Looking for the best salons in San Diego?
Hair, lashes, nails and more!? You have come to the right place.
Give me some fierce brows and a fresh hair color and cut and I feel like a new woman! Whether you like to get pampered all the time or just for special occasions, I am all about looking and feeling good. To do that, you are going to need to find the best Salons. La Jolla, Hillcrest, El Cajon, Del Mar… I’ve tried salons all over town.
I’ve lived in San Diego for over 10 years and I’ve been to several salons and spas during that time; I do my homework, read Yelp reviews, and get referrals from friends, and I have found what I consider some of the best salons and spas in San Diego. Read on to learn more about my absolute favorites!
Sidenote: Yes, there are many salons in San Diego. These are just some of my favorites and the spots that I personally have been to and can vouch for how incredible their services are.
Best Hair in San Diego (Get ready for the best color and styles of your life)
This list of best salons in San Diego is in no particular order…
Carly Bowers at Salon Elle, http://www.salonellelajolla.com
- What: Color and Cut
- Where: 7552 Fay Avenue, La Jolla (Downtown La Jolla)
Carly is absolutely incredible; her instagram pictures look straight out of pinterest (@hairbycarly). I actually found Carly through Instagram; another girl posted a pic of her hair looking phenomenal so I had to see her myself!
I have been getting my hair dyed at various salons for 20 years and Carly is hands down the best. I was looking to go from super blonde to a more natural healthy blonde and thought that was impossible but she is a miracle worker! She spends time getting to know exactly what you are looking for, gives recommendations that will work for YOUR hair, and she makes sure your hair stays healthy. She stays on top of current trends and new techniques and has a huge following of loyal clients so you need to book this San Diego salon in advance if you want to get one of her amazing colors, cuts, or both. Carly is at Salon Elle, an adorable modern salon in downtown La Jolla filled with fantastic stylists such as Carly.
Salon Elle is located in the heart of La Jolla. Services include extensions, color (balayage, all over color, highlights), cuts, conditioning treatments, and more.
Blo Blow Dry Bar, http://blomedry.com/locations/blo-la-mesa/
- What: Styling
- Where: 8806 Grossmont Boulevard, La Mesa (Grossmont area)
Blo Blow Dry Bar has several locations (I’ve been to the one in La Mesa) and it has such a fun concept – no cuts, no color – just blow dry, styling, nails and makeup! I stopped by here before my husband’s holiday party to get some loose waves and a braid for my hair, and some eye makeup to go with my LipSense lip color choice for the night Kelly’s Krush. I usually style my own hair and obviously love doing my own makeup, so this was such a treat and I felt totally spoiled. This is a great spot to go if you are on your way out for the night and maybe don’t have time to go home and get ready after work, or if you are just wanting to do something a little extra special with your hair and makeup.
Blo Blow Dry Bar is located in La Mesa and also in downtown San Diego. Hair services include blow outs, styling, blow outs with clip in extensions, braids, and more.
Hannah Menor at Disconnected, http://www.disconnectedsalon.com/
- What: Wild Color
- Where: 3830 30th Street, San Diego (North Park)
If you are looking to take a walk on the wild side and want fabulous hair color (think pink), RUN over to see Hannah at Disconnected! I swoon over her instagram pics (@hairbyhannahdisconnected) of her clients with bold pink, purple, even rainbow colored hair. She is incredibly talented, experienced, and so fun to talk to. Many stylists at salons in San Diego will admit that they are not 100% comfortable with doing vivid colors on clients so if you are wanting a non-traditional color, you definitely want to go with someone like Hannah who knows exactly what she is doing and loves it!
Disconnected is a hip salon in downtown North Park. Services include color, cut, conditioning treatments, extensions, updos, and waxing. The stylists are all on point, like Hannah!
Best Nails and Spray Tan (Because don’t they go hand in hand?!)
OK, now we are talking about the best salon in San Diego for nails and spray tans.
Alysa Espiritu of Alysa’s Tan and Wax Shack , https://www.yelp.com/biz/alysas-tan-and-wax-shack-la-mesa
- What: Gel Mani/Pedi, organic airbrush tan
- Where: at Feather and Fringe Salon 8749 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa (East San Diego)
Alysa has so many awesome talents and services to offer as a licensed esthetician, and I am a huge fan of her fantastic gel manicures/pedicures and spray tans. For your nails, she has tons of gorgeous colors to choose from, does adorable detailed nail art, and has a beautiful space where you can relax and be pampered. Alysa is fun to talk to and takes pride in her work. For special occasions, I like to have a little glow and Alysa is a spray tan queen. I leave with a golden brown glow, no streaks, and a tan that lasts. If you are looking for the best salon in San Diego to be treated right from head to toe, Alysa is your girl!
