Meet the Verbena Team
Esthetic Team
Massage Therapy Team
Hair Team
Nail Team
Specialty Service Providers
Alex, our Director of Operations and Principal Hair Colorist has a decade of experience working behind the chair and 6 years of experience in professional beauty as both a Hair Color Educator and Salon Business Consultant. With a focus on foil work, blonding services, dimensional color and finishing.
He is passionate about providing bespoke color and style to match your unique energy.
“Everyone has their own vibe and if your hair can magnify and exemplify that vibe, you’re unstoppable.”
Introducing Junia, Verbena's Founder & Owner. She always found inspiration in beauty and art. An avid needle crafter from the age of 14, she knitted, crocheted, and needlepointed beautiful pieces. Through this form of art, she discovered a love for intricate and detailed work. At 22, with a drive to work for herself, Junia opened and operated a ballet shop in Brazil.
After immigrating with her family to the United States, Junia studied skincare at the Vienna Academy of Arts & Sciences and obtained her Esthetics and Technical Nail license in Maryland, and then went on to obtain a Master Esthetician’s license in the State of Virginia.
After working five years at Aveda Georgetown, Junia decided to bring the same caliber spa environment closer to home. Using her talents for precise work, Junia found her niche in Lash Extensions. Carlos and Junia, a husband-and-wife team with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, opened the doors of Verbena Salon & Spa on May 25, 2010.
Ginny, our Guest Coordinator Lead, has 12 years of Personnel Management experience in the Army. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Management and has worked for different retailers since separating from the Army. Ginny’s passion for customer service has benefitted most from her experiences in workforce management and retail sales. Ginny’s priority is ensuring the customer’s experience is the best outcome for every visit.
Esthetic Team
Miriam is a licensed esthetician and educator with over 18 years experience in the skincare industry. She graduated in Virginia from the Vienna Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2005. Miriam worked for Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Spa and became their Esthetics Educator and in 2020, received the Educator of the Year award from the corporation. Miriam has a passion for understanding skin and educating her guests and team. She specializes in customizing facials in order to achieve healthy skin for every guest. She is available for facials, skincare, waxing, and brow services.
Amy is a licensed esthetician and graduated from Von Lee International School of esthetics in 2004. She worked at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa for 15 years where she led the Esthetics Department. She has a passion for skincare and specializes in acneic skin. Amy is available for facials, skincare, waxing, and brow services.
Tamara is a dual licensed therapist with 29 years in the skincare industry and 17 years in massage therapy. She graduated from Von Lee International School of Aesthetics in 1994 and from Synergy Healing Arts & Massage School in 2004. She is also a Reiki Master and enjoys blending the energetic side of bodywork with the science of applied skincare. She loves connecting with clients in a way that empowers them to become the best version of themselves. Tamara has a calming nature and enjoys putting clients at ease during any service, but especially Brazilian and eyebrow waxes and deeper resurfacing facial treatments such as peels and microdermabrasion.
Sandra has over 2 decades of experience in both Massage & Esthetics. She began her Career after graduating from Baltimore School of Massage in 1995. She has studied in both Mexico and China, and expanded her career by attending Von Lee International School of Esthetics, graduating in 2000. She studied further at the Conservatory of Esthetics in 2001 and The Dermal Institute to expand her knowledge & expertise in Massage, Skin Care and Wellness Modalities.
With over 2 decades of experience in the beauty industry, Danielle began her journey as a licensed makeup artist. But her true passion has always been healthy skin, where it all begins. In 2017 she began her career as a licensed Esthetician after graduating from Baltimore School of Massage. Her passion lies in providing you with healthy, glowing skin and personalized at-home skincare regimens. She is available for facials, waxing, and brow services.
