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 graduate of The Finger Lakes School of massage in Ithaca, NY. There she was trained in Swedish, pregnancy, sports massage, reflexology trigger point work and neuromuscular modalities. Melinda enjoys working with her clients using touch to relieve pain, help heel injuries, improve circulation, and increase feelings of relaxation.
Danielle
massage therapist
Danielle was raised in Orchard Park. She attended Trocaire College for massage and received her associates degree. She graduated Trocaire with honors in Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, Thai massage, and deep tissue therapy. She has had the privilege of being in the massage industry for over 16 years. She caters to her clients, giving them a massage that fits their specific needs.
Estheticians
Jessica
esthetician
Jessica has been with Blu as an esthetician since 2015.Her passion is to give the best results-driven treatment all while pampering her clients with the ultimate spa experience. She is skilled in all esthetic services offered by Blu, as well as personalized facials and Brazilian waxing. She loves every part of esthetics but her favorite part is the relationship she builds with her clients. Whether it be a facial, eyebrow shaping, lash lift and tints, or waxing, Jess has acquired the knowledge to ensure each of her clients get the best treatment for their needs. Jess looks forward to educating you with all the tools you need to achieve your skin care goals!
Nicole
esthetician
Nicole graduated from the Esthetics Program at Continental School of Beauty in 2005. She has been practicing for 15 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
esthetician & makeup artist
Ashley is a licensed Esthetician and certified Makeup Artist. She has worked as an artist for global brands such as Tarte, Too Faced and Shiseido. Ashley has a deep passion for result driven skin treatments, event, and photography makeup. She uses her background in education to guide clients in meeting their skin and beauty goals. She strives to be at the forefront in the ever-changing world of skin and makeup through additional certifications and trainings. She is a Certified Sanitation Specialist through Sanitation Conversation and prides herself on her commitment to the health and safety of her clients.
Jordyn
esthetician
Jordyn is a graduate of Continental School of Beauty. As a teenager, Jordyn struggled with finding the right products for her skin. It was then that she found her love for skincare. She finds that her true passion is in personalizing each facial she performs and that her clients leave feeling and looking their best. If you want to feel even better, let Jordyn give you a fabulous set of eyelash extensions!
Naudia
esthetician
Naudia graduated from the Esthetics program at Boces in 2021. Her interest for analyzing skin grew in school and that is when she realized her passion for helping clients with their skin concerns. She enjoys the therapeutic and skin benefits that comes with the art of facial massage. Her goal at the end of every service is to leave her clients feeling relaxed, more confident, and glowing!
Crysta
esthetician
Crysta is a licensed Esthetician and certified Borbolletta lash artist. Crysta loves to incorporate technology into her facials. She aims to create a relaxing environment for you while offering a truly personalized experience. Crysta enjoys using her product knowledge to educate her clients. She stays up to date on all things skin so her clients can be sure they are always getting her best. She also specializes in waxing and laser hair removal. Crysta wants her clients to leave feeling refreshed and glowing from the inside out.
Brandy
Lash Technician
Brandy has a passion for creating individualized lash extensions for her clients. She has mastered sets of classic, hybrid and dramatic lashes. Looking to add some colored or glitter lashes to your set for an event? Brandy is your girl. If you're looking for lash extensions to accentuate you natural beauty, let Brandy use her technical and artistic skill set to create the best look for you!
Hailey
Makeup Artist
Hailey's passion is makeup, nails and waxing. She started doing makeup when she was just 12 years old and knew this was the right career for for her. She specializes in dramatic looks but also enjoys creating natural looks for weddings as well! Hailey graduated from Continental School of Beauty and is currently going back for her nail license. She loves hand painted nail art and constructing intricate designs. She loves to leave her clients feeling beautiful!
In Loving Memory of Julia B
Beloved 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. Julia sadly lost her battle with cancer in March of 2022. The incredible outpour of love from all her clients has been received and appreciated. The Blu family will forever be grateful to have had her.
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.
Samantha
hair stylist
Samantha was in college for fashion design when she realized that she truly had always had a passion for the beauty aspect of the industry. She then began her education at The Salon Professional Academy, which led to her winning a national competition with TSPA and Redken, giving her the opportunity to work with top celebrity hairstylists at the Redken Symposium in Las Vegas. While she loves many different things in the hair industry, she is passionate about blondes, balayage, and hand-tied extensions. Most of all, Samantha loves helping her guests reach their hair goals so that they can feel their best. To follow Samantha’s work behind the chair follow her on Instagram at @samanthanichair!
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.
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.
Selena
hair stylist & nail tech
Selena is a licensed cosmetologist who loves to do hair and nails. She specializes in color, highlights, gray coverage and intense shades. She has a passion for designing special occasion and bridal hair.
Tricia
hair stylist
Tricia loves the beauty industry and keeping up with the latest trends. She has been doing hair for eight 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. She has been working at Blu Spa for over seven 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.
Samana
Selena
hair stylist & nail tech
Selena is a licensed cosmetologist who loves to do hair and nails. She specializes in color, highlights, gray coverage and intense shades. She has a passion for designing special occasion and bridal hair.
Selena
Brandy
nail tech + eyelash extensions
Brandy has a passion for creating individualized lash extensions for her clients. She has mastered sets of classic, hybrid and dramatic lashes. Looking to add some colored or glitter lashes to your set for an event? Brandy is your girl. If you're looking for lash extensions to accentuate you natural beauty, let Brandy use her technical and artistic skill set to create the best look for you!
Brandy
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.
Lo
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.
Brook'lynn
Certified Injectors
Emma Sortisio, BSN, RN
Aesthetic Nurse Injector
Emma is a WNY native and received her Nursing degree from D'Youville University. She worked at Oishei Children's Hospital as a Maternity Float Nurse where she enjoyed assessing, monitoring and advocating for her high-risk obstetric patients. She has always had a passion for helping women feel their absolute best and providing support to them during their most vulnerable, and sometimes biggest life moments. Emma has an affinity towards beauty, cosmetics, and artistic symmetry. After moving away from the hospital setting, Emma became a certified injector. She hopes to help you feel like your most beautiful self with the subtle enhancements that injections can provide.
Nicole Fazzolari, FNP-BC
Aesthetic Nurse Injector
Nicole is a board certified nurse practitioner and graduate of D’Youville University. She has a passion for skin care. She is always looking to expand her knowledge in the growing aesthetics field. She loves helping clients enhance their natural beauty, while feeling confident and comfortable in their own skin.
Jennifer Phillips, PA-C
Certified Injector
As a PA I have worked in women’s health for 20+ years with the goal of making my patients feel their best! Now as a certified injector, this is a natural extension to allow people to enhance their natural beauty and gain even more confidence. I love working with clients to formulate a plan that will make people wonder what your secret is. As a woman who is trying to age “gracefully” I understand that sometimes we need a little help.
I am a D’Youville University graduate and have been a Buffalo girl my whole life. My two teenage girls help me stay on point with what is trending, and also give me those wrinkles that have now been so easily erased. I am honored to work with the amazing team at Blu and can’t wait to see you!