Our Team

Owner

Tina

Hello everyone! As the owner of Kristina Michele Salon, I have been honored to serve the beautiful people of Hackettstown and its surrounding areas for a few decades. As a stylist who started out in this industry at the age of 16, I have been mentored and taught by some of the most incredibly gifted people in the salon industry. I have never forgotten where I came from and how my love for this business started. It has been my intention over the years to create a company and a salon environment that nurtures gifted artists, colorists and stylists. I’m passionate about education and proud to say that we are a teaching salon. It is my goal to continue to grow, to learn, and to always work on bettering our best. My hope is to always provide our clients a space where they can relax, unwind, and most importantly look and feel beautiful.

Level 3 Stylist

Alicia

Alicia’s passion for hair started at a young age as she was always acting the part of a hairstylist for her family. She always enjoyed making those around her feel better and worked hard in order to make her dream realized. She attended the night program when getting her license in order to have more time and opportunities to learn from the experienced stylists here at the salon. Alicia started out at our salon but eventually moved to Colorado for 2 years and was able to gain a different perspective. Because of this, she is well versed in multiple color companies. Her favorite part of the job is being able to educate clients with not only the products that would work best for them but how to use their styling tools at home. When not at work, you can find Alicia baking or spending time with her husband and newfoundland Baloo. 

Specialties

Grey Blending • Babylights • Creative Colors • Long, Layered Cuts

Education

Warren County Technical School Night Program

Level 5 Stylist

Ashley

Being able to be creative as well as social made being a stylist appealing to Ashley. She has been a stylist for 18 years and perfected her craft over that time. Ashley loves connecting with her clients and being able to laugh with them. In her chair, it will always be an energetic and distressing experience. She also enjoys creating lovely bridal updos in which we see her skill and creativity come to life. Beyond the chair, she loves to work in her garden, bake, and spend time with her daughter.

Specialties

Updos • Highlights • Pixie Cuts • Balayage

Education

Warren County Technical School

Level 2 Stylist

Ashlee L.

Lunden (or Ashlee) came to Kristina Michele Salon in a dedicated pursuit of being a stylist after looking up to one of her role models. She was one of the first to come in through our mentoring program and steadily worked her way up to her own chair. She loves making connections with her clients and being able to find the style or color that best fits each person she works with. Beyond the chair, she enjoys boating in the summer and visiting wineries with her friends.

Specialties

Blonding • Hand-tied Extensions • Haircutting

Education

Warren County Technical School

Masters of balayage •  Matrix color class • Halo professional tape in extensions • Halo pro hand tied extensions

Level 1 Stylist

Ashley N.

Ashley, mostly referred to by her last name Nitko, is another one of our up and coming stylists. Feeling drawn to the industry and having the talent for it eventually led her to our mentoring program and soon after, graduated to a chair of her own. Being able to show her art work through the trust of her clients is one of her favorite aspects of the job. Beyond hairstyling, Nitko enjoys being outdoors and one with nature.

Specialties

Blonding • Smoothing • Updos

Education

Warren County Technical School

Assistant

Caitlyn

Caitlyn has been with us since 2020 and has been a wonderful addition to the team. She is pursuing her dream to become a nurse at Moravian University. She enjoys working at the salon during her off time as it gives her a chance to be able to build relationships with staff and clients alike. She was able to get the unique experience of being in a setting of positive client care without working in a hospital setting as of yet. We are proud of her accomplishments and her work ethic as she strives for her goal while continuing being a part of the team.

Reception

David

For 17 years, David has been a part of the KM family and throughout this time he has most enjoyed creating relationships with the clients that walk through the door and the ones he works with. He is also responsible for the amazing artwork on the KM chalkboard that changes monthly. Aside from his love for art and design, he also enjoys black and white movies and musicals. He comes from a large and loving family and we are happy to be his second family.

