Meet Our Staff

Tamara Henry

When Tam purchased Merle Norman Medicine Hat back in 2007, she did it for one reason: to share her passion for all things esthetics with the community where she was born and bred.

Today, some 14 years later, Tam has seen it all. Flourishing economies. Recessions. And now, a pandemic. And she credits a sharp focus on her business mission for her ongoing success: to bring out the beauty in every client who steps into the studio.

Tam is a natural leader who is a certified esthetician, Merle Norman product expert, a Dale Carnegie graduate, and a Top 40 Under 40 award winner. She loves interacting with people and sharing her knowledge of make-up and skin care. While it’s hard for this entrepreneur to nail down only one favourite product, she will currently point to Skintelligent moisturizer as one of the best.

A strong believer in supporting local companies, Tam admires all small business owners and believes they truly drive economies and communities, and fuel innovation.

And besides knowing everything there is about Merle’s make-up and skin care products, Tam is a mean hula hooper and knows where the best Caesars are in every Alberta city.

Staycee Lebedoff

Staycee is a star nail technician, a make-up and skin care specialist, and our resident piercing expert. She’s also the only member of our team who can safely climb a ladder in heels, paint the walls in a skirt, and fix the plumbing without breaking a nail.

This down-to-earth Merle girl is approachable and hard-working and loves nothing more than to see clients and customers leave the studio feeling their best. Her favourite Merle Norman product is the Dual Action Makeup Remover because it doesn’t impact her sensitive eyes and it doesn’t feel greasy or leave a residue. As Staycee puts it, ‘one swipe and you’re done.’

When this certified nail and piercing whiz isn’t at work, you’ll find her watching Coronation Street and following everyone around in her house turning off lights. You’ll also likely see a Tim Horton’s steeped tea in her hands.

Staycee lives by the words ‘never dim someone else’s light so you can shine’ and she certainly loves to see her clients glow.

Kiara Taylor

Kiara, a former competitive cheerleader who has represented Alberta at international events, is also an accomplished esthetician. She is a graduate of the Alberta Academy of Aesthetics where she specialized in advanced medical esthetics including diabetic pedicures.

This driven make-up and skin care expert loves being around other strong women and credits her mother for instilling in her a strong work ethic and a belief that women can do anything they choose.

Kiara loves all of Merle’s eye shadows because she believes they’ve perfected the product by making them vibrant and easy to blend. If there is anyone who knows how to make your make-up pop, it’s Kiara. She is well-educated on all products and is skilled at finding the right product for each client’s unique look and style.

When Kiara isn’t at the studio, you’ll find her cooking or playing board games with her family and friends. And there may even be a glass of wine or a cherry whiskey and coke involved.

Dakota Darbyson

Dakota truly embodies what it means to be a Merle girl – she’s smart, she’s educated, she knows the Merle products inside and out, and she cares deeply about every client that steps into the studio.

A new graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing program, Dakota also has four years of advanced cosmetology under her belt. Her co-workers love her energy and turn to her when they need their make-up done for that special occasion.

Dakota is now working towards achieving her certification in cosmetic injecting... stay tuned.

Dakota’s go-to Merle product is the Ultra Powder Foundation. She loves the full matte coverage and says it’s the one thing she can’t live without.

When Dakota isn’t at the studio or doing her practicum at the hospital, you’ll find her at a local restaurant with friends followed by a backyard fire – with maybe a peach Bellini thrown in as well. Just don’t cancel plans last minute as that is what gets this make-up superstar fired up.

Dakota credits her sister with keeping her grounded and always listening and offering up some sound advice.