Claudio Lazo, the owner of C - The Salon has been my hairdresser since 1998. I was referred by my then fiance now ex-husband whose entertainment royalty friends and their top model girlfriends were all "swearing" by him. I was scared to go. Who am I?
Venezuela-born Claudio was so kind, down-to-earth, sweet and accomodating - he cured my very severe case of hair dresser phobia once and for all. He is one of the country's top hair experts (he was featured on MTV and in leading print media outlets) and his skalp treatments are both legendary and the foundation for healthy, naturally beautiful hair. I'd rather go a year without having my hair cut than seeing anybody else. I've done that actually once.
When I came back from my first session with Claudio, I wasn't sure if my hair looked like spagetti or ultra-beautiful. My soon-to-be husband was smitten and so was a singer of a famous rock band whom I met at Jamba Juice and who addressed me as "The Girl from our Video!" in front of some fake bake, high-maintanance California babes who were as irritated as I was. "What? No, I have never been in a video!" "Yeah, you are THAT model!!!" "No, I am not a model!" "C'mon. Yes, you are!" "No, I am not." I am 6'2, lean and athletic and thus stand out, that's all. Oh, and I have great hair thanks to Claudio. The rocker then wanted to invite me to his yoga class and gave me his phone number. "My fiance is also in the music industry!" "Don't bring him to our yoga session!"
My self-esteem rose. Claudio makes me feel and look good, naturally, always. I ALWAYS LEAVE HAPPY. A few years ago, an aquaintance of his came up to Claudio while he was blow-drying my hair. "Amazing highlights, Claudio! Wonderful job!" Claudio and I exchanged a quick smile, I did not say anything. "This girl here never touches any chemicals, no dye, no hair spray. She only lets me do a blunt cut and that's it..."
I know I am frustrating the maitre d'hair of Hollywood A-listers with my simplicity and the fact that he does not earn any big money from me, really, but he always welcomes me sincerely as a long-lost, dear family friend. And my hair is incredible every time. Shiny, healthy, beautiful.
I pay $65 for my cut, the treatment, the blow-dry and a deep, genuine conversation while he dries my hair.
I've never had to wait and parking is never a problem either. The location is convenient too - next door to THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF, on the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd.
PS: They are really fun too (e.g., I'll never forget Halloween 1999: Claudio's former assistant now indie stylist Susan went as I LOVE LUCY'S Lucille Ball)... We all had a blast. read more