Owners
Leigh Bennett
Leigh has 12 years of experience as a Master Esthetician, as well as owning Amara Day Spa, Salon, and Boutique for 6 of those years. Leigh loves everything about this industry and personally specializes in waxing and skin care. Her 3 small children even try to mimic waxing each other, and keep Leigh and her husband laughing every day.
Tyler Bennett
Tyler brings his experience as the President of Strategic Lending and VP of Sales and Acquisitions with REIC to the business side of Amara. He does the finances, marketing, operating systems, and other back end business functions and processes for Amara. He is also Leigh’s personal assistant, nanny, and whatever hat she needs him to wear guy. He enjoys anything athletic as well as spending time with his three kids.
Spa
TESSA COLLEDGE
Tessa has been a Master Esthetician at Amara for 6 years. Tessa specializes in brow and brazilian waxing and loves everything about her job. She also loves spending time with her husband and baby.
CASSIDY MCBRIDE
Cassidy has over four years of experience as a Master Esthetician, Educator, Director of an Esthetics Academy, and currently she is Amara’s Spa & Salon Director. She has a bubbly personality and an ability to make her clients comfortable whether they are getting a Brazilian Wax or a new set of Lash Extensions. Cassidy’s daughter and husband love coming to the spa as much as she does.
MEAGAN ECKLES
Meagan has been a Master Esthetician for 3 years and loves everything about her job, especially getting to know her clients and making them look and feel beautiful. Together with her husband, she enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling.
KASSIE RICHARDS
Kassie is a Master Esthetician and Hairstylist. With 6 years of experience she excels due to her artistic abilities and fun personality. Her clients love that she can do all their services! She enjoys pampering her clients!
NIKKI HARWARD
Nikki has always had a passion for skin. Her dad noticed this and encouraged her to become a master esthetician. She loves working at Amara and has a fun and bubbly personality. She also is amazing at Lash Extensions and loves making her clients feel special.
NIKEE ANDERSON
Nikee has been making her clients laugh for the past two years. Her love for life and bubbly attitude has made her a favorite at Amara. Come enjoy one of her famous pedicures and you will love her artistic nail art!
ASHLEE ELLSWORTH
Ashlee started as a receptionist at Amara and is now an apprentice under Leigh Bennett to be a Master Esthetician. Ashlee loves the Amara atmosphere and meeting new people each and every day.
CAITLIN BARTSCH
Caitlin has been in the beauty industry for the past 2 years with her cosmetology & master esthetics license. She truly has found her passion! Caitlin loves the time she spends with her clients and is excited to continue her education and meet new clients. She loves doing everything from pedicures to eyelash extensions.
RACHAEL GAUSS
Rachael Gauss has been in the Spa Industry for the past 3 years. She has worked in Utah as well as in Arizona focusing on educating her clients on the cause and effect of everyday skincare issues. Her skill and expert opinion are enhanced by her fun and vibrant personality. In Rachael’s spare time she also enjoys spending time with her family, reading and playing tennis as well as getting pampered herself.
Hair Stylists
BRITTNEY MERRILL
Brittney has 4 years of experience working in salons. She loves everything about doing hair. She specializes in customized colors and cuts as well as Racoon and Bead Extensions. She has a passion for fashion and making people feel better about themselves.
CHANTELLE LEDINGHAM
Chantelle has 5 years of experience in doing hair. She specializes in Racoon Hair Extensions and Brazilian Blowouts. Her favorite things to do in the salon are beautiful blow-drys and using the new technique of color melting. Her passions other than hair are ballroom dancing, wakeboarding, and traveling.
ERICA ROBINSON
Erica has been in the industry for over three years and has trained with some of the top stylists in the industry. She has become an expert in the techniques of customized colors, Brazilian Blowouts, and Racoon Hair Extensions. She loves spending time with each client to find the ideal cut and color to fit their individual style.
JORDAN MCKELL
Jordan has been doing hair for 3 years. Growing up with a mom as a hair stylist inspired her to go into the beauty industry. She is passionate about coloring and cutting hair for both male and female clients. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors with her friends and family.
LINDSEY CHRISTIANSEN
Lindsey has been enjoying doing hair for almost 8 years and loves working with and getting to know her clients. She is a certified Racoon Extensions specialist, and also works with the company as a sales rep and trainer. Although she specializes in extensions, she loves doing cuts and color as well. In her spare time she restores old furniture and spends as much time outside as possible.
