The Best 18 Hair Salon in Santa Cruz, CA (part 2)

Alessandra Strada Vida is absolutely amazing! I am so grateful I found her when I moved to Santa Cruz from New York almost five years ago. She is the very best hair stylist I have ever had. She is really gifted with talent and creativity. She is also a great listener and able to manifest my wishes into amazing hair. Recently I have decided to transition to my natural silver and I was a little worried about what that would look like. It was kind of a big decision for me. I am amazed at how skillfully and creatively Vida guided me through the process. She really took the time to listen to my concerns and wishes, offered out of the box solutions that met my needs completely. She was incredible and made the transition fun, exciting, and empowering. My hair looks amazing and I could not be happier. Thank you, Vida!

Caroline Stepovich I have searched and tried to get my hair the “perfect blonde” for years. No one has been able to get my hair bright and really blonde. Jerica is the ONLY hairdresser that gets it right every time. Her salon is clean and fun. I look forward to my hair appts with her. Highly recommend .

Tami Kittle Jerica is AMAZING! I trust VERY FEW with my fine hair and she makes me feel $1M every time I leave! I have been with the Solon for the past 25 years and would never leave!!!

Abigail Kaun Your search for a hairdresser is over! When I moved to Santa Cruz from Los Angeles I worried I’d have to fly to LA every 6 weeks to see my wonderful hairdresser there, but no! Karen Carlson is a skilled stylist, she listens, she’s super funny, and you’ll love your hair.

Laura Wilson I love Vida! She has a great understanding of hair and works with what your hair naturally wants to do which makes the daily styling very easy. She stays up-to-date with the many products out there and makes great recommendations to keep hair healthy.

Thea Gabrielle Audrie has been doing my hair for 4+ years. She is the best of the best and does my color and cut perfectly time and time again. She’s also amazing at male haircuts and styling (my bf sees her too) and wow. When we get our hair done we always leave feeling fresh and stylish. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve been complimented on my hair for years.

Meredith F. Poteran Love love LOVE this place and everyone who works here. Maria is a wonderful stylist and Alex is a wonderful esthetician. I’ve also seen the work of the other stylists here while I’m getting my hair done by Maria and I’m always very impressed by the colors and cuts I see. Great staff, great facility (clean and organized), great location!

Pamela Wagner Alex is great! My advice...Just Do this! Buy the Groupon Microdermabrasion/facial and have yourself a lovely spa moment. Even if you have to skip a few Lattes, this is well worth it, fewer calories, just as addicting and sooo relaxing.

Sandy D This place is the cutest little salon around. Even though a Groupon initially brought me here. I plan on continuing to support this small business. Microdermabrasion I received from Alex was relaxing and good results. Recommend!!

Tony Morosco I love Kelly! She always does an awesome job on my haircut. Even though I really have no idea how to cut my own hair, she offers helpful suggestions, and it always comes out perfect.

Margo Kipps Christina has cut my fine, silver hair for at least a decade now. She is the best!

John Kettles I have been going here for years. Christina is the BEST!

Buffy Johnson Diana is amazing! She always takes such great care to make sure my thick, curly hair looks great and is easy for me to maintain. She listens to what I want and makes suggestions to come up with the perfect cut. Highly recommend!!

Ann Morhauser Excellent stylist+colorist, Wendy Rae Johnson.. Does a great job teaching how to style curly and fine hair.

Shiri Gradek Veronica has been my go-to esthetician for 13 years. She’s the best! I prefer that everything exist within 1 mile radius of my house, but I have even driven to Aptos from Santa Cruz for an appointment with Veronica on a Friday afternoon. If that is not a testament to how great i think she is, I don’t know what is.

Julie Lockwood Veronica is truly the most amazing esthetician. Her studio is beautifully curated, she is the most wonderful human to spend time with, her services are above 5 stars and her prices are always very reasonable. I’m so grateful to have found Veronica!

Althea Knapp Veronica is the best! I’ve been going to her for over a year and I can’t recommend enough. Also love their cute little salon + snacks!!

Marissa Spolsdoff Nely is amazing! She helped me correct some issues with my hand-tied sewn-in extensions while I was on vacation in Capitola. She is knowledgeable, and a great stylist. Highly recommend her the salon is cute, clean, and has easy parking.

