Kathleena Gorga Conscious Beauty

Kathleena is the real deal. Her business is called Conscious Beauty and it lives up to its name, more and more over time.
I originally hired Kathleena to do my hair for my wedding in 2009. She was very easy to work with and gave me exactly what I wanted. I wanted a very natural look vs looking done up. Often stylists overdo it, but she listened and delivered exactly what I wanted.
Since then I have gone for hair trims and blow outs over the years.
Today I went in to see her to discuss some concerns I had about my hair. She not only was able to assess what was happening and make recommendations but in speaking with me she uncovered some of the emotional issues that were driving my concerns about my hair. It was incredible to see that what I thought was a problem with my hair was actually not a problem with my hair at all. I left my time with her much more calm, peaceful and feeling beautiful and thrilled with my hair even though today we didn’t do a thing to change it.
The incredible thing about Kathleena is that she sees the inherent beauty in you. Anything she does with your hair, and I imagine make up and her other services, brings out the best parts of you. It is not about changing you to make you look better. It is about making the best you come out.
She herself is gorgeous, healthy and classy. Makes you wanna have what she is having.
Go see her!

Kathleena is everything everyone else has said about her and more. She is extremely gifted stylist and colorist. She took the time to explain to me why a shorter, more layered cut would frame my face and be more becoming. She listened carefully to what I wanted as far as color and cut was concerned. Beyond that she is an extremely interesting and warm person to interact with. I felt very relaxed and well taken care of and confident that I would be happy with the results after all the foil was removed. I couldn’t be happier with the results and I feel very fortunate that I «found» Kathleena. I will certainly continue to have her take care of my hair and I look forward to getting to know her better.

Kathleena Gorga knows her craft. I was invited to a special evening event with a special new gentleman in my life. I was nervous and uncertain as to what to wear and wanted to feel comfortable but special about my appearance. Kathleena met me exactly where I was. She helped me decide which outfit supported my sense of ease and grace the most —- and then, uplifted my make-​up and hair design from my ordinary to what became that «je né sais quoi’ quality that had my best features highlighted. It turned out that I could meet the new experience feeling more myself, yet internally pleased with myself. Just a fine combination of skills Kathleena has available.
I was so impressed by how Kathleena met «me» — my concerns and confusion — that after the make-​up, hair, and wardrobe session, made an appointment for Kathleena’s coaching work. Her work as a life coach is somatically centered and integrally grounded. It’s clear to me that Kathleena is here to serve the soul coming to life.
Thank you, Kathleena!
Kate Jones

I cannot say enough good things about Kathleena!
She did my hair and makeup for my wedding and made me look and feel beautiful and pampered.
She even did my trial on christmas eve so that I could fit it into a holiday trip since I live out of the area– so sweet. I showed her some vague ideas of what I wanted and she came up with exactly what I was looking for.
It was wonderful — I felt exactly how you want to on such an important day — the best I’ve ever looked ;) Everyone raved about the updo she did for me – it was so gorgeous!
She also did hair and makeup for my mom and sister and they loved her too! She did airbrushed makeup and individual false eyelashes on all of us which was really top notch.
We also decided to buy a package that she offers where she stays through the ceremony and does styling for the photos. She’s basically there to take care of you. I DEFINITELY recommend this! It was a very hot day and she made sure we stayed flawless the whole time — even had a big gold umbrella to make sure we didn’t get burned or too hot. She has film experience and that was clear from her good eye while we took photos. She helped style us and even gave my husband some powder so he didn’t look sweaty or shiny. It was such a relief not to have to worry about doing my own touch ups for the pictures and right before the ceremony. There’s enough stress on the day — it’s such a good idea to have someone there to just take care of you: D She has a very calming presence too, which is super important and not the case with all makeup artists.
Do yourself a favor and hire Kathleena for your wedding — you won’t regret it!

As good as it gets indeed. Kathleena was dear enough to beautify me on an early Sunday morning, two hours before my CAL graduation took place — no one else would. I love how respectful and attentive she was when I told her about the natural, healthy look I had envisioned. I also greatly enjoyed our conversations about life and beauty, and I think she’s an industry rockstar. I recommend Kathleena for anyone who wants the best of both worlds: skilled in her craft and genuine in her ability to engender confort and ease. At the end of the experience, I was in a great place and had amazing hair and make-​up to boot.

I finally got tired of blow-​drying my hair to try to be smooth and straight and decided to try to go with what God gave me — wavy/​semi-​curly hair. So I researched for someone good at cutting my type of hair and found Kathleena. Hallelujah! She has made it possible for me to finger dry my hair and go out looking good — and still have the option of blow-​drying if I want to. As I got to know her more, and learned more about how much she knows about fashion and style, I started having her do my eyebrows too — and love it. She is style forward while being grounded. One side note — I recently went to a fancy bar mitzvah and noticed how good the hair looked of the boy’s mother. Turned out that Kathleena did her hair! And the style was so different than mine that it made me even more confident in Kathleena as I see what a wide range of styles she handles.

