Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Cruz
Hi Ashley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Ashley. I’m 26 years old and a first-generation Latina American. I graduated from SDSU with a bachelor’s degree in communications and digital social media in 2020. I worked in Dental Marketing for a bit, then I realized I HATED my job. So, I started brainstorming and I realized that i never gave cosmetology a chance. I had been wanting to do that since high school, but as a first-gen, my parents thought it was “too small of a dream”. I started La Lune – a beauty studio, in August of 2024, because I wanted to create a safe space where people can achieve their dream hair without judgment.
I stay inspired by reminding myself how lucky I am to do what I love. A lot of people wake up dreading work, but I get to make people look and feel good every day. Creatively, I pull inspiration from all over—whether it’s fun, vivid colors or natural, lived-in blondes. I’m deeply inspired by late 90s/Y2K aesthetics, my Mexican culture (I grew up in Mexico), and my inner child. I love humor and try to channel that energy into my work. Other creatives in the industry also push me to stay up-to-date and continue learning.
This year, I have a lot of creative projects lined up. I’ve partnered with brands like Lash Renaissance, Silk Cloud, and Sessa Designs in the past, and I plan on continuing to collaborate while growing my hairstyling skills. I’m also super excited to be joining Art Hearts Fashion at multiple fashion shows this year, including LA and New York Fashion Week.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I definitely had some challenges. During my first three months of beauty school, i lost my best friend, Dante Longo, in an abrupt way. It shook me to my core. He was a light in this world. I did have to take a break for three months during school, which elongated my time in cosmetology school and definitely made me feel impatient to graduate as i watched all my peers graduate before me.
Another challenger was starting a business with little to no money was definitely hard. But I took a chance on myself and my talent. Watching myself build a clientele from scratch has been super rewarding. I’m also a “baby stylist,” having been in the industry for about four years and officially licensed for two. Building a back bar, growing a clientele, and learning how to market myself were all challenges I had to navigate. Thankfully, my background in communications, business, and digital social media from SDSU gave me the foundation I needed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At La Lune, we offer a wide range of services, including curly cuts, layered cuts, barber cuts, a variety of color services—from lived-in blondes to bold vivids—kids cuts, tooth gems, and extensions. What sets us apart is the depth of knowledge I bring, my dedication to continuing education, and creating a non-judgmental environment. Plus, I strive to keep services affordable because everyone deserves to feel their best.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most? Definitely helping my clients achieve their dream hair and seeing how happy it makes them. That’s smile in their face and teary eyes when they realize they’ve NEVER had a good cut or color and now they have, is unmatched. It feels amazing helping women and men look amazing! And also of course my family, my partner Manny and our puppy Maya, my friends, and my morals! On top of that, learning what it really means to be a young business owner—the good, the bad, and everything in between—has been such an eye-opening experience.
Pricing:
- $75 Haircuts
- $55 Kids Cuts
- $45 tooth gems $10 additional gems
- $250 Foilwork
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Vivalalune.com
- Instagram: @LaLuneSaloon
Image Credits
@MyHaloisPrada (headshot)
