About

Kamala Kirk
Co-Founder, Editor-In-Chief

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk

Contact: kamala@spaandbeautytoday.com

Lizzy Sherman
Co-Founder, Chief Content Officer

A University of Michigan graduate, Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning writer/editor. You can also find her work in publications including Healthline, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo!, MindBodyGreen, Men’s Journal, Bezzy, and more. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @zillizy, @zillizy16

Contact: lizzy@spaandbeautytoday.com

Mina is a University of California Irvine graduate where she studied Biology and Economics. She is entrepreneurial at heart and passionate about wearing many hats for companies in their infancy stages. For over a decade, she has been working with exciting new companies across various industries including software, spirits, and skincare. Mina’s favorite hobbies are rock climbing, skiing and shooting pool. Follow her on Instagram @mina_monkey.

Marianne Dougherty

Marianne Dougherty is an award-winning writer, editor and publisher, who has twice been a finalist for a Golden Quill Award for journalistic excellence. Predicting the day spa trend, she founded American Spa magazine in 1998. She has also been editor in chief of American Salon, Launchpad, and Shades of Beauty magazines. In 2023 she published her first novel, What We Remember, which was a Mariel Hemingway Book Club selection. Follow her on Instagram: @mariannedoughertyauthor. Or visit her website: mariannedougherty.com

Tara KP Troszak

Tara KP Troszak is an LA-based lawyer, self-proclaimed cat lady, writer, and freelance makeup artist for MAC cosmetics. She lives in the San Fernando Valley with her husband Nick and her cat Chevy. Follow her on Instagram: @makeupbytkp.

Alisha Racker

Alisha Racker’s beauty career has spanned over a decade as she's worked as a master esthetician, skin care PR-pro, and freelance writer.

She lives in the beautiful mountains of Salt Lake City with her husband and children. Follow her on Instagram: @slcbeautybabe.

Mandy Bleich

Mandy Bleich is a longtime veteran of the ad tech field. One of her greatest loves and passions is hot yoga, which she religiously practices and teaches. She is constantly striving to make the world a better place through her ongoing activism around human rights. She is the proud mama to a beautiful rescue snowshoe cat named Olaf.

Rachel Henry

Rachel Henry is a licensed esthetician, skin care educator, and founder of Spa Harmony at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center in Washington, Pennsylvania. She is a singer/songwriter and graduate of Musicians Institute in Hollywood where she met Joni Mitchell, who came to hear her perform. Follow her on Instagram @rachelvere. Or contact her: rachel.spabeautytoday@gmail.com.

Amanda Christensen

Amanda Christensen is a writer and editor based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with experience covering a range of business, lifestyle, and tourism topics. She has a passion for traveling and experiencing the world through a multitude of lenses, using her work to share with readers how they might best accomplish that themselves. View her work at amandachristensen.journoportfolio.com.

Robin Tolkan-Doyle

A native Angeleno and face mask fanatic, Robin Tolkan-Doyle has worked in the beauty industry for more than 25 years writing beauty articles for magazines, launching a hair accessories company and running @CharmedPR, a PR & marketing agency focusing on all things beauty.

Donna Sozio

Donna Sozio is a career luxury travel, wellness, wine, and beauty writer. She's written for JWM Magazine, 5280 Magazine, MSN.com, ThePlumOnline.com, TheCultureTrip.com, OrganicAuthority.com, and more. A twice published author and book coach when she’s not writing you can find her traveling throughout Mexico and Europe. Follow her adventures on Instagram @DonnaSozio

Molly O'Brien

Molly has lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California, studied abroad in Barcelona to perfect her Spanish minor, and earned a degree in journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before moving to Los Angeles where she currently resides. She's passionate about health and wellness, and happiest when she's traveling or writing (even better if it's both at the same time!) As a creative hobby, Molly runs her own Etsy shop "BeautyTransformed" with personally handmade necklaces, from which a dollar from every purchase goes toward the National Alliance on Mental Illness." Follow her on Instagram: @metropolitanmolly

