New: Walk In Salon by Robert Cromeans

San Diego resident and worldwide icon, Robert Cromeans is a global leader in the hair industry who crafts coiffures of the stars while simultaneously catering to the everyday salon-goer.

No matter the industry, in order to make it to the top, you have to keep the foundation alive. This is something that Robert Cromeans understands very well, and the newly revamped Walk In Salon by Robert Cromeans in Pacific Beach is living proof.

You may be familiar with Paul Mitchell The School and A Robert Cromeans Salon (ARCS), both located in downtown San Diego. And until this year, you also had your high profile Robert Cromeans Salon just off the sand on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. But what you may not know is that behind the scenes, these local schools and salons all work together in a strategic cycle to help stylists grow their careers while keeping customers looking good. Previously, stylists-in-training would begin at Paul Mitchell The School, or other top hair industry schools around the world, before signing on for a salon apprenticeship with a successful stylist. The next step, for those who qualify, is getting hired and establishing a client base at the Pacific Beach ARCS. Then and only then, a select few stylists are promoted and moved down south to the more polished and upscale ARCS.

The problem with this fool-proof system, though, is that many talented stylists don’t have the time, patience or funding to survive through all of these steps, especially the apprenticeship. Realizing this and wanting to encourage his students to pursue their dreams, Robert Cromeans decided to make a change.  Enter the Walk In Salon by Robert Cromeans – a win-win for rising stylists and budget-conscious locals, offering $20 professional haircuts, on demand, with no strings attached. I’ve heard many rumors about how the new-again ARCS in Pacific Beach isn’t trustworthy, because the stylists are all students. I learned first-hand that this is simply not true. I was assured that the brand new stylists at Walk In Salon were hand selected by Robert Cromeans himself, along with the local Creative Director, only after passing a series of up-to-date tests on anything and everything relevant to the modern hair industry. And yes, the Walk In Salon offers far more than just $20 professional haircuts, including $40 hair color, $60 highlights, and $15 special occasion hair styling.

Edgy wheatpasting images in striking shades of red, black and white cover the walls, including sexed up femme fatale scissors and digitalized mini Cromeans icons. My favorite design element is a simple quote in bright white: “Suicide blonde, dyed by her own hand.” Mirrors and stylist stations are lined up back to back throughout the salon, utilizing the space for maximum occupancy. Matching the trendy vibe is the warm and laid back service which is complemented by bottomless mimosas, which I believe should be mandatory at every San Diego salon.

The look, for less: If you’re sick of paying $150+ for a cut and style and want to try something new, trust Robert Cromeans and enjoy $20 professional ‘dos at Walk In Salon on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach.

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