The Best 7 Hair Salons in Santa Monica, Los Angeles (part 4)

Philipp K. My haircut took maybe 4 minutes.. and it shows. Now that I’ve properly looked at it at home - it‘s extremely uneven, the „fade“ is basically non-existent in the back, different hair length all over. They didn’t dry my hair at all, I had the cuttings of my hair all over my face when I left. Even for a basic cut that was way below average service. Going to find a different place to fix whatever this is.

Jen Lyn Lemmer My fiancée went in for a color and trim before our wedding day. She asked for blonde. The color turned out orange. The girl had to ask her coworker for advice on how to fix it. It is now orange/yellow. She called it “Santa Monica blonde”. We were there for almost 6 hours. My fiancées scalp is now burned and she is in constant pain. We don’t know what to even do at this point. UPDATE: after the salon reached out, they offered to fix the issue. We are happy to report that Trevor made it right! We are able to get pictures now on our wedding day which is tomorrow!!! I am changing it to 5 stars and saying thank you for taking a horrible experience and making it a great one!

Heidi Eichinger I had an amazing experience! The color turned out perfect, exactly what I was hoping for, and the cut was fantastic. The stylist really listened to what I wanted and delivered beyond my expectations. I’m loving my new look—definitely recommend!

Christina Ferraro Trevor is everything you could ask for in a hairstylist. He’s immensely skilled and attentive with a vibrant personality. He takes the time to make sure your cut is exactly what you want. Now my hair looks great both with my natural curls and blow dried straight. I’ll definitely be returning to Trevor for my next cut!

Marc Israel I walked into this zoo for humans in need of haircuts, having never been there before. I was greeted very warmly by Toni, a barbress, who was cutting the hair of a female of some advanced age. Meanwhile I was offered a beverage by another employee during my wait - believe it or not I was given a cold bottle of Rolling Rock. Nice. After not too long, Toni was ready for me. She couldn’t have been more friendly, - “a doll” as a previous reviewer put it - and was very curious wanting to know exactly how I’d like to get my hairs cut, wanting to please and help her customer. This was lucky for me as I am very PARTICULAR and have/had very unruly, thick, long hair and wanted a certain kind of layered look for which I came prepared with pics and a big pile of adjectives. Toni drank in all the info, and UNDERSTOOD it where so many barbers in the past have not, and, well, long story short, she gave me one of the best haircuts I’ve had in many moons. Price for a man’s haircut? $38. Might not be the very cheapest, but for this area of LA, it just might be! I highly recommend this place!

Jennifer Jabara Robbie is the absolute best! He cuts my entire family’s hair and is especially skilled at bringing out the best shape for wavy/curly hair. Sebastian, Wayne… the whole crew there are awesome!

Madelyn Morrison Ask for a toner came out perfectly couldn’t be happier. Best experience I’ve had ever!! Highly recommend and guys were super nice and amazing prices for amazing quality

Cassidy Hart the worst hair cut and experience i have ever had. i lost my house in the palisades fire and was invited to the grammys. i went for a blowout and the stylist asked me if i wanted to trim my dead ends off. i said yes and he proceeded to chop 8 inches off of my hair and by the time he got to the front it was too late. naturally i was shocked and didn’t know how to respond so i just told him it was good. i noticed later that the cut was awful and I had to spend another $150 to get it fixed. truly the perfect example of someone putting there own creative wants over your requests.

Nanci Ward my opinion of my guys at scissors shd send everyone to their place for the best look that they could wish for. not only do these guys help make you beautiful, but they also build your confidence up by 100%. the only reason i don’t like to do this is i might never be able to get another appointment. if you go once, you will never go elsewhere again. robbie and sebastian are the best you will find. you will thank me later.

Shawn Kz Was very clear that I wanted to keep my mid length hair that took 4 months to grow and only receive a trim. Wayne cut it all and I now have short hair. No clue why he went so short. 4 months is a lot of time to spend growing it out again. Nice people but very dissatisfied with the haircut.

