Our Staff

Absolute Salon's is staffed by highly trained and skilled professionals dedicated to helping you. If you are a stylist looking to join a team like this, please contact the salon.

David Collins - Owner, Senior Stylist, Makeup artist

While attending Tennessee School of Beauty, David began working at J. Herrera Salon in Oak Ridge. After graduating, he was encouraged by the owners of the salon to learn as much as possible about hairdressing and makeup artistry both inside and outside the salon.
This led to work with The Oak Ridge Playhouse, designing makeup for shows under the watchful eye of Jim Herrera. And later, creating hairsyles for The Knoxville Opera Company after apprenticing with Sandra Herrera.
This experience gave him the opportunity to do hair work on the motion picture October Sky starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
More recently, David has worked with the Knoxville Pops concert series, doing hair and makeup for guest artists Art Garfunkel and his wife Kim, as well as Martin Short.
After working with the Herreras for ten years, David and his wife, Jennifer, opened Absolute Salon in 2004.
Now in its new location, the salon is able to offer clients even more choice in services.
David's friend Stephen Brown has him working outside the salon again for his segment on WBIR's Style show. Click on Glitterville in the links section to check it out.

Meghan Hays - Apprentice Stylist

Donna King - Senior Stylist

Donna is a 1985 graduate of Tennessee School of Beauty. In addition to training and performing backstage work with Redken, she has also trained with Jingles International, and Trevor Sorbie. Donna did her apprenticeship work in Knoxville, TN in 1986 at Metz & Kerchner, which at the time was the largest privately owned salon in the nation. Since then Donna has concentrated on "Precision Cutting" - a form of haircutting that involves precise measuring and ensures an even haircut with symmetry. She is also proficient in highlights and haircolor. Honesty and a "no nonsense" approach to hair is what Donna is well known for in our community. In her spare time, Donna enjoys photography, motorcycling and the outdoors.

Christie Long - Stylist

Christie is a 1999 graduate of Tennessee School fo Beauty. After graduation she began working and training with Jim and Sandra Herrera, and David Collins at J. Herrera Salon in Oak Ridge.
She left the salon in 2001 to relocate while her husband attended college. After working at various salons in Johnson City and Sevierville, Christie returned to her native Kingston and began working with David again at Absolute Salon. In the salon, she loves working with people to find the hairstyle that works best for them, and in the process making them feel good about themselves.

Lara Morrow - Senior Stylist/Nail Technician

Lara graduated in 1991 from Jon Louis School of Beauty in New York. She comes with experience from several New York salons.

Lara has knowledge in all types of hair services. She has had some celebrity clientele and has been a master colorist specializing in corrective color and foiling. Her nail experience spans over 20 years with knowledge of many phases of artificial and natural nail care. Lara is known for her spunky personality and perfectionist approach to achieving the results her clients want. She believes in the importance of listening, since everyone expresses what they want differently. Her mission is to learn your “hair” language and work with you to develop your own personal style. She is married to a Chattanooga native and has three sons. She enjoys family activities, the outdoors and loves the color purple.

Kristen Poppy - Massage Therapist

Kristen is a Licensed Massage Therapist with 7 years experience. She received her training in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Ivy State Tech College. She graduated with an Associates Degree in 1999, completing the 1000 hour Massage Therapy program. She has worked primarily in salon and spa settings, including an upscale spa in Chicago. Kristen's goal for her clients is to help create a state of balance within the body through relaxation and specific therapeutic techniques. Kristen is an active member the American Massage Therapy Accociation. She has lived in East Tennessee for 2 years where she has purchased her first home.