Alysa can be found at Feather and Fringe salon in La Mesa. Feather and Fringe offers hair services including cuts, color, blowouts, wedding hair, and extensions. The stylists are not only talented but so fun and and in the know!
Best Skin (Hello Glowing Complexion!):
Read on to find out about one of the best spas in San Diego.
Urban Calm, http://www.urbancalmspa.com
- What: Customized Facial
- Where: 726 9th Avenue, San Diego (Downtown)
So I had never really got facials before and while I never had major skin issues, I definitely didn’t have that flawless skin I was hoping for. I saw a picture of myself a couple weeks after I got engaged and I thought, hmmm maybe it is time for more of a bridal glow and some brow threading, who can help me?! I turned to Yelp and found Urban Calm. Heidi Olden, the sweet owner first helped me getting a great shape for my brows using threading. She is fantastic as are the rest of the estheticians at her spa. But I’ve got to say….I look forward every single month to the incredible 90 minute facials. If you want a birthday/anniversary/just because gift, tell your gift-giver that you NEED a facial here.
It started off as a special treat while I was engaged because I thought, I’m getting married, what a great time to pamper myself. Then it turned into literally my favorite indulgence in life and yes, I get a 90 minute facial (that comes with a hand/arm/foot/leg heavenly massage somehow) every month because they are that good. If you want glowing skin with a side of relaxation, you must visit this beautiful organic spa in East Village.
Urban Calm offers treatments such as facials, massages, acupuncture, waxing, brow threading, and spray tanning. They are not technically a salon in San Diego, they are more of a spa, but I had to put them on the list. They combine ancient and modern beauty techniques and provide a truly calming spa experience.
Best Lashes in San Diego (Wake up Looking Fabulous):
Paige Petrics, styleseat.com/paigepetrics
- What: Lash Extensions
- Where: at Urban Skincare 3357 4th Avenue, Suite 1, San Diego (Banker’s Hill)
I don’t get lash extensions all the time, but when I do Paige is my go-to. She is so sweet and let me ask her a ton of questions before my first appointment; she showed me pictures and made sure that we agreed on the look I was going for (I have decently long natural lashes so when I get extensions I like some drama!) I started getting compliments immediately. Not only did my lashes look amazing (and it is so addicting to wake up, throw some lipstick and clothes on and look totally put together!) but they were comfortable, lasted long, and were high-quality. Paige doesn’t charge by lash like some salons in San Diego but does an unlimited lash count so you leave looking fabulous. From super natural lashes to tons of drama, Paige does it all. You can see more of her lash pics on her instagram @paigepetrics_lashes
Starting in January, you can find Paige at Urban Skincare in Banker’s Hill.
*Note: Lash Extend helps keep my lashes strong while wearing extensions, and grows them long and full when I don’t wear extensions – win/win 🙂
Best Brows (No more sad 90’s brows – full is in!)
iBrows by Alexis, https://www.vagaro.com/ibrowsbyalexis/about
- What: Wax/Shape
- Where: 4455 Twain Avenue, San Diego (Allied Gardens)
Alexis, the “Anastasia Beverly Hills trained brow slayer” is just that – she is so gifted in brow shaping, it isn’t even funny. Trained by the famous Anastasia Beverly Hills (who has clients such as Kim Kardashian and Oprah), she decided to open her own business here in San Diego. She pays such attention to detail and really creates a shape that looks best with your facial features. Your brows will get trimmed, waxed, tweezed, and she explains how to use makeup to fill in sparse brows. Alexis is hilarious and your appointment will fly by, and you will leave with the best looking brows in town!
iBrows by Alexis is a salon in San Diego, CA specializing exclusively in brow shaping. Appointments are available every 20 minutes and book fast – make sure to book ahead of time using her convenient online booking system.
That is it for the Best Salons in San Diego List!
There are so many great salons in San Diego. If I missed your favorite on this list, let me know by commenting below! I plan on adding more of the best hair, nail, lash, etc., salons overtime.
For now, if you like this post please share it on social media to support these awesome salons. Also, make sure to check them out and let them know Lips by Nic sent you. And no, I was not paid anything to write this post! I just really like a good salon.