Monique Quiros 90 Day UPDATE: I recently made the drive from Las Vegas to Santa Monica, and let me tell you, it was so worth it! After getting the perfect color I wanted 90 days ago, I knew I had to return for a refresh—and I’m glad I did. The drive may seem long, but when you’re greeted with such high-quality service, chill vibe- it’s all worth it. From the luxurious shampoo and conditioner to the heavenly scalp massage, every moment felt indulgent. The vibrant refresh of my original color? Flawless! If you’re looking for the best in color and care, the trip to Koko at Aube is a no-brainer. JULY 19- In late May, I decided to transform my blonde balayage into a rich wine red. Multiple stylists in Las Vegas, informed me that to achieve my desired shade, they first needed to apply an auburn color to neutralize the blonde and assess if the final color was achievable. Despite the uncertainty, I took the plunge with one of those stylist and was left with a dark auburn color with peaks of blonde that didnt take. Eight weeks later, I found myself in Santa Monica, CA, and stumbled upon Aube Salon. On a whim, I approached a stylist named Koko for a last-minute attempt to achieve my dream color. I showed her my inspo photo, and without hesitation or excuses, she assured me she could make it happen. Koko even promised to help recondition my hair. Skeptical, I waited for the reveal. But when I put my glasses back on and saw the stunning result, I was blown away. My hair looked perfect, almost like I was wearing a flawless wig. The salon, a Japanese style hair establishment, clearly delivered exceptional quality. I had my daughter with me and she got long layers put in her hair, a refreshing and thorough shampoo, followed by a blow dry. Im now a devoted fan and plan to return in three months for a touch-up, regardless of the four-hour drive or hour-long flight. Its worth every mile for such beautiful results.

堀井莉菜 I like my hair bleached without any color, so I asked for just a touch up of the bleach on the roots, but they strongly recommended that I color it, but it turned out to be a really strange color. I dont like my current hairstyle, so I bought a wig online today. I want to wear the wig soon…

Barrett M I love getting my hair cut here and always walk out looking and feeling like a million bucks! My parents and my grandparents get their haircut here, too. I recommend them to all my friends!

Rue Liew service and space were nice, but the actual cut was terrible. i went in for a straight cut, but the stylist kept pressing to do layers, which i repeatedly declined. still ended up walking out with a cut so choppy that there are no kidding 6in differences between sections of my hair. paid $100 for a job i could have done better myself with some hair elastics and a pair of kitchen shears

Sarah Stepien Carolann does AMAZING color and cut! She is absolute perfection and would recommend her to anyone! She actually does more male haircuts, but Ive been going to her for over 15 years and shes amazing everytime!

Cyan Florkowski I had Carol Ann and she did a wonderful job! I have very long hair and am terrified of haircuts. She totally understood and did exactly as I asked and walked me through her ideas. She didn’t take off more than we discussed/ what I said I wanted. Now my hair is feeling great and healthy! She is also very personable and friendly. 100% recommend her and the salon!

Alyssa McHugh I’ve been going to Kelly for over 5 years and have been so happy with the results. She is professional, talented and knowledgeable about hair. I always get compliments on my highlights. Even if I wait too long between appointments they grow out naturally. I would highly recommend Kelly to anyone looking for a quality hairdresser in Santa Monica. Additionally, Salon 626 is a friendly and welcoming environment and I always have a lovely experience there.

Jess Murphy Kelly Gibbon is an excellent hair stylist! I regularly get highlights and haircuts from her, and Im always pleased with the results. Kelly has a great eye for detail and knows how to make my hair look its best. She listens to what I want and offers helpful suggestions. The salon experience with Kelly is always enjoyable, and I leave feeling satisfied with my hair every time. I highly recommend Kelly for anyone looking for a quality stylist!

Castillo Amy “AMY C” 5 stars for the ALL STARS. GREG, CAROLANNE & literally everyone are top notch. Kids / Teens cuts… FULL COLOR, Highlight GURUS… always feel like great value and style when I invest in myself and my family here!

DIANA KEINEJAD I recently had my hair colored by Taylor at Coloration Bar, and I couldnt be more thrilled with the results! Taylor is an exceptional colorist with an innate understanding of what her clients want. Its rare to find someone who can not only grasp the exact color you envision but also deliver flawless results. Highly recommend for anyone looking to perfectly capture their desired look!

Bea Szerencses Chumley My first time visiting Coloration Bar and Ive had the best of the best experience. Called last minute and Natalie was so nice to accommodate me. Maryam who cut my hair is really sweet, professional and gave me such a great haircut! It is a very calm environment I am definitely going back!

