Hi, I’m Brenda Amaral, owner of The Gwen Mireille Salon & Spa.

If you’ve ever visited GMSS—or even just followed us on social—you probably know and love our girl Tess.

Tess is one of the kindest, most creative, compassionate, and hard-working humans we’ve ever had the honor to work with. At just 21 years old, she’s not only a beloved stylist and teammate—she’s family.

Recently, Tess received an unexpected cancer diagnosis. After months of tests and procedures, we learned on June 10, 2025, that surgery isn’t an option. She will now undergo radiation treatment.

We’re gutted—but we’re not helpless.

We want to remove as much of the financial burden from Tess as we can, so she can focus on healing, not bills. We’ll be running:

An open donation station at the salon front desk

Giveaways

An after-hours fundraising benefit with food, music, and community

In the meantime, her schedule will stay the same until her treatment plan is finalized. We appreciate your patience and support as we navigate this uncertain time together.

Please donate what you can. Share this with your people. Every dollar, every kind word, every act of support counts.

We love you, Tess.

F#ck Cancer.