Wherever you are, be there totally.
~ Eckhart Tolle

Cris was raised in a salon environment starting at the early age of 5, where she was exposed to the power of the beauty industry by observing her mother's work. In her early 20’s, she traveled the world and truly discovered who she was and wanted to become. She discovered that her creativity, knowledge and education are qualities that she wanted to share with others. She observed how the essence of beauty can greatly impact a woman’s confidence, self esteem and overall quality of life.

The virtues, talents of Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana and Coco Chanel have all impacted her curiosity of what beauty really means.

Before moving back to Austin, Cris spent several years in the Midwest working in the telecommunications industry to then deciding to go to beauty school and become a manicurist. Her career took off as soon as she graduated and became an independent contractor and became a specialist for sculptured nails. After many years of deliberating, it was time to move back to Texas and go to school for cosmetology. Cris spent several years in some of Austin’s top salons, such as Saks Fifth Avenue where she worked behind the scenes of Austin’s most prestigious fashion shows sponsored by charity organizations i.e. (March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen, Austin’s Dancing with the Stars, and Austin Children’s Shelter ). She worked numerous photo shoots for magazines most of which were local such as Tribeza, Austin Monthly, Brilliant, and many more. In addition to her hairstyling experience at Sak’s, she also worked in aesthetics, makeup and nails, all of which helped her facilitate what she wanted to offer in her dream salon.

After leaving Sak’s Fifth Avenue she switched to a new path as an independent hair stylist at Salon Si Beau of Westlake. It was there that Cris not only continued to compliment her hairstyling with nail art, but ventured out to master the wedding industry. Starting with just a few friends, Cris now has over a hundred weddings under her belt. Her determination, ambition and motivation are what kept her on the right path to the future opening of Dolce Salon. In 2007 she took a leap of faith and started Dolce in a small vintage house off of Lake Austin Blvd turning her dream into reality. During this time she took numerous courses enrolling in multiple certification programs for cut and color. She attended an intensive cut and color training course at Vivianne Mckinder Hair Academy in New York City where she mastered alternative complex colors and artistic precision razor cutting styles for modern trends and techniques. She has perfected the art of extensions and is a top specialist in several hair extension types such as Hot Heads and is certified in Great Lengths Extensions.

With Cris it all comes down to making the world a better place and making each and every one of her clients experience the best it can be. Not only will you receive professional, top of the line styling, coloring and consulting, but you will get the chance to experience her inner beauty, fountain of wisdom, and a chance to spend time with a genuinely kind and warm soul.

Making people feel happy and beautiful
because we are all stars.

Giacomo’s love of beauty and spirituality manifested itself while growing up in Rome, Italy. He soon parlayed his passion into a successful beauty and hair care career. Giacomo has acquired an impressive celebrity clientele, having styled everyone from supermodel Claudia Schiffer to Oscar winner Marissa Tomei. After opening successful salons and manufacturing companies in both New York and Los Angeles, he made the move to Austin, Texas. There, Giacomo and his team developed a new line of innovative hair and body care products, meant to heal “hair, body and soul.” Both his talent and products have been featured in national print magazines including Allure, Vogue and Harpers Bazaar.

Inspired by color! I started my love with color when I was in grade school quiet and shy and found I could shine my personality through by dressing in full spectrum bold color outfits without the need for me to express myself through words. For the past 7 years as a stylist and colorist, I have been creating blends of art that fit the client’s personalities and entice new freshness to their lives. I am also inspired by rich tones, especially in the fall. If I could do rainbow hair all day I would, but I also enjoy painting on highlights and working with many of my clients who have gray coverage and lift them up on an energetic level regularly maintaining the color they love.

I encourage and work to create healthy hair above all else and believe that healthy hair is happy hair. I love to educate my clients on how best to style their hair in the easiest and quickest way. I love working with natural waves and curls and providing the tools and techniques for clients to manage and embrace their waves and curls.

I am passionate about natural health and wellness and using animal friendly and conscious product lines. I am excited about our flagship product line, Oribe, since it is compostable, animal friendly and vegan. And at Dolce we are free to explore the product lines that work best for each client’s hair.

My life and world is bright, colorful, airy, natural and lively. I love to bring that energy to everyone around me and everywhere I go.

Because you are alive, everything is possible.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Quality and perfection does not have to take a long time if it’s your passion”

Inspired by beauty, colors, and superb quality, Tia has been a perfectionist from the start when it comes to her work and personal life. Tia is one of eight children and when her family was invited and rescued by the American government through asylum from the Vietnam War, immigrating to Austin in 1984. She has been instrumental in raising her siblings and helping her parents get acclimated to the new environment. Through her journey she now speaks four languages fluently.

She first worked at IBM in the electronics department for seven years. She then earned her cosmetology license in 1994. In 1999 she opened and operated her own salon for 15 years. She now has over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry. While she is experienced in all areas of nail technology. She continues her education to bring the most current styles and trends to her clients and is a lifelong student. For Tia, safety and quality go hand in hand.

Tia’s best gift is her most welcoming personality. She is compassionate, helpful, honest, and always positive. And what she is most loved for is her intuitive nature and ability to share and guide with an open heart. Come experience Tia’s love and passion and amazing talent and skill in nail technology beauty!

Nothing ever exists entirely alone.
Everything is in relation
to everything else.
~ Buddha

Cynthia started her love affair with hair at 15, when friends and family lined up to have her work her magic on them. Professionally, She has been in the salon business for 15 years, learning, creating, and building bonds with clients and coworkers alike. Cynthia’s knowledge, infectious laugh, and fantastic sense of style will have you feeling your best after each and every visit.

She also volunteers her time to helping others; currently involved with Divorce Care for Kids as a teacher. She also volunteers for SXSW helping interactive and musicians get around her beloved Austin.

Cynthia’s simple, giving, and heart-felt personality shines through in everything she does, whether that means her joy in seeing clients transformed into something new, perfecting that one-of-a-kind hair color, or spending time with her family and close circle of friends, Laughter and a sincere appreciation of others are her driving forces.

Having settled in Dolce Salon, Cynthia has finally found her niche! Cynthia’s knowledge, infectious laugh, and fantastic sense of style will have you feeling your best after each and every visit.

I always strive to do my best. I am an avid animal lover with a strong chemistry with dogs. I am also active outdoors. Aside from hair I practice Reiki Healing. Helping people exemplify their own natural beauty gives me meaning.

I was introduced to cutting hair at an early age where as a child I would cut my family’s hair with household sheers. However, I didn't decide on hair styling as a career until later when I met my mentor, Phillip George. He saw the talent in me and urged me to pursue hair dressing as a career. I took his advice and began working under him as an assistant and now the rest is history. 

After mentoring under Phililp George I trained under “World Barber Champion” Julian Catchpole. I then traveled to Paris, Italy, New York, and California where I continued my education. I became a certified master color expert through Wella professional certification program and master DevaCurl certified.