In 1978, Lynn R. Lawrence opened the doors of Lawrence Hair Studio with a simple vision: to create a place where beauty and opportunity could grow side by side. Together with creative designer Allyn T. Colbert, the small staff of three quickly became a team of innovators. By the end of the first year, the salon had expanded from six to nine stations, and by 1983 it was buzzing with seventeen operators.

But Lawrence & Colbert was never just about style—it was about education. In 1982, they launched their in-salon training program, hiring assistants and shaping them into designers, artists, and entrepreneurs. To date, hundreds have graduated from this program, carrying with them the skills and confidence to thrive in the beauty industry. What began as one salon became a launchpad for careers, a home for creativity, and a trusted space for clients across Los Angeles.

Over the decades, Lawrence & Colbert grew to offer manicures, pedicures, facials, and massage services, always guided by their philosophy: special people require special care. Their salon became known as a place where every detail mattered, where clients could step away from life’s stress and leave with not just an enhanced style, but a renewed spirit.

Then came the Altadena fires. While the business itself only suffered minor fire and smoke damage, the greater loss was felt in the community. Many of the salon’s most loyal clients—residents who had been part of the Lawrence & Colbert family for decades—were displaced or are no longer here. The chairs may still be standing, but the heartbeat of the business has always been the people who filled them.

Today, Lawrence & Colbert has reopened not only as one of the last Black-owned businesses in Altadena, but as a symbol of resilience and renewal. To keep this legacy alive, they are asking for support—through donations, through referrals, and through community partnership. Every contribution helps ensure their talented team of stylists can continue working, and that Lawrence & Colbert can keep providing both employment and mentorship opportunities to the community it has always served.

For over four decades, Lawrence & Colbert has been more than a salon. It has been a movement of style, care, and resilience. Now, with the community’s support, it will continue to stand as a place where opportunity grows, beauty thrives, and Altadena’s spirit endures.