Massage Therapy Team
Christy has been practicing massage therapy for over 2 decades. Beginning in Virginia, and becoming licensed in Maryland in 2016. Over the years Christy has studied numerous massage modalities allowing her to deliver a highly individualized massage to meet your own personal goals. She is currently passionate about studying Strain/Counterstrain and Fascial Release techniques which allow for gentle pressure releases on a deep tissue level.
Rebecca studied at the Baltimore School of Massage and graduated in 2004. She began her career in San Diego, CA, Working in various environments such as spas, hotels and casinos. She taught massage at the Central Maryland School of Massage before returning to her love of hands-on massage therapy. She currently specializes in Hot Stone, body scrubs and wraps as well as relaxing Swedish Massage. She uses various techniques, acquired through the almost 20 years she’s been practicing in order to bring peace and relaxation to her guests.
Sandra has over 2 decades of experience in both Massage & Esthetics. She began her Career after graduating from Baltimore School of Massage in 1995. She has studied in both Mexico and China, and expanded her career by attending Von Lee International School of Esthetics, graduating in 2000. She studied further at the Conservatory of Esthetics in 2001 and The Dermal Institute to expand her knowledge & expertise in Massage, Skin Care and Wellness Modalities.
Kai has been working as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2013. They completed training at Baltimore School of Massage and provide Swedish relaxation massage, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, as well as Prenatal massage. Kai has also taken classes on Craniosacral therapy and Somatic Emotional Release through the Upledger Institute. These courses deeply influenced their approach to bodywork. Touch is a powerful tool. Kai understands that many people have some form of trauma or stigma related to touch. Kai seeks to create a supportive space with each of their clients. They offer a professional, well trained touch that invites a release of tension and return of functionality and range of motion to muscle and connective tissues.
Hair Team
Rhea has been creating custom cuts and color for 16 years. Her career began on music row in Nashville, Tennessee where she worked with musicians, models, managers, and other professionals in creative industries. She loves to share her knowledge and is always open to teaching guests about their hair. Rhea’s background in fine art has contributed to her skills, which enable her to create bespoke looks for her guests that flatter their unique bone structure. She loves to get to know you so that she can give you a look that matches your personality. Not only are her styles personalized, they are easy to maintain at home. You can see some of Rhea’s sculptural paintings throughout the spa. Rhea made the pilgrimage from Tennessee to Frederick in December of 2022 and can't wait to meet you!
Alex is a hair colorist with over 9 years of experience behind the chair and 6 years experience as a hair color specialist and educator. With a specialty in foil work, blonding services, dimensional color and finishing, he is passionate about providing bespoke color to match your unique energy and lifestyle.
Kayla is a cutting specialist with a passion for coordinating styles to fit your lifestyle. Trained in New York, and certified in texture and curly cuts and color, Kayla excels when creating a plan for you by taking the time to educate and explain the countless possibilities thoroughly, enabling you to achieve your hair goals. In addition to hair, Kayla is certified to do full body sugar hair removal.
Nail Team
Alexis has been with Verbena for over two years. She has been trained in all of our specialty Manicure and Pedicures.
Marie began cosmetology school at the Temple in Frederick expecting to do hair and quickly realized her passion for nails. “I want people to feel good about their nails and discover a new sense of confidence after they leave their appointment with me.” Marie has been an excellent addition to our nail department and has enjoyed learning our specific Verbena techniques.
Specialty Service Providers
Shokoufeh began her beauty background over ten years ago as a Makeup Artist & Beauty Stylist at Nordstrom, before she discovered her passion for Permanent Makeup (PMU) and Brow Microblading in 2017. She has been trained in the US and abroad and is always continuing her education to enhance her skills! If you are seeking a naturally enhanced brow transformation, Shokoufeh is the artist you need to meet! Her ultimate goal is to ignite within you a newfound love for your own reflection. Shokoufeh's dedication to her craft and unwavering commitment to her clients' satisfaction guarantee a transformation that will leave you feeling not just beautiful, but confident in your own skin.
Evie is a Licensed Lash Technician that has been with Verbena for over two years.