A woman with blonde hair smiling, wearing a white cropped top and blue jeans, standing in front of a wall of pink and purple leaves.

  • Michelle is the founder and owner of Sugar Santa Barbara, a thriving sugaring and airbrush tanning studio she launched in 2017.

    What began as a small, safe space for men and women to remove unwanted hair and feel empowered in their own skin has since blossomed into a full-service beauty destination.

    Over the past eight years, Sugar Santa Barbara has grown organically to a team of 10 and has expanded three times in size.

    Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Michelle returned home after a few years in Los Angeles to be closer to her large local family. She started the business when her daughter, Cora, was just one and a half years old, as a single mom determined to create a life of independence and purpose.

    Today, Sugar Santa Barbara is a reflection of her vision: a clean, modern, high-vibe space where clients can feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful—whether they come in for smooth skin, a glowing tan, or a little boost of self-love.

Two women standing back-to-back outdoors, smiling and crossing their arms, with palm and house in the background.

  • Jaclynn has been an integral part of Sugar since day one, working behind the scenes as Michelle’s right-hand woman and playing a key role in shaping the business into what it is today. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michelle finally convinced Jaclynn to get licensed—and she’s been hands-on ever since.

    Today, Jaclynn wears many hats. While she now sugars just one day a week—balancing her time with her growing family—she continues to manage the operations side of Sugar with care and precision. From keeping the studio fully stocked and running smoothly to supporting the team and ensuring every detail is on point, Jaclynn remains the heartbeat behind the scenes.

Meet the Team

  • A woman with long blonde hair smiling, wearing a beige long-sleeve shirt with 'sugar' written on it, blue jeans, and a black belt, standing against a plain white wall, holding a yellow gummy worm in her gloved hand.

    Michelle Richardson, Owner 

    Sugarista since 2010. Offers Full Body Sugaring, and Manzilians (Male Brazilian) 

  • A woman with long wavy hair smiling and holding a green cleaning glove with yellow sponge on her hand, wearing a white shirt with 'Sugar' written on it and blue jeans, standing against a plain light-colored wall.

    Jaclynn Timpe, Manager

    Sugarista since May 2021. Offers Full Body Sugaring 

  • A woman smiling and holding a caramel candy in her gloved hand, wearing a white shirt with the word 'sugar' and standing against a plain light-colored wall.

    Amanda Alexander, Sugarista

    Sugarista since May 2023. Offers Full Body Sugaring and Brow Waxing

  • A young woman with long, wavy blonde hair smiling, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt with black text that says 'Sugar', and a green glove on her right hand, holding a yellowish gummy candy against a plain light-colored wall.

    Alyssa Rose, Sugarista

    Sugarista since July 2024. Offers Full Body Sugaring, Brow Sugaring and Waxing, Brow Color Infusion, and Brow Laminations

  • Honey being drizzled from a wooden stick onto a pink background.

    Brianna Betancourt, Sugarista

    Sugarista since March 2025. Offers Full Body Sugaring

  • Young woman with curly hair, smiling, wearing a white shirt with the word "Sugar" and holding a gummy bear in her hand, standing against a plain wall.

    Erika Alvarez, Sugarista

    Sugarista since October 2023. Offers Full Body Sugaring, Brow Sugaring and Waxing, Brow Laminations, Brow and Lash Color Infusions, and Lash Lifts

  • Close-up of honey dripping from a wooden stick onto a pink background.

    Kari Farmer-Hubbard, Sugarista

    Sugarista since August 2022 (Kari lives in Vegas and works at Sugar occasionally when she is in town). Offers Full Body Sugaring

  • A young woman with long wavy hair, smiling, holding a piece of colorful gummy candy in her gloved hand, wearing a white shirt with the word 'sugar' written on it, standing against a plain white background.

    Maile Agress, Sugarista

    Sugarista since December 2023. Offers Full Body Sugaring, Brow Sugaring and Waxing, Brow Color Infusion, and Brow Laminations

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a cream-colored sweater with the word "Sugar" on it, blue jeans, and a necklace with an "S" pendant, smiling and holding a yellow gummy candy in her gloved hand against a white textured wall.

    Sienna Stockwell, Sugarista

    Sugarista since October 2023. Offers Full Body Sugaring, Brow Sugaring and Waxing, Brow Color Infusion, and Brow Laminations

Two women with curly and wavy hair enjoying drinks in front of a neon sign that says 'FEEL GOOD, MAKE' in a light-colored room.

At Sugar, our commitment is to provide professional, all natural hair removal services for all people of all ages in Santa Barbara and the surrounding area.

Contact us today to make your next appointment whether you're a first timer or a long-time fan of sugaring.

A woman receiving a tattoo on her upper arm from a tattoo artist in a bright, modern studio with plants and white furniture.

We love sugaring our clients! Having a beautiful space to create comfort is top priority for us. Our Sugaring studio in Santa Barbara is beautiful, clean and peaceful.

A woman taking a mirror selfie in a room with white walls. The wall behind her is decorated with small potted plants and a neon sign that says 'happy' and 'lemont' in blue. The woman is wearing a white cap, dark top, and jeans, and is making a peace sign with her hand.
A woman with long brown hair, partially visible, holding a black circle sign with the word "sugar" written on it in white cursive, in front of lush green tropical leaves in a jungle-like setting.

Get Sugared