Chris is not only a great colorist and hair stylist, but she's also a lovely, accommodating professional. She's open to your suggestions and is flexible. I really enjoy her salon on 18th Street in Santa Monica. As someone else said, it's sunny and welcoming. I've been really happy with Chris's work from Day 1. read more

Chris is amazing. She gave me the best highlights of my life and has now given me the best haircut! I asked for her input on what would look best on me and she chose a cut that perfectly suited my face and hair type. She's a true artist and you will be in excellent hands. On top of that she's a lovely, unpretentious, warm person. I would recommend her to ANYONE. read more

Gwen went out of her way to help us look stylish at the wedding! I have a ton of hair and she did an amazing job blowing it out really quickly and setting it so I could dance all night read more

Mallow Hair Studio - Gorgeous 90s style blowout by Gwen! - Hair Salons Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Took me forever to find in LA, but I finally found my gal, Chris Hoffman, to do my hair cut and color. I think I've been going to her since 2001. Originally she was at Hair Cafe, a very cute hair joint down near the beach in Santa Monica, but she moved on to Tosca, and I followed! Not only can she cut & color (and color correct like a mad woman) she always keeps up with the current trends, anxiously awaiting a daring client or hair problem to solve. She is always taking classes. I trust her completely, and I've had so much done to my hair! I used to color it myself to save $$ and let her cut and style it. She's very open, and will work with you if there are things you just want to take care of at home. But now I let her do it all. I think we're trying something new next time I see her! read more

Chris is a rare find. A stylist who is both great at cutting, and masterful with color. She approaches her work with an artist's eye. If she feels that what you are asking for doesn't work, or is a process too stressful for your hair, what you get is a kind, honest and reasoned response. Although she could easily charge double, she chooses to have her own private shop on a chill tree lined street in Santa Monica with incredibly fair fees. She's up there with the best. read more

Chris Hoffman, the best hair stylist I've ever met, has opened Mallow Hair Studio, right around the corner from where she once was: She's now on 18th, just one door south of Broadway in Santa Monica. Everything I said about Salon *****, was really about the resident artiste - Chris Hoffman - and she's still the wonderfully cheerful and artistic haar-kunstler* as before. She will not only do a great job with your hair, it's impossible to go there and not leave in a much better mood with a much more positive outlook on life. The decor is still quite spare, but it is clean, uncluttered, and it has a nice, nice vibe, and really, how worth it is it to go someplace and emerge less than an hour later, not only looking better, but FEELING better? The music is always tasty and mellow, without being Muzak-y, the company is always EXCELLENT, and she will either cut your hair EXACTLY the way you want it, or if you're like me and you're not sure, she'll figure something out that suits you just GREAT. So: Mallow at: (or for more info, go to www.mallowhairstudio.com) *Deutsche: "Hair-artist". And that's your non-sequitur for the day. *** Hey, f*ck yeah, Chris Hoffman! A real hair artiste, with none of the snobby attitude usually associated with Artistes! She likes to play around with your hair, she's always taking classes and workshops and keeping up on the latest techniques and products, and best of all...if you have a specific request, she'll cut it the way you want her to. Plus...she's got this great German accent that makes everything sound like she's harboring some inside joke, and she makes you feel like a long, lost friend... read more

Chris is an amazing hair stylist. I went to her for about 5 years. She always keeps up with the current trends and takes her time cutting your hair and making sure everything is exactly as you want it. She's really the best stylist I've ever gone to. I live in Pasadena and spent the last year trying to find a good stylist that is closer to home. But I've only ended up frustrated because other stylists just haven't compared. I'm going back to Chris and welcome the drive out to Santa Monica! read more

I wasn't looking for anything fancy when I went here. I just wanted my hair cut by someone who would do a good job. Thats what I got. Chris did a great job and was easy to chat with. She sat down with me and discussed what I wanted and getting it a little shorter here and there during the process wasn't a problem. She is very accommodating. I would go again. My haircut cost $50 (mens). read more

Chris is the best. She is a delight as a person and an EXCELLENT hair dresser. You can't go wrong going to Chris and her prices are competitive. What more can you ask for? read more

I love my hair after Chris does it! She is a talented hairdresser. She is a good listener, she won't cut your hair SHORT if you let her know you are growing it out! She is also incredible with colour!!!! Adorable salon and a wonderful person to boot! Jacquie C. read more

Chris is amazing - amazing! First of all, she can cut perfect bangs EVERY TIME. BAM! Second, when I stopped straightening my hair and went back to my natural curl she perfected my super layered cut like a freaking magician. I get so many compliments on my hair, it's sick. She's an awesome stylist and a super cool lady! read more

I've been getting my hair cut at Mallow for 3 years and just love Chris! She does exactly what I ask, she understands my hair, and knows how to cut it so that I can manage it. I pay a little more than I did in the past, but she is worth every penny & more! She is also very quick (not rushed at all) and very efficient. My boyfriend has also started getting his hair cut by Chris. We both agree that she given us the best haircuts we've ever had! Also, the the salon is very cool and I love that she decorates it with the work of local artists. read more