HAYLEY MADSEN
Hayley is a lover of friends, family, Italian food and running. She is from Mesa, Arizona and misses the hot weather every day! Number five of a family of six, four of which do hair, she is passionate about her career and is excited to be a stylist at Amara Day Spa and Salon.
ALEX CURTIS
Alex has been a hair stylist for two years, and has had extensive hands on training from award winning stylists. She specializes in color formulation and application. Apart from working at Amara, Alex loves spending time with her family.
JOCELYN BROWN
Jocelyn is the team leader and coordinator for the Special Events Team at Amara, which allows our clients to enjoy wedding day pampering in or out of the salon. She has done hair and makeup for over 5 years, and continues to build her expertise through extended education from many companies and artists, including L’Oréal Professionnel and Smashbox Cosmetics. Jocelyn also enjoys writing, playing the guitar, and traveling to the beach.
MADDIE LARSEN
From traveling the world to consulting with someone about what hairstyle would suit them best, Maddie loves life and loves being around the people that she loves. She loves cutting, coloring, and giving her clients an amazing experience when they come in.
ALEX RUSSELL
Alex has apprenticed under some of the most talented and successful stylists in Utah Valley for a year and a half. She has a passion for color and also for extensions. She married her childhood sweetheart, has the career she always dreamed about, and couldn’t be happier.
WHITNEY SUMSION
Whitney has 4 years experience as a cosmetologist licensed in both California and Utah where she is currently part of the team at Amara Day Spa. Whitney loves working in the highly competitive, creative, and steadily growing cosmetology industry. She is skilled in a variety of services including: cutting, coloring, boliage, color melting, Brazilian Blowout, clip-in hair extensions, and feather extensions. Whitney specializes in formal hairstyles and INOA, the first ammonia free permanent hair color by L’Oréal Professionnel.
HOLLY KIMBALL
With 4 years of experience in hair design, Holly loves making people beautiful! Her continual education keeps her motivation strong and her techniques up to date. She specializes in all types of color techniques, particularly blondes. She is a certified Racoon International Extension Specialist. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her new husband and being outside!
ARLENE BANCROFT
Arlene has been in the hair industry since 2004. She specializes in color and Racoon International hair extensions. She further educates herself by taking classes in the latest trends and techniques. She loves the time she gets to spend with her clients! When she isn’t behind the chair in the salon she enjoys traveling the world!
BRITTANY JOHNSTUN
Brittany has been doing hair since 1999. She specializes in color and Racoon International Hair Extensions. She enjoys educating herself on the latest trends and giving her clients healthy beautiful hair.
MARIAH KOFOED
Mariah loves the art of hairdressing! Color, cutting, teaching and extensions all make her smile. She loves spending time outdoors with her family and shoe shopping!
LINDSAY CATANO
Lindsay has been a hair stylist for 11 years and a part of the Amara team since 2009. She is also a certified with Racoon International Hair Extensions and specializes in free-hand, artistic hair color melting and boliage techniques. Aside from doing hair, Lindsay’s passions are her family and traveling. This summer Lindsay and her husband are excited about celebrating another year of marriage and giving their 2 year old daughter a baby sister!
MEGAN POWELL
Megan feels so lucky to be able to work in a field that she truly loves. After 8 years of doing hair, she still feels passionate about it. She loves working at Amara. She also loves her clients and feels lucky to know such amazing people.
COURTNEY WATKINS
Courtney has 8 years experience specializing in customizing hair color and styling. She loves working in this industry and providing a cutting edge styling experience for her guests. In Courtney’s free time she enjoys making crafts and staying active with her family.
MEGAN RISKAS
Megan is a highly skilled hairdresser and is someone you can count on to pay attention to detail. She did her training at Paul Mitchell The School in the year 2000, graduating in 2001. She has continued her education by attending monthly classes on color, cutting, styling, make-up, and product knowledge over the past 1o years. She is certified in Japanese Straightening, Brazilian Blowout and Vidal Sassoon hair cutting. Megan has a knack for finding the hairstyle that will bring out the natural beauty of her client. She falls perfectly between the edgy stylist and the conservative stylist. She is sure to give you a look that will make your day! She is married with 2 kids and lives in Orem.
RONDI JENSON
Rondi has enjoyed her time in the hair industry since 1998. Her experience has given her the opportunity to work in Utah, Arizona and New York City. Rondi continues to train in the latest hair trends at workshops across the country and currently specializes in the trendy baylayage color technique. When not at the salon, Rondi works as an educator and then tries to find as much time as possible to play outdoors!
