Experience Beauty like never before with Amara
If you're looking for a high-quality hair salon experience, Amara is the place to be. Our stylists are passionate about hair and always stay up-to-date with current trends and techniques. We have a wide range of experience levels, from fresh out of beauty school to seasoned stylists. This means that we have someone to fit each client's needs. Our mission is to make each client feel heard and understood, and to provide them with a style that enhances their natural beauty. Book with us today to see what we can do for you!
MICHELLE OKLAND
Owner
My name is Michelle Okland. I started Amara in 2017 with a passion to create a welcoming salon with the best guest experience! I have done a little bit of everything in the industry. I worked as a commission based employee for five years, then a single suite owner for two years, after that, I started adding in employees in 2018. We now currently have 16 stylists at Amara. As an owner and boss I am passionate about raising up the next generation of hairstylists. I want my staff to be confident enough to stand on their own someday or fulfilled enough to be a part of a team! There are so many benefits to both! Business training is just as important for our staff as hair training. Teaching everyone how to build connections, and communicate a clients desires is at the top of our training list. Outside of the salon you can find me at home with my husband, Josh and our two kids, Kingsley and Elin. We call our kids the sour patch kids because one is always sweet and the other is always sour. We just never know who will pick which role everyday! My parents live in Ankeny and I love to spend time with my family as well. I’m obsessed with reading and trying new restaurants and I would love to hear your recommendations! Thank you for reading a little bit about me. I look forward to seeing you at the salon!
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ig: @MICHOKLANDHAIRCOACH
SHELBY PRITCHARD
Hairstylist/Mentor/Manager
Level 5
Hi! My name is Shelby Olson. My journey at Amara started when I was 13 years old sitting in Michelle's chair as a client in Huxley. When I was 18 and in nursing school Michelle convinced me to take a leap of faith and try beauty school instead with the promise to hire me if I liked it. Well, five years into working at Amara and I can honestly say I have loved every minute of being in this industry! My days are spent with the sweetest clients, stylists, and usually an assistant at my side. I love getting to work with clients and teaching at the same time! You will rarely find me without a coffee in hand while at work! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband Cody and our two kids Stella and Roman! We are in the thick of it with our kids being just 14 months apart but we love every minute of it! I also enjoy listening to podcasts, more specifically anything true crime related! My absolute favorite places to shop are Abercrombie, Free People, and of course...Target! This year I would love to get my hands in more blonde hair! Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope to see you at Amara!
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ig: @SHELBS.STYLES
MIKAYLA WILSON
Hairstylist/Mentor
level 5
My name is Mikayla Wilson, and I've been a licensed cosmetologist since 2017. I've been at Amara since the fall of 2019 when it was just three of us in a tiny suite! I absolutely love my career, and I love coloring hair the most. Especially adding beautiful dimension with a balayage or highlight. Whether it's going lighter or darker, I'm your girl! If someone asked me to describe myself, I'd definitely say I'm passionate, a go-getter, and class clown. I like to make things fun for everyone! When I'm not working, I enjoy my time with my husband Vaughn, daughters, Logan and Lainey and our dogs Rylie and Veda. If I hear a catchy tune, you bet I'm shakin' my booty along to the beat!
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"Mikayla is great at what she does. Truly and artist. It's wonderful to find someone you trust with your hair. Go see her! Let Mikayla be the person you trust with your hair." -Wynde P.
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ig: @HAIRBY.MIKAYLAWILSON
HOPE GIRLING
Hairstylist
level 4
Hi! My name is Hope and I've been at Amara for three years now! Behind the chair I love doing blended colors, gray coverage, or just highlights! I love having days where I get to see all of my regulars and make them happy. It brings me so much joy to build genuine connections while at work with both my clients and fellow Amara girls. Outside of work you'll find me at home with my fiancé Blake, hanging out with friends, or watching the Iowa game with my family. I love coffee, wine, shopping, and anything girly and aesthetic! Thanks for reading about me, I hope to see you in my chair and look forward to learning more about you as well!
ig: @HOPEGXHAIR
Katelin Goetz
Hairstylist
level 4
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Hi my name is Kate and I would love to be your hairtylist! Come to me if you love being outdoors- specifically the mountains- dogs, crafting, sewing, or just chillin and chattin! I love all things hair and getting to know new people!
I am moving to the Denver area this June so wrapping up my time at Amara and enjoying every last second of my time with my guests and the environment here!! I am writing down every formula and setting up my guests with the best fit for them for when I leave!
