African-American women living in San Diego are often hard pressed to find a salon that can deal with their hair. There are salons in the hood and salons by the sea, but it’s rare to find one that can accommodate all varieties of clients and their special hair needs and emotions. Anthony Randall Salon is that rare place. Whether you’re looking for Zoe Saldana’s long straightened locks or Jennifer Aniston’s coveted color, Randall has seen it all. He's equipped to make you look as fabulous as those hecurrently doeson the set of “E” Entertainment.

Trained by Vidal Sassoon in London and during an apprenticeship at a small salon in Paris, Randall brings his magic to the women of San Diego. He recently became a contract stylist for “E” News, working with Juliana Dipandi. He has also worked on the Christmas Day Parade in Disneyland with the ubiquitous Ryan Seacrest. Highlights are his specialty; he is the king of the blowout.

Randall’s hip and industrially styled salon is centrally located in downtown San Diego behind the El Cortez. This district, known as Cortez Hill, is one of San Diego’s oldest residential neighborhoods. Sitting up on a hill, this quaint urban spot boasts views of downtown, Balboa Park, the bay, and the Pacific Ocean.

If you asked one of his black clients about his looks, she would most definitely say: “He’s fiiiine.” At 47, Randall brings to mind a buff black version of Bruce Willis. A few years and a couple of pounds ago, he competed professionally as a body builder. He came in third in the light heavyweight division of ESPN’s televised competition Muscle Mania.

After graduating from UCLA with a degree in economics, Randall moved to San Diego to work at Citi Bank as a financial planner. He got wind of a little-known company called Qualcomm, took a risk, and decided to invest. As history shows, Qualcomm paid off big time.

“Let’s just say I did well enough to finance a new career for myself,” he says.

On a trip to Hawaii with his mom, Randall had an epiphany. He thought: “Financial planning is great, but what I really want is to be a hair stylist.” Nine years ago he opened in his present spot.

Stylists are found mostly through word of mouth. In the community of women with curly hair, Randall’s name comes up again and again. He’s the man that can tame even the most challenging curls. Artfully manhandling the hair and with the help of a blow drier and flat iron, women with ringlets leave the salon with manageable, soft and pin straight hair.

Randall says he comes to work happy every day. Posted on one of the cabinets in the salon is the rubric: “If you love what you do you’ll never work another day in your life.”

One visit to Randall and you’re guaranteed to look amazing no matter what kind of hair you have.