JUNELL JONES
Junell has been busy as a hairstylist since 2001. In her experience over the years she has mastered several color lines and continues her education in color, cutting, and styling at various trend shows across the United States. On her down time, she stays busy chasing her daughter around the shopping malls, her second favorite place to be!
CARLY HEINZ
Carly has been in the hair industry seven years and feels lucky to be in an industry she loves so much. She is passionate about fashion, hair, and continuing education. She specializes in coloring and cutting. If she’s not working, she’s probably shopping.
TIFFANY HUTCHINGS
Tiffany has been a stylist since 1998. Along with her passion of working behind the chair, she is a licensed instructor and traveled as an educator for Paul Mitchell. Her A-list clientele includes celebrities from Sundance Film Festival and Children’s Miracle Network. As well as cutting and coloring, her creativity is shown in her bridal up-do’s and makeup, which has been published in local magazines.
MIKAELA MILLER
Mikaela has been in the beauty industry for 6 years. Her passion is brought to life by continually attending classes and shows in the industry and teaching at Paul Mitchell the School. She’s specializes in color artistry, formal styling, makeup, and eyelash extensions.
MARSHA MCBRIDE
Marsha studied cosmetology at Cameo College of Essential Beauty located in Salt Lake City where she excelled in her classes and participated in student council. She learned the Vidal Sassoon cutting method and enjoys cutting men, women, and children’s hair. She has a strong knowledge of hair color and loves to help clients pick out shades that they will love! In her spare time Marsha loves to sing, play sports, and spend time with family and friends. She loves the beauty industry and truly enjoys lifting her clients spirits by helping them feel beautiful.
MACKENZIE GUZZO
Mackenzie graduated from Paul Mitchell in June 2011. Her passion is doing hair and making people feel beautiful. She loves coloring and the endless options that you can create. She wants to travel around the world and learn from the amazing stylists out there!
JESSICA LARSEN
Jessica has 7 years experience in the beauty industry. She graduated from Paul Mitchell in 2005 and continues to further her education. She is certified in Hair & Eye Lash Extensions in addition to her full list of hair services. She specializes in color, cuts, all chemical treatments, styling for special events and she loves doing lashes! Her clients have always appreciated her willingness to go above and beyond to make sure all their needs are met. Jessica joined Amara in January 2012 and is excited to be a part of a luxurious salon. She is dedicated to giving her clients the best experience possible.
DAVID EDDINGTON
David is a hair enthusiast. He has a passion for coloring, cutting and corrective coloring. Always inspired by the latest Hollywood trends and hair that will make a person feel their very best. Classically trained on the harp and graduated from California Instititute of the Arts, creativity and art are the foundation to his approach in doing hair. His goal is to magnify people’s inner beauty and channel it into amazing hair. David’s goal in blonding is to create the illusion of natural color whether it be a beachy sun kissed look or your dream platinum blonde.
TAYLOR BINKS
Taylor enjoys doing color and Racoon International Hair Extensions. He loves working with and getting to know each of his clients and what they want from their hair. When he isn’t doing hair, he loves running and being outdoors.
MORGAN FORSGREN
Morgan has always had a love for hair and shows it through her work. She has been doing hair for 2 years and absolutely loves it. She loves being around anyone and everyone. She is certified in Brazilian Blowouts and loves to do tape in extensions, color, highlights and color melting. Morgan is always up on the latest cuts and trends. She is enjoying married life with her high school sweetheart.
MARI WILLIAMSON
Mari has been in the beauty industry for almost 4 years now! Shes loves her job and loves that she gets to make people feel beautiful everyday! She loves the outdoors and snowboarding. She doesnt just consider her clients as “clients” but as life long friends!
BREANNA BECK
Breanna has been doing hair for 2 1/2 years. She went to Renaissance and loved it there. She absolutely loves working at Amara and has been here for almost a year. She does colors, highlights, and cuts. She would love to do your hair so come in and see her!
HANNAH HILL
Hannah loves doing hair and making people feel beautiful! She enjoys learning new things everyday and keeping up with the latest trends. She also loves being with her family, traveling and shopping!
ASHLEY ARMSTRONG
Ashley graduated from Paul Mitchell the School in 2011. She is from San Diego, CA and loves spending time by the beach with her husband and family. As a cosmetologist she loves everything about her job, styling and makeup artistry are some of her favorites. She enjoys learning from all the talented people at Amara as well as attending as many hair and makeup classes as possible. Making clients happy is the best reward!