Fiona Taylor is simply amazing, I struggled with my hair for years before I found her and I have been thrilled with it ever since. She is so skilled and professional, and has an amazing talent for creating the style you envision, only better!! Every single time I have left her salon chair I have felt like my hair has never looked better. She makes the entire process delightful from start to finish. Taylor is an incredible artist, and I would recommend her to anyone!!

Lenore Young I saw my co-worker’s hair and it looked great. She gave me Taylor’s card and I phoned her. She texted me with so many questions about my hair and we set up an appointment. It had been years since someone has taught me about my hair. I had had long hair that got worse and worse and I cut it off in frustration before finding Taylor. But still my hair looked bad. Taylor explained the build up in my hair and how my natural oils were not reaching the ends because of the build up. She also new how to undercut my hair and today it is so silky and retains it shape and I see my own heathy melody of colors in my hair. Thank you for bringing me back to my own appreciation of my hair.

Sarah B Geselle is truly the best. I came to her when I was having issues with another hair stylist and needed a color correction. She was so kind and worked with me to not only make sure I loved my hair but that it is as healthy as possible. I’ve been with her for over 6 months and I’m so happy. I always love getting to see her. Highly recommend!!

Rachel Nigh Geselle was able to fit me in quickly, was super professional and kind, and my hair turned out amazing! It looks like Ive been in the sun and the highlights are so natural and glamorous!

Emily Castillo Geselle is amazing! She did a brazilian blowout on my daughter. Geselle got us in quickly. I booked an appointment with her on Thursday & she was available that Saturday for us. When we arrived we had a lot of questions. She answered all of our concerns & even told us if we werent ready & wanted to do some more research, that it was totally fine. We decided to go ahead with the treatment. She spent the next few hours with my daughter, and answered all of our questions afterward. I highly recommend Hair by Geselle! My daughter is very happy with her decision.

Alisha Hastings Why I lOVE Geselle after just one session! Professionalism: Let’s start with before you get to meet her… her website clearly states her services and policies preparing you for what she has to offer and her expectations of you as a client. Then when you submit a request for an appointment, she has you complete a form about your hair history. I appreciate that she wants to make sure we’re a good fit but also that she’s looking at my hair holistically so she can find ways to help me with my hair goals! Then you meet her, she is so personable and great at educating you about your hair and it’s needs! She listened to my vision for my haircut and also asked for examples so we knew we were seeing the same vision! Skill-set: It was obvious that she loves styling and continues to educate herself. I don’t remember ever having a haircut and feeling so much “bounce” and movement, it really felt amazing! While in her chair she continued to check in with me about aspects of the style and by the end it was clear she knows her stuff! Cost: I find the cost to be very reasonable, you are paying someone for the science and the art of styling your hair and I believe she has the eye and skill level to charge fair prices for her work! I am beyond excited to have found Geselle and can’t wait for my next appointment and hopefully years of creating fun haircuts and color with her! Hands down I would recommend her to friends and family!♥️

Kamele Nugent Geselle did an amazing job! I couldn’t have been happier with my cut and keratin treatment!

Beth Hecht Im so thrilled with the color and cut I got from Julianne at Harlo! She is truly outstanding at her craft and I highly recommend her for all of your color and hair styling needs! The salon is very relaxing and Julianne is so sweet- I feel pampered and beautiful after every visit there!

Chanel Kelly Julianne at Harlo is a goddess. She is so extremely talented and professional and treats every strand of hair with care! After getting my hair colored by her I would never go anywhere else. She has such great vision and cares about the hair integrity above all.

isabellasoleil1313 Julianne Taylor at Harlo does the most amazing work!! I couldn’t be happier with my new hair color and cut!!! I’ve seen her here once before for a hair color appointment, and just came back again for another hair color appointment as well as a haircut! I wouldn’t trust anyone else to do my color, and I always get so many compliments on the gorgeous red tones she creates! Book at Harlo with Julianne, you won’t regret it :)

jasmine merritt Most AMAZING hair experience I have ever had! I am a natural auburn and I have been wanting to add highlights and strawberry blondes and I have not had any luck until I came to Julianne at Harlo! She is a color magician and read my mind on what I wanted and then MADE IT HAPPEN. She was so aware of my comfort the entire time and made the whole experience so pleasurable that I am referring her to all my friends and family. This was a true salon experience with a true professional. Go to her and I promise you will not be sorry!