Kellen Amaris Gold Trigg I had high hopes for this based on the glowing reviews. If I hadn’t bought the Groupon for a haircut, I’d have left. The place needs to be scrubbed, first of all. The woman who cut my hair saw me enter the premises, and then looked down at her phone for a full ten seconds before acknowledging me. Secondly, i didn’t see a single cosmetology license in the whole place. Yikes. Lastly, I wasn’t expecting a blow dry since it wasn’t part of the Groupon deal, but she started blow drying my hair after the cut so I thought maybe she was feeling generous. But she didn’t use a brush, she just kept fluffing up my hair with her hands so it ended up looking like a mushroom. Then she announces she’s done and hands me a mirror. I can’t believe she thought it was acceptable to half-dry someone’s hair without brushing it out. Half of my hair was still wet. She used no heat-protectant. I was so flabbergasted I couldn’t even respond, I just wanted to get out of there. Didn’t tip and won’t return. It seriously felt like a punishment for using a Groupon.

Elham Bagheri I recently had the pleasure of receiving a curly haircut from Maryam, and I must say, I am beyond impressed with her skills and professionalism. Maryam has an exceptional talent for working with curly hair, and she knew exactly how to cut and style my hair to bring out the best in my curls. Not only was Maryam skilled in her craft, but she was also extremely attentive and listened to all of my concerns and preferences. She took the time to understand my hair type and my desired outcome, and she worked meticulously to ensure that I was satisfied with the end result. Throughout the appointment, Maryam made me feel comfortable and relaxed, and I could tell that she truly cared about delivering a great experience. She provided me with valuable advice on how to maintain my curls and even shared some tips on how to enhance their natural texture. Overall, I cannot recommend Maryams services enough. Her expertise in curly hair is unparalleled, and she is a true professional who is passionate about her work. If youre looking for a great curly haircut, I highly recommend booking an appointment with Maryam. You wont be disappointed!

Andree Schaubhut Maryam is amazing! Great colorist and stylist! Book an appointment! You wont regret it!!

Kristy Mason Nikki is somewhat of a Santa Monica legend who I’ve been hearing about for years. I finally got the opportunity to book with her and after one visit, I understand the hype. Not only did she give me a haircut that brought out my best facial features, she gave me the best color and blow-out of my life. People often stop me in public to ask who does my color. Nikki is professional, warm, supremely talented, and she really understands her customers. Run to Nikki!!!!!

Tina Lauren Avoid at all costs. I wanted highlights for my new growth to blend. She gave me black and white (white: bleach on top already light hair) bands and blotches everywhere. It was a nightmare and I said I didn’t like it (obviously) with a look of horror on my face from even before she blowdried it because I could see how bad it looked even when it was wet and she started raising her voice at me saying she has been doing hair for a long time and that I didn’t pay enough to be unhappy. She saw the blotches after blow drying a little and said ok I’ll try to fix this one section- but the blotches were all over my hair everywhere. And she added more very dark (almost black) dye to the bottoms of my hair. My hair looked blackish/ streaky on the bottoms and brassy orange at the roots from the new highlights. She didn’t show up for the first appointment and tried to gaslight me telling me it was a different time (even though I had a text confirmation of the time), then I was super understanding and said ok let’s try another day. I had to go out of town for something important so needed my hair done before this event. So I went in (after she missed the first appointment) the day of my travels and she destroyed my hair. She was also late and I had to text her and remind her I had an appointment since she didn’t even show up the first time, to which she replied “ok but I’ll be late.” I had limited time and had to catch a flight that evening. Her attempt at fixing the blotchiness made it worse and more black on the ends while orangey on top. I was horrified and wondered if she was just learning to do hair and that’s why I got a deal? I heard her also (during my session) in an argument with someone outside the room while I waited saying that they didn’t have an appointment that day and the person said- yes i do, that’s why I am here. When she was raising her voice at me when I expressed my unhappiness and horror, I just wanted to get out of there and try to figure out how to fix it asap. I paid the minimum amount (no tip). She also told me it was Demi permanent dye so will fade after a few washes. I spent the first day of my travels trying to find an emergency hairdresser to fix my hair. I saw someone who couldn’t believe what I looked like and that I saw a professional. And I told her it was Demi so maybe she can try to get the dye out on the bottom at least and then do a root melt? And she tried to get the dye out but said there’s no way it is Demi permanent because it was barely coming out. She helped me as best as she could and told me to always curl my hair so that the blotches are hidden. She kept sighing and rolling her eyes in distress at what she had to work with. I did what she said, curling my hair while on my work trip, hoping that with more washes maybe the blotches would fade. Not only did all the processing and bleach Nikki added damage my hair, but it ruined my natural palette and will be hard for any hairdresser to work with now. I texted her afterwards explaining that I didn’t want to leave a bad review (she doesn’t have many reviews and I thought maybe she is in training and any review I make will have a significant impact), but just at least wanted a refund. She called me and started screaming at me and cursing and then handed the phone to a man who said I don’t have proof and saying that my opinion of not liking my hair is just an opinion. Needless to say she didn’t give me a refund and it was overall just a miserable experience and I would highly recommend looking elsewhere. So here are some pictures. Keep in mind that This is weeks later, after a professional tried to fix the bands and blotches and add a root melt. It is still blotchy. I would’ve loved to be able to express my dissatisfaction clearly and gotten respect and understanding in return but that didn’t happen. Also the pictures don’t even do full justice because it’s my phone camera and bathroom lighting. And reminder that this is after paying a second hairdresser to help fix it (and she did a great job and it is much better than it was before).

