“In the block of marble I see an angel as plain as though it stood
before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to
hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely angel to reveal it to
the other eyes as mine see it and set it free…”
--Michelangelo
Shin An is widely regarded as a master cutter. Hailed by Vogue early in her career as one to watch,
we’ve seen her shape and reframe some of the industry’s foremost talent. Yet, for Shin, cutting hair was
more a calling than a career choice.
Her approach, perfectly coined by the Italian Renaissance painter, is more visual artist than stylist,
visualizing shapes and textures and sculpting precise “fits” for each face, head shape and body. Early
on, Shin’s visions were so consuming in fact, that she became perfectly adept in her persuasive abilities to
have a client relent to her to create what she intuitively knew was the best style for them.
For this Korean Wisconsin native, the borderline obsession with the art of shapes helped fuel a career
trajectory that would catapult Shin to the top of her field. She quickly became known for her
transformative work while styling in some of New York’s premiere salons, like Mark Garrison. Editors,
models, actors, musicians, businessmen and women sought out Shin for her ability to cast a soft critical
eye on them and deliver image-altering results with her signature dry cutting.
Shin views hair as the most important accessory one can wear, male or female. “Hair is at the very core
of an individual’s self expression. The style you present to the world says volumes about how you perceive
yourself or how you want to be perceived. And it can have a huge impact on your psyche,” extols An.
The level of client trust that An has been able to earn is impressive. While those fortunate enough to find
themselves in her chair often have a clear idea of their preferred hairstyle, they also know that letting go
to her intuitive assessment will yield stellar results.
Hair health expert Philip B. paid homage to Shin when he collaborated with her on two products in his
line, Shin Shine and Shinade Pomade.
Her clientele is internationally based, but An has been styling and coloring hair primarily in New York for 14
years. In November 2011, she opened her eponymous salon SHIN, on Montana avenue in Santa Monica.
Shin lives seaside in Santa Monica with her husband Ivan and two daughters, Luci and Noa.
For all media inquires, please contact MediaCraft at queries@mediacraftco.com
@shinhair
My Story
The Birth of Shin
In 1993, Shin moved to Chicago from her hometown in Wisconsin. There she met architect/designer and dear friend Suhail. Inspired by his overwhelming passion and creative vision, there was an immediate connection between them. She expressed that one day he would receive a call and that would be his cue to manifest her vision and that it would be near a ‘body of water’.
Shin’s journey then took her to NYC and there she worked with Mark Garrison and Paul Labrecque. In 1998, she went to LA on a business trip and decided to venture out to Santa Monica. It was while she was at the Santa Monica beach that she experienced her epiphany and realized that one day she would live there.
More than ten years passed and finally, in the summer of 2011, Suhail received the call that Shin promised she would make one day. She simply said, “Suhail, it’s time” and Suhail was then ready to help Shin realize her dream.
Suhail carefully constructed his design approach for Shin by taking a page from significant moments and observations throughout their longstanding friendship. The environment needed to exude intimacy and modernity at once, embodying a sense of warmth, freshness and reflecting, in part, Shin’s Korean heritage.
First there was the space – a 1,160 square foot cottagestyle retreat on Montana Avenue in the heart of Santa Monica. A deconstructed take on the otherwise antiquated salon format, SHIN incorporated the critical elements of a luxury salon experience into an art installation that represented her personality and philosophy. At all times, Suhail was conscious of including a connection to nature and culture through the peaceful simplicity of clean modern lines and an elegant yet functional aesthetic. Ultimately, Shin would become a place where clients come to spend as little or as much time as they desire…
With a streetside wooden façade, the discretely relocated side entrance has a ramped access way. Upon entering, clients are greeted by hand carved dark blonde wooden panels or “cultural tattoos,” adding to the abstract Asian influenced decor. The interior walls were adorned with bright mosaics and intricate wood carvings of a red and black gradient stained koi design, symbolizing perseverance and strength. Once inside, one sees the fiery red dragon carved out of lacquered wood, which serves to invite good tidings. A teal carved cherry blossom, a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, contrasts the carved goblin mask, viewed complete only through the mirror in a reflection, and represents magical and mischievous spirits.
I just knew I had to be here. I had a vision of my own place, near the ocean . . . and finally, here it is.
--Shin
Suhail
About Suhail Design Studio
Focuses on the design, development and manufacture of innovative interior environments and products. With an understanding of architecture, interiors, construction, fabrication, graphics, multimedia and merchandising, we strive to apply these mediums to our projects creating a completely unique and cohesive end product for the client.
