Meet Our Team
Joanna
Barrera
Joanna’s love for all things hair began through observing her mother’s workings. As a little girl, she’d spend countless hours watching her Mom work on a variety of canvases. Throughout her adolescence, Joanna had already identified her niche that hair is her passion. She made the intentional decision to attend Pivot Point, where she earned her cosmetology licensure in the Evanston neighborhood in spring 2004. Joanna was dedicated to refining her craft and was daring enough to pursue an opportunity at Vidal Sassoon’s stylist two year apprenticeship program. Joanna was afforded a coveted spot in the program fall 2004 where she was trained under notable educators within the industry. Upon successful completion, Joanna was named a stylist at the Sassoon Chicago for a three year stint. In 2007, Joanna entered an intensive color bartering program designed to maximize and sharpen a colorists’ skill set. Immediately following, Joanna journeyed to the Sassoon Northbrook location.
Lisaundra Garcia
Lisaundra has been in the beauty industry for 8 years. She is a Pivot Point Alum and began her apprenticeship in Chicago's Gold Coast at Charles Ifergan Coiffures. In 2012, she moved her passion for hair to New York City. Lisaundra became a freelance artist, as well as working throughout Manhattan at various locations specializing in blowouts and styling. In late 2016, Lisaundra moved back to her hometown of Chicago to begin a career downtown at Mario Tricoci Salon and Spa in early 2017. More than a year later, she decided to change her pace and join the Mane Refinery team in her childhood neighborhood of Logan Square.
Lauren Ryan
Lauren has been a hairstylist and makeup artist since 2011. She graduated from Tricoci University of Beauty and jumped right into the beauty world head first. Starting her career off by being an artist for photoshoots with Rolling Stones Magazine photographers and high fashion runway shows, she made her way to the north shore. After studying color at Vidal Sassoon, Lauren found a love for color, and showing that in her vivid hair colors and makeup, but not limited to that. Lauren is experienced in vivids, color, extensions, bridal, airbrush makeup and cuts.
Blanca Clavijo
Blanca grew up in the Logan Square neighborhood. She graduated from Douglas J. Aveda Institute in 2020. Blanca's favorite part of this industry is the ability to make people look and feel great about themselves. She loves the creativity we're able to do with hair. She enjoys getting to know her clients and wants them to have an enjoyable experience. Blanca is eager to keep learning from the Mane Refinery team and keep expanding her skills. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family. She also loves to workout and read.
Allie
Maiorano
Allie has been an artist for as long as she can remember. Upon graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she pursued a career in the fashion industry for 6 years. She graduated from Steven Papageorge Hair Academy and has been working in salons for the last 2 years refining her skills as a stylist. She loves all blonding services, with a focus on lived-in color, color blocking and working with long hair.
Allie loves to get to know her clients outside of just hair talk, enjoying conversations and laughs with guests during their appointments. Her extensive background in art has given her the ability to collaborate with clients on achieving their vision.
Outside of the salon you can find her cooking, hunting for vintage clothing and furniture and playing with her kitten.
Efren
Villanueva
Efren has been a hairstylist and barbering for over 20 years. As a young child he knew he had a passion in art and creating. He started his career in Mexico and then pursued his career in the US. He's known for his men's barbering and refining cutting skills, women's styling, and color. He truly has a craft in making everyone feel welcomed. Sit in his chair and you'll quickly notice his humorous personality.
Outside of the salon he loves hanging out with his German Shepard. He also has an interest in music, dancing, and art.
