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Stylist

Josie Labara
OWNER | MASTER stylist

Josie Labara

Josie became fascinated by the art of hairdressing after being born into the business. From an early age, she recalls riding her bicycle to her father’s salon, LaBara in Michigan where she would watch her father in awe, completely mesmerized by his passion for haircutting. She soon realized she wanted to devote her career to the same craft which led her to begin formal training as a teenager. Over the years Josie’s artistic pursuit has led her into many venues from fashion runways and television sets to wedding venues and other special occasion settings. Her passion to always learn has taken her on many travel adventures where she has studied abroad mastering cutting and styling techniques and pushing herself to go beyond the limits of her comfort zone in order to grow. As a stylist, Josie values building a deep connection and has built a loyal clientele that loves her and her work. She is committed to helping everyone enjoy their beauty inside and out. In late 2018, her passion, and energy manifested a dream into reality when she opened her very own LaBara Salon in the heart of Buckhead, Atlanta. It’s a place that is hers, a place that embodies beauty. It’s a place that allows Josie to feel fierce and free while making hair beautiful!

Amanda Strain​

Amanda’s love for hair started at a young age where her earliest memories are of going to the salon with her mom to get her hair done as a child. She was inspired by the atmosphere and the beauty that happened in salons and set her mind to becoming a hairstylist when she grew up. In 2015 Amanda made her dream come true by attending Cosmetology school at the Aveda Institute in Tallahassee, Florida. She gained her Cosmetology license and started working at a prestigious salon in Tallahassee where she worked as an assistant to stylist for two years. In 2019 Amanda relocated to Atlanta and joined the LaBara Salon team where she is a part of the LaBara Apprentice Program to pursue a career as a stylist. This opportunity allows her to work as an assistant under Master Stylist’s and take advanced training classes to further her education, polish and perfect her skills as she continues to grow at LaBara. As part of the program, she accepts clients on Wednesday as a New Talent Stylist. Amanda is extremely passionate about hair and aspires to grow at a fast pace with her passion leading the way. In the salon, she loves transformations and making people feel beautiful about themselves. As a Florida girl at heart, she has a thing for blondes, boho braids, and beachy hair.

Jessi Lauren Byrd
stylist

Jessi Lauren Byrd​

Jessi Lauren knew from an early age that she would be an artist. From painting to writing to playing with hair and makeup whenever the opportunity provided itself, she has always had a talent and passion for beauty. This truly blossomed as she grew up as a child competing in the pageant world in Alabama. Throughout high school and college, she was the girl classmates and friends consulted when there was an event that needed anything beauty related. After exploring college, she couldn’t ignore her longing to pursue a career she was passionate about, so she chose a career in Cosmetology. Jessi Lauren attended the Aveda Institute in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated in September 2015. After obtaining her Cosmetology license, she returned to her hometown of Dothan, Alabama to work. She then relocated to Atlanta and joined the team at LaBara Salon in January 2021. Jessi Lauren has a wide range of knowledge in all areas of Cosmetology and is dedicated to providing the latest hair trends and treatments. Her true love is balayage, extensions and blondes. She has been certified in several extension methods and loves to help her clients enhance their natural beauty with this knowledge. She is an experienced stylist and is committed to providing clients a pleasurable salon experience and exceeding their expectations while forming a bond from behind the chair.

Marissa Risien

Marissa Risien is an Assistant + New Talent Hair Stylist. She is a graduate of Dalton Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology of Dalton Georgia and has four years of experience behind the chair as an independent stylist.


She currently works part time as an Assistant + New Talent stylist here at LaBara while also running her independent business in Calhoun. Her goal is to fully transition to our team of New Talent, Master and Elite stylist.

Marissa is extremely passionate for her career behind the chair. In her free time she travels the country with the Master of Balayage continuing her education and staying up to date on the latest trends and styles. Marissa also loves building an emotional connection with her clients and creating a positive environment to enjoy your beauty.

Simona Covarubbias

Simona Covarrubias is an assistant and new talent stylist, she is a graduate of The Paul Mitchell School in Atlanta and has been assisting  for Josie & the LaBara team for over a year. She currently works full time finds her passion in using her talent to create beautiful lived in color and flawless cuts. Behind the chair she’s building connections while also creating a fun & safe environment for her client’s so they can enjoy their  beauty

Nyesha Hunter

Nyesha grew up in the hair industry, assisting her father in a local upstate barbershop. She was taught to be attentive and assuring to all clients and thrived in the lively environment of the shop. 

Nyesha graduated at the top of her class at Kennesaw State University, and then after working in the corporate world, she realized she was only truly fulfilled when styling her daughter’s hair. In 2020, Nyesha decided to leave her corporate job and went to Empire Beauty school in Kennesaw, and then completed Bellami Hair Extension Certification.

Since then, Nyesha has established herself in the beauty industry. She loves to working with men and women of all walks of life and is overjoyed to help those who sit in her chair enhance their beauty.