Jenn Beattie
With over 40 years of experience in high-end hair styling, salon management, and professional education—25 of those in Darien, CT, and NYC—Jenn Beattie brings a refined, client-centered approach to every aspect of her work. Throughout her career, she has built and maintained a loyal clientele while delivering exceptional results in precision cutting, advanced coloring, and corrective color services.
In 2020, Jenn opened East of Equinox Day Spa, bringing her vision of elevated service, thoughtful design, and exceptional guest experience to life. Her professional background includes leadership roles in premier salons, where she has trained and mentored emerging stylists, implemented streamlined payroll and inventory systems, and driven measurable business growth. Jenn has completed advanced education with Goldwell, Aveda, Sassoon, Tony & Guy, and Sebastian, blending technical excellence with modern, fashion-forward techniques. She is also a Certified Goldwell Master Colorist.
Known for her professionalism, discretion, and meticulous attention to detail, Jenn is deeply committed to creating a luxurious, personalized salon experience that consistently exceeds client expectations.
Outside of the salon, Jenn and her husband, Ivan, own and operate East of Equinox Morgan Horse Farm, a family legacy that has been in the Beattie family since 1958. Breeding, showing, and selling some of the world’s most beautiful Morgan horses is truly their labor of love.
Barbie Staples
Barbie Staples began her career right here in Manchester over 22 years ago. After several years working in South Florida, Barbie honed her craft by attending monthly advanced education classes to stay on top of the latest trends and techniques. Her training included advanced cutting and color, extensions, and in-depth product knowledge—just to name a few. Barbie takes great pride in her work and truly loves what she does. For her, being a stylist is more than a career—it’s a passion built on creativity, connection, and confidence. Eventually, Barbie felt the pull of home and returned to the Green Mountains to be closer to her family and to start one of her own. She is a proud mama to her two precious daughters, who are the heart behind everything she does.
Annette Gallo
Annette has been the welcoming face and steady force behind the salon’s front desk since 2021. As Spa Coordinator, she oversees the day-to-day operations that keep everything running smoothly, ensuring both clients and stylists feel supported and taken care of from the moment they walk through the door.
Beyond the salon, Annette is also deeply rooted in the community as a real estate professional, successfully selling real estate and running her own brokerage right here in town. She truly wears many hats—and somehow manages them all with ease, positivity, and an impressive sense of balance.
When she’s not at work, Annette’s world revolves around her family. You’ll often find her cheering on her four children at their various activities or enjoying some fresh air at the dog park with her beloved Yogi. Her warmth, organization, and can-do spirit make her an essential part of the salon family.
Stephanie Baker
Stephanie comes to East of Equinox Day Spa with an innate compassion for all along with a highly developed intuitive touch and dedication to her endless journey of the study and practice of her profession as a Massage Therapist for over 16 years. She graduated from Bene’s Beauty Academy in New Port Richey, FL in 2008 and acquired her professional license in January of 2009. She specializes in a detail oriented/deeper level of massage therapy. You can call it deep tissue. Steph practices a blend of modalities including Thai Massage, Auth Forearm method, Athletic Massage, Active Isolated Stretching,
Shiatsu(trigger point therapy), Reiki, Prenatal massage, Hot Stone, Reflexology, and Ashiatsu barefoot massage. Her acute sensitivity and consideration for others make her a one-of-a-kind practitioner of the healing arts. And her passion for fitness, nutrition, self-care and personal development are an attribute to her long-term career in Bodywork and her ability to help others improve their lives. Steph believes that true self care is making the decisions that lead you to the greatest version of yourself. You will be deeply relaxed and feeling relief in as little as one session. Steph has vast knowledge in the benefits of massage therapy and its attributes to personal maintenance. Massage therapy activates the body's natural ability to heal and repair itself throughout all 11 systems of the body, making it a great addition to your wellness routine. Receiving maintenance treatments of massage can improve muscular tone which in turn enhances your strength, flexibility and resiliency. While her bodywork is deeper it is delivered with a non-aggressive approach that isolates areas of tension, i.e. “knots” and trigger points in your muscles. Steph is happily helping clients reduce and manage their pain from chronic conditions and overuse syndromes, maintain wellness, relieve stress and ease tension and anxiety. Monthly therapeutic massage is recommended for everybody, and what a great thing to look forward to each month on your wellness journey to achieving your goals. One hour on the massage table = productive relaxation.
Lien Nguyen
Lien has been a licensed esthetician since 2002, offering over two decades of experience rooted in thoughtful care, intention, and a deep respect for the skin’s natural rhythm. She began her professional journey at the Dermalogica Institute in California, where she built a strong foundation in skin health and advanced treatment techniques. Her path later led her to Asia, where she immersed herself in Eastern facial therapies, expanding her practice to include holistic, time-honored approaches to beauty and wellness.
Lien believes that true radiance is not something to be forced, but something to be gently supported from within. Her work is guided by the understanding that the skin reflects overall well-being, and that nurturing the body, mind, and nervous system plays a vital role in lasting results. Through mindful touch, gua sha, and lymphatic massage, her treatments encourage circulation, release tension, and restore balance—allowing the skin to respond naturally.
Each session with Lien is unhurried and personalized, creating space for both visible transformation and deep relaxation. Her goal is for clients to leave feeling cared for, grounded, and refreshed—glowing not only on the outside, but from the inside out.
Skylar Casey
Skylar was born and raised in Dorset and is proud to call the community home. She graduated from Burr and Burton Academy in 2021 and went on to attend Southwest Tech, completing her training in 2023. That same year, Skylar began her career at East of Equinox Day Spa, where she trained under the supervision of Jenn Beattie. Since then, she has been successfully growing a loyal clientele and is known for her dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for her guests.
Outside of the spa, Skylar spent three years as an assistant coach for BBA girls’ hockey, an experience that reflects her teamwork, leadership, and passion for supporting others. In her free time, she loves traveling to concerts across the country—and she’s a self-proclaimed Starbucks refresher junkie who never turns down an iced sweet treat.