Megumi Nakama



It was love at first sight when Megumi came into the salon that day and asked if we might have an opening.  Within minutes, we knew this exceptional young woman had that warm and free spirit and that genuine love of life that we seek and honor here at Joseph Michael’s.  And then we saw what she could do with highlights!  Frankly…we were blown away.  You simply do NOT see that level of maturity and skills in young stylists.  Since that day, we’ve seen this ten-year veteran develop a confidence and further hone her skills and become an exceptional asset – not simply to our business, but to this industry.  A Bumble & bumble guru and network educator (who, as we write this, is on her way for yet another training in New York!), Megumi specializes in hair texture.  She has a Herculean gift for blow drying curly hair straight, but she is the first to encourage her clients to accept the natural texture of their hair – whether it is straight, wavy, curly or combination – and “work with it, not against” it.  Similarly, Megumi meticulously uses color and highlights to enhance and thus “work with” a cut and accent its lines.  That’s our Megumi…  You know, just as Megumi fondly remembers the day, right before high school graduation, when she walked past a salon and looked into the window and liked the future she saw for herself, we fondly remember another fateful day…when a young woman walked in front of, paused, and came in a salon called Joseph Michael’s.

Megumi's men's haircuts are $70 and women's are $80, colors start at $80 and
highlights $120.

Lisa Yu



Lisa is one of those special people that you run across too rarely in life.  She is talented, trustworthy, dedicated, sincere and smart.  Before attending Cosmetology School at Steven Pappa George Hair Academy, Lisa graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in Finance.  While in Cosmetology School, Lisa worked as a Shampoo Assistant with us and quickly became the favorite of stylists and clients alike.  Her confident touch and out-of-this-world massage skills have served her well as she starts her new career as a member of our award-winning Nail Department.   Some might wonder why a Finance graduate decides to pursue Cosmetology.  While Lisa enjoys working with numbers, she loves “beauty” more.   With a goal of owning her own salon someday, she’s got the perfect combination of business and beauty already built in.

Lisa loves doing nails because she gets to “bring out the beauty in our most useful body part.”  Her other interests range from books to movies and music and working out and she has a life-long goal to travel as much of the world as she can, experiencing and seeing all the wonderful beauty in the people and cultures that populate the world.  For Lisa, “The artistry behind nails has told a story since the beginning of time, and I just hope I can carry that legacy in providing an extension of expression for those who wish to accentuate their inner beauty through the tips of their gorgeous fingers.”

Nicole Ciesla
Esthetician





Nicole is certainly one of those gems you find once in a blue moon.  As a person as well as a technician, Nicole exemplifies all those rare qualities such as sincerity, kindness, compassion and humor that we all relate to and admire.  It is easy to see how her considerable experience in many aspects of the beauty industry has helped her hone these skills along the way.  From Color Assistant to Spa Coordinator, Nicole learned the ins and outs of the business and found her true passion in skin care.  Nicole has experienced success earlier than most having risen to Spa Manager and Head Esthetician at the first spa she worked with here in Chicago.  Although she specializes in speed and full body waxing, Nicole very quickly became certified in Microdermabrasion, Dr. Schrammek’s Green Peel and Epicuren after joining Joseph Michael’s award-winning Spa Team.

Besides being technically proficient (and then some!), Nicole is one of those exceptional human beings we treasure here at Joseph Michael’s.  In her quest to make herself and the world around her a better place, Nicole volunteers at the Lakeview Food Pantry and with the Chicago Books for Women in Prison collective.  Not only that, but because of her amazing example Joseph Michael’s has also become regular supporters with Book Drives, Coat Drives and volunteering.  She’s also done walks for breast cancer and Children’s Memorial and organized a relief caravan for hurricane Katrina victims and their pets.

You just have to trust us when we tell you how life altering it can be to become a part of Nicole’s world.  It is no lie that kindness begets kindness- we have proof!  You’ll discover when you meet her and step into her room that she is not only funny and sweet but will pamper and pretty you till your hearts content!