About

Haim Knister
Artistic Director and Salon Owner

From his beginnings as a Stylist’s apprentice in Tel Aviv with one of Israel’s most noted professionals, to his acclaimed full service exclusive Salon in Del Mar, California, Haim Knister has enjoyed a very colorful and successful career in the beauty and fashion industry. In his early 20’s Haim ventured to London to continue his advance training under Vidal Sassoon. In 1974 Haim moved to the United States where he established his career with three salons in the Midwest. In 1989, his dream to create a one of a kind color group became a reality when he opened Haim Ltd. Salon; a full service exclusive Salon in Del Mar, one of the finest beauty and fashion destinations in Southern California. He has worked with Logics and L’Oreal and for the last several years has shared his knowledge and experience as a premier educator for Eufora Int’l and his salon is noted as one of the nation’s leading Eufora Salons.

Cynthia E. Jimenez
Salon Manager

Has been supporting Salon & Spa owners to manage and grow their business for over 14 years, by creating structure and implementing systems for front desk salon coordinators and spa directors. She enjoys coaching, inspiring and supporting individuals in the beauty industry to become more successful by bringing out their true potential. Goal setting, marketing and networking are her strength’s. Her true passion is making a difference in people’s life’s and in some small way remind them of how truly special and beautiful they really are.

Laurence Cabane
Master Stylist

Was inspired at an early age to become a stylist by her mother who is a hairdresser and salon owner in France. Laurence began her career in San Diego 9 years ago. After graduating cosmetology school, she extended her training in an advance 3 month cutting and coloring course at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, California. She has also completed Eufora’s Strategic Solutions, foundations (a British cutting system)Via, (a French cutting system) and numerous color classes with Schwarzkopf and L’Oreal. Laurence is a firm believer in training and education. She is an active member of Eufora’s Global Team of Educators. Laurence has been working at Haim Ltd. Salon for 9 years, doing what she loves most - enhancing the beauty of others.

Monique Torres
Stylist

Discovered her passion for hairstyling while working at a salon as a coordinator, she soon realized that she enjoyed watching the creativity of the Hairstylists she worked with. She graduated from Palomar Institute of Cosmetology in 2004. Monique has received advance color training with Schwarzkopf and L’Oreal. She has also completed Eufora’s Strategic solutions, foundations (a British cutting system), Via (a French cutting system) and Barbering. Monique also enjoys doing make-up applications for special occasions and weddings. Monique has been a part of Haim’s team of professionals for the last 3 years.

Jenny Moreno
Stylist

Jenny is a passionate and skilled Hair Professional, who has attended the Vidal Sassoon Academy in 2008, where she has lengthened her vast knowledge in hair cutting skills. She has enriched her expertise in the hair industry. Jenny is a Make-up Artist, who not only specializes in runway bridal stage, photo shoots, post surgery make-up, but in Mature Skin, as well as her creative involvement in a variety of other special events. With her dynamic personality, she has fluently stayed ahead with the latest trends in the fashion &beauty industry. Jenny is a certified regional educator for Eufora International. She has attended Men’s Contemporary hair cutting workshops, where it has permitted her to utilize proficient barbering techniques to customize men’s hair needs accordingly. She is trained in various hair extension techniques, and has currently attended the American Board of Certifications Hair Colorist Institute. Jenny is always willing to listen, share her practice taking in consideration an individual’s skin tone, particular hair type, face shape, and most of all, lifestyle.

Katie Mugleston
Color Specialist

Katie has had a passion for hairdressing and make-up her entire life. She has been in the industry for just over 8 years. As a graduate from Paul Mitchell the school in San Diego, she has had extensive training in precision cutting and color. Katie went on from school to assist the Artistic Director of Schwartzkopf and Toni & Guy for two years, with her focus being on a Master Colorist. Katie is a Color Specialist at Haim Salon at the Grand Del Mar and a Eufora Elite team member. Katie has had advanced color training with, Davines, Schwartzkopf, L’Oreal, L’Oreal Inoa, Redken, and Paul Mitchell color lines. You can see her passion for the industry in her work, while she continues to grow in this industry with haircutting, color and make-up. .

Carmen Jimenez
Master Nail Technichian

With over 20 years of experience as a Nail Technician under her belt, Carmen has worked in many professional Salons and Spas.  She loves the art of working with nail enhancements as well as natural nails.  She has trained and specialized as a Master Nail Technician with Creative Nail Design.  Within the last 6 years Carmen has worked in World known Resorts and now we have the privilege of having her as part of our team of professionals at Haim Salon at The Gran Del Mar.   