KATELYN GRAHAM
Katelyn has been a stylist since 2009. Since she was a little girl her passion has always been doing hair. She loves getting to know her clients and making them feel beautiful and confident. Her enthusiasm and love for hair and trying new things shows in her work. She specializes in Racoon extensions, cuts, colors, color melting and styling.
CARLIE ELDER
Carlie graduated from Renaissance in November 2011. She loves doing hair and is living her lifelong dream! She specializes in Raccoon International Hair Extensions and loves creative cutting and color applications. Carlie loved cheering in high school, dancing, enjoys the great outdoors and getting into a good book!
SHAYE HOWARD
Shaye has wanted to do hair since she was a little girl. She loves making people feel their absolute best from the inside out! She has taken hands on classes with world known artist Phillip Wilson and Nicholas French. She loves doing color and updo’s and in her free time she loves to read and be outdoors.
Nails
NICOLE KELLEY
Nicole has been making fingers and toes look fabulous for more than ten years. She loves working with clients to get the look they want, whether it’s natural, funky, classic, or something entirely original. Her clients enjoy all this serious pampering in a hip and comfortable atmosphere.
JESSICA ROBINSON
Jessica has been a part of the beauty industry since 2006. After learning about the salon world, she realized she wanted to specialize in beautifying fingers and toes. She then completed a nail specialty course and graduated from Camio College of Essential Beauty in 2008. She has been working her dream job designing nails for the past four years, and has been sharing her passion for nail design as an instructor for the past two. She specializes in gel nails, but is also experienced with acrylics, silk and fiberglass wraps, as well as manicures and pedicures. Most of all, she loves building lasting relationships with all of her wonderful clients, and being able to brighten their day every time they look down at their fingers or toes!
Make Up
BRITNEY FORD
Britney has been doing permanent makeup for over 11 years. She has worked for world renowned Dr. Saltz and has been a part of the Amara team for over 7 years.
Massage
MEGGIE JACKMAN
Meggie is a Bodywork Practitioner with over 14 years of experience in the field! She has worked in every arena from NFL sports athletes to Medical Recovery to the Spa Industry. Having taught at UCMT, Broadview University, National Continuing Education and more, she comes to Amara with a wide variety of experties and knowledge to tailor your session to be as unique as you are!
LISA JACKMAN
Lisa has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for 5 years. She is trained in several modalities and LOVES every aspect of bodywork, but because of her background in athletics and training since she was a child her passion is Sports and Deep Tissue Therapy. Her mission statement is to “Shorten healing time, promote balance and improve overall quality of life.”
MARILU RUVALCABA
Marilu graduated from UCMT in 2006. She has been a licensed massage therapist for six years. She has been trained in various modalities and specializes in deep tissue, injury, and medical massage. She has worked with Stage Hands Massage Company with various artists, famous singers and entertainers including Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, and Kenny Loggins. She is passionate about bodywork. She loves to be a part of Amara!
Botox
BROOKE ANDERSON
Brooke works full time as a nurse injector and is a Botox and Juvederm injector trainer for the state of Utah. She graduated in 1996 as an RN and has worked for several years as a labor and delivery nurse. Under the direction of Dr. Steven H. Warnock M.D, a cosmetic surgeon, we have been able to bring cosmetic injections to Amara. Brooke loves the amazing energy at Amara and is excited to bring her services here to educate all those that have any interest in Botox and Juvederm. She has a vibrant passion for combining artistry and medicine. And she loves the individual relationships with each of her clients.
WHITNEE ROBINSON
Whitnee received her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Utah in 1994. She has many years of nursing experience working with women at the Center for Change in Orem. She’s excited to be affiliated with Amara Day Spa. Whitnee trains under the supervision of Dr. Steven H. Warnock M.D., F.A.C.S. and directly with Brooke Anderson RN.
DR. STEVEN WARNOCK
Steven H. Warnock, M.D, F.A.C.S is a board certified plastic surgeon who works with the Premier Plastic Surgery Group of Utah and of course Amara! To find out more about about some of the surgical procedures he offers please visit his website.
MELISSA EDWARDS
Melissa is a board certified Nurse Practitioner, specializing in Women’s Health and Dermatology. She currently works with The Dermatology Center, providing medical and cosmetic dermatology. She has experience working as a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Department. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Utah and her graduate degree at Western University of Health Sciences. Melissa has a great passion for working in healthcare, and is excited to be part of Amara Day Spa!