Lookbook - Alya

Front Desk coordinator.

Tori, born and raised in Northern Virginia and of Ecuadorian descent, has a very fun but calming energy that she brings into the salon and with clients. Her curiosity in wanting to learn how to care for her wavy hair, as well as her love for fashion, sparked her interest in the beauty industry. Tori balances her role as a front desk coordinator while also being dedicated to her studies as a college student, with efficiency and ease. Outside of the salon, you’ll often find Tori in the gym, at art exhibits, or spending quality time with her puppy.

Front Desk and social media coordinator.

Shelby is a professional tap dancer and choreographer from Minneapolis who recently relocated here to Virginia! Growing up as a competitive dancer influenced her towards a love and appreciation for hair and makeup. She hopes to pursue a career in art administration in the future as she has always gravitated to a more creative lifestyle. Shelby has always had a keen interest in making others feel welcome and hopes to inspire a happy, kind, and helpful environment wherever she goes!

Apprentice/Stylist

Meet our newest member of the Alya family, Gunel! She is a stylist with over 16 years of experience. Gunel is originally from Russia and she graduated from the internationally recognized, Hair Art Academy. Gunel spent time training with top artists, perfecting her skills in the following color techniques: blonding, balyages, color corrections, and more! Gunel loves creating modern cuts and working with textured hair. She finds passion in finding styles and products that enhance each individual clients features.

Instagram: @gun_el_hair_beauty

Reagan Mackenzie Yosifov is an Arlington native with over 10-years experience in the industry. Before joining the skilled team at Alya Salon & Spa, she spent many years owning her own salon and working for some of the most top-rated salons in the region.
Reagan is a dedicated stylist and enjoys creating entire looks, from full cut and color make-overs to styling for special occasions. She is a certified stylist for Hot Heads Extensions and specializes in tape-in, as well as hand-tied & machine Weft techniques. Reagan’s skill as a hair-cutter, stylist, colorist, along with her experience ranging over 10 years proves she can offer knowledge of every type of hair service.
Her two sons, Porter and Logan, are her favorite (and most fussy!) customers.
Before becoming a stylist, Reagan was a ballet dancer who studied business in college. She has a practiced eye that finds grace and beauty in all things. She loves spending time with her family, playing around with new colors and styles in her hair, and everything about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera.

Mayra

Mayra does it all – from hair to skincare to makeup! With over 10-years experience in the beauty industry, she stays passionate and knowledgeable with all current trends to make sure you walk out of our doors looking and feeling your best.

She became a Licensed Cosmetologist during her senior year in high school and has had a love of hair ever since. She’s attended many advanced classes in NYC, Las Vegas, and California for color and techniques with world-renowned stylists. With a specialty in Brazilian Blow-out, color, and different balayage techniques – French Balayage, Ombre, Sombre, Color Melt – Mayra is able to transform her clients hair into the achievable hair of their dreams. After achieving multi-level success in haircare, Mayra went on to become a Licensed Esthetician. She is precise and skillful with her full-body waxing services, as well as providing clients with lash-lifts and facials.

Mayra has also worked for top-selling cosmetic brands such as MAC, Benefit, and Temptu. She’s received multiple certifications in Makeup Artistry and also trained alongside key makeup artists for New York fashion week. She is now a well-known bridal and special makeup artist.

Whether you are looking for an updated hairstyle or tips on skincare, Mayra is there to help guide you in the right direction!

Bringing over a decade of experience to the industry, Mimi is a skilled professional with a focus on color, haircuts, extensions, and crafting exquisite bridal and formal styles. Her mission goes beyond hairstyling; it’s about creating a transformative experience where she is unveiling inner beauty through personalized looks. She is dedicated to building meaningful connections with clients, emphasizing not only the artistry of her work but also the importance of genuine relationships. She takes pride in being a compassionate listener, understanding her clients’ desires. Beyond being sought after for her services, clients often consider her a trusted friend, appreciating the warmth and understanding she brings to every interaction.

Cayla is new to the Northern Virginia area and is looking forward to providing a refreshing and relaxing experience to each of her clients. Cayla was born into a military family that traveled a lot however, she spent majority of her life in the Hampton Roads area. The versatility of the beauty industry is really what drew Cayla to becoming an esthetician. Her main goal is to help clients embrace the beauty of their own skin. She proudly provides inclusive services that benefit all skin types. An appointment with Cayla will be nothing less than a life changing experience.