Sonya Talamantes
Stylist/ Makeup Artist/ Nail Technician

As a former Costume designer, Sonya always had a passion for design, fashion and art. This is where she developed a love and appreciation for hair and makeup. Thereafter, she attended Joe Blasco Professional makeup institute in Hollywood, where she was certified in beauty and special FX makeup. As our head makeup artist with over 10 years experience in weddings and special occasion makeup, she enjoys taking part in collaborating mixed media arts such as film, television, photography, fashion and special events. As a stylist at Haim salon she has attended educational classes on cutting and coloring techniques with Wella, Enjoy, Schwarzkopf, Eufora and Davines. Sonya also works at our second location at The Grand Del Mar as a Stylist, Makeup Artist and Nail Technician. She continues to pursue her passion for the beauty industry by continuing her education in hair and makeup.

Tatiana Gonzalez
Salon Coordinator

Michelle Laxson
Master Stylist

From an early age, Michelle knew that she wanted to be in the world of hair and make-up.  Directly from High School, she attended Cosmetology school and was immediately drafted into an apprenticeship program.  From her early days as an apprentice, Michelle was a Eufora Educator.  Through hard work and dedication Michelle has excelled to become a member of Eufora’s Team of Global Educators. 
Michelle has completed Eufora’s Strategic Solutions, Foundations (a British cutting system), VIA (a French cutting system), Barbering and advanced cutting with Toni & Guy.  She has also received advanced color training with L’Oreal, Framesi, Schwarzkopf and Kamon.  She specializes in special occasion hair and make-up and in working with curly hair.
Michelle chose this profession because she wants to make the world beautiful one person at a time.  She chooses to be an educator because she would like to bring a new level of professionalism to the Industry.

Jen Lawson
Stylist

A graduate from Palomar Institute of Cosmetology, she began her career at Haim Salon as an Assistant, where she received extended hands on training from our Master Stylist Team. Jen has been trained and certified by Eufora in advanced training in Foundations; a British cutting system, Via a French cutting system, Men’s barbering, Master Styling, Razor Trends, short and shorter cuts. Her experience and training in color is just as extensive, she has received advance color training with Schwarzkopf, L’Oreal, Logics, Davines, Redken and Balayage highlighting. Jen is very passionate about the Beauty Industry and it shows in her work.

Heidi Ventura
Master Stylist

At a young age, Heidi was inspired by the art and culture of Chicago and its museums and special events. Heidi enjoyed creating art work of various mediums as a child but especially enjoyed experimenting with makeup and hair on her friends and relatives. She moved to San Diego at 17 years of age, completed high school, and went on to study art history and cosmetology at San Diego City College. She earned her license and trained under Sal Montanga in San Diego learning curly hair, perm and color techniques. Additionally she earned a Framesi advanced color certification, took Paul Mitchell advanced cutting classes, and pursued extensive Rusk training. Heidi returned to Chicago refining her skills by training with Maxine Kroll of Maxine Ltd (Sassoon techniques) and with Andreas Zafiridas of Salon Buzz (point cutting and dry cutting techniques) as well as Bumble and Bumble classes. Returning to San Diego, Heidi has continued her education with chemical hair straightening, cutting, and hair color. Having to deal with the challenges of her own thick, wavy hair, Heidi is especially sensitive with unusual requests that any of her clients may have. Sharing her talents with clients is her joy and gift to them.

Arsenia Maranca
Manicurist

Arsenia started as a cosmetologist in the Philippines, specializing in manicures and pedicures since 1965. She has since grown in the industry, working in high end salons and spas. She came to America in 1975 and worked as a manicurist, in places such as, Neiman-Marcus Beauty salon in the 1980’s, in both San Francisco and Dallas, Texas. She has also worked at the Elizabeth Arden salon and spa, the La Costa resort and spa, and now at Haim Salon at the Grand Del Mar. Arsenia has a deep passion and a love for her profession, and her main goal is for her clients to feel relaxed and at home when they come to see her.

Kelcee Drinkward
Salon Assistant

A graduate from Palomar Institute of Cosmetology, Kelcee has always had a passion for helping people look and feel their best and it would only be natural for her to pursuit a career in the beauty industry. She has been working at Haim Salon for almost a year as one of our Top Salon Assistants and she is thrilled and very fortunate to be trained under Eufora educators who are part of Haim Salon Master Stylist team. Kelcee receives extended hands on training in cutting, coloring and styling as part of her curriculum at Haim Salon.

Rebekah Vigil,
Master Stylist

Rebekah’s passion for the hair industry and desire to educate began early in her career. With over 10 years of experience and dedication, she achieved rapid career advancement to the level of Master Stylist, colorist, and curly-hair expert. Rebekah is currently an Educator for the Eufora Global Team and now a member of Haim Salon Master Stylist Team.