At 5 a.m., Irene Castaneda, left, and Wendy Sanchez organize clothes and accessories in the parking lot at Pueblos Unidos hair salon in Compton where more than a dozen girls and women will get their hair done for Irene’s quinceañera. The salon opened for them just after 4:30 a.m. so that everyone is ready for the 11 a.m. Mass. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
Irene Castaneda sleeps in a stylist’s chair before she has her hair done at Pueblos Unidos hair salon in Compton for her quinceañera. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
Hairdresser Mina Ortega, foreground, curls 6-year-old Annika Sanchez’s hair. Pueblos Unidos hair salon is a slice of Compton life. It opens before dawn on Saturdays to do hair for quinceañeras and weddings. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
Salvador Avilla, left, Joel Vargas and Romeo Barrios wait in line for haircuts at Pueblos Unidos salon. At 8 a.m. men with sons and grandsons begin to line up in for haircuts. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
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Korina Sanchez laughs with her 1-year-old daughter, Alitza, as she grins after having her hair done at Pueblos Unidos. Both got their hair styled for a quinceanera. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
Irene Castaneda’s mother Martina Castaneda, 44, inspects her 85-year-old mother Maria Domitila Lopez’s hair at Pueblos Unidos. The two are preparing for Irene’s quinceanera. They arrived shortly after 4:30 a.m. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
After 2 1/2 hours, Irene Cataneda, center, her mother Martina Castaneda, grandmother Maria Lopez, cousin Marlene Sanchez and sister Lorena Castaneda are almost ready for Irene’s quinceanera. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
Carlos Barrera smiles at his son Carlos Jr., 5, as he rubs his new hairdo. Every Saturday the two come to Pueblos Unidos hair salon in Compton and stylist Delia Murillo cuts their hair. She gave Carols Jr. his first hair cut. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