Jadyn is originally from Sarasota, FL and relocated to Northern Virginia and joined our salon in the fall of 2020. Her original interest was cosmetology but quickly learned she prefers the behind the scenes more. She has worked her way up from being a front desk coordinator to a salon assistant to now our salon manager and Natalya’s right hand. She is Alya Salon’s go to when you need anything done. Are you looking for services for a special event or wedding? Email Jadyn at events@alyasalon.com and she will answer all your questions!

Kenza is a Northern Virginia native with a Moroccan background. Coming from a multi-cultural background and speaking four languages, Kenza loves to embrace individuality and caters to every client’s specific needs. She has always placed great emphasis on taking care of one’s hair and skin, and overall looking/feeling their best. Her #1 goal when at the salon is to make sure every client leaves the salon looking, and more importantly, feeling amazing. Kenza is currently pursuing a degree in Forensic Science on the Pre-Medical track at Virginia Commonwealth University. She hopes to become a doctor and take her experience caring for others and apply it to all aspects of her life as well as all her future endeavors.

Ana is originally from El Salvador and came to the United States at a young age. She has been working at salons for over 25 years and has become an outstanding addition to our salon. Ana’s eccentric and welcoming personality has created such a comfortable and zen environment for our clients. During her free time, Ana loves to be surrounded by her family and friends. Ana does an excellent job but her head massages will always have you coming back for more!

Our front desk coordinator, Ivanna is originally from Ecuador. Ivanna is bilingual and finds passion in learning about different cultures. As the first and last person you interact with at the salon, she goes above and beyond to make sure your experience is memorable as well as ensuring that you are matched with your perfect stylist. Ivanna is currently enrolled in George Mason University where she is pursuing a bachelors in Business Marketing. She hopes to one day start her own business and is eager to learn more about the complexities of the beauty industry.

With over 7 years of experience providing makeup and hair services for official events, photo shoots and weddings in Virginia , DC, Maryland . Three years ago she decided to go to esthetician school and learn all about the skin from the inside out. Margarita specializes in skin condition specific facials as well as brows ( correction and tint ) and lashes ( lash lift and tint) . All of the Margarita’s facials incorporate goal oriented results while also offering the relaxation and pampering of a classic spa facial.

Margarita is passionate about aesthetics and helping others to love the skin they are in !

Lauren Grimsley has been a hairstylist for 5 years and has chosen to bring her talents to Alya Salon. She is certified in sew-in and tape-in extensions. If you’re looking for added length or just want fullness to your already gorgeous hair, book a consultation to get your dream hair now! Lauren has always had a passion for hair-coloring; she specializes in the art of blonding and is a Master of Balayage. Lauren has three beautiful sons and a military husband, all of whom are long time “clients” and have helped in perfecting her men’s cutting skills. Along with men’s cuts, she also performs beautiful precision cuts and styles for all hair types.

After graduating at the top of her class from The Paul Mitchell School in Tyson’s Corner, Lauren has continuously worked to perfect her guest experience in make-up application and updos. She loves the bridal industry and making her guests feel beautiful for all life’s special moments.

Check out her Instagram to view her work!

@Looks_with_Lauren

Lauren Grimsley

Tier 1.

Creative stylist.

Colorist, Balayage and Extentions certified.

Precision cuts and styles.

Bridal hair and makeup.

Sigrid Maruyama

Sigrid is a young up-and-comer. She specializes in cuts and up-do’s but is always willing to learn more and try new things. Sigrid attended Toni & Guy in Dallas, Texas and received her cosmetology license and continued to work with the same company for over 6 years. Sigrid has experience working backstage for runway shows and training new hairdressers by being a model night instructor! Sigrid continues her education and passion for this industry everyday by staying up to date with the latest trends, techniques, and information. She is very excited to learn different techniques from wedding up-do’s to color theories! Sigrid goes out of her way to make sure her guests are satisfied with their hair and that they feel comfortable. She gives an in-depth consultation to ensure that she understands your needs. Sigrid describes herself as a perfectionist and detail-orientated when it comes to a client’s hair.

