Sure, it's wrong to stereotype the beauty industry but it's just not too often you meet a man in a surf t-shirt with large muscles and tribal tattoos who tells you adding caramel low-lights and soft blonde highlights to your 'do will create a natural look. It's also not too often that they will do it for under a Benjamin or two.

Meet Mike Lehre or as he prefers "Hair Daddy" of the affordable Studio One hair salon in Point Loma. His masculine physique might fool you into thinking he's a bodyguard, but to Lehre, doing hair is second nature. The 36-year-old stylist has eighteen years of experience in the industry. Former owner of Hair Daddy Salon in El Cajon, he sold his business and rented a booth at Studio One to keep things "simple."

Sitting in Lehre's chair at Studio One is a very casual experience. He makes his clients feel comfortable by telling a joke or two before offering coffee and cookies. An episode of Friends plays on a potable DVD player sitting at his station.

"It seems like today, there's so many hairstylists that can be uppity; like they have to have this certain image," Lehre says. "I just want people to be happy with their hair."

Lehre said communication is key when consulting hair options with clients and doesn't press trends. He says as far as what's in "everything goes right now."

Men request everything from Mohawks to mullets and European looks are popular; women wanted funky colors and drastic highlights for awhile, but now it's leaning more towards natural color.

"Because people are always on the go, I create easy styles that they can do on their own, allowing them to look great without having to go to the salon."

Changing hair color is not Lehre's only forte; he also does spray-on tans.

For more information, or to book an appointment, call 619.222.7451.