Meet Our Team
Melissa Jasper
Melissa has been an in-demand industry professional since 1995 and most recently the salon owner of La Bella Vie Salon since 2018. Melissa has many loyal clients, and they know her to be kind, engaging, and extremely professional. She has experience in hair color and hair cutting, and a passion for making clients feel their absolute best. When she isn’t behind the chair, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking time to travel.
*Not accepting new clients
Natasha Maki
Natasha is a passionate hairstylist with over a decade of experience behind the chair. Throughout her career, she has continued to invest in advanced education and specialized trainings to stay inspired, refine her craft, and bring the latest techniques to her clients. She specializes in dimensional, lived-in color, blonding, and custom hand-tied extensions, creating seamless, personalized looks designed around each client’s hair, lifestyle, and goals.
Outside of the salon, Natasha is a wife and mom who loves spending time with her family and has a passion for all things beauty, style, and home design. She values the relationships she builds with her clients and strives to create a warm, comfortable experience where everyone feels heard, cared for, and leaves feeling confident and beautiful.
You can contact Natasha through:
Cell: 218-355-1737
Instagram: @natashafreitaghair
Myrissa White
Myrissa graduated from the Aveda institute of Minneapolis in 2016 and has been working behind the chair ever since. She’s your go-to for all things color, specializing in dimensional blondes, lived-in color, and effortlessly blended looks that grow out beautifully.
“Outside of the salon, you’ll find me spending time with my husband, our two beautiful daughters, and our dog, Ruby. My family is my whole world and they inspire me every day to work hard, continue growing, and follow my passion. I also enjoy hot yoga, being outdoors, and cooking/baking.
One of the things I love most about being in the beauty industry is getting to know the amazing women who sit in my chair. I genuinely enjoy building relationships with my clients and getting to know the person behind the hair. I want every appointment to feel like time for you—to relax, feel comfortable, and leave feeling confident!”
You can contact Myrissa through:
Instagram: @myrissahopkins_hair
Phone: 218-590-9688
Elsie Viele
Elsie has been behind the chair since 2014, but her passion for doing hair had begun long before that. She grew up knowing that this is exactly what she wanted to pursue. Elsie started her career at Younkers Hair Salon and in 2018 became an independent stylist at La Bella Vie. Elsie specializes in balayage, color, haircuts, and formal styling. Her true passion is creating colors that embrace your own natural color. Elsie became a mom in 2018 and she quickly realized that it is exactly who she was meant to be. She is extremely grateful that her job gives her the flexibility to work part time, but also stay home full time with her two boys. In her spare time, you will find her cooking up something in the kitchen, creating a project in her craft room, or spending time with her family.
You can contact Elsie through:
Phone: 218-348-0654
Bobbie Youngdahl
Bobbi was born and raised right here in Duluth, Minnesota. She has been a hairstylist for an impressive 45 years with a very loyal clientele. Bobbie has an
extensive amount of experience and within her career she has been able to attend many well-known classes from around the country. She confidently offers a variety of services including styling, coloring, haircuts, perming, and facial waxing. Bobbie is a full-time independent stylist here at La Bella Vie Salon and she works Tuesday through Friday which also includes some evenings.
*Not accepting new clients
You can contact Bobbiethrough
Cell: 218-269-1689
Amity Bennett
Amity has over 20 years in the hair industry. She loves creating beautiful, healthy, lived in color, from blonde to brunette, to vibrant reds. Amity provides her clients with a full range of options to achieve their desired color, from single process, to foiling, and balayage. She also offers men and women haircuts, facial waxing,deep conditioning services, and is certified in Brazilian Blowout smoothingtreatments. When she’s not in the salon, Amity enjoys gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends. On top of being a sought-out hair stylist, Amity and her husband own Lake Superior Spice Company. They make delicious hot sauces, mustards and bbq.
*Not accepting new clients
You can contact Amity through
Cell: 218-591-9488
Facebook: hairbyamity_llc
Instagram: @hairbyamity_llc
Alex Badavinac
Alex has been in the hair industry for over 10 years and is originally from Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Alex has a natural ability to make anyone in her chair feel comfortable, relaxed, and confident. Alex specializes in balayage, lived-in color, and colormelts- she's passionate about creating effortless, low-maintence looks that grow out beautifully and complement each clients lifestyle. Staying current with the latest trends and techniques is a priority for Alex. She's always learning and evolving, and shares much of her work and inspiration on her professional social media accounts- especially her instagram page.
When she's not behind the chair, Alex loves spending time with her family back in Grand Rapids and spending time with her husband, close friends, and her fur babies, Kaiser and Kash.
