By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos by Matt Johnson
In the heart of Louisville lies a haven of relaxation and beauty: J Michael’s Spa & Salon. For years, J Michael’s has been a cornerstone for those seeking top-notch beauty treatments and a rejuvenating escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With an impressively wide range of services and premium ethically sourced, natural products, J Michael’s is dedicated to helping clients look and feel their best. It is truly a one stop shop that caters to the needs of each individual.
“Our vision for J Michael’s was always ‘comfortable luxury’. I want our guests to feel like they’re having a luxurious experience, but I want that experience to be available to all.” says owner Jill Higginbotham, “I asked a cross section of individuals, ‘what don’t you like about what you’d consider an upscale or luxurious salon?’ and many said ‘I don’t feel comfortable, I don’t feel like I belong.’ We strive to treat our guests like family, which is also shown in how close our team is. We want every one who walks in to feel comfortable - to become a part of our family.”
“Getting a hair, makeup, facial, or even just a wax service - those are personal experiences and I don’t think people realize how personal they can be. We want to make sure J Michael’s is an environment where you feel like you’re at ease and get the experience that you want. We want to curate your reservation to provide all the services you need.” Jill compassionately says.
J Michael’s Spa & Salon is renowned for its exceptional hair care services. Whether you’re looking for a haircut, a vibrant new color (and believe me, they have just about any color you can imagine), or a transformative keratin treatment, their team of skilled stylists is ready to deliver. “I love to give people their dream hair, the hair they never thought they could have,” says Co-owner and Master Stylist Kara Biery. They offer precision cuts, short cuts, a vast selection of hair extension options, creative coloring techniques, balayage, ombre, and highlights - amongst many other options - to ensure that every guest leaves with a look that perfectly suits their personality and lifestyle. Their care for their guests doesn’t end at the salon, as guests are given guidance on after care to get the most longevity out of their beauty investments and thebest overall long-term results. There is a stylist foreveryone at J Michael’s, and they each have their own unique strengths and specialties. Kaiti Venable is an Innovative Stylist with a real talent for textured hair, “Curly cuts really matter. We specialize in each individual curl type, whether it’s a really big coil or a small coil, we’re going to find that perfect shape for that person,” she says. “We also take into consideration the color and differenttreatments we do on the hair.”
Beyond hair care, J Michael’s offers an array of spa services designed to pamper and rejuvenate. Their facial treatments, using high-quality skincare products, cater to all skin types and concerns. From anti-aging facials to acne treatments, their skilled estheticians tailor each service to meet individual needs. The spa also providesrelaxing massages, body scrubs, and wraps that leave guests feeling refreshed and revitalized.
“I am a licensed Massage Therapist specializing in deep tissue and trigger point therapy,,” says Caleb South, Massage therapist and Essential Stylist. “The whole reason I do what I do, as a hairstylist Educator for Eufora International, and as a Massage Therapist, is to make people feel better about themselves. That’s my goal. I get to make people feel beautiful, I get to bring people relief and make them feel more confident and more relaxed.”
“I studied massage at Advanced Massage Therapeutics.he owner and teacher was Muhammed Ali’s personal massage therapist as well as the massage therapist for the Louisville Cardinals for many years, so he’s got a lot of great experience. They have one of the highest pass rates for massage therapy licensing and tests in the country, and I am very grateful to have learned under him,” Caleb continued.
For those looking to enhance their nails, J Michael’s also offers expert manicures and pedicures. Using the latest techniques and high-quality polishes, the nail technicians ensure that every guest’s nails are beautifully groomed and polished to perfection.
Special occasions call for special treatments, and J Michael’s excels in providing stunning makeup applications and classes for events and weddings led by Makeup Artist & Essential Stylist, Mariah Lebre-Sanchez. Their bridal packages include hair and makeup consultations and trials, ensuring that every bride is part of crafting their look, helping them feel beautiful and calm on their big day. The team’s expertise in makeup artistry ensures a look that is both timeless and breathtaking as well as safe for your skin, as J Michael’s Spa & Salon prides itself on using and offering only the best products in the industry.
“We are an education forward salon - everyone here takes constant continuous education courses,” says Jill. Their team of professionals regularly attends training and workshops to stay updated on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty industry. “Also the idea is to be able to serve anyone who walks in the door. So, we are not a salon that specializes in one thing, we have a really large, varied menu. We want to make sure that when you walk in, you can pick what you need for you. All of our stylists are very different, they excel at different things and we allow them to flourish in the areas where they thrive, and of course educate them in the areas that aren’t their strongest. Because of that, we have a stylist for everyone and that is, to me, the most important thing.”
Master Stylist Stephen Lewis is a loved and cherished veteran in the beauty industry and has been with J Michael’s from the very beginning. “ You know, the support that you get here does make your life so much easier, and the education training is something I’ve never had before,” he said. With his longest guests spanning back nearly 40 years, he has a reputation for his talent as well as his ability to relate and connect with anyone that walks through the door.
J Michael’s Spa & Salon has built a legacy in Louisville, becoming a trusted name in beauty and wellness. Their reputation for delivering outstanding results and unparalleled customer service has earned them a loyal clientele. Whether you’re a longtime guest or a first-time visitor, you can expect to be treated with the utmost care and kindness. With so much to offer, it’s difficult to know where to start, but the staff at J Michael’s will guide you through with ease and leave you feeling right at home and in safe hands.
THIS AND MORE AVAILABLE AT J MICHAEL’S SPA & SALON
HAIR: WOMEN’S HAIRCUT • MEN’S HAIRCUT • SHAMPOO + STYLE • SPECIAL OCCASION STYLE • PARTIAL HIGHLIGHT • FULL HIGHLIGHT • BALAYAGE • COLOR RETOUCH • ALL OVER COLORCREATIVE COLOR • COLOR CORRECTIONS • FLASHWAVE • HAIR EXTENSIONS
SPA:PORE CLEANSING FACIALS • WAXING • HYDRA • FACIALS • MASSAGE • BODY TREATMENTS • SPA PACKAGES • MANI + PEDI SERVICES
COSMETIC: EYELASH EXTENSIONS • EYELASH LIFT + TINT • MICRO BLADING • BODY CONTOURING • CAMOUFLAGE TATTOO • LIP BLUSHING / POWDER BROWS
MAKEUP:APPLICATIONS • LESSONS • AIRBRUSH
For more information and to schedule a reservation, visit www.jmichaelsspaandsalon.com.