The style of a master hair designer

Stenstrom, 51, is a picture of fashion herself. With a sophisticated haircut and designer clothes, she is at the center of what has become a highly successful high-end salon, mentioned in more than 200 magazine articles and six magazine cover pages. Stenstrom herself is in high demand, often flying to New York to give fashion models makeovers before photo shoots, or providing fashion magazines and consultants tips on the latest trends.

Stenstrom is also busy in her salon, catering to the hairstyling needs of local television celebrities as well as running an on-site education program where she teaches up-and-coming stylists the tricks of the trade she's honed for 31 years.

Stenstrom got her start back in 1973 when she went to work for Yosh for Hair, a renowned salon in Palo Alto. She worked up the ranks and in 1981 became the manager at Yosh for Hair's San Mateo location. She purchased her current space in 1991 and turned it into L Salon.

"I did hair since I was in first grade," said Stenstrom. "I would do my hair and others for hours on end. All through my life I wanted to do people's hair."

Stenstrom said the most satisfying thing about her business is the instant gratification.

"When they look good, they feel good." said Stenstrom. "It helps to change somebody's image of themselves."

Sometimes clients want to make a change, but are afraid.

"We help to push them out of their comfort zone," said Stenstrom. "We help them to update their style."

In helping clients make changes that influence their opinion of themselves, Stenstrom found herself developing a training program that teaches stylists who pass through L Salon's doors to consider haircutting not as a trade, but as an art form.

"Every haircut has to fit the person's face and bring out the best features," said Stenstrom. "We create something so people can look incredible."

As part of Stenstrom's education, she makes yearly expeditions to Milan, Italy to take note of the latest hair and fashion trends emerging in Europe's style capital. She usually brings what she sees and implements them in L Salon to keep one step ahead of the competition.

In her latest trip this past April, Stenstrom noted haircuts this season were softer and fuller, whereas last year they were flatter.

"It always keeps you on your toes," said Stenstrom. "Tracking and bringing back the newest and hottest always keeps me excited."

In addition to her trips to Milan and New York, she draws some inspiration from television shows like "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

"They do a total makeover," said Stenstrom. "They look at what the image is and how they can change it."

Cutting hair and teaching others the finer points of what she does leads to some long hours. Stenstrom puts in 10-hour days six days a week.

"I'm at the beach almost every Sunday to relax," Stenstrom said, talking about her only day off. "When I go to the beach, I feel so free being by the ocean."

Stenstrom's husband, who owns a salon in Pacifica, has also been in the business for about 10 years. The couple tries to make a point of never talking about hair over the dinner table.

"We need to take a break when we get home," Stenstrom said.