I can't believe I haven't written a review for Luis before, it's been 5 years since I started coming to him! I first found Luis through a friend's recommendation, and ever since then, I honestly don't mind driving from San José to Santa Cruz every couple of months because the quality of his work is absolutely worth it. From the very first appointment, when I came in for highlights, I could tell Luis truly cares about what he does. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he also works with so much care and attention that you genuinely feel well taken care of during the whole process. Anyone who gets highlights knows how damaging bleach can be to your hair, but Luis always took his time with the process to make sure my hair stayed healthy. Sometimes appointments would take 3 hours or more, but it was because he focused on doing things the right way instead of rushing. And honestly, it showed, even after years of highlights, my hair always felt healthy, shiny, and beautiful. Never damaged. After about a year, I decided to completely change my look and go for a copper/red tone instead of highlights, and Luis helped me find the perfect shade. I still get so many compliments and questions about my hair color all the time! Now, every couple of months I come back for my color touch-up and haircut, and somehow my hair keeps growing long, healthy, and strong. His hands are magic, seriously. But beyond the amazing work he does, Luis is also just a wonderful human being. Going to my appointments honestly feels therapeutic sometimes, we spend hours talking and catching up, and he always makes the experience enjoyable and relaxing. His prices are also very fair for the quality, care, and professionalism he offers. I truly value the incredible work Luis does and I'm so grateful I found him 5 years ago. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about hair health, color, and making you feel your best, he's your person. read more

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If you're scared to get a haircut, come here!! Luis is the coolest and nicest dude ever, i've always waited a year after my hair was grown out to get a haircut because I was so afraid of getting another horrible haircut, but Luis literally saved me and I haven't been afraid of a haircut since I came here!! read more

Luis is the BEST!!!! I have always driven to Los Gatos to have my hair done. I didn't trust anyone here in town and most people that had nice hair all told me they went over the hill. I have naturaly curly hair and prefer more natural looking sun kissed highlights. I am SO HAPPY I found Luis through a trusted friend. Now I don't have to drive over the hill anymore, waste my time, money on gas, or pay the ridiculous prices!! He is SO nice and very talented!! My hair has been done consistently every time and I'm so happy!! read more

Excellent service. Luis knows what he is doing! I go there and tell him to do what he thinks is best and bam smiling faces! read more

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I really like this Salon, Luis makes me feel at home, I have curly hair and it is not easy to find someone who knows how to work with this hair, Luis you always do a good job with my hair. Thanks 100% recommended. read more

I love this salon! Luis saved me from bad hair. I came to him with bleached hair 6 months ago and wanted to get low lights. He helped me come up with a plan to darken my hair over time, so I did't ruin my hair any further. After the first visit, I started receiving compliments from both friends and strangers on my hair! I am very picky about who does my hair. I have curly hair and like to wear it both strait and sometimes curly. Luis has given me a hair style that allow for both approaches and the color is beautiful! I was referred here from my cousin who has been getting her hair done by Luis for 8 years! She competes in fitness competitions, and many of her friends get their hair done here as well. Luis has quite the following, so be sure to call ahead for an appointment! read more

I am very picky about who touches my hair and I can genuinely say I will never go anywhere else! Luis is the best hairdresser I've ever been to. I've had numerous hairdressers in Santa Cruz and once I went to Luis, I never looked back. Even when I lived in Dallas and San Francisco, where there are great salons, I always made a trip back to Santa Cruz to get my hair done by Luis. I have very thick, curly hair, and Luis always knows the best way to style it. He is skilled, very trustworthy, and always up to date on the hottest styles. If you're looking for a great salon, go to Salon L and ask for Luis. You won't be disappointed. read more

I have been a client of Luis (owner of the salon) for 6 years. I was shocked to read some of the reviews with negative feedback. Luis is an AMAZING STYLIST AND COLORIST. To find talent in both areas can be hard to come by. I compete in pagent style figure shows across the country, photo shoots, been featured in magazines and ONLY let Luis cut and color my hair. I have even brought in my extensions on numerous occasions to have them matched before a show or shoot and he always fits me in and does an amazing job. I am asked around town who styles my hair and always proud to say Salon L. Hands down the best read more

Salon L - Hair by L Salon - Hair Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I thought Gina did a good job on my hair but the added cost on top of my Groupon seemed ridiculous! The prices she charges are astronomical & unexpected. Disappointed to say the least. read more

