Mario Russo, Boston

Mario Russo @ Mario Russo, Boston

“Everyone has the potential to be beautiful with the right cut and color. It is a matter of selecting a stylist who is intuitive and has been trained to craft a hairstyle that expresses your personal style along with complimenting your lifestyle.” – Mario Russo

Mario Russo has infused New England with beauty innovation since 1990 when he opened his first hair salon in Boston, MA, on prestigious Newbury St. The 9 Newbury St. location has an impeccable reputation for modern cuts that incorporate a precise balance of technical skill and style. The salon reflects Mario’s attention to detail combined with a warm atmosphere and access to his stellar staff. The salon provides styling that expresses a lifestyle of sophistication and glamour. In addition the salon is renowned for being one of the best bridal hair salons in Boston. Mario has an on staff wedding consultant who will make your day memorable. All these elements have garnered the honor of being named on of the best salons in Boston. In 2010 Mario added a new location at Fan Pier in one of Boston’s hottest neighborhoods located on the historic waterfront.

Paul Bingaman @ Mario Russo, Boston

Amanda Johnson @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist

Amanda grew up in Duxbury, Massachusetts and attended Syracuse University where she double-majored in Fashion and Retail Management. While at Syracuse, she discovered her passion for the beauty industry and her desire to help people realize their full self-worth through looking their best. Shortly after, she pursued a career as a professional hair colorist. Amanda's training began on the South Shore of Massachusetts, and in 2005, Amanda sought out Salon Mario Russo because of Mario's standard of excellence. She continues to advance her career and expertise by taking a variety of classes including, but not limited to, advanced color classes through Wella with Alexandra Matiz, the world wide hair tour in Barcelona, Spain, and classes held throughout Boston and New York. Amanda was voted Boston Magazines "runner up" for Best Brunette Colorist in 2009! Amanda takes deep pride in her work and understands the importance of suggesting the perfect color. She is passionate about enhancing ones natural beauty and bringing out her clients inner confidence! She loves "beautiful, healthy" hair and insists in maintaining an at-home regime of color safe products. Amanda wishes every client to leave Salon Mario Russo loving their color and feeling like a better version of themselves.

Corey Henderson @ Mario Russo, Boston

Stylist/Colorist/Bridal Specialist

George Amaral @ Mario Russo, Boston

Stylist

George was recognized as one of Newbury Street's most talented stylists very early in his career. He joined the Salon Mario Russo team in 1990 as a senior stylist and specializes in creating modern, sophisticated short cuts. His capabilities and talents are extensive, and his career path at Salon Mario Russo has included positions as a staff manager and as an education director. George has a passion for learning and a drive to continually evolve his technique that has led him to travel and study in fashion capitals, such as Paris, Montreal, New York, and London. In Montreal, George studied with LaCoupe, and he studied with Bumble & Bumble in New York. He has a diverse background in runway styling for Chanel, Escada, Jean Paul Gaultier, Dolce & Gabbana, and Alan Bilzerian. George has a reputation among his extensive clientele for being a true "man about town" who can always recommend the best new Boston hotspots for dining and entertainment. He has been awarded Best of Boston - Women's Haircut and Best of Improper Bostonian - Men's Haircut, and most recently, Best Woman's Haircut 2009 by the Improper Bostonian. George sums up his work by saying, "I love to cut hair and work with all the new tools and techniques that are continually changing and evolving."

Gio Ferrara @ Mario Russo, Boston

Gio’s illustrious career path begins with successfully receiving a degree in business management from Northeastern University. While the business world intrigued him, he also wanted to explore his creative talents and enrolled in hairdressing school. Gio graduated in 1998 and has been a busy stylist on Newbury St since 2000. His styling career began with an apprenticeship with Marco Evangelisti, former owner of "I Soci" Salon. Marco, originally from Rome, Italy shared his knowledge, haircutting and styling techniques with Gio. Gio continued to work with Marco side by side for over ten years until the closing of "I Soci", when Gio joined the Mario Russo team.

His expertise is with precision cutting with a focus on facial features, hair movement, its energy and flow. He attended and successfully completed training at the Bumble & Bumble University of NYC. In Miami, he completed the Master Course with Vidal Sassoon. His haircuts are timeless and memorable. His razor skills are celebrated!

Gio’s personality is of a gentle demeanor with a dry sense of humor! He has an ability to quickly put his clients at ease while engaging in light hearted conversations. In his spare time, Gio enjoys traveling, playing guitar in two local bands and ice hockey.

