Our Team
Every stylist at La La Luxe has undergone proper training, classes, and education regardless of their years of experience. Owner, Leah classifies each stylist based on the number of years in the industry, the level of skill they have in addition to their level of creativity and natural artistic talent. The industry experience of every stylist at La La Luxe ranges from 1 year to 25 years. Every stylist, regardless of experience, is continually trained and guided by Owner, Leah. Stylists at La La Luxe are required to continue their education in and out of the salon in order to maintain their skill and technique and to keep up with modern trends and innovations.
JUNIOR STYLIST: 0-2 years in the industry
STYLIST: 2-6 years in the industry
SENIOR STYLIST: 6-10 years in the industry
MASTER STYLIST: 10+ years in the industry
Leah Carlson, Owner and Master Stylist
Follow me: @ladyleelee/ Follow the salon: @lalaluxesalon
Owner, Leah Carlson has been creating one-of-a-kind haircuts, styles and custom color for 24 years. She graduated from Arthur Angelo School of Cosmetology in 2000 after attending the Community College of Rhode Island where she graduated with an associate’s degree in Fine Arts. She always knew she wanted to have a career in the beauty industry.
She attended classes and mastered her cutting craft at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Miami in 2004. She learned the technique of straight-razor cutting and custom coloring with Nick Arrojo and his educational team at Arrojo Studio in NYC in 2006 and 2009. It was during those times that she truly learned the importance of creating shape, depth and movement by combining a razor or shear haircut with the perfect complimentary hues.
Leah attended cutting, up-do and styling courses taught by celebrity stylist, Oribe in Boston and New York in 2012 and 2013. Keeping current, she has taken several in-person and online courses within the last 10 years becoming highly skilled in the latest cutting/coloring techniques and trends. Most recently, Leah attended a modern foiling, coloring and business class with master stylist and educator, Gina Bianca at Hair Studio NY in Brooklyn, NY. It is there that she honed in on her business and teaching skills. Every third Monday of the month, Leah teaches her staff new techniques and skills in hopes of providing proper education while mentoring. It is a dream for Leah to someday have an educational and mentoring program in place for other growing stylists and entrepreneurs in the area. Her motto has always been: pay it forward, especially with education and guidance.
One of Leah’s favorite services to provide is grey blending and grey transitioning. You can find some of her work @thegreymaker and also all over the salon Instagram page @lalaluxesalon. Leah is highly experienced in pixie and short haircuts, straight-razor and precision cuts, balayage and freehand highlights, foil highlights, multi-dimensional color, corrective color and dimensional brunette color. Other specialties include blonding and double-process/platinum blondes, lived-in color/highlighting and soft ombre.
Leah’s artistic and fun approach to hair can transform your look or help you work with what you’ve got. Her color certification is with Wella and Schwarzkopf. Leah is also certified in Hairtalk tape-in extensions and has been providing extension services for over 15 years.
You can see many Leah’s up-do’s and styles on social media and in Inside Weddings Magazine, Southern New England Weddings Magazine, Bliss Celebrations and Grace Ormonde Wedding Magazine. Leah’s updo’s have also been featured on Style Me Pretty.
La La Luxe was featured in American Salon Magazine as one of Rhode Island’s hottest new salons in 2011 and has been featured in Rhode Island Monthly, Providence Monthly, The Bay, and numerous local publications over the past 10+ years. She has been a frequent go-to for style and hair trends on local TV show, “The Rhode Show” since 2010.
A mother and salon-owner by day and a musician and artist at heart, Leah wears many hats but it is her passion and drive in the hair and beauty industry along with her amazing team that continues to push her forward in this ever-changing and inspiring industry.
“Gorgeous and luscious hair is the cherry on top, but it really starts with one thing and that is knowing that my clients feel at ease and truly comfortable while in my chair. I believe that there is nothing more sacred in this industry than that. I am here to make sure everyone leaves happy and feeling their absolute best from start to finish.” Leah believes that the positive vibe within the salon is due to her team of caring and creative stylists supporting one another and inspiring each other every day.
“We are a zero judgement salon and I am lucky to work in an environment like the one at La La Luxe. I can happily say that I constantly look to my team and my guests for inspiration every day.
I thrive on the creativity of my staff in the salon as well as the happiness and satisfaction of all of our guests.”
Kimberly Natareno, Stylist
Follow me: @kolourbykimm
Kimberly is a dedicated artist and hairstylist with over two years of experience in the beauty industry. She blends her passion for art and creativity into her work to empower clients through hair transformations.
Kimberly specializes in lived-in hair color, balayage and foil highlights, dimensional brunettes, classic and modern haircuts, custom colors, blonding and lightening and so much more. She views each hairstyle as a unique canvas where she combines her learned skills with her natural artistic abilities.
With a warm approach, Kimberly enjoys sharing stories and beauty tips, inviting clients to discuss their hair dreams and collaborate on looks that truly reflect their personalities.
She looks forward to creating stunning yet low-maintenance hair with evryone who sits in her hair while creating lasting relationships for many years to come.
Casey Harrison, Master Stylist
Follow me: @hair_bycaseyy
Casey gained extensive experience in Boston where she grew as an artist while creating confidence with everyone who sat in her chair. With over 14 years of experience, Casey brings her knowledge, experience and professionalism to La La Luxe Salon where she continues to master her craft in this industry. Casey is highly experienced in balayage highlights, dimensional brunettes, auburn and copper haircolor, red haircolor, natural-looking highlights, corrective color, multi-dimensional blonde hair, foil highlights, lived-in haircolor, and platinum haircolor. Casey is also highly experienced and certified in Hairtalk tape-in extensions.
Casey is certified in Wella, Goldwell, Davines, and Pravana color and product knowledge and is highly trained in all areas of Wella color. Casey can create beautiful styles and blowouts that last and loves showing her guests how to create salon looks at home.
Aside from Casey’s life at the salon, she is a wonderful wife and amazing mother to two beautiful daughters and enjoys spending time with her family.
Sara Harriss, Stylist
Follow me: @bloomingbeautybysara
Sara has had a love for the art of shaping hair since she was a little girl, and found one of her moms books on braiding. “I remember spending hours at a time teaching myself the art of braiding on my doll’s hair. Throughout High school, I was always the one making sure all my friends hair was perfect for every dance.”
With over 3 years in the industry, Sara specializes in dry haircutting, color transformations, red and copper haircolor, lived-in haircolor and highlights, natural-looking blonde and brunette hues, blonde balayage and foil highlights, dimensional brunettes, color correction, low-maintenance cuts and color, grey-blending, balayage, dimensional color, precision haircuts, special occasion hairstyling and bridal hairstyling.
Sara recently moved to RI from Spokane, WA. She is an extremely artistic and gifted stylist with a warm and welcoming personality. She has a natural ability to execute low-maintenance and easy hair that is sure to last until your next visit.