Leyla Montenegro AMAZING, COMPASSIONATE OWNER WHO GENUINELY HAS YOUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART. My recent experiences at Drybar and Hair Bar couldnt have been more different, and theyve left a lasting impact. Drybar let me down with a sudden cancellation, citing an "oversight," just a day before my scheduled appointment for a wedding. However, Nikki, stepped in and turned things around. Despite my tight schedule, Nikki went out of her way to try to accommodate me after hearing about my ordeal. Though she couldnt fit me in due to timing constraints, her genuine care and effort were incredibly refreshing. Its not every day you come across someone who genuinely cares about their clients well-being and happiness. Nikkis kindness and professionalism were a breath of fresh air. I cant recommend Hair Bar enough for their exceptional customer service and genuine concern for their clients satisfaction.

Jen Rose Terrible experience. Nikki didn’t show up to the appointment. Then she destroyed my hair. Will add more context but avoid at all costs. Not sure if she is even licensed. The owner seems brain dead too.

Haley Furano Nikki is an extraordinary colorist and makes me feel so comfortable. She is so kind and thoughtful. I recommend her so highly!!!

Jenifer Pitcher Don’t waste your money. I’ve been to a few Dry Bars in California, and I think it’s a waste. But this experience in Santa Monica was definitely the worst. After I was able to look in the mirror the girl that did my hair knew right away I was not happy. She didn’t offer to fix anything, and then was rude which added insult to injury. I’m traveling and realized I forgot my curling iron and hair brush and my husband had planned a romantic weekend for us and was excited to surprise me with various activities, so instead of just picking up a curling iron and doing my hair myself, I was like, oh it’s a special weekend I’ll treat myself and have my hair done. But this experience was bad and I hate the way my hair looks. I don’t know why they have a look book because they don’t even attempt to make it look like what you pick.

Amanda I have been here a few times and is always upbeat and fun, located across the street from a Whole Foods and nextdoor to a beauty supply shop (fun!) This location does get very busy and crowded though. I have been there on days where it is so loud you can barely hear and the appointments are all running late (DryBar outsources its communications so they are unable to call or email you if they are late. For this reason, NEVER book an important hair appointment right before an event on a weekend. If they are 20 minutes late they will not let you know until you are in the store!) I was most recently at this DryBar yesterday on a Wednesday morning at 10AM and all of the sinks filled even though it was nearly empty when I arrived. Pros: Fun and chic location with upscale clientele (one customer was wearing the most amazing pink and white ensemble Ive ever seen!) Cons: Busy.

Jodi Bye I’ve been coming here for over 6 months. Everything was good until today when I was 15 minutes late. They wouldn’t take me because I was late. I explains to the manger Denise that if they could just do a blow out on my hair in the amount of time they had, less 15 minute would be totally fine and I would finish it myself later as this was a bit of an emergency since I had an event coming up. She refused, I also mentioned I had waited 15 minutes many times to get my hair done, but the one time I’m 15 min late she can’t accommodate my request. Which was a totally reasonable request. People sometimes get their hair done for special events and unfortunately circumstances arise where a customer might be late especially in LA traffic. This is seriously the worst customer service I have ever had. This manager Denise is the worst, and honestly good luck with your business having this person managing it.

Kathy Rodriguez This Dry Bar is one of the worst dry bars I’ve ever been to. I have made appointments for this location multiple times and they have called me last minute on the same day as my appointment multiple times saying that they need to cancel my appointment because their hairstylist calls out, they should hire more reliable hairstylists because they’ve done this to me multiple times and it is very unprofessional. I will not be going to this location anymore. It’s funny because they will charge you a fee for canceling your appointment last minute, but they do that all the time so maybe I should have a cancellation fee as well

garima bhateja Crystal was very welcoming. My hair were a bit greasy, not only she washed them twice but also gave me amazing bounce and loose curls! She also offered drinks and explained me about the products she used on my hair! I would definitely vouch and recommend her!! She’s 10/10!