Emma James Julianne at Harlo is the best! She is so meticulous. She gave me the hair color of my dreams! Would 100% recommend her if you are looking for a new hairstylist. She’s also super sweet!

Reese Martinez Abriana is an amazing stylist who is always clear with her expectations for the cuts and coloring she offers. She asks great questions to clarify what her clients are looking for. I have loved my hair both times I have come to the moon and I will continue to come back each time I need a service. Super friendly staff and inviting salon!

Aimee Fransen Ming is truly wonderful at everything she does! My hair has never been healthier or happier. I get compliments daily on how pretty it is, all thanks to her talent and artistry. She also cuts all 3 of my children and my husbands hair. And she’s incredibly kind. Getting my hair done is always a fun and rejuvenating experience!

Meghan Donovan 10/10!! I got my hair done by Ming and she is truly an artist. She listened to me and worked with me to find the perfect new style for my hair. She really knows hair and it shows! From assessing the texture of my hair, to where my cowlicks are, to how much maintenance I want to do, she thinks of everything! I literally have never gotten so many compliments on my hair as I have after going to Ming! The salon itself is so cute and warm and just a nice space to be in.

Omar Torrentera I had an exceptional experience at The Moon with Ming. She took the time to understand my hair goals and offered expert advice tailored to my hair type. Her exceptional service, combined with top-quality products, has set me up for long-term healthy hair. Booking an appointment online was a breeze, and Mings extensive knowledge and experience with all hair types and styles truly impressed me. I would unequivocally rate The Moon and Ming a perfect 20/10."

Tess Aurore The vibes here are IMMACULATE. The decor is exactly what my queer self would want in a woman cave. Ming made my bangs look flawless and is such a gem. I’ll be coming back for as long as they’ll have me!

T. Flores I had a fantastic experience with Michelle! The atmosphere is charming, and the service is exceptional. Michelle was incredibly accommodating and pleasant, ensuring that I felt comfortable throughout my appointment. I have long, thin straight hair and wanted to add some bangs and light layers. She took the time to understand exactly what I wanted and continued to make adjustments until the look I was going for was achieved. I highly recommend Michelle and look forward to my next visit.

Rajvi Brahmbhatt Michelle did a beautiful blow dry, styling my thick black hair so that it suited my features. I also received a hair gloss treatment. She took the time to explain how to style my hair at home and comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Highly recommended!

Stephanie Giesen Ive been coming here for years and Michelle is the best and is VERY consistent with the quality in service and hair color. The way she does my roots allows my hair to grow out for almost 3 months and still look intentional. Michelle is very accommodating with appointments (early am, late pm, weekend availability’s) and everything in between. Highly recommend Michelle!!

Emily Lopez Amazing experience, hands down the best haircut Ive ever gotten. Michelle is so sweet, squeezed me in last minute, and did a spectacular job with my hair. She did an amazing job with my hair, and didnt take hours like most curly hair salons do. I would absolutely recommend coming here if youre in search of a haircut, I cannot say enough good things about this establishment.

Adriana Scioscia Michelle was the nicest lady. She was on time (early actually) and quick in her work but with beautiful results. I called her last minute for my civil ceremony hair and she did an amazing job!

MaryAlice Blymyer I got my hair cut my Hilary and she did an AMAZING job! Everyone in there are super nice, the atmosphere was so welcoming and she did exactly what I was visioning. She will definitely be my go to for now on!

Claudia Liz Brittes de Lima Went to this place on a whim. Sally was amazing, she did what Ive been asking for for so long. She listened and delivered. Sally Ill come down here from the Bay for you. Thank you

Maximillian Laumeister I had my hair cut by Rezo. He is really good at what he does! I showed him some pictures of what I wanted my hair to be more like, and I walked out excited to take photos of my new style. I understand now how to get some volume in my hair. Thank you, Rezo!

