“Salon Mom”.

She / They

With over 19 licensed years in the craft + counting, it was time to form a handpicked team. The idea for crown began in a sketch book in 2013. The vibe of our shop is deeply rooted in the world Erin + her sister Grace were raised: hair + music. After years of working for others, they just had to do it their way.

After years of DIY hair, the real quest for higher learning started immediately during hair school, taking part in every class offered. With an educational background including Bumble & bumble U, ateliers hosted by masters like Oribe, Michael Angelo, and Jayne Matthews to name a few, as well as major brand education from groups like Surface, Pravana, Goldwell + Aveda; the goal is well-rounded. If you deep-dive the internet enough, you may even find the episode of VH1’s TransForm Me featuring Erin + Laverne Cox masterminding a major hair transformation.

Now it’s been 5 years of being an owner, stylist, teacher + artist all at the same time. Taking part in business coaching has become just as important as expanding knowledge within the hair craft. In 2020, her first product, air+grace oil, was launched. The pandemic also brought about the creation of handmade resin hair art, which you can find in our web store + salon. Building this brand, traveling with + elevating the team is Erin's biggest goal for the future.

She / Her

After more than a decade in the industry, Grace decided that she wants to specialize in color over cutting. Whether she’s creating the most natural dimensional effect, achieving corrective hair color goals, or mixing up a rainbow- the guests in her chair are always just as excited about their new look as Grace is.

Grace has a vast educational background that overlaps with a lot of Erin + Chelsey’s past experience. Not only has she attended education from every color provider she’s worked with, but she is a vital part of apprentice training within crown. She has also been part of numerous GoodDYEyoung-related events like styling hair at Bonnaroo + Parahoy, helping people shop the brand, as well as having her salon guests wearing GDY be shared with the online community.

When she’s not behind the chair, you’ll most likely find her out on the town with her bff Bogan. (And hey, even when she’s in the shop, he is always by her side!) A major drive Grace has is for travel, especially with Tommy. Travel to see friends, taste test a new city, to see a concert, or for a fun work trip… all good :)

She / Her

Also known as "Ches", Chelsey is almost 10 years into this craft, despite having a few spinal surgeries under her belt. With her pup George by her chair side, she loves painting a balayage finished with a bangin' blowout, but is truly inspired by edgy/weird/out of the box haircuts. Ches has had various education sessions with brands like Oribe and Bumble & bumble, has had hair + makeup work published in print by Auxiliary Magazine, and has also been posted on American Salon's social platforms. It seems everyone in Buffalo (and beyond) knows Ches. Even Buffalo Spree named her as a Taste Maker in 2016. Her dream is to never stop learning, and to take her talents around the world, doing hair + makeup for a touring band.

Chelsey has the most contagious laugh, and you’ll always find her out exploring our lovely city. Bike rides with herr fiancée Ben, a good read in the park, or dreaming up crown’s next big plan- she’s not slowin down any time soon!

She / Her

Cara joined the team in the Fall of 2018. She + Grace had worked side by side leading up to the opening day of crown. They found they were very like-minded when it comes to hair, and finally reunited. We love having “CatMom” on the crew, her infectious laugh, and drooling over her work.

Cara specializes in natural, lived-in texture. Her focus has grown to shaping natural, wavy, curly textures. She’s also known for her shag + “baby shag”, inspired by education from razor master Jayne Matthews in Spring 2019. Her cutting background includes having attended a 5-day intensive Sassoon cutting class.

When CatMom’s not behind her chair, she is probably chillin with her furry friends Bronson + Sneakers, dreaming of a future puppy. She + her partner Melvin love the outdoors, spending tons of time fishing + at the cabin. But there’s no worries when Buffalo summer fades, because she’s ready to rock her Zubaz + cheer on the hometown team. Go Bills!

She / Her

Karen joined us in early 2019, but she is no stranger to this crew. She has worked alongside both Grace + Cara in past years. She specializes in blonding services and lived-in colors. One of her signature services is a balayage-foil hybrid, resulting in a vibrant but natural blonde. Karen’s personal style inspo gravitates toward 70’s aesthetic plus a lil glam.

When she’s not behind the chair, you can find her hanging out with her furry friends Ghost, Ladybird + Dobby, deep in a good book, prepping for Halloween or planning her next quick getaway to see a new city. Karen also recently started a smash-hit earrings company called Buffalo Fringe! Did you know Karen + Greg were the first crown family wedding!? She’s got us smilin every day.

