Have been in AZ for almost four years and not found a salon with a stylist who could do it all, and do it well, until today. I'm spoiled; my stylilst in NJ was a Redken instructor who was flown around the USA by Redken to teach color. She is also a craftswoman when it comes to cutting hair. A tough act to follow.
Time and time again, I found myself in the chair of stylists who could cut but did poor color, or did great color but less than mediocre cutting. I went to all upper level salons, not bargain places, but still it was never right despite consultation time spent with the stylist.
Today was different- not only did the stylist, Robin Torres listen, but he took initiative and asked all the right questions. He spent time examining my hair, examining the cut, and really scrutinizing before deciding upon a plan of action. It was such a breath of fresh air from stylists who pretend to be listening to me, but who are actually already predetermined on what they want to do. I am not a fussy picky person, or a prima donna who is difficult to please. All I ask for is competence. Robin was more than competent, he is a true professional, and it shone through in the end results. Instead of cutting corners and doing my roots at the same time as the foils, he did my roots first, then broke out the base color to make it right, and then did the highlights. Instead of looking like a stripper on a pole with fake blonde hair, my hair now looks the way it did before age grayed it, natural and soft with blonde highlights, with richly textured color that is appropriate to my natural coloring and age. I immediately noticed a difference in a mirror in natural daylight- the hair makes me look younger, and not washed out and unnatural.
My hair had also undergone several successive cuts that were not done correctly for my baby fine, soft, straight hair. Robin immediately took note of the compounded cutting errors, and consulted me that it would take several successive cuts to get the hair back to the shape it should be, but it would get there. The results for this first stage of progressively correcting the cut were incredible. My hair has swing again, bounce and movement, and does not require a regimen of several hair products to get it to look natural but groomed.
I cannot recommend this man enough to anyone who is tired of being dissatisfied and who wants a professional who is conscientious, talented, listens, pleasant, and who does not charge outrageously. If only the salons who cost twice as much could do half as well as Robin did. i no longer dread going to the hairdresser and am now happy and excited, because I know it's only going to get better every time I return.