I always had my hair cut and colored at a well known salon in Beverly Hills -- until three years ago when my stylist went on a long vacation and I needed my hair done for an event. Chris was recommended to me by a friend, and I went to her, I thought, for a one time only appointment -- and have been going to Chris ever since. My past stylist is very good, I like her quite a lot, as she's a lovely person and is actually a friend of my sister, so it's awkward when I still see her -- but it's worth it. I not only like how my hair looks since I've been going to Chris -- but I enjoy the experience of getting my hair done more now. I never looked forward to the trek into Beverly Hills, finding a parking spot, the loud rock music in the salon, and my very busy stylist was always juggling clients. I would be moved into different chairs every time I got comfortable, had assistants put on my color, see drama in the salon and run out of there as fast as I could. It was stressful. I get my hair done every 6 weeks, so it's a big part of my life. Yes, my Beverly Hills stylist was quicker than Chris: I would be out of there in under 1 1/2 hours. Chris does take longer -- because she takes her time to get it right and leaves plenty of time for each client so she doesn't have to rush. She looks at me carefully every single time I get my hair done and evaluates how my hair is growing, whether the color is still good, whether it's time for a change, etc. And if the cut is still good she insists I skip the cut and just do color until my next appointment. Additionally, the atmosphere is very relaxing and pleasant -- because Chris is not only very good at what she does, but she's very sweet and charming. No angst, no drama. Her salon may not be flashy and fancy, but it's very clean and comfortable. In all the Beverly Hills salons, it always hurt my neck to get my hair washed and I needed them to put a rubber piece or a towel under my neck so I could endure the pain during the wash -- but Chris made a point of finding the most comfortable bowl possible for her salon. The bottom line is if you want a calm hair experience with a highly skilled stylist, who never works on auto-pilot, is lovely to talk to, and truly seems to enjoy what she does -- and it the type of person who is always looking to learn improve what she does -- it doesn't get any better than Chris Hoffman at Mallow Hair Studio. read more

Wooooohoooooo! I love Chris! She's been doing my hair for years, but I stopped seeing her because I moved to the South Bay. I tried a high-end salon in Manhattan Beach and got the WORST hair cut I've ever had (think Super Cuts!). Chris saved the day and fixed my terrible hair cut. She's also amazing with color. I won't trust anyone else with my hair. Thanks again Chris! read more

I moved to LA around six months ago and a friend recommended Chris (which is always the best way to find the gem people). She is amazing. I knew within 10 minutes of meeting her, I would trust her 100%. She really wants to get to know you before doing anything to your hair so she will get things right. She really genuinely cares and is very passionate about what she does. I've got very thick, frizzy, curly hair. Now, for the first time in my life, I'm wearing it down every day as it looks so good! Chris did a deep conditioning treatment which has helped tame the wild curls and get rid of all the frizz. She also did a fantastic job on the colour and cut as well. I'm so thrilled to have found her! Also, her salon is a beautiful, sunny space and I always come out feeling very relaxed which is how it should be when you get your hair done! I can't recommend Chris highly enough! read more

Chris is a wonderful hair stylist and colorist. She's done terrific highlights for me and she even did a quick fix despite a busy schedule when I walked in without an appointment with roots showing too much and a fancy out-of-town event the next day. Recently I got tired of the highlights and had her dye my hair brown with incredible chocolatey-rich results. I like to experiment with my hair but don't want it to come out looking too arty and I completely trust my hair in Chris' hands. She was careful to get to know who I was and make sure that the results match my personality. I'm always happy when I have an appointment with Chris because I know I'll walk out of her salon with great results, but also because I know I'll walk out feeling happy. We always have good conversations and she has plenty of gossip magazines lying around for brain candy. I highly recommend Mallow Hair Studio! read more

Chris Hoffman is not just a hair-stylist, she is an artist and a master of the art of hair-styling and coloring. I trust her so implicitly with my hair and would not, could not, go anywhere else. She has a gift for seeing the result in her mind and that is a gift that I rely on... I have been working with her for seven years and I have never walked away from an appointment dissatisfied. Her studio is so elegantly simple and it's a great place to escape to from my busy schedule. read more

It's Erin Toby again. Back with another fantastic haircut!! I've posted before about how great Chris is, but I just wanted to say it again. Thanks Chris!!! As I told you yesterday, you know you've got an amazing haircut when it makes you want to buy a whole new wardrobe. LOL! read more

I've been having Chris cut my hair for 5 or 6 years now. Her prices are reasonable, the shop is nice and Chris is a pro! She is a wonderful person and always takes time to understand what the cut should be or offer suggestions on a cut for an everchanging hairline. I cannot recommend Chris and Mallow highly enough! read more

I have been going to Chris Hoffman for over 9 years now (I went to her at another salon before she opened Mallow). . She gets my hair and I won't go to anyone else. Even when I lived in San Diego, I would wait until Chris could cut it. Twice I have gone to other stylists when Chris was booked and couldn't get me in and twice I was sorry I didn't wait. She always listens to what I want to do, how much I want to cut off, etc. We've all had the experience of a hairdresser "yes-ing" you about what you want and then doing what they want; this has never happened to me with Chris. She is giving you a "Rodeo Drive" haircut for a very reasonable price. She also has done "balyage" on my hair and I LOVE it and have received so many compliments about it from people. I have referred numerous people to her and everyone has been happy with her work and become long term clients. I love that it is her own sweet space, very personal, cool looking, and comfy. read more

Best haircut ever!! I am so particular, and I have thin flat hair. No one has been able to make anything of it before. I went to Chris a couple of years ago for a wedding and she gave me the cutest short haircut. My husband had been unemployed for a few years, so that was to be my big splurge for awhile. I did not have to cut my hair close to a year. That cut grew out so perfectly. Now we are slowly saving again (husband back to work!), so I gave myself a treat and had her cut my hair this past Saturday. My hair is much longer now, and she gave me the EXACT cut I wanted. A cute 60's shag a-la Kate Moss. I LOVE IT!! Thanks Chris, you are THEE BEST! read more