Our Team

Instagram: @dolcesalonaustin

*Cris is not accepting new clients at this time, unless it's through a referral.

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.

Instagram: @appleinpeace

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 eight 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.

Instagram: @ninathehairfairy

Hi, I'm Nina!

I began my journey into the world of hairstyling in New Jersey at the age of 17. Inspired by the pages of fashion magazines and an innate passion for creativity, I embarked on a path that would fuel my life's work. From creating beautiful color work and styles to inspiring confidence and beauty to radiate from the inside.

My commitment to my craft led me to become a respected educator for 5 years, sharing my love for colors and styling with stylists all over the states. I've always believed in continuous growth, and I've pursued further education with industry luminaries like Oribe, modern salon, jzstyles, L’Oreal. 

My love for creation and transformation has been showcased in prestigious publications such as "The Colorist," "Modern Salon," and even "Pelererquis Spain." My work isn't just transformative, it's a vibrant canvas of self-expression.

In 2019, I had the honor of receiving a coveted nomination at the North American Hairstylist Awards, a recognition of my dedication to the art of hairstyling, makeup, and fashion.

With over 11 years of experience my hands have painted countless canvases of hair, each a unique masterpieces to bring out the most radiant version of you. 

Beyond the color brush and my artistic palette, my true passion lies in empowering women, enhancing their inner beauty, and igniting their confidence in themselves.

In my free time I am usually the hunt for inspiration, exploring boutiques around the city. I believe that great style is a continuously evolving journey.

Instagram: @beautytalkby_em

Born and raised in El Paso, I decided to make the bold move to leave to Austin. I graduated from El Paso community college where I got my cosmetology license back in 2018. Lifelong passion for hair has led to my licensure of 5+ years. I'm certified in tape in extensions, and have taken multiple color classes. I specialize in blonding and extensions but I have done it all from make up, facials and bridal up dos. I strive to make my clients feel beautiful and leave my chair with confidence. Besides beautifying I love to work out, hang out with my dogs, friends and family and basically stay active whether it be indoors or outdoors. I'm a big believer in having faith and hope because it leads to having perseverance in your everyday life and I think that's super important. Just living everyday like it's my last and enjoying every minute of it.

Instagram: @hairbyashleerenae

Hi! I’m Ashlee Renae and I’m a Junior Hairstylist and Makeup Artist at Dolce Salon. I started working in a salon in high school and fell in love with everything that was hair and being in a salon environment. I loved watching everyone make people feel beautiful. I grew up always doing different things to clothing to make them my own and my personal style. I also loved changing my hair and being in the salon and feeling how I did when I was there. I was a dancer as well and have always been involved in the arts. Hair was another outlet I was so intrigued by and needed to know everything about. After high school I went to The Aveda Institute and completed my 1600 hours in 2020. After that, I worked as an assistant at the salon I was working at for a stylist I looked up to so much. She taught me so many things and continues to til this day. I have done additional classes through my salon and with her as an educator and can’t wait to still continue my knowledge with hair. After 5 years of being in the salon environment and being a stylist for 3 years, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else! I love making people feel beautiful and listened to, and it’s something I strive for in every client that sits in my chair. I have continued my love for reworking my clothing and have turned it into my own small business, called Not Ur Friend, reselling and reworking clothing. I will always promote sustainability, and conscious shopping to help combat fast fashion and the over pollution of clothing (: 

Instagram: @creations.by.alaura

Hi, I'm Alaura! I'm a hairstylist with a heart as big as the Texas sky, now proud to call Austin home for the past six months. I was born and raised amidst the coastal charm of Corpus Christi, and I'm excited to bring a dash of warmth and southern hospitality to the Dolce Salon team.

My areas of expertise shine in the realms of blondes, hairstyling, and haircutting, but my journey as a stylist is more than just about transforming hair. What inspired me to become a hairstylist is my genuine desire to make women feel beautiful and foster lifelong relationships with women from all walks of life. It's not only about creating stunning hair; it's about sharing stories, learning from different life experiences, and sharing laughter along the way.

I started my hairstyling journey in 2021, and in May 2023, I made the bold move to Austin alongside my partner, driven by a hunger for personal and career growth. Beyond the salon chair, I thrive on keeping busy. My hobbies include embracing the great outdoors, finding solace in nature's beauty, and sewing, where my creative spirit runs free.

I believe that women often carry numerous roles in their lives, whether as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, leaders, aunts, workers, or friends. In the midst of juggling these roles, it's easy to forget self-care, and that's perfectly okay. It's this understanding that fuels my passion for the beauty industry. I know the importance of restoring someone's light and confidence, and it means everything to me. To me, being a hairstylist is not just a job; it's a calling to empower and bring back the glow to those who deserve it most.

Hello beautiful, I'm Angela, a proud Texas native with over 20 years of experience in the skincare industry.

My venture into skincare unfolded in the early 2000s when I embarked on a journey to discover my passion. In 1999, I earned my degree in interior design and shortly after, realized my heart truly resonated with different passions. Venturing into esthetics, I pursued night classes and graduated from Jenissa Beauty Academy in Austin, TX. Post-graduation, I embarked on my career at Luxe Apothotique. However, the turning point came in 2005 when I discovered my true professional home at The Beauty Store in West Lake Hills. There, I dedicated 18 years of my life until their recent closure. Today, Dolce Salon stands as my new sanctuary.

Over the course of my career, I've garnered a wealth of certifications and immersed myself in a diverse range of classes, including Reflexology, DermAware Professional Skincare, Dermalogica Pro, and Yon Ka Paris training in California. My specialization extends to energy healing practices, featuring sound bath therapy, and the thoughtful integration of crystals into my facials. Committed to providing the most current and effective treatments, I prioritize continuous education, staying on top of the latest trends and techniques in the ever-evolving field of skincare.

Beyond the realm of skincare, I find joy in a variety of interests, including traveling, gardening, cooking, dancing, and reading. I bring this diverse range of experiences and passions into my work, aiming to provide not just a service but a positive and beautiful experience for every client. My mission is for you to feel beautiful in your skin. I look forward to the opportunity to help you discover and embrace your beauty, ensuring that your experience with me is truly transformative.