Heidi Shvetz @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist

Heidi’s bohemian eclectic personal style reflects her approach to hair color, natural and easy. She draws inspiration from life and finding the beauty in everything. She loves making people “feel and look beautiful”.
I believe hair color reflects how we are feeling. I like to change (my clients) as the seasons change, lighter brighter in the spring/summer, and a bit deeper/richer for the fall/ winter.
Heidi’s color bio reads as a book of who’s who in color from the famed ‘Jo Blackwell, Nancy Braun, Beth Minardi, Orlando Pita in NYC, Oribe in Miami, to Christopher and Sonya Dove in London, England to the Van Michael artistic team. She’s been Vogue magazine’s ‘Best Boston colorists along with the coveted ‘Best of Boston’ colorist award and the Best Colorist from the ‘Improper Bostonian. Her knowledge and passion in color, balayage, and corrective color surpass all expectations.

Ini Spahiu @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist

Ini joined the team of Mario Russo in 2011. Color is her passion as she delicately balances science with art creating formulations that are just right!
Ini’s creative and sharp eye is equally balanced with her honed detailed masterful techniques. Her color education is ongoing having earned her creditindials from the Wella Institute in NYC in all levels including corrective application.
Ini’s warm personality instantly comforts her clients as she skillfully designs the tone best suited for their individual taste, lifestyle and features.
She is a true artist.

John Brosnan @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist

John has been an enthusiastic member of the Mario Russo team since 1994. After studying color in Los Angeles, John returned to Boston to put his knowledge to use at Salon Mario Russo and to specialize in highlights and corrective color. John has been recognized by Town & Country in their "Who's Who" of American colorists. He has also been honored in Allure by being featured for his natural face-framing highlights and by being named "Boston's Best Colorist." John has garnered attention in several "Best Of..." issues of local magazines, and is mentioned in Boston Magazine with some regularity. His varied clientele includes local celebrities and news anchors, and his services are even sought out by New Yorkers who travel to Boston for his unique coloring touch. His work can be seen nightly on local and national T.V. Outside of the salon, John's other creative pursuits include painting and gardening. He incorporates his overall color knowledge to create dazzling results in all three mediums. International travel is also his passion where he attends seminars and gets previews of coming trends from major cities around the world.

Jonathan Demar @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist/Stylist

Jonathan DeMar began his studies in Fine Arts at Mount Wachusett and continued to the Mass College of Art where he favored sculpture and oil painting. He made the transition to hairstyling in 1988, and has been a part of the Newbury Street circle since then. Known for his strong sense of aesthetic, there's no wonder why this seasoned stylist possesses the vision and ability to personalize each cut and color for every client that sits in his chair. Jonathan's education is vast from attending workshops and forums from, Wella, Bumble and Bumble, Aveda, to Michael O'Rourke Hair Concepts and the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London. Along with his precision haircuts and coloring techniques, he also Masters Keratin Treatments and a full spectrum of hair relaxing services .This, plus more enables him to give clients a well-rounded, array of services. When asked, what's the trend, Jonathan, without a doubt always replies, Healthy, Beautiful and Natural looking hair. The classics are always the contemporary. My clients find comfort in the fact that they will in no doubt, be able to replicate a look that I've given them with the utmost ease. He travels extensively for inspiration in keeping with current techniques , but when asked where to travel for the perfect "getaway," the answer is the small island of Anguilla, in the British West Indies, usually with shears in hand... just in case!

Julie Balewicz @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist

Julie made the decision right out of hairdressing school that her focus was to be haircoloring and she hasn't looked back. She has been a sought out colorist among the who's who of Boston's network since her career on Newbury St. and ability to evolve and maintain and follow trends has made her one of Boston's best Color Specialist's.Her passion has always been to create the hue's and depths that look sun-kissed or rich brunettes that are always flattering to the individuals skin tones. Her corrective color work is legendary, if someone happens to go astray. Her knowledge and wealth of color has made her a leader among colorists in the city of Boston. Her philosophy is that you can have beautiful color while maintaining healthy hair, natural beautiful color is always her priority!