Patty Serrato

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Patty Castellon is a two-time Emmy award winning producer who has worked in the entertainment industry for 16 years. After many years of tracking lifestyle trends by some of the most prominent celebrities in the world, she has developed a true passion to connect audiences with the latest news in beauty, fashion, and wellness. Patty is LA based, living with her husband Cesar and their three children. Follow her on Instagram: @pattylynnpix

Dahvi Shira

Dahvi Shira is a West Hollywood, CA-based journalist with more than a decade of editorial experience. Stemming from a background in news and entertainment at People.com, Shira primarily covers beauty in all forms. She currently contributes to Glossy, Real Simple, Mane Addicts, IPSY, Well+Good, Molly Sims' YSE Beauty blog, and her personal lifestyle blog Skyelyfe.com. A University of Oregon Journalism school graduate, Shira is a proud Duck who spends her free time staying on top of TikTok trends, maintaining her skincare routine and taking solo road trips. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

Sharael Kolberg

Sharael Kolberg is a nationally published travel writer whose work has appeared in U.S. News & World Report, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Robb Report, Sunset, Outside, Thrillist and others. She focuses on adventure, wellness, and luxury travel. Her work can be seen at Sharael.com.

Bridgette Redman

Bridgette, who is a second-generation journalist, fell in love with spas and travel while working as a writer and editor for 16 years at the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. As a freelancer for the International SPA Association, she co-wrote two textbooks, nine workbooks, and numerous case studies on spas. Her freelance career began in the 80s and she has written for publications in Michigan, Arizona, California, and Texas along with several regional and national publications. She is a committed storyteller who loves sharing narratives which improve people's quality of life and build community. Born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in Lansing with her husband and son. See more of her writing at bridgetteredman.com.

Melissa Tillman

Melissa Tillman (@pictureit_likethis) is the Founder & CEO of Nonprofit Growth Advisors, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm established to help nonprofit organizations create efficient and sustainable processes and programs that lead to growth and long-term impact for the communities they serve. She has a passion for human rights, adventure, and pampering, and finds her balance by chasing spa days and sunsets around the world.

Elise Minton Tabin

Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with over 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine for 13 years, where she oversaw and reported on all things beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health, and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch and continual growth of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. Currently, she freelances for NewBeauty, Dermstore.com, Aedit.com, Mollysims.com, StyleCaster, The Sunday Edit, and other outlets. She currently lives in Boca Raton, FL, with her husband, daughter, and dog, Franklin. Follow her on Instagram @elisetabin

Sable Massingill

Sable Massingill is a PR pro, brand consultant and freelance writer who loves to explore the intersection of beauty, travel, and creativity. She has worked in all facets of the media landscape from public relations to on-camera work for almost 10 years.

Her commitment to storytelling has taken her to Helsinki Fashion Week in Finland, the first sustainable fashion week in the world, to learn more about eco-friendly supply chains; to the Sahara in Morocco to collaborate and work with women’s Argan oil cooperatives. Follow her on instagram @sablemassingill

Lotus Abrams

Lotus Abrams is a San Francisco Bay Area-based writer who has written articles on topics ranging from beauty and interior design to business and tech in her multiple-decade career. Her work has been published in Marin Magazine, Nailpro, Beauty Launchpad, Brit+Co, PUNCH, SoCal Design, SPACES, American Salon, Chicago Agent, and more. Follow her on Instagram: @lotusabrams_writes.

Jody Miller

Jody Miller is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles with a primary focus on beauty, spa, travel, fashion, and dining. She has a BA in Social Science and completed an accredited aesthetics program. Jody believes having this background gives her a unique insight and knowledge about beauty and skincare. She has been fascinated by travel and other cultures since she was a child, and savors every travel opportunity and experience.

Jennifer Novoseletsky

Jennifer Novoseletsky is a proud Illinois State University alumna with a journalism degree. She has been writing and editing for more than seven years—three in the skin care industry. While her heart lies in the city of Chicago, she currently resides in the suburbs, but is drawn to mountains and the outdoors. 

Erin Dougherty

Erin Dougherty earned her undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from Seattle University and a Master’s in English from Duquesne University. She has been Associate Editor at Launchpad magazine and a contributing editor to American Salon magazine.

