Cynthia was the only person that I can remember to ever highlight my hair. I have been her client since the salon opened in Palo Alto. I only trust Cynthia with my highlights because she was my friend, and I was her client. Isn’t it weird how a client knows less about the artist who colors their hair, while Cynthia knows the answer to whatever question she asked. I felt like it was more than just sitting in here chair as a client. She listened to me and I always had fun whenever I walked in, thanks to all the great people working at the salon too. I gave Cynthia my trust and she used it to make her art not only the best skill and better than any celebrity or magazine picture, but a refection of my personality. She was in tune with my stages in life and colored my hair accordingly to what I was doing. I could have pointed out any picture in a magazine I wanted and still walked out with a completely different color because she knows what I want more than I do. It’s true. She knows without me asking because she asked the right questions. She was so supportive and accepting of me as a human being.

Every time she did a such great color that I always got tons of compliments, people loved her Art. So many complements about how beautiful the hair was, the color, shine, everything. It gave me a lot of confidence and she is a great artist.

The last time she colored it was the BEST time ever. How can I ever get it colored again by anyone else? I am a different person than I was last year and don’t have Cynthia to read my mind without me asking. I’m just a brunette – and I want to be my natural color for awhile since I can’t sit in Cynthia’s chair ever again.

I am very sad to see her go. I’m not ready for a relationship with a new color artist and will not be for awhile and want to be a natural brunette. I know it’s just hair, but Cynthia was too special and her art really was a big part of my personality. Thank you Cynthia for making all my visits so special.

Miss Kora Roberta Vakil

Cynthia accomplished so much while fighting life-threatening illnesses with courage, intelligence and determination. “I am so blessed, so blessed!”. That was Cynthia’s mantra, said with a smile while wearing her trademark stiletto heels.

We were all so lucky to know you, Cynthia! You gave us so much. We will never forget you, and you will be terribly missed. You were my treasured friend, and I loved you very much.

Cynthia next talked privately to my mom, saying,
“I can see how upset you are, but don’t be. All
teenagers experiment and really, this is pretty tame.No permanent damage although it’s going to cost a lot to fix. But please, Momma, let this one go. It’s really ok. She’s a good kid and she did a dumb thing, but not a bad or a permanent
thing.” My mom listened to Cynthia’s wisdom
and the whole mood between us changed.

I am 24 now. My mom and I have had a
beautiful, loving relationship all throughout my
teen and college years, one that grows stronger
every day. Both of us talk often about how
Cynthnia paved the way for our great
relationship with that first meeting. Both of us
talked to Cynthia about personal matters all the
time from then on. She was not only our
trusted friend and advisor, she also gave both of us absolutely beautiful hair!

I cannot fully grasp the idea that Cynthia is gone

yet. It seems impossible that I will never hug
her or talk to her again–that we will never again
share that flush of joy when the color and
highlights are perfect. Cynthia was a genius at color who literally transformed my hair from frightful to fantastic. But she was much, much more than that to me. She was the wise woman
friend ever young girl needs as evolves into womanhood. I loved her so much, and will never forget her.