Kathleena did my hair and makeup for my wedding last month. During our «first look» prior to the ceremony, my spouse started crying and had a look of awe on her face. She said I was more beautiful than she had ever seen me, which was EXACTLY what I had hoped for when hiring a makeup artist. Yet my face was still mine, understated and classy.
Kathleena was kind enough to arrive early to her studio– 6:30am. And she really put me at ease on the most nerve-​wracking day of my life. She was open, kind, and insightful. I really enjoyed talking to her, and I’m glad I spent the first hour and a half of my wedding day with her. I highly recommend her!

I honestly could not recommend Kathleena highly enough. She and her team did an EXCEPTIONAL job at my wedding. I have never seen my mother look so beautiful.
The quality of her work is amazing — she is obviously a very seasoned professional. She is no newbie to the business — if you want to work with a pro, she is it.
Having her there wedding day was my saving grace. Her calming way was exactly what I needed to get me through the day.
She obviously cares so much about her work in addition to the fact that she was incredibly professional.

I saw wedding pictures at a friend’s house and had to ask, ‘Wow, who did your hair and make-​up!?’ She told me enthusiastically that Kathleena Gorga, Conscious Beauty founder, was the amazing make-​up and hair artist responsible for her gorgeous look. I had been searching for just someone like Kathleena to do hair and make-​up for a website photo shoot. My photo shoot happened before I met Kathleena and I had to redo my own make-​up after another «make-​up artist» did it. Now Kathleen does my hair. She brings out the best in my appearance with her thoroughly creative artistry. I don’t have to search anymore. I’ve found just what I needed in a stylist. She’s the best!!!

I went in to Kathleena’s salon in desperate need of a hair cut and color. As soon as I stepped in to her very cozy shop, I was at ease. Immediately Kathleena was brainstorming on ideas for my hair (very damaged and the color was way overdue for a touchup). I walked out looking like a million bucks! Kathleena has a rare eye for what looks best for people that cannot be learned or replicated. She’s a natural.

I absolutely love Kathleena. She was fabulous. I eloped in Calistoga and Kathleena did my make up and hair. Not only she did a wonderful job, but she also was very professional on the way she managed through our long distance relationship. We communicated via email and phone only through the entire planning process since I live in Philadelphia. I met her in my hotel 2 hours prior to the ceremony and she rocked!
I loved Kathleena’s work ethic, her artistry and her view of beauty and life.
Learn more about Kathleena through her
site.

Kathleena was so great. She did my hair and makeup for my wedding along with my Maid of Honor and my flower girl. I was really nervous about my makeup for the wedding. I wanted a really natural look and any time I had gone to other makeup artists they always way over did me. Kathleena really listened to me and worked really hard to get me exactly what I wanted. Her main goal is to make you happy and feel beautiful and she did exactly that! On the day of, she was totally calm and worked quickly to get everyone done. She came to my Dad’s house and set up in our family room. My hair was also amazing. She did soft waves in it and pinned a gardenia in my hair. My hair lasted through my whole wedding and so did my makeup! I couldn’t have been more happy with how I looked on the day and it’s all thanks to Kathleena!

Kathleena rocks.
I have hired her to do my hair for my wedding in June. I was so impressed just by our trial session yesterday I had to write a review right away.
Kathleena is honest and straightforward, and pays great attention to who you are and what you want. She is very talented and knows what she is doing.
And is great to talk to.
Being with her was a very nurturing and fun experience– I highly recommend it.

Kathleena gave me The Best Hair Cut I Have Ever Received (which lasted for almost a year!). She is a very talented, loving and experienced hair and makeup artist. She is at ReVive Salon in Berkeley.

Kathleena is amazing! I have had the pleasure of having my hair done, my wedding party’s hair and make up done, and a Conscious Beauty session with her over the past few years. Her dedication to helping everyone find their own inner beauty then translate that into what people see on the outside is truly a gift. She listens to your needs and desires then goes to work to create the masterpiece to enhance you. Unlike others in her field, she is much more focused on her artistry than for the gift of gab or attending to multiple things at once (ei: phone, other customers, etc.) When she is with you, you have her complete and total attention. I always leave feeling utterly beautiful!!!
I love her new sanctuary, Revive in Berkeley at 1601 Hopkins. It is truly a small slice of Heaven. When you walk through the doors, you breathe in the naturalness of the space. The sweet smell of the essential oils of the products (not at all overpowering) tickles your nose. The artwork and overall décor is subtle with a holistic feel about it. I look forward to my return visit soon!

Kathleena Gorga teamed up with Sarah Hyde (see my review) to do the hair and make up for a bridal party I was in last weekend. Both of them do both hair and make up, but Kathleena was in charge of hair for the six of us.
What I loved was that she did styles that suited each of us and that we each felt great about (rather than trying to make us all look like clone dolls). I loved my half-​up hair do and the bride’s mom looked lovely in soft curls. The up-​do on the bride was unbelievable and lasted all night.
She has been in the biz for 20 years and is a complete professional. She is also neat to talk to – a yogi who also does great work with disabled people.