Shelby McDermott UPDATE: My hair is stunning and Im in LOVE with Crystals work!! I cant even tell it was red and I feel beautiful!! Before and after photos added! So far, Crystal has been super sweet, SUPER honest, and easy to talk to!! Eren at the front desk has a great energy and he seems very efficient. I had my consultation today, the 26th and soon she will go to work on my ugly, grown out, faded dyed red hair. Red is never easy to get out, but she was forthcoming about the end possibilities and seems experienced in going from red to blonde. I should also note, Crystal was willing to work out a plan that not only fit our vision for my hair, but a plan that my wallet could handle and I respect that about her. It seems like she loves her job and just wants to help people feel good!

Catherine Steinkamp Hilary did an amazing job cutting my hair, hands down the best haircut Ive ever had! I have been trying to find someone who can bring out the best in my hair for a long time, and she just had a perfect sense of what to do with it. I had been hesitantly considering bangs for a long time, and she was in full support of it which had me convinced. What she did turned out a million times better than I imagined, and it was a fun experience to be encouraged like that and have us both be excited with the turn out. She even asked to take pictures after which was very flattering, and even though I never take selfies I couldnt help myself afterwards! She was so friendly and accommodating, cut hair like an artist working her magic, and even gave a killer scalp massage! So happy to find my new go-to local hair salon, very clean, inviting atmosphere with awesome art on the walls. Will definitely be back!

liana ps I had an appointment with Myra and I wanted to leave a review because this was such an amazing haircut experience. Myra was incredibly sweet and thoughtful and gentle the entire time and listened and helped me make sense of what I was asking for. She was so thoughtful about checking in throughout the haircut to see if I wanted to make any changes and made me feel so able to ask for what I wanted. I was honestly stunned by how much care she put into cutting my hair, it was amazing. She was so detailed and did such a great job:) I’m so thankful I got to be with her! I recommend to anyone wanting a short haircut or any haircut

Svea Scholten I love the positive vibe that the owner Mary has created at the Nook. Everyone is so welcoming. The salon is always clean and well stoked with all the different Aveda products. There’s even a tray of yummy complimentary cookies to enjoy! The location has lots of convenient parking and is located across from Whole Foods midtown and walking distance to cute shops and place to eat.

Samuel Adelson Great inclusive space! Pricing is mid range, not as cheap as a corporate chain salon but did not break the bank. I hadn’t been to a professional salon in many years and The Nook was recommended on Reddit. My stylist Myra was awesome! Friendly and professional, very careful and did a great job. Highly recommended. Thanks Myra!!

Jane Wise As a fat, queer, Puerto Rican woman with multiple years of bad haircuts behind me, I highly recommend The Nook to anyone and everyone! When you walk in, you feel welcomed, seen, and invited, no matter how you present or dress. The lounge space is cute, often including a tray of cookies and a collection of magazines. The stylists are sweet and funny, and I just learned they do facials! Now, for my curly/wavy hair girls, especially for those of us with hair that has multiple textures and porosities on our heads, go to Wendy Frye. When I first worked with her she spent half the time actually physically feeling the weight of my hair, picking out the different textures, and getting to know my hair goals and my priorities. And when she started actually working I felt comfortable, heard, and I learned new things about my hair needs. She is the only stylist I have ever gone to where I leave with my hair happier, healthier, and curlier than when I came in. Personally, she is also great to talk to. I take a while to open up to people, but she is warm and kind and funny. And she makes great product recommendations! Finally, just wanted to add a recommendation from my they/them autistic wife; they love Wendy. My wife has very different hair, and very different personality, than me, yet we both adore her. Even after moving to San Jose we both still take the time to go to The Nook and work with Wendy because there is nowhere and no one better.

Colleen Ferrell Shawna is amazing! Even though I didn’t have a solid idea of my haircut goal, she listened to everything I said, and did an excellent job creating a haircut that I love. I have wavy/curly hair and anybody with that type of hair knows it’s a challenge to find a stylist you can trust - so happy I found this salon and Shawna!