Mina has paved her path in the industry for over 11 years, specializing in color, balayage, highlights, hair cuts, Keratin treatments and brow threading. She is a licensed cosmetologist and uses her breadth of experience and depth of knowledge on hair cuts and color to collaborate with clients and bring beauty visions to life. Mina’s hair philosophy is a simple one: take the latest trends and incorporate them into wearable, everyday style. With Mina’s expertise, co-design a style that can be recreated at home and strut out of Alya Salon feeling like the best version of yourself.

Kalpana

Kalpana has been creating beauty for 25 years. She is an American Board Certified Hair Colorist, Redken Certified Hair Colorist, and licensed cosmetologist. She is passionate about her work and loves to create looks that leave her clients looking and feeling beautiful. Using her
artistic vision and impeccable attention to detail, she enjoys working with clients to come up with styles individualized to their needs.
A master of her craft, she keeps up with the latest techniques and hair trends as they appear on the fashion scene. She is constantly working on her own innovative techniques and always pushing the boundaries of hair.

Tammy

Tammy has been in the hair industry since she was 15 years old and has always considered it her calling. She has spent many years styling hair in salons in Northern Virginia and has earned the reputation of being a hair color and extensions specialist. Tammy also has a love for cutting hair and has a caring approach, beginning with an in depth consultation. She focuses on layered and edgy haircuts for women and intricate or vintage haircuts for men. In 2013 Tammy was a finalist in the North American nationals of the Wella Trend Vision hair color competition. She also specializes in formal hairstyling and has done hair for many weddings and formal events. Tammy loves fancy formal hairstyles, she considers them to be exciting, and welcomes the challenge!

Natalya

From timeless up-dos to exquisite color, Natalya excels at anything hair. Dedicating her time to creating artistic expressions for her clientele based on their personality, lifestyle and hair type.
Natalya is very passionate about her craft which extends to providing a very personalized service. Natalya graduated from Pivot Point International Academy and was trained in New York and Chicago. As an educator for Goldwell Haircolor International, she trained stylists on their product line and participated in beauty shows to showcase model’s hair. Natalya provided hair and makeup services to T.H.E. Model Agency in DC. She has over 18 years of experience with bridal hair designs, advanced color services, and cutting techniques. She specializes in wedding up-do styles, multiple color highlights, and precision cutting. Natalya is sought after for her expertise in understanding all types of hair textures, especially managing naturally curly hair.

Nelly

Nelly is our artistic, modern stylist and makeup artist with an edgy twist. Her perfectionist personality will ensure you a hairstyle that you will love every time you come in. She is knowledgeable and up to date with the latest techniques from balayage to fashion colors, down to cuts, styling and wedding updos.

Nelly has over 18 years of experience in leading hair salons all over the US, Canada and Europe. She is a graduate of the St. Laurent styling Academy in Montreal, Canada, where she immediately caught an eye of her instructors for her skillful and precise technique, great feel for style and fantastic interpersonal skills. She is able to listen to her clients’ desires and interpret them into beautiful styles, adding her own signature precision. She gives fantastic advise of what works best for each hair and face type.

To stay at the top of the hair fashion world, Nelly is a regular participant at the Orlando International Hair show, which takes place every year.
She has also taken part in the Las Vegas Hair Symposium, sponsored by Redken.

She will take her passion and creativity to work with your personal hair goals to create a head turning look

Rita

Bridal Hair and makeup artist Rita has experience providing services for official events, photo shoot and weddings in Virginia, DC , Maryland. She attended beauty school in Russia and then continued her makeup journey in the USA. She likes to create an individualized look from natural to diva. Every face is special and should be treated special. Rita continually attend Makeup shows and Seminars so she can stay on top of the Beauty Industries latest trends and techniques. Rita can help create your personalized style!

designed to return fresh youthfulness to rough skin

restorative treatment for oily, blemish-prone skin

intensive treatment for modern, well-groomed men

particularly suitable for very delicate, sensitive and allergy-prone skin

instant effects for brighter, more even skin tone

Elizabeth Ernst

Elizabeth Ernst is a nationally certified massage therapist with 30 years of experience in the field of hands on healing. She is licensed by the board of nursing in the state of Virginia .

Elizabeth is a graduate of Mueller College of Holistic Studies in San Diego, California. She received her certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) in 1992. Elizabeth specializes in blending different types of massage to create a unique treatment for each individual client. She strives to “create a healing space” in her massage therapy practice at Alya Salon in Vienna.

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