Juston Distazio @ Mario Russo, Boston

Stylist

Juston joined the Salon Mario Russo team in 1991 and has taken on roles including stylist, stylist educator, and senior stylist manager. He has trained extensively in fashion hub cities such as London, Montreal, and New York. Thanks to his background, he is able to recognize and utilize fashion for hair. "You absolutely never stop learning in this industry and that is one of the things I love most about it. Fashion for hair, as in fashion for clothing, changes, borrows, and evolves with each passing decade. It's so much fun being there with it as it happens," Juston has a passion for short hair and professional hair care products. Cutting hair short is very liberating and can awaken the "Inner you", the one who may need a little push forward. Once the genie is out of the bottle , you may not get her back in ! He takes care to share his product knowledge and discoveries with his clients, believing in the importance of helping them to become more educated about their own hair and its needs, and to learn to work with their own natural attributes for maximum results. Juston specializes in cutting and hair design.

Lance Collins @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist/Stylist

Lance is a New Orleans native who has been in the beauty industry since 1991. He joined Salon Mario Russo in the spring of 2008. He worked for years in New York, honing his skills and doing print work for many magazines, including Self, TV Guide, Town and Country, and Southern Living. Lance has also worked for Ritz-Carlton Salons and Spas, training new stylists and colorists in the high standards of the Ritz-Carlton. As an employee of a world-class company, Lane styled celebrity clients such as Dustin Hoffman, Patricia Arquette, Courtney Cox, Mary Tyler Moore, Mandy Moore, and Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima. When Lance relocated to Boston, he was eager to join the highly respected Salon Mario Russo team. Lance is motivated in his styling and coloring work by the client-stylist interaction. He says of his craft, "I get to help clients feel great about themselves. That is a reward in and of itself!"

Leah Surgrue @ Mario Russo, Boston

Stylist/Bridal Specialist

Leah began her education at The Paul Mitchel school and completed advanced training with Paul Mitchell in Miami before joining the Mario Russo team in 2006. At salon Mario Russo she trained as personal assistant to Mario Russo , observing his master work for one year perfecting her finishing technique. Leah continued "in salon" training with mentor and Education Director Gary Croteau for three additional years. As her career progresses, she is dedicated to always continuing her education and keeping up with the latest trends. In her quest for knowledge, Leah immersed herself in developing her love of cutting and styling by attending the Vidal Sassoon Academy in New York City and Miami. She has been hand picked to represent Shu Uemura as a Haigo Artist, traveling the country, inspiring stylists on the Shu Uemura techniques while representing Salon Mario Russo. She has actively participated in many high fashion shows including New York Fall Fashion Week 2011 working with many designers including; Tory Burch, Philip Lim, Thakoon, Theyskens Theory, and Monique Lhuillier. In Boston she has worked on hair for fashion shows including ; Betsy Johnson, Salvatore Ferragamo, Mike and Ton, and Daniela Corte. She has also styled hair for photo shoots including cover shoots for the Improper Bostonian, as well as Boston Magazine. Amoung Leah's skills is also the ability to listen attentively and patiently develop a reppore with her clients. She always brings a creative fresh eye to each of her designs. She enjoys creating looks that leave the client feeling confidant and fashion forward while still comfortable. Leah is an educator for the junior stylists at Salon Mario Russo and holds weekly classes. She is passionate about teaching and giving back to the community.

Lisa Evans @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist

Lisa Evans is passionate about creating the perfect look for each individual. Using specialized techniques, such as balayage, she is skilled at producing radiant and natural looking results. She is inspired by both the art and the science of coloring. "I love to use fashion as an inspiration and tailor that to each client I see." Lisa says. "It is important to keep up with the trends and interpret them to suit the real life woman." Lisa is also known and respected for her transforming results in corrective color, which she achieves by basing her work on an understanding that patience is the key to success! Lisa has known she wanted to be a colorist from the very start of her professional career in 1997. She received extensive color training at the Gene Juarez Advanced Training Salon in Seattle and worked at their flagship location before relocating to Boston in 2007. She has also had various continuing education classes with some of the country's top colorists, such as The Doves, Jo Blackwell and Toni and Guy. Lisa has been featured in Lucky Magazine's Coast to Coast Guide to Great Colorists, Allure Magazine's Best of the Best issue, popsugar.com as well as quoted in the New York Times, Boston Magazine and many other publications.

Marialisa Ravasini @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist/Stylist/Bridal Specialist

Marialisa's career path began in 1990 on Newbury St. She trained extensively with both Vidal Sassoon and Toni and Guy, along with Bumble and Bumble in NYC .Marialisa combines her savvy classic styling and love for strong geometric shapes with razor and also dry cutting. Mindful of clients’ personal style, she infuses her attention to detail with her equally strong sensibility with her approach to color. Always searching for inspiration, Marialisa loves researching editorial work - of new and vintage European fashion magazines and films. In addition to cutting and color, ML has great passion for styling, up- dos, and the very classic art of "hairdressing".

