the industry. After starting as a stylist in Texas, she advanced her career in 2012 when she made the challenging and rewarding move to New York City to work as an apprentice at Dop Dop Salon. Throughout her 8 years at Dop Dop, Amber advanced to become a top stylist and colorist and began working as an educator. Always going above and beyond for her clients, when Amber moved to Hawai’i for two years, she spent the time traveling between Hawaii and New York City. Wanting to settle down and be closer to family, Amber has now recently moved to Buffalo.
Behind the chair, Amber always focuses on catering to her clients’ wants and needs, and specializes in cutting, balayage, color corrections and bridal/special occasion styles. In 2019, a client flew her to Argentina to do her hair for her wedding. Amber is also a National artist for Shu Uemura Art of Hair, which allows her to share her passion and expertise for hair with other hairstylists.
Through the years, Amber has styled for events such as New York Fashion Week where she worked with designers such as Badgley Mischka, Victor De Souza, Verge; Bridal Fashion Week for Galia Lahav; Women’s Sports Foundation Gala, and Broadway Cares. She has also done hair for celebrity clients and red carpets, published magazines, editorial photo shoots, and so much more.
Amber enjoys challenging herself and showcasing her talent in hair competitions. Last year, she made it into the Top 5 of the L’Oréal Color, Style Trophy awards and traveled to LA to compete in the finals. Amber has always had a passion for doing hair and she feels lucky to be able to do something she loves as a career. Book an appointment with Amber today and experience that expertise, love and passion she puts into every head of hair she touches.
Tricia
hair stylist
Tricia loves the beauty industry and keeping up with the latest trends. She has been doing hair for seven years now. She specializes in highlights and balayage. Need your hair done for a special occasion? This is also a strong passion of Tricia's!
Nail Technicians
Samana
nail tech
As a graduate of The Salon Professional Academy, Samana has been a licensed Nail Technician since 2012. In 2017 Samana was also certified in Microblading. She has been working at Blu Spa for three years now. Samana is full of facts and loves for her clients to leave the chair feeling better educated on how to properly care for their hands and feet.
Lo
nail tech + makeup artist
Lo graduated from her Cosmetology class at Continental School of Beauty in the spring of 2020. She enjoys doing hair and nails but also loves the artistry of applying makeup. Aside from the beauty industry, she is a competitive dancer and demonstrator.
Christy
nail tech
A graduate of Continental School of Beauty, Christy has been providing nail specialty services for over 20 years. She is also currently enrolled in the Esthetics training program with an anticipated June 2021 graduation. Christy loves meeting new people and helping them feel great about themselves through beauty services and conversation.
Brook'lynn
hair stylist + nail tech
Brook'lynn is a licensed cosmetologist who loves serving others while doing hair and nails. Specializing in pedicures and manicures she shows off her talent through her nail art and looks forward to introducing new products and techniques. Also having trained with Kell Grace, Brook'lynn has a wealth of knowledge in different braiding techniques. She enjoys styling and creating updos for any occasion.