Level 5 Stylist

Desiree

Desiree started off as a receptionist in a salon and after getting to know the industry, became a hairstylist herself. She loves that she gets the opportunity to be creative and artistic while making someone feel great about themselves. She never wanted to limit her craft and always strived to be versatile. At this point in her career, Desiree would say that creating custom “lived in” hair is one of her main specialties. Low maintenance hair with high impact. Outside of work, she enjoys being with family. Whether it is staying home with her fur babies, tending to their garden, or traveling around going on adventures; their time together is always fun and filled with love.

Specialties

Updo’s • Color

Education

Morris County Votech

Reception

Emma

Emma has been a part of the team since (almost) the beginning. She is our head receptionist and handles a majority of the responsibility. Emma has seen the growth and change of the salon and loves to be part of that process and evolving with the times. Her knack for problem solving is beneficial to both the clients and stylists when the need for it arises. Her favorite part is being able to match a client with a stylist and making a perfect pair. She enjoys spending time with her husband and her two dogs Riley and Oliver James. She also loves to travel and go for drives in her Jaguar.

Esthetician, Assistant

Gianna

Gianna joined the team in 2018 and fell in love with the beauty industry. Her favorite moment is when her clients fully relax into the calming environment she creates when performing a face or back facial. Her massage that she provides is a fan favorite and a skill she has perfected over the years. Gianna’s Hobbies outside of the salon includes the gym, spending time with her dog, and watching documentaries.

Education

Artistic Academy

Level 4 Stylist

Jenn

Having family in the industry helped her to follow her own path into the cosmetology world. She was fiercely dedicated to perfecting her craft and in doing so, gained a loyal following from her clientele. She passes on her knowledge to our up and coming stylists by being one of our mentors in the program. The best feeling in Jenn’s opinion is being able to boost the self-esteem of the ones that sit in her chair. Outside of the salon, Jenn loves spending time with her kids and being active by doing cross fit.

Specialties

Blonding

Education

Artistic Academy

Level 3 Stylist

Jenna

Seeing
the wonderful looks on her clients faces after she transforms their hair is the reason Jenna became a stylist. Since 2015, Jenna has been an efficient and gifted member of our team. She not only pays close attention to detail but does it so in record time.
Being in her chair is not only a welcoming experience but an energetic one as well. Beyond the chair, Jenna spends her time with her family and mostly enjoys summer activities with them.

Specialties

Balayage • Blowouts

Education

CAPRI institute

Level 1 Stylist

Kaleigh

Kaleigh brought with her a fresh new perspective to Kristina Michele Salon. Having the experience and knowledge of working at a salon, she was able to set off running here during her mentoring program. Being able to listen to the lives and experiences that her clients share with her all while having the creative freedom of hair coloring, Kaleigh makes being in her chair a comforting and enjoyable experience. Outside the salon, Kaleigh enjoys socializing, tending to her plants, and spending quality time with her cats.

Specialties

Blonding • Blowouts

Education

Hunterdon County Polytech

Advanced Haircutting • Advanced Blonding

Level 2 Stylist

Kathleen

Having her cosmetology license since 1990, Kathleen has been able to see the industry grow. Throughout this time, she has perfected her skill in precision cutting. Whether it’s curly, wavy, or straight hair, her talent has brought all types of clients to her chair. Part of doing what she loves includes creating conversations and establishing friendly relationships with her clients. Beyond the salon she also works at a barber shop which has perfected her classic and modern mens haircuts. For our male clientele, Kathleen has become our in house barber. One hobby that she enjoys doing outside of the salon is baking and loves to share the treats she makes with loved ones around her.

New Talent

Kendall

Kendall is another one of our young and upcoming stylists who enjoys consuming knowledge within the field. She not only has her cosmetology license but continues her college education in learning business. Her dedication to learn all aspects of the field from behind the chair to beyond the chair makes her a valuable asset to the team. She enjoys working with all aspects of color whether it be a highlight, balayage, or even a teasy light. Helping clients feel their best is one of the reasons she chose this path as well as keep her dedicated to learning as much as she can. In her free time, Kendall loves to keep herself busy either with crafts like cross stitching, or helping her dad fix cars.