The diversity of projects include designs for hospitality, retail, exhibit, sculpture, art installations, furniture and residential, pushing the use of new technology, materials and design processes with an alternative and unique point of view. Suhail Design Studio is committed to design integrity, originality and quality.
Suhail Design Studio specializes in developing a concept from inception to finished product and services include everything from webdesign, brand development, personalized artwork, custom furniture and fabrications and installations, so that the concept has complete cohesion and consistency within a given theme. His clients can expect him to thoroughly communicate and drive the concept while delivering the project underbudget and on schedule.
Suhail carefully constructed his design approach for Shin by taking a page from significant moments and observations throughout their longstanding friendship. The environment needed to exude intimacy and modernity at once, embodying a sense of warmth, freshness and reflecting, in part, Shin’s Korean heritage.
Suhail’s design philosophy is abstract, deconstructionist, modernist and minimal. His strength lies in his ability to develop and translate the client’s vision as well as to elevate it into strong design themes, concepts and tangibles. After discussing the client’s vision at length, Suhail delves into extensive research before developing his concepts and incorporates elements of the client’s vision into his final design.
Ultimately, his clients receive a unique concept that incorporates pragmatic elements of design resulting in an art installation that doubles as a functional environment. www.suhaildesign.com
Service Menu
hair services
haircut 90+
haircut w/ shin 225
style/finish 75+
updo (*does not include blow out) 125+
men
haircut 90+
color / single 65+
highlights / lowlights 75+
straightening / relaxer 125+
color
single 90+
v
double 150+
varnish / gloss 50+
color fresh 125+
1/4 head highlights / lowlights w/single 100/175+
1/2 head highlights / lowlights w/single 150/225+
full head highlights / lowlights w/single 225/300+
technical
permanent wave 250+
straighteners /relaxers 250+
keratin conditioning treatment 350+
threading
eyebrow 35
eyebrow + upper lip + chin 55
face 75
hair treatments
silk deep conditioning treatment 25
This treatment lavishes each strand in perfecting quinoa proteins and luxe
moisterizers to produce a miracle in minutes. Color Life Technology enhances and extends optimal color brilliance [safe for after color treatment].
persian katira revitalizing treatment 35
This universal hair revitalizing treatment makes the most of any hair texture. A unique masque that plumps up fine, limp strands or calms and smooths coarse, hard-tomanage hair. You get all the vibrant shine and silkiness without a trace of added weight or residue [safe for after color treatment]
scalp and hair facials
four step philip b. rejuvenating oil treatment 125
Purifying Scalp Treatment : This unique treatment does it all: eliminates frizz, thickens
limp, fine hair and heals troubled scalps -- targeting dandruff and psoriasis. The
process includes scientific brushing, scalp massage, rejuvenating oil with deep heat
penetration, specialized “double” shampoo process and deep conditioning of the
internal and external hair shaft.
youth boost scalp facial 110
Our Youth Boost Scalp Facial is specifically designed to combat the issues hair faces as time marches on and gets tired from everyday wear and tear. Years of exposure to hot blow dryers, flat and curling irons take their toll after years of exposure, not to mention hormonal changes as we age. This can result in loss of luster and coarser, thinner hair. This unique scalp and hair treatment restores hair's youthful vitality, leaving hair strengthened, smooth, shiny and revitalized.
Nano Hydration from the technology-based line, Liqwd, sends super- active ingredients to the hair's critical cortex layer for a total transformation. This deep conditioning treatment is composed with thousands of tiny nano- hydrospheres and contains color-life technology, along with Quinoa proteins that lavish each stand creating a miracle in minutes.
nail services
classic manicure 30+
french manicure 35+
classic pedicure 55+
french pedicure 60+
polish change 18+
gel manicure 45+
removal of gels 15+
special events
trials 250+
day of event 350+
Off-site styling available upon request
Contact
1025 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90403
310.310.3128
appointments
We accept AMEX, Visa and Mastercard. We do not accept personal checks.
Gift cards available in any denomination.
cancellation policy
In consideration of our other clients and technicians, please provide a minimum 3 hour
notice. A credit card is required to secure appointments. No-shows will be charged the
full service price.
hours of operation
monday – friday 9am – 7pm
saturday 9am – 6pm
sunday 11am – 5pm
After hours available upon request
media inqueries
at queries@mediacraftco.com or at 212.206.9192.
