A Touch of Class

10 Bolinas Road, Fairfax

(415) 469-4567

What do they offer?

“I offer happiness,” laughed ebuillent owner Laura Khuu whose patrons drive to Fairfax from all over Marin County and from as far away as Oakland and San Francisco’s Sunset district. “My clients are very loyal,” she said. “I think it is because I do whatever they want, not just what I want.” 

Khuu is an expert at permanents, cuts, color, highlights, low lights and styling. She specializes in curly hair (cut wet or dry), long layered cuts such as she wears herself (see photo of her hair in gallery), and raves about a special henna mix, imported from India, which she often uses on her own hair. (See photo of henna color in gallery.)

The selection of hair care products includes several brands which are natural (no ammonia) formulations and Khuu is happy to special order anything her clients want.

She is so service-oriented and flexible that she often takes customers late into the evening if their schedules dictate. The salon is closed only on Sunday and Monday.

Who are they?

Laura Khuu, a long time Marin County resident who lives in Peacock Gap, is Chinese but was born in Cholon, Vietnam. She came to the United States in 1979 to see a man she had known since they were teenagers. “He invited me to come for a visit, and we decided to get married,” she said.

Their two children were born and raised in Marin. Her daughter currently works at Barclay’s Global Investors and her son is in the hotel industry. 

While her kids were growing up, Khuu studied cosmetology in San Rafael. Her teachers saw that she possessed natural artistic talent. “You have to have your own skill,” she noted. 

How long have they been there?

Khuu has been in Fairfax for fifteen years, since 1997. She took over the salon from the previous owner Lupe Luis, who many longtime Fairfax residents may remember. She had been Khuu’s teacher at beauty school and, because a salon owner creates such personal bonds and friendships with customers, she was happy to pass it on to Khuu, who she described as one of her best students.

Why are they Business of the Week?

“My clients actually call me ‘Dr. Laura.’ I often feel like a counselor," said Khuu. "I listen to them, and try to help with whatever problems they are having - not just with their hair but also in their lives. There’s no extra charge for that!   

“The most important thing is when you wake up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror. How do you feel about the way you look? If you see grey hair, are you comfortable with it? If you are, leave it alone. If not, you probably need my help,” she laughed. 

Khuu loves the sense of community in Fairfax, where she observes that everybody on the street seems to know everybody else. “It is very safe here,” she said. “I have made friends with all my neighbors and they are so nice. The guys next door at Nave’s come in for their haircuts, and when they pass by, they tease me through the windows."   

She donates gift certificates to the local schools, but her main charity involvement is The Leukemia Society.  

A Touch of Class is animal-friendly. Khuu’s adorable Shih tzu dog, Panda, entertains everyone (mostly just by looking cute) and clients are welcome to bring their pets as well.   

Though Panda has a boyfriend, Khuu is currently single. On her days off, she enjoys international ballroom dancing and especially likes the Latin dances.

As to the success of her business, she said, “I offer affordable good service. My clients love it here and I do too. My haircuts look very natural. Clients tell me that when they leave the salon, most of their friends don't realize they have a new cut.” 

Every week, Ingeborg Muller, a San Rafael resident, avid horsewoman, and client of twenty-five years, drives to A Touch of Class for a steam roller set.

“Laura is a delightful person,” said Muller, a Liz Taylor look-alike. “I enjoy going there. It makes my day. Laura does a magnificent job on my hair, and I always walk out a happy person.”