@leahmichaeltaylor_hairstylist

While taking some time off from college in 2002, Leah began working at a small boutique spa in her hometown of Shepherdstown, WV. Her youthful passion for cosmetology and experimenting on her own and her friend?s hair grew to be more than just a hobby. She decided to return to school at Towson University (2003-2005) and, while studying full-time to complete her degree, she completed a cosmetology apprenticeship program. Soon after being licensed, she started working at a salon in Baltimore City that focused on a more organic and holistic approach. After 9 years she decided to make her dream a reality. That brought the creation of Smoke+Mirrors – a salon based on integrity, creativity and artistry. She prioritizes working with companies and brands that are creating positive change for the industry and the environment while placing more importance on ethical decisions in a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable way. Each client she works with allows her to focus on the reasons why she first got involved in the industry. She loves working with her clients? needs and desires to make their visions reality; creating effortless color and cuts that work with the natural texture of their hair.

Achievements and Certifications

• 2005 – B.A./B.S. in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Design and Production from Towson University
• 2008 – Obtained her Senior Stylist license in MD
• 2011 – Published in Hair Now magazine
• 2016 – Educator training for Simply Organic Beauty, specializing in Oway
• 2017 – Men?s NY Fashion Week with O&M
• 2018 – NY Fashion Week with O&M
• 2018, Spring – Owayans event with Oway in Bologna, Italy
• 2018, Fall – Holistic Hair Retreat in Bologna, Italy with Oway and Simply Organic
• 2019 – Simply Organic Educator training
• 2020 – Cezanne Keratin Smoothing Treatment Certification
• 2020 – Hotheads Sewn-In Weft Extension Certification

@bryantarka_hairstylist

Bryan graduated from the Paul Mitchell Partner School, located in Historic Downtown Frederick and received his cosmetology license in 2017. Growing up, Bryan had changed his hair to just about every color imaginable, which sparked his initial interest in the cosmetology world. He worked as a salon assistant at a salon in Urbana, while also attending cosmetology school. It was during his experience as a salon assistant that he was introduced and trained to use non-toxic hair products. He specializes in short cuts along with both natural and fashion color. When Bryan is not in the salon, he is producing his own drag shows along with performing in many others in Baltimore.

Achievements and Certifications

• Associate of Arts degree in General Studies
• Brand certified: Keratin Complex, Brazilian Blowout and Deva Curl
• 2020 – Trained in both Tape-in and Sewn-in extensions

@jpowelhair

Josh graduated from the Paul Mitchell Partner School in Annapolis, MD in 2016, but that?s not where his journey began. Josh grew up in the beauty industry, assisting both his mother and grandmother, who were stylists and salon owners in his hometown of St. Augustine, Florida. He specializes in blonding from soft natural blondes to extreme icy blondes. He loves taking on challenging creative processes, beautiful natural color melts, and avant-garde creations. He believes hairstyling is an art and has no gender or race. Therefore, he is always inspired by the individuality of each and every person that sits in his chair.

Achievements and Certifications

• 2016 – Top 100 in the Professional Beauty Associations Beacon editorial competition
• 2018 – Platform Stylist at ELEVATAE HAIR show
• 2018 – Nominated Baltimore?s Best Stylist
• 2019 – Certified Educator for Simply Organic Beauty
• Advanced Education: Organic Way, Original Mineral, Wella, Pulp Riot, Brazilian Bond Builder, Rusk, Oster, Joico, Hattori Hanzo and Redken
• Brand Certified: Keratin Complex, Brazilian Blowout and Deva Curl
• 2019 – Represented Smoke+Mirrors in Bologna, Italy for the Holistic Hair Retreat with Oway and Simply Organic
• 2020 – Trained in Tape-in and Sewn-In Extensions

@_brittanysteele.hair

Brittany Steele found her passion for the beauty industry at a young age after peeking through the window of a cosmetology school in her hometown of Bel Air. She began working as a shampoo assistant at age fourteen and went on to graduate from the cosmetology program at Harford Technical High School. Brittany became a licensed hairstylist in 2008 and celebrated her 12th year as a stylist by moving to – and falling in love with – Baltimore. She loves playing with the way hair falls and moves – and she sets out to create exactly what her clients envision when they take a seat in her chair. She prides herself on her in-depth consultations and takes special interest in every aspect of her client?s lives to ensure that their hair compliments all of them. Brittany is a former educator for J Beverly Hills. She is Oway brand certified and on her way to becoming an Oway Scalp Therapy Specialist.

Achievements and Certifications

• 2011 – Marcia Teixeira Keratin Treatment Certification
• 2013 – Dreamcatchers Extension Certification
• 2014 – Cezanne Keratin Smoothing Certification
• 2017 – J Beverly Hills Hair Painting Certification
• 2019 – Level 1 Certification with Simply Organic/Oway
• 2020 – Level 1 Certification with Simply Organic/O&M
• 2021 – Hotheads Sewn-In Weft Extension Certification

@hairbysara.saona

Sara Saona started her salon career while she was still in high school attending a vocational school, which lead her to graduating from Empire beauty school in Harrisburg, PA. After receiving her license in 2015, she was able to experiment with all the beauty industry had to offer and found her passion doing hair extensions. Sara was then given the opportunity to work for a hair extension company as an educator. Sara also specializes in blonding, lived in color, and creating looks for her clients that will make them feel amazing.

When Sara is not at the salon, she loves spending time with her doggy Enzo, going on adventures, and exploring new places!

Achievements and Certifications

• 2017 – Aqua Hair Extensions Tape-in Certification
• 2017 – Aqua Hair Extensions Cylinder Certification
• 2018 – L?anza Colorist
• 2018 – L?anza Blonding Specialist
• 2019 – Aqua Hair Extensions Fusions Certification
• 2019 – Aqua Hair Extensions Hand-tied Weft Certification
• 2021 – Haircation Seamless Extension Blending Certification
• 2021 – Haircation Rich Brunettes Series
• 2021 – Haircation Lived-in Blondes Series