Monika Ramizi @ Mario Russo, Boston

Colorist/Stylist/Bridal Specialist

Monika joined Salon Mario Russo in 1996 after earning her degree in philosophy. She perfected her craft by working closely with Mario as her mentor. Since beginning her career as a stylist and colorist, Monika has been featured in national and local press. In 2008, she was recognized in Boston Magazine's Best of Boston for "Best Bridal Updo." Monika understands the importance of being a consultant for her clients. She listens carefully and provides styles that match her clients' lifestyles. It is of paramount importance to her that her clients leave the salon not only having had a pleasant experience in the salon, but more importantly, with styles that look great and work in their everyday life. Monika's client list includes professionals, TV reporters, and The Herald.

Rossana Casale @ Mario Russo, Boston

Stylist

Rossana Casale trained to be a professional stylist at Salon Mario Russo, officially joining the team in 1999. Her continuing education at Salon Mario Russo has enhanced and broadened her passion for styling. She has also studied with Sebastian and Bumble & Bumble in New York. Rossana's clients include television personalities and Boston Celtics Dancers. She has worked for runway shows, including St. John, Chanel, and the Paul Pierce Truth Foundation Show. She uses an honest, realistic approach to consult with clients and enable them to leave the salon feeling polished, pampered, and pretty. Rossana finds inspiration in all things feminine and conveys this through soft, flowing, flattering hairstyles that unlock the potential in a woman's hair and enhance her best features. Her specialty is in cutting and styling long hair, while her vast clientele has complete confidence in her range of abilities that encompass edgier cuts as well as precision men's haircuts. Rossana places great importance on teaching her clients how to maintain their new look at home. She believes that her success is based on the client being able to duplicate the look she gives them. With a little bit of time and effort, her clients are able to recreate the style.

Sal Marafronte @ Mario Russo, Boston

Stylist/Bridal Specialist

Sal is a master stylist who joined the Mario Russo team in 1998. He was named Artistic Director in January of 2011. He specializes in haircuts that emphasize clean lines and gorgeous, sexy styling. Sal believes very strongly in continuing education and has received advanced training in New York at Bumble & Bumble and Shu Uemura, as well as in London at Vidal Sassoon and Tony & Guy. Sal is currently the Associate Director of the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Atelier team, and travels the country educating on cutting and styling. Sal has worked backstage at New York Fashion Week for Suno, Thakoon, Theory and Monique Lhuillier as well as for John Varvatos and Salvatore Ferragamo. He has worked locally for designers Mike & Ton and Daniela Corte. Sal's editorial work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Boston Magazine and Stuff. He has styled six covers of the Improper Bostonian magazine and has worked with celebrities such as musician Lori Mckenna, comedian Mo Rocca, actress Rachel Boston and TV host Clinton Kelly. Sal has also styled hair clothing store Louis website and appeared on the show Ambush Makeover. He was named Boston's Best Blowout by Allure magazine and the Improper Bostonian and was one of Stuff's Players for 2011. Sal is a self-confessed "entertainment and pop-culture junkie" and uses the knowledge of contemporary culture to inspire his hairstyles.

Violet Furxhi @ Mario Russo, Boston

Stylist/Extensions/Bridal Specialist

Violet was born and raised in Albania, where at an early age she realized her natural talent for helping people make their hair dreams a reality. Having trained with Vidal Sassoon in Santa Monica, she joined Salon Mario Russo in 2002, and quickly developed her natural ability to help her clients understand their hair. Violet is trained and practices the latest methods and new technology with hair extensions. She is one of the most sought after stylists by the brides and bridal parties. The 2007 Boston Magazine Best of Boston winner for "Best Blow Dry", is known for her beautiful up-dos, twists and chignons. She has created looks for Boston society and celebrities, including Belinda Carlisle of the Goo Goo Dolls, Tonya Chen Mezrich of NECN, Wendy Nicks of NBC, and many others. She has created runway looks for Mike & Ton Fall/Winter 2011, and was one of the stylists of the Michael DePaulo's Couture lookbook Fall/Winter 2011. Her hair styles and up-dos have been featured in the Improper Bostonian, the NECN's Morning show with Tonya Mezrich and Bridget Blythe, and the Bridal Styles Boutique. Violet is dedicated to make all her clients leave the salon not only with a look they love, but also with a look they can maintain everyday.