Jessica Gilbert Worst haircut + customer service I’ve ever had from a salon. I showed Angie the same picture I had shown her once before, and got an entirely different haircut than the last time. My hair looks like it had chunks taken care of it (pictures attached). My mother, sister, and boyfriend called my hair “hacked at”. Though the haircut was bad, the complete lack of communication after the fact was even more disappointing. I’ve reached out to Angie and the salon over both email and Instagram, and have not received a response in nearly 4 weeks. Not the first haircut I haven’t liked, but definitely my worst salon experience.

M. Scout This place is so awesome. Its fairly priced, and the outcome is amazing. Im so impressed! I have avoided getting my hair done for so long because Ive been less than impressed with my experiences, but I think I finally found my spot! Alfa cut my hair and she was so kind and talented. 10/10 recommend. Not to mention the salons dog Buster who is amazing.

Lung Samantha A really great experience! I hadn’t gone to a salon in a long time, so I was a bit nervous, but Jennifer was super kind and helpful! I showed her a picture of what I wanted, and she got it spot on, and even made a few suggestions that were suited for my hair! I loved the result!

Claire Olivier i’m literally writing this review immediately after getting home from my appointment because it was 100% the best experience i have ever had in my life when it comes to coming to a salon. Leslie and her team of amazing women literally performed a miracle on my half brown/half green hair and turned it into something beautiful. Also they are all so sweet and welcoming, it really felt like I was in a room full of friends. i cannot recommend LV enough and i will never get my hair done anywhere else!! thank you so much!!

Elizabeth Mello This salon is adorable. These ladies really work miracles. The expertise in color is amazing. I took my co-worker/friend as a birthday gift for her color which was over grown and increasingly gray boxed dyed hair. She was very nervous since she knew it wasn’t going to be a simple job. They added perfect matched hi/low lights to blend her existing color with the new growth and made it so her growing grey isn’t so shocking. Truly transformed her hair and self confidence! It was nice to see how they work as a team together and willing to share/teach techniques in the process.

Audra Wright-Alderson This salon offers such a wide variety of services. They have all kinds of extensions halo,beaded, ... and they also spend a lot of time consulting with you to make sure you come out of the salon looking great!

Abigail Lacey This salon looks great, I would definitely go here,for hair coloring, if I lived closer. Their website was great and their hair stylist all have great photos to look through to make sure you choose the correct stylist for yourself.

Vintage Saucy Saucers I asked around for recommendations for “the best” hair extensions and the best I got at LV hair. I went in with tape ins and left with IBE. Leslie, Mia, Devin, and Amanda were amazing. They did a bunch of color work, covered my grey, and installed 22 inch IBE extension. They are so comfortable, I had no idea extensions could feel like this. Leslie was so patient with explaining the aspects of care, as well as explaining my options for color. They are almost entirely undetectable and the color match is beautiful. I am blown away. If you are looking for the best, the best you will find at LV hair.

Mira Borovets I had an incredible experience with Abby, and I’m thrilled with the results of my highlights, color, and haircut! She’s a true professional who knows how to bring your vision to life. The highlights are perfectly blended, the color is vibrant and exactly what I wanted, and the haircut frames my face beautifully. Abby’s attention to detail and skill are outstanding, and she made the whole process enjoyable and relaxing. I’ve never felt more confident in my look—thank you, Abby! Highly recommend her to anyone looking for top-tier hair services.

Jana M. I am not an easy client. I have very high standards, yet can’t always articulate well what I want because I don’t know all the hairdresser lingo. I had very dark hair that had been blonded for over a year when I came to Arrow to have it updated. Being blond is high maintenance and I’m trying to ease into letting my gray grow in…and very particular about the coloring. Megan took so much time with me to really figure out what I wanted and how to achieve it. She has the patience of a saint…and I absolutely LOVE my results. I couldn’t speak more highly of Megan, her service and her craft. Thank you! Five-stars and a halo!!

alyson young I was nervous beforehand since this was my first time here (and it was waxing) with Marisa, but she’s amazing! Not only was she very professional, but she made me feel incredibly welcome and comfortable. She walked me through the whole process and answered all of questions, which I LOVED. She’s also just the sweetest person ever, highly recommend. I will definitely be coming back to see her:)

Mark Chambers-Bray This salon is brimming with amazingly talented artists who specialize in the beauty art they create. The space is comfortable, upbeat, professional and very friendly. I enjoy my haircuts, facials, lash extensions, eyebrow micro blading and more. Color and hair extensions are others of their specialties. I always look forward to going there and always leave refreshed.