You can contact Alex through :
Cell : 218-244-9040
Instagram : @allthingshair_alex
Facebook : The Stylist at La Bella Vie
Kellie Sengthao
Kellie is an independent hair stylist at La Bella Vie Salon. She has 17 years of
experience behind the chair. Her passion for hair started as a young girl as she would practice with her mom and sisters’ hair, and eventually started to do her friends’ hair for formal dances in high school. Kellie attended WITC and graduated from their cosmetology program. She started her career as an employee hair stylist and after 10 years she made the decision to go independent. Kellie loves all aspects of cosmetology, but she truly has a passion for hair color and styling. Hair color and hair styles are constantly changing, and she loves keeping up with the latest trends. Kellie has had certified training in many color lines, including Loreal Professional, Redken, and Wella. She has also been fortunate enough to attend many hands-on hair cutting and styling classes that have helped hone her craft. Kellie is a self-taught makeup artist, she loves everything fashion and interior design, and being able to share her passions with her clients. Kellie feels truly fortunate and lucky enough to say that she loves her job.
*Not accepting new clients
You can contact Kellie through:
Phone: 218-269-1642
Elle Davidson
Elle Davidson graduated from the Aveda Institute Minneapolis in 2009 and has been working as a stylist in the industry ever since. In 2019, she became an educator in cosmetology at Northwoods Technical College. As an independent stylist, Elle specializes in long layered, textured haircuts and lived-in blonding color techniques. She has a strong passion for bridal and formal styling. Elle is trained in Philocaly Mirco Link Hair Extensions, specifically made for thin, fine hair. When she isn’t in the salon helping her clients achieve their hair goals, you can find her spending time with her family, friends, and her two kitties, Pip and Pax. Elle is currently taking new clients for Blonding, Extensions, and Women’s haircutting services. Please inquire directly for wedding services.
You can contact Elle through:
Phone: 218-310-6537
Nikki Simone
Nikki has been in the industry for 10 years and an independent stylist for the past five years. She graduated from Regency Beauty Institute in 2011. Nikki’s true
passion is specializing in color. Her specialties include foilage/balayage, and
color melts. Nikki also takes pride in her formal styling and enjoys getting brides
ready for their big day. Nikki is an accomplished stylist with many recognitions. Along with being Olaplex Certified, she took 1st place in the salon fair competition and competed for two trips to America’s Beauty Show in Chicago. In her spare time Nikki enjoys taking continuing education classes to keep up on all current trends. Seeing her clients happy is what keeps Nikki behind the chair and doing what she loves to do.
You can contact Nikki through :
Cell : 218-590-7494
Instagram : @nikki.at.labellavie
Chelsy Elstad
After graduating from nursing school, Chelsy returned to her true passion, a desire to use her creative skills to make others feel good about themselves. Since 2013 , she has continued to learn and implement the latest trends in styling, cutting, coloring and hair care. When not in the salon, you can find her taking advantage of Duluth's beauty, by hiking trails with her husband and two daughters, or enjoying a good solitary run. Chelsy is always open to recieving new clients, as she enjoys meeting the needs and wants of those she serves.
You can contact Chelsy through :
Cell : 218-355-0533
"Beauty is whatever gives joy."
-Edna St. Vincent Millay
Amy Dunaisky
I have been blessed to work in the salon industry for over 30 years, and the relationships that I’ve built with my clients bring me so much joy. Being a stylist often feels like having a coffee date with friends all day long.
A salon visit is about more than just hair. My goal is for every client to leave feeling confident, beautiful, and happy.
When I’m not in the salon, I love spending time with family and friends. You can often find me sewing quilts, trying new recipes in the kitchen, camping with friends, or tending to my flower gardens.
Just remember… you’re only one appointment away from a better mood!
*Not accepting new clients
You can contact Amy through :
Cell : 218-591-0542
Stephanie Homick
Stephanie has been a licensed cosmetologist for over 19 years in Duluth. She has been a booth renter for 10 of those years. Stephanie enjoys doing men and women cuts, and also hair coloring. When Stephanie is not in the salon, she is kept busy at home with her husband and two sons. Stephanie enjoys her job to the fullest and still enjoys learning new techniques and styles to improve her already ability to make her clients feel beautiful.
You can contact Stephanie through :
Cell : 218-391-4346
Jill Fish
With more than 20 years behind the chair, beauty is truly Jill's passion. She brings a distinguished blend of professional training and hands-on salon experience to every client.
Jill graduated from the Aveda Institute in 2006, completing her education in both Cosmetology and Esthiology. There, she developed a strong foundation in advanced hair, skincare, beauty, and artistry. She further refined her expertise through specialized training at Joe Blasco Cosmetics in Orlando, Florida, renowned for its professional makeup artistry and high-level beauty education.
Her career continued at Rocco Altobelli Salons and Advanced Training Center, where she completed the salon's advanced training program and gained invaluable experience working alongside accomplished beauty professionals. After completing her training, Jill became her own boss and has proudly operated her own business for more than 16 years.
This extensive education, salon training, and entrepreneurial experience shaped her signature approach: sophisticated, polished, and completely personalized to each client.
Today, Jill combines technical expertise with an artistic eye and an unwavering commitment to excellence, creating elevated beauty experiences designed to make every client feel confident, beautiful, and effortlessly their best.
*Not accepting new clients