Fan Pier: Talent

Josh is originally from the central part of Massachusetts. In his late teens, he made the decision to leave his childhood home and move to Boston. He had a love and natural talent for hair and entered the industry in 2001. Upon completion of hair school, he focused his career path on color... That is where and when his intense training began. Josh traveled and has attended many color specific workshops ranging from color lines, Wella Professional, Goldwell, and L'Oreal to name a few. His range and breadth of knowledge of color has developed from years of one on one training, application, workshops, and collaboration with his fellow acclaimed color team at salon Mario Russo, which he joined in 2006. Josh specializes in creating natural looks, by adding multi-dimensional highlights. His ability to listen to his client's needs and color desires, with amazing results, have made Josh a favorite colorist among Boston's residents.

JOSH TRUAX

Hunter selected Mario Russo for her styling career because she wanted to be a part of a trendsetting team. She specializes in taming curly hair and creating volume in fine hair. Hunter has attended several trainings in New York to perfect her technique and has become an expert at bridal and special occasion looks. As a personal assistant to Mario for two years, Hunter became a finishing specialist. In addition to cutting and styling, she does hair extensions and hair straightening.

NATASHA HUNTER
Stylist/Bridal Specialist

Gary Croteau is one of Salon Mario Russo's senior-most stylists, having joined the team only eight weeks after the salon opened in 1990. Throughout his tenure with the salon, Gary has served as both a stylist and a colorist, and most recently as the director of education. He has synthesized his knowledge and skills from international training with acclaimed industry stars, including Vidal Sassoon, Toni & Guy, Nick Arrojo and Orlando Pita. As a former fine arts concentrator at Saint Michael's College in Vermont, Gary views each hairstyle as an art project, channeling years of artistic training into every hair design. "The principles of line, design, color, and texture that apply to painting and sculpting also apply to styling hair. The hair is simply a different medium," Gary explains. In an industry that boasts higher-than-average competition, Gary has dressed the famous tresses of everyone from pop princesses to starlets, musicians to models. Recent clients include Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Mandy Moore, Meredith Viera, Darryl Hannah, Dennis Leary, and Debbie Matenopoulous. His hair and makeup artistry has graced the finicky pages of magazines including Vogue, Bazaar, Interview, GQ, Esquire, and Men's Journal. His innovative work has been recognized by Boston Magazine's coveted Best of Boston Award for Best Woman's Hairstylist in 1995 and 2000. His television makeover credits include episodes of MTV's Made, E's Fashion Emergency, and The Good Day Show. In addition to a host of awards and distinctions, Gary has been named by Esquire Magazine as the Northeast's "Best Dressed Real Man in America," by the Boston Globe as one of the "Ten Best Dressed People," and by FB as among the "Most Fashionable Bostonians." Outside of the salon, Gary performs with Beacon Hill's Theater on the Hill, publishes award-winning poetry, collects contemporary art, and travels the world.

GARY CROTEAU
Education Director/Bridal Specialist

Check back soon for Michael's Bio!

MICHAEL SURRETTE
Bridal Coordinator
 
 

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!

JULIE BALIWEICZ
Master Colorist

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".

MARIALISA RAVASINI
Colorist/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.

LEAH SURGRUE
Stylist/Bridal Specialist

Tyler Trifilo is a native New Yorker, but has found a home in Boston at Salon Mario Russo. He began his styling career at the age of 5 by creating one-of-a-kind looks on family members for “Sunday Dinners”, and has continued to explore his love of hair and style ever since. While studying performance at the Acting and Dance Conservatories of SUNY Purchase, Tyler took several hair and makeup classes, and styled for countless performances and fashion shows. He has also taken hand-on workshops with Bumble and Bumble, Vidal Sassoon, Kerastase and Oribe, and was recognized with the awards for Creativity and Best Overall Performance in the Oribe Stylist Challenge. Tyler has styled for several fashion shows, including Saks 5th Avenue and “The Tent” at Boston Fashion Week. He is proud to volunteer for local charities, such as Rosie’s place, Children’s Hospital, and the AIDS Support group. Tyler believes that you are never done learning or growing, and he constantly strives to stay abreast of the latest looks, styles and trends in the industry. His motto is “ Do what you love, and you will always be happy”.

TYLER TRIFILO
Junior Stylist

Check back for Gina's bio.

GINA MANCINONE
General Manager