IG: @katelinkolors
Madelyn Jaeger
Hairstylist
level 3
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Hi! My name is Madelyn and I am originally from Stuart, Iowa. I knew I wanted to work at Amara and was totally willing to move somewhere new to make that happen! Since starting at Amara I have learned so much, grown so close to my clients, and built so many friendships! I'm a bit of a workaholic so if I'm not at Amara you can catch me working at Rise n Grind or working on my social media! Really though, outside of work I love to hang out with my family, friends, or lay out by the pool in the summer! Behind the chair I am most passionate about color and extensions! I'm really hoping to add in more extension guests in 2025!
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@hair.bymadelynj
Jade VanPolen
Hairstylist
level 3
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Hi! I'm Jade! I grew up in a small town in southern Iowa, called Albia. After high school, I attended Iowa State University where I spent four years obtaining my bachelors degree in business marketing. I loved ISU but always knew I had a creative pull to hair, so immediately following graduation in the summer of 22' I headed to the Aveda Institute. I completed the cosmetology program there and have been loving doing hair ever since! My favorite services to offer in salon are custom blondes, dimensional brunettes, and all over rich colors. I have a passion for color and love to enhance my clients featurs by elevating their natural hair color to the next level! When I don't have my hands in hair, you can catch me at the gym, trying a new restaurant, or at home watching a reality show. I can discuss beauty trends, mystery books, and wholistic health (I'm a bit of a research nerd) all day long so if this sounds like you- I'd say we'll have some fun appointments! I'm marrying my fiance, Tony, this fall and wedding planning has been really fun so far! My favorite days are spent with Tony and my family on Lake Rathbun in the summertime! I'd say thats enough about me, I cannot wait to learn more about you and hopefully see you in my chair soon!
IG: @jade.x.beauty
Ellie Ferlitsch
Hairstylist
level 3
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Hi everyone! My name is Ellie and I love doing hair so much! I have been at Amara ever since I graduated beauty school and I love my clients and environment here so much! If you want to learn more about my services just check out all of my rave reviews on our google page! Really though, I just love connecting with guests and making them feel beautiful. Whether that's a color service, or a bouncy blow out. I'm all about anything that brings hair back to life and confidence back to women! I love my work schedule because I feel that it has a perfect balance of daytime hours and evening hours with some days off to recharge in between! Outside of work I love shopping with my Mom, hanging out with friends, and going to concerts! I hope to see you in my chair soon for all of your hair needs!
IG: @elliexhairr
Lauren (Ren) Veit
Hairstylist
level 3
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Hey there! My name is Lauren Veit, also known at Amara as Ren. I grew up in Chelsea, Ia with my parents and two sisters VinLee and Vanessa. After high school I attended PCI Academy in Ames, Ia where I got to pursue my love for all things hair and beauty! During beauty school I quickly realized Amara was exactly where I wanted to be once I graduated. While in the salon you can find me assisting Addi a couple days a week. While taking my own clients Mondays and Saturdays! I love that I get to continue learning and further my education in this way. Behind the chair I’m very passionate about blonding, natural colors, and lived in looks. I am always watching tik toks to learn new tips and tricks! Outside of Amara you can find me at Starbucks as a barista, taking naps with my dog Berkley, or getting margaritas with my girlfriends. I’m obsessed with movie nights, target runs, and getting all dolled up! And as many would tell you, I always have a lipgloss close by! I look forward to chatting with you in my chair and making you feel as beautiful as ever!
IG: @by.laurennveit
Em Bray
Hairstylist
level 3
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Hey babes! If we haven’t met me yet, I’m Em Bray and I’ve been in the beauty industry since 2023. My favorite services are lived-in brunettes, grey blending, and hair cutting!
I grew up in North Saint Paul, MN, but most recently moved from Indiana to Des Moines in 2022 with my sweet husband, Jordan. When we aren’t snuggling our two cats at home, we are out exploring new restaurants in new cities. I’m so excited to get to know you & help you feel as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside. xoxo, Em
IG: @embray.hair
Kyla Cass
Hairstylist
level 1
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Hi everyone! My name is Kyla and I'm so happy to be at Amara. I grew up always knowing I wanted to be in the beauty industry and started my education with an esthetician license before getting my cosmetology license. I love all things beauty, skin care, makeup, and of course, hair!! God blessed me with the ability to do the cutest bob cuts and blendiest blondes. As a natural brunette I'm in love with darkening hair as well!
Outside of work you can find me hanging out with my family, traveling, or working out!
IG: @kylaxhair
Al Andriano
Hairstylist
level 1
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Bio coming soon!
IG: @alandriano.hair
Kassie Chadwick
Hairstylist
level 1
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Bio coming soon!
IG: @_hairbykassie