Our Stylists

Don Lee brings over 30 years of hair salon experience to Spruce Hair Salon in Durham, NC, and he has the kind of calm, confident energy clients love in a stylist. He’s easy to talk to, great at listening, and knows how to turn “I want something different, but not too crazy” into hair that looks polished, flattering, and expensive.

Don specializes in women’s haircuts, men’s haircuts, hair color, highlights, dimensional color, styling, perms, and classic salon services. Whether you want soft, natural-looking highlights, richer brunette color, gray blending, a fresh cut, or a full color refresh, Don brings decades of experience and a sharp eye for what actually works.

At Spruce Hair Salon in Durham, Don works with clients from Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, RTP, and the greater Triangle area who want beautiful, wearable hair without the stress. His approach is relaxed but professional: he listens, gives honest guidance, and helps you choose a look that fits your face, lifestyle, and maintenance goals.

Book with Don if you’re looking for an experienced Durham hairstylist for hair color, highlights, women’s cuts, men’s cuts, gray blending, perms, or professional styling — and especially if you want someone who can make your hair look fresh, healthy, and elevated.

Specialties: Hair color, highlights, dimensional color, gray blending, women’s haircuts, men’s haircuts, perms, styling, classic salon services.

Samantha is an Aveda-trained cosmetologist and Bellami-certified master extensionist who believes great hair starts with hair health. Her approach is simple: protect the integrity of the hair first, then create a look that feels effortless, confident, and “you.” Now joining Spruce Hair Salon in Durham, Samantha brings behind-the-chair experience throughout the Triangle, plus a creative background that makes every service feel personalized. She’s calm, upbeat, and professional.

Samantha’s specialties include precision cutting (including razor and clipper work), polished blowouts, and restorative conditioning treatments designed to nourish and strengthen. She’s also known for dimensional color and corrective work—balayage, highlights and lowlights, and color correction—whether you’re going for subtle, lived-in brightness or a bigger transformation. If you love a statement moment, Samantha offers fashion and creative color, plus select straightening services, perming, and texture work.

Extensions are another core focus. As a Bellami master extensionist, Samantha is certified to install and educate on all five extension methods, helping clients choose the best option for their lifestyle, maintenance comfort, and hair goals. Her priority is a seamless blend, comfortable wear, and a plan that supports long-term hair health—so your results look natural and stay strong.

Before Spruce, Samantha served clients at salons including The Moxy Fox (Carrboro) with a focus on haircuts, blowouts, conditioning, and color services, and she’s also worked in Durham studios offering everything from rainbow balayage and color correction to bridal styling and special-event updos. She holds both cosmetology and barbering credentials, and she’s known for clean finishing details—like straight-razor necklines when appropriate and elevated, photo-ready styling.

Beyond the salon chair, Samantha has deep experience in creative styling and image work through her ongoing editorial and personal styling projects, where she’s helped clients define their look with confidence. She also studied fashion merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology, which reinforces her love of proportion, texture, and overall aesthetic—skills that translate directly into modern cuts and balanced, flattering color placement.

Clients describe Samantha as warm, honest, and detail-driven. She takes time to listen, asks the right questions, and explains the “why” behind her recommendations, so you feel confident about your choices. Whether you’re booking a maintenance refresh, a full-color change, extension install, or event-ready styling, Samantha is excited to help you leave Spruce feeling like your best self. Expect clear aftercare guidance and product recommendations that match your routine, not someone else’s. Book with Samantha for healthy, high-impact results

Jennifer is a highly skilled stylist known for her precision, consistency, and expertise in men’s haircuts. With a strong passion for creating tailored styles that complement each client’s personality, lifestyle, and grooming preferences, she brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to every appointment. Her work is defined by clean lines, balanced shapes, and a polished finish that looks just as good weeks later as it does on day one.

Jennifer believes a great men’s haircut starts with understanding the individual. Every service begins with a thorough consultation, where she takes the time to listen to each client’s goals, daily routine, and maintenance expectations. This allows her to customize each cut—whether it’s a timeless, classic look or a modern style with texture and edge—so it feels natural, wearable, and easy to maintain.

Her technical skill shines through in everything from traditional scissor-over-comb techniques to precise fades, tapers, and detailed finishing work. Jennifer has a sharp eye for proportion and symmetry, ensuring each cut enhances facial structure and personal style. She is especially known for her ability to refine and elevate a client’s existing look while keeping it true to who they are.

At Spruce Hair, Jennifer offers a welcoming and discreet salon experience designed to feel relaxed, comfortable, and unrushed. Clients appreciate her calm, professional demeanor and the private, one-on-one attention she provides during each appointment. Her goal is to create an environment where guests can unwind, trust the process, and leave feeling confident and refreshed.

Jennifer stays current with modern men’s grooming trends while maintaining a deep respect for classic techniques. She continuously sharpens her craft through ongoing education and hands-on experience, allowing her to seamlessly blend traditional barbering principles with contemporary styling. This balance enables her to serve a wide range of clients, from professionals seeking a clean, refined look to those wanting something more current and expressive.

Beyond technical skill, Jennifer is known for her approachable personality and genuine care for her clients. She values building long-term relationships and takes pride in being a stylist clients can rely on for consistency, honesty, and expert guidance. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality ensure that every guest leaves her chair looking and feeling their best.

Whether you’re maintaining a signature style, updating your look, or trying something new for the first time, Jennifer provides a personalized, high-end grooming experience rooted in precision, comfort, and trust. For men seeking a sharp, well-executed haircut in a refined salon setting, Jennifer is a standout choice at Spruce Hair.

Emma brings a warm, client-centered approach to every appointment at Spruce Hair.

Emma enjoys men's cuts and is equally at home with long layers, women's cuts, blowouts, and special event styling. Whether you're coming in for a trim or getting glammed up for a big occasion, Emma's versatility means you're in great hands.

What sets Emma apart is how genuinely she invests in the people she serves. She loves getting to know her clients — their stories, their interests, and the details of their lives — and she makes a point to remember the little things so that every visit feels like catching up with a friend. Don't be surprised if she asks about that trip you mentioned last time or how that big life moment turned out.

For Emma, the chair isn't just a place to get a great haircut. It's a place to feel seen, heard, and cared for.

Sara is a master stylist and colorist whose creativity flows far beyond the chair. With over 13 years of experience, Sara transforms hair into living art, infusing every cut and color with precision and a keen eye for the latest trends. Her journey began at Paul Mitchell the School, but it’s her client-centered approach and exuberant personality that set her apart. Sara specializes in custom color techniques, elegant event styling, and delivering the “wow factor” while making every client feel seen and heard. Blending technical mastery with an artistic spirit shaped by an interior design background, Sara delights in bringing beauty to life through vibrant color palettes and personalized styling. She’s a mentor to new stylists, a community advocate crafting prom looks for special needs children, and a grounding presence for her loyal clients. Organized, innovative, and always learning, Sara champions self-expression, confidence, and kindness with every appointment—making her not just a stylist, but the creative force clients cherish for life