Natalie Arroyo Camacho

Natalie Arroyo Camacho is a beauty, lifestyle, and well-being writer with more than five years of experience. She's indulged in self-care at 50 spas nationally and internationally—including locations in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mexico, Morocco, and France. Keep up with her best life on Instagram: @personatalieeee.

Lauren K. Malott

Lauren K. Malott is an Albuquerque-based award-winning marketer and a freelance writer with a love for all things beauty and wellness. Outside of work, you’ll find her indulging in New Mexico’s famous green chile, creating art, and playing with her oversized but adorable cat. Follow her on Instagram: @laurenkmalott

Emilie Branch

Emilie Branch has more than a decade of experience writing for beauty and lifestyle publications including Allure, Beauty Launchpad, Beauty Store Business, and NailPRO. She was most recently a contributing editor to Mane Addicts. Emilie is based in New York, where she lives by the beach with her young family. 

Shaena Engle

Shaena Engle is a lifestyle, travel, entertainment, and food writer for a variety of publications including the Los Angeles Times, AOL, The Daily Meal, Justluxe, Perception Magazine, NARCity, The WeHo Times, and the San Diego Union Tribune, among other outlets.  She has authored three books, The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Las Vegas (Globe Pequot Press), The Best Places to Kiss in Southern California (Beginning Press, a romantic travel guide) and Silver Linings: Triumphs of The Chronically Ill and Physically Challenged (Prometheus Books). She is also an amateur magician and often writes on gambling, poker, and magical happenings. She travels the world covering stories and resides in Los Angeles.

Helen Hwang

Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications. She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.

Katherine Lawless

Katherine Lawless is a Minneapolis-based travel and lifestyle writer who has covered topics ranging from Norway’s Michelin Star restaurants to Minnesota’s top ski areas. She is interested in stories that inspire readers to seek culturally enriching experiences and live a well-rounded life. View her work at katherinelawless.squarespace.com.

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Jennifer Nied

Jennifer Nied is a freelance writer who resides in New York City with her husband and her dog Poppy. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she has spent the last decade writing and editing for print and digital publications. She loves adventuring around the world on her snowboard and her running shoes. Follow her on Instagram: @jennifer_nied

Chanin Victor

Chanin Victor is an LA-based travel writer, photographer, content creator and strategist who focuses on inspiring family travel and promoting cultural connection. With a degree in Art History from UCLA, she has lived across the U.S. and abroad, including summers in Monaco, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and studying at the Sorbonne. Chanin writes the monthly "Travel Trends" column for a local newspaper and contributes to several online and national publications. When she’s not exploring new destinations, she enjoys time with her daughter and their adorable Shepsky, and is a strong advocate for wellness as a foundation for a balanced life. Follow her travel and lifestyle adventures on Instagram @chaninvictor.

Lisa Tsering

Lisa Tsering’s career spans journalism, copywriting, movie reviews, and much more. Her work appears in the Hollywood Reporter, in Salon, on iTunes and Apple Music, and in the San Francisco Chronicle, i-escape.com, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Times of India. 

Over a 20-plus year career as an international journalist, she interviewed countless Bollywood stars and global VIPs (such as Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and Oscar winners) and won numerous awards. Follow her on Instagram at @lisatsering and see her work at lisatsering.me.

Alex Burke

An award-winning composer and musician, Alex Burke has been seen playing alongside Bob Dylan in his concert film “Shadow Kingdom,” on the MTV Movie Awards, the Tonight Show, and Michael Bublé's Xmas special on NBC. He has recorded with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, David Lynch, Fiona Apple, Margaret Cho, and composed music for numerous tv shows. When not in the studio or composing, he tours regularly where he frequents spas whenever possible.

Ann Krisha Buenaobra

Ann Krisha Buenaobra is a radically self-accepting model, beauty content strategist, creator and co-founder of Pearl Society, a community collective bringing enrichment through experiences. She has been creating digital and IRL spaces for every story to be told—and heard—freely. Over the last 10 years, she has worked at companies such as TikTok, Cherie/Bytedance, TheRealReal, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and DHC Japan as a writer, editor, and/or content strategist.