Michele Loftis I lost my hair dresser after many years. I was nervous about finding a new one. I took a leap of faith. I was extremely happy!!. Beautiful place. Great location. Abby did my hair. She was awesome! . Definitely going back. I now have Abby as my hair dresser I’m so happy with my hair. Five stars!!!!

Alexis Meschi I could not be more thrilled with my hair that Bronwyn did. First of all, their salon space is SO clean and beautiful so it makes the experience so pleasant. Bronwyn uses a natural hair color line which is what drew me to her services. I wanted a less toxic way to take care of my hair. In addition to the color line, the blending style she does made my hair so natural and dimensional. I couldnt believe the outcome! I have never liked my hair this much. I couldnt recommend Willow and Wolfe more!

Stephanie L Shellby is an excellent stylist. She cut my hair exactly how I wanted it. Im looking forward to her doing my color too!

Katie Lemere A Capitola gem! Bronwyn fixed up my pixie cut today and I am very happy with the results. Anyone who has short hair knows its sometimes hard to find a good stylist, as theres little room for error. The salon is beautiful and sophisticated without being pretentious, and the rates are comparable with other salons around, if not a little more affordable.

Tobias Britton If I could give Willow & Wolfe 10 stars I would. Not only are they exceptionally talented at what they do (my hair is naturally mediocre at best, and after I go in to see Bronwyn my friends dont shut up about how beautiful it is), they are extremely professional and work in a very cute, welcoming, and extremely clean setting for the cherry on top. Bronwyn is a serious ray of sunshine, she is warm but keeps it real. She is the kind of homie I would love to grab a beer with after a long work week. I particularly love her commitment to Mother Earth, and female wellness....she has done her research to find products that work and are healthy for us and our Mother. She exudes what it means to be an intentional human.

Elle Marie Looking for a fantastic stylist who knows blondes? Muriska is your girl! Trust me after 20 plus years of getting highlights and having lived just about everywhere I feel like I hit the jackpot- she’s of the best stylists I’ve seen. In addition to color she can CUT. She gave me a short bob the very first time I saw her and did an excellent job! I feel like it’s hard to cut short hair, but not for her. She’s meticulous, reliable and so kind!

Mira Borovets Im absolutely thrilled with the exceptional service provided by Celia! From the stunning color to the flawless cut, she truly exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt, Celia deserves a glowing 5-star review! Thank you!

elisabeth kooi Leslie French-Baxter is the BEST at braids and she created exactly the look that I wanted for my wedding updo and my bridesmaids hair. She made us all feel so comfortable and took feedback well. She took extra time with me for a trial run. My updo stayed put all day!

Chelsea Grimm Shyla is amazing! I’ve gotten haircuts exclusively from her since moving to Santa Cruz 2 years ago. She always does a great job and is so sweet. I enjoy talking with her during the process just as much as the finished product. I had my first color experience with her today and am a very happy girl!

Kathleen Walter has excellent hair cutting skills. He listens and styles to your taste. I have fine curly hair and he is able to create volume, profile and frame your face. In the past, I’ve had curly hair experts not nearly as good. He is always pleasant for over a decade.

Lanie Bo Made an appointment over 2 weeks in advance with Gina Angeles. When I got there 5 minutes early for my appointment the lights were off and the door was locked at 11am on a Saterday, I tried calling 2 times and left a voicemail with my contact info and never heard back. Had purchased a groupon but got it refunded because of the poor customer service on Ginas end.

J. Alexander Luis is an incredible hair stylist.

Ivan Diaz Luis has cut my hair for almost 10 years and he never fails to amaze me on how talented he is!

Meghan Robinson Love Luis’ style. He’s fast and efficient so I can be in an out with wash, cut and style within an hour.

Pat Zavella I have gone to Salon L for years and I love how Luis understands my curly hair. Also, he actually listens and cuts/styles my hair the way I prefer. He is a good conversationalist and overall nice person.