Education

Warren County Technical School

Specialties

Classic Haircutting • Hair Color Bootcamp

Level 4 Stylist

Lori

Lori has been with us at Kristina Michele salon for over 20 years. She has been working hard on her craft and is a wonderful asset to the team. When she is behind the chair, Lori gives her clients her full attention. This ensures that her clients know their needs are being met and are important. Lori leads by example and as a mother of two boys, she loves to show other moms out there that it is okay to set time apart for yourself to feel your best.

Specialties

Smoothing Treatments • Highlights • Color

Education

 Warren County Technical School

Level 1 Stylist

Madison

Madison has been a client here at Kristina Michele Salon since she was 7 years old. Later this became her first job and she was able to learn the beauty of the industry at that time. Growing up in the salon environment and seeing clients come in and out of the salon happy and feeling beautiful led her to want to achieve that goal. Madison took part in our mentoring program while in school and after graduating. She has worked hard to move up the ladder and has a clientele of her own that is constantly growing. It would be her talent, and learned skills that would help make her clients feel beautiful. Her sociable and friendly demeanor helps her to connect with clients that find their way to her chair. Outside of the salon, she enjoys spending time with her Pomeranians and shopping (especially for all things pink).

Specialties

Creative work • Advanced blonding • Advanced precision haircutting• Sew in extensions• Modern classic up styling

Education

Hunterdon County Polytech

Sassoon ABC of Haircutting

Education and advanced courses taken monthly

Level 4 Stylist

Megan

Megan’s passion for the arts led her to her professional career in cosmetology. She loves taking on project clients that allows her to be creative. Her ability to pay attention to every detail is what makes her special. Her clients leave the salon feeling refreshed, revived, and beautiful. Megan’s talent for hair color, extension placement, or even an incredible haircut keeps her appointment book full. Outside of the salon, she works on her personal artistic projects and enjoys true crime and podcasts.

Specialties

Hand-tied Extensions • Shag Cuts • Updos • Custom Blonding

Education

Howard G Sackett Technical School (b.o.c.e.s)

Reception

Stephanie

When moving into town, Stephanie was introduced to the salon family through her cousins Alicia and Gianna. She is working here while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in communications and English. That being said, she does have her associates in business administration and brings that knowledge with her to work. Her goal is to one day work for a book publishing company. In the meantime, she enjoys being able to help both the stylist and client with their schedules. When a client comes in with a book in hand, Stephanie will always be the one to immediately seek out and connect with them. Through this passion, she also found that she loves not only hearing stories through books but the ones that the clients share with her.

Level 4 Stylist

Tami

For over 18 years at KM, Tami’s dedication to her craft is shown through her work and certifications. She continues with her education as her thirst for knowledge is constant. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and is a much-admired team player. Her evolution of the field as well as her kindness let all her clients feel confident and relaxed. Beyond the salon, Tami enjoys hiking, concerts, and being with her dog.

Specialties

Matrix color mastery • Master of Balayage • Advanced red formulation • The foundation of color theory

Education

Capri Institute

Reception

Tina C.

Tina recently became part of the team and quickly learned the ins and outs of the salon. She is a hardworking woman as she has two other jobs and is also a mother. Having her daughter work here as an assistant, Tina has already been a part of the Kristina Michele salon family for quite some time. In her free time, she enjoys spending it with family, exploring wineries, and crafting. During the summer, she loves reading a good book while beachside.

Assistant

Trinity

Trinity is our newest addition to the team and brings to the salon a youthful wonder. Growing up in salon type environments and with family influence, she was set to pursue her future as a stylist. Engaging with clients is part of what makes her experience working here so enjoyable. Although she is not behind the chair as of yet, we are educating her with classes, she is working alongside senior stylists and learning the ins and outs of Kristina Michele Salon. She is most looking forward to perfecting her craft of vivid coloring once she begins to work her way up. Beyond working here, she enjoys listening to a variety of music and snowboards during her free time.

Specialties

Modern • Classic • Upstyling

Education

Warren County Technical School