Meet Our Team

Stacey Palancia, Owner, LE

Stacey Palancia has had a life long love for beauty and skincare. After receiving her BA in theater from Marymount Manhattan College she decided to switch gears and study to become an Esthetician, where she discovered her life’s passion. She received her diploma from IAAS in CT in 2005. After 12 years working at prestigious spas in CT, she decided to begin her own business. Always dreaming of a beautiful boutique where she could carry the finest curated beauty products that she had discovered and where she could also offer holistic clinical facials that delivered on the results people were looking for.

Skin + Tonic opened in 2019 and has been built on Staceys desire to help others feel beautiful in their own skin. At Skin + Tonic, she specializes in creating treatment plans for her clients to encourage their skin to reach its healthiest potential. She is a Pastiche Advanced Skin Diagnostician and can help you heal more complicated skin conditions such as premature aging, acne and rosacea by addressing your internal and external health. Stacey is also certified in Microcurrent Therapy, Gua Sha facial massage, Neosculpting and Buccal Massage, Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, Loose Connective Tissue Therapy, Microcurrent Body Sculpting and Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Stacey is also a brand ambassador since 2023 for the medical skincare line, Environ Skincare, created by world renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Des Fernandes.

Danyelle Connors, LMT

Danyelle is a 2001 graduate of Hofstra University where she studied Fine Arts. She went on to study bodywork at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy and graduated in 2005 from the clinical program with a Connecticut and New York license. Her modalities include Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, cupping, lymphatic drainage, and therapeutic
stretch techniques. Danyelle has an interest in treating sports
injuries, ailments, chronic issues but also helping people relax and feel better. She enjoys helping her clients achieve their health goals.

Merci Beaucoup,
Danyelle Connors

Michelle Marma, LE

Michelle graduated from Capri Cosmetology in 2021 and is licensed in both New York and Connecticut. She is so excited to be starting her journey as an esthetician here at Skin + Tonic! Michelle has had a growing passion for skin care since the age of 12 and strives to help others feel confident in their own skin and embrace their natural beauty. With her ongoing education in the field including Pastiche advanced skin analysis training, specialized Environ courses, and an upcoming training in Gua Sha & Thai Herbal Poultice, she aspires to deliver the best education to her clients in an approachable manner and have everyone leave feeling satisfied and feeling beautiful.

Erin Bassano, LE, Reiki Master

After receiving a BA from Temple University’s branch campus in Tokyo, Japan, Erin decided to pursue a career in esthetics and holistic healing. A graduate of the Institute of Aesthetic Arts and Sciences, Erin is CT state licensed and has a passion for skincare and beauty that started with her cosmetology license in 2016. With her love for spirituality and healing she has been studying meditation for over 10 years and received her Masters in Reiki in 2022. The combination of helping people feel beautiful inside and out is what drives her to learn and grow constantly. Erin is additionally certified in Environ Cool Peels, Waxing and has a growing knowledge of skincare science.

Ellie Schmus, LE

Ellie has had a passion for skincare, entrepreneurship, mental health, and overall holistic wellness since she was little. Her fascination for skincare really grew when she struggled with acne and inflamed skin at age 17. She started to do research and tried many different methods to help treat her skin. She questioned the many methods of treating the skin and wanted to learn more. Ellie graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BS in Business Administration in May of 2023. She then started esthetician school in February of 2024. She graduated from the Oxford Academy of Hair Design in June of 2024 with honors and many certifications including makeup artistry and waxing. She is driven to help others feel beautiful about their own skin and overall well being. She is thrilled to be working at Skin & Tonic and to be able to incorporate all her passions into one place. She is additionally certified in Environ Cool Peels, two levels of Reiki, and will continue her education in order to provide the best experience for her clients. 

Book a service with one of our passionate and talented service providers today! We cannot wait to help you feel amazing.