She / Her

Audrey is an all-around artist. She's been in the field professionally for over 6 years, but her inspiration began long ago. In the beginning, makeup application was her go-to when procrastinating college homework. There, she found her true passion. She is experienced in graphic and special event makeup, soft day looks, dramatic night out faves, and everything in between. Audrey draws inspiration from artist Pat McGrath, Melt cosmetics, and even her own North Buffalo neighborhood.

Audrey is available for special event makeup as well as a more lesson-based application. She’s a great guide to anyone who has makeup questions.

Her makeup work has not only been featured in Buffalo Spree Magazine, but also regularly featured on Good Dye Young’s social media.

When she's not putting on a face, you can catch her hanging out with her lil birdie Elsie + kitten Edgar, visiting our friends at Lloyd, or creating fiber art with hoops. We're so thankful to have Audrey on the team + are all envious of her talent.

She / Her

Marissa has been with the team since October 2018. She’s diving right in to the industry, seeking to expand her craft. Marissa is particularly interested in extensions + hair pieces, clipper cutting, and fantasy colors. She specifically want to focus on hair pieces so everyone can have their dream hair, regardless of natural state.

Marissa has been eager to attend any education we can offer in the shop + beyond, studying on her own often. She recently attended the Babe Hair Extensions Mastery program, as well as multiple cutting classes from Surface.

She’s one of the hardest workers we know, but when she’s not behind the chair, catch her seeing live music at festivals, on a hike, or chillin with her cat Stavi. We love our “Monni”.

Tommy’s been working with us behind the scenes for years, and has now joined us as Operations Manager. He is one of the founding members of Shitty Hawkins, our twice-yearly dance party fundraiser. He also recently started Slow Burn Studios with our dear friend Pat Galante. (Take us to Flavortown, buddy!)

We couldn’t be more proud to grow our team with him on board. Customer relations, taking awesome photos, being a dog Dad + the best in-salon DJ: He’s the perfect addition to our family here at crown.

Lauren joined the crew in Spring 2021, after years of being friends + everyone at crown having done her hair. She’s always bringing new + creative ideas to the table, whether behind the desk or alongside us at the chair. We have such a unique opportunity to have someone who can not only bring their cosmetology license skills to the table, but also has experience coordinating a team of artists like us. She’s a pro concierge!

When Lauren’s not at crown, catch her hangin with her pup Moo, or kitties Shrimp + Biscuit. She’s everyone’s biggest supporter, cheerleader, and motivator. So pumped to officially have her as part of the crew.

Sarah is truly the start of change in our industry. We’ve worked along side her for years, and starting in January 2019, crown + MJ. Rose began an unprecedented partnership in Buffalo. Sarah + husband (our hair brother) James Hickey had an amazing opportunity to snag a North Buffalo space in Fall of 2018. With Sarah being at her own family’s studio, yet loving the collective atmosphere of crown, she is still going to collab with us regularly in education + special events

She specializes in techniques like balayage + dimensional blonding, upstyles, and men’s grooming. Sarah is always ready to participate in any education that will enhance her skills, often traveling to do so. When she's not in the salon, you'll most likely find her hanging out with her husband + kids in the great outdoors, always dancing. They also have not one, but two, dogs as well as a rescue cat + bunny!

crown X MJ Rose =
#communityovercompetition

To book with Sarah at MJ. Rose Salon, click here.

He / Him

Chris has been working with us behind the scenes since before we opened, and 2020 brought a new chapter: the need for a media content creator!

Not only does he keep up the shop + its equipment, but he’s the one responsible for our murals project and most of the videos on our page + socials. Most recently, he’s been stepping into commercial + lifestyle photography.

Whether he’s snapped your pic at Sh*tty Hawkins, or you’ve been in one of our shampoo chairs, Chris has made those things possible. If he’s not at his day job or helping us, he’s probably hiking in the woods, swimming in the lake, or creating more adventure videos for his own YouTube channel. Can’t wait to see what fun projects we create together!

Insta + Youtube

Rose left this world after an intense battle with stage 4 triple negative metastatic breast cancer on March 12, 2021. She taught us everything, started crown with us + we will never be the same without our original Hunni.

We made a supercut of our video memories.