Stylists

Jennifer loves her Guests and her profession even more now than when she began coloring & cutting in China after a 2-year apprenticeship, nearly 40 years ago. She sold 5 salons there, then plied her craft in San Francisco until founding Essence Salon in 2005. She studied at Sassoon Academies in London, San Francisco, LA and Shanghai, earning an In-Salon Educator certificate. She took Toni & Guy classes in LA & Hong Kong. She took myriad coloring courses including Schwarzkopf's Royal Master Academy. Today, Jennifer colors & cuts, travels, learns new techniques, donates her skills to charity and teaches the team the art and science of bringing out one's inner beauty, their "Essence", creating "happiness through hairstyling®".

Grace learned to color and cut hair in a school for the performing arts in her native Taiwan. After graduation, she worked for a TV production company doing hair and makeup for the actors and actresses in various productions. She even performed in some of the variety shows as a singer. After eight years there, she immigrated to the US and worked as a stylist on fifth avenue in New York. She worked in a salon and also did runway work. After 10 years in New York, she moved to Cupertino and has been styling hair in the bay area ever since. She loves to create happiness everyday with her colors and cuts.

Mary began pursuing her passion for hair in 1997. She put her styling career on hold to raise her children and run a successful business in another field. With the kids grown, Mary once again began pursuing her passion. She joined our family where she was coached and mentored by our Creative Director. She has a huge heart and listens intently to her Guests. She uses the skills she has perfected to bring beauty and happiness to her Guests.

Ellie’s journey in hairstyling began in Santa Barbara where she earned her license in 2018. Soon after, she relocated to NorCal where she grew her skill at an Aveda Concept Salon. Ellie’s passion for her craft drove her to pursue additional education, learning the latest trends and hairstyling techniques. She even developed innovative techniques of her own. Her warm, caring personality and excellent work soon won her a loyal following. After 5 years, Ellie decided to take it to the next level and joined our team. “I walked by Essence Salon frequently and always felt the love and witnessed the excellent work. I decided to make this my new family.” We are so blessed you did, Ellie!

Jane loves to make her Guests happy through her attention to detail in colors and cuts. Her endearing personality makes her easy to talk to and she listens carefully to discover precisely what her Guest wants. Jane joined our family after more than a decade of cutting hair as an independent businesswoman. Prior to that, she studied at San Jose State then learned cosmetology at Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica.

Yessenia grew up in a family of hairstylists and hair has always been her passion. She joined Essence Salon after graduating from Laney College in Oakland and obtaining her license. She studied with Jennifer and took a lot of additional courses in her first 18 months. As a result, she provides excellent colors and cuts. Yessenia is a creative problem solver with a great love for the industry and a warm, friendly personality.

Anais launched her hair stylist career in 2018 after graduating from Paul Mitchel, the School in San Jose. She cut and colored at her own studio until she joined Essence in 2025. Anais’ enthusiastic, upbeat personality is endearing. She enjoys studying new techniques and keeps up on all the latest trends. She creates an excellent experience and prides herself on producing what the Guest wants with outstanding results.

Claudia’s passion for hairstyling began in high school. She did colors and cuts for her friends and family as well as her own hair. After the birth of her son several years later, she went to a professional hairdresser for the first time. Motivated by her stylist, she attended cosmetology school while working a full-time job and raising her son. She received her license in 2018 and went to work for the same stylist. After honing her skills at other salons, she joined our team. Claudia’s attention to detail and her warm personality delights her Guests and keeps them coming back.

Vivian began hair styling after attending San Jose City College and then getting her Cosmetology license in 2020. Starting in 2021, she cut and colored hair full time in a Bay Area salon over the next four years all the while taking in-person and online courses to hone her skills. She found that she could more fully engage her creativity and artistry in her new field than she used to as an Integrated Circuit layout designer. Says Vivian:  “I really love what I do. Meeting people and making connections really inspire me. Seeing my Guests smile as a result of my work is priceless.”

Vanessa brings creativity and a passion for beauty to her work behind the chair. She graduated as a top student from The Salon Professional Academy and also gained experience working as an independent stylist, continuing to refine her skills in cuts, colors, styling, and makeup. Vanessa enjoys helping Guests look and feel their best through thoughtful attention to detail and hair designed to complement their individual style and lifestyle. As a proud mother of two, she understands how meaningful it is to take time for yourself and loves creating a welcoming space where Guests can relax, feel cared for, and leave with renewed confidence, continuing our tradition of creating happiness through hairstyling®.