What a great salon!! Luis is amazing! I have never been disappointed in the hair cut he has given me nor have I been disappointed in the highlights. He listens to what I want, gives his opinion on whether or not I will like something, and never pushes product. read more

I really feel bad about having to write this review. It's hard to complain/give a negative review when you've gotten to know people. However, I had a bad experience here, and I would definitely not recommend this salon to any of my friends. I've had my hair dyed (just 1 color, so pretty simple) and cut a few times by Gina in the past. This time, I wanted an ombre look. I showed her many pictures of what I wanted. When I walked out of the salon, it was nothing like what I had showed her, but I thought I'd give it a try. I was traveling and busy for a couple weeks, but I knew that I wasn't happy with my hair and paying that much for a look I didn't ask for. The issue was that there was barely any color to my hair, only underneath did she do lighter color, but it barely showed through. However, there was this bright blonde section that was very obvious when I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. So, I reached out to her and told her that I didn't think there was any of the ombre look to my hair as I had requested, so she said she could add some more color. So I went in again, and this time it was pretty bad. It was more like highlights than ombre. The bright blonde started almost at my roots and there was a big contrast between the blonde and the rest of my hair; it practically looked like stripes. I felt bad about complaining and when she charged me full price, I questioned it, but in the end, I just felt bad about pushing the subject. After a few days and showing it to some friends, I knew it was very poorly done and again, nothing close to what I asked for or showed her pictures of. It looked like I had grown out highlights - not good! And there was too much contrast between the colors. So, I emailed the owner, Luis. It was hard enough for me to do that. He was very nice and offered for me to come in again and get it fixed by him. I did tell him that I also wanted to talk about the payment - $392 (including a haircut and 2 tips - which that's ok), and that I thought I shouldn't have gotten charged 2x. I went in a week later, and he came up with a solution, more of a balayage look, than an ombre. The pictures he showed me online of balayage looked good, so I said that was fine, since it would take a lot of work to get an ombre on my hair at that point. While the job he did was good, and it looks fine, it's still not at all what I asked for, nor do I think it really looks as good as actual photos of balayage (even photos of my friends w/ that look or other normal people coming from a salon w/ balayage). I wouldn't be writing this review if that was all of the story; I would've just let it go. What really bothered me is that he would not refund any of the money I paid. I expected for him to at least refund the second amount I paid to Gina. Almost $400 for a look I didn't ask for. I'm sorry, but those 2 attempts by her to do the ombre were very bad; the second appointment shouldn't have cost me anything. I asked him about it, but he clearly did not want to talk about it, nor was he planning to refund me for any of it. Again, I feel very bad about writing this, but I don't think that's good or ethical business practice. And I will never go there again. I sense that they may not take continuing education classes on current styles and techniques, so it may not be as professional as some other places. If you're going for something simple, I think it would be fine, but anything more than that, I'd advise against it. read more

I had purchased a groupon for a cut with Gina. She didn't show up. I texted and called, she responded at 11:15 (I had an 11am appointment) and said she would call later that day to reschedule (she ended up not calling me back either), she had gone to the hospital with her dad the day before. I sympathize that she was going through that with her dad but at the very least she should have let the owner know that she wasn't going to be in the following day so that he could have passed on the message to her appointments. read more

Luv this salon!! it's very comfortable (the hair wash chairs are soo comfortable) and does not have any chemical smells. Both Gina and Luis are very friendly. Gina is wonderful. She listens to what I want, gives honest suggestions, is very professional and does great cuts and color. All of the clients I have seen leave the salon have looked great. You get what you pay for. Robyn. read more

I am pleased to declare that my visit to this salon far exceeded my expectations. I've been wanting and needing a haircut for several years and really wasn't inspired by the reviews I researched of the "Top 10" in the county. Along my errand drive to a neighboring business, I was drawn to the quaintly nestled salon with its simple, yet elegant cursive lettering, intrigued by what the "L" in its business name signified. So, I spontaneously pulled in, parked, and was greeted with a smile by one of two gentleman glancing out the window before I had even exited my car. And this person, Luis, just so happened to be the owner and my stylist. Though this business is by appointment only, he did not turn me away, having just finished with his last scheduled patron of the day. He was very knowledgeable, openly personable, friendly and humorous, creating an atmosphere of ease throughout the process. (And this is coming from one who avoids social discourse under normal circumstances!) Long story short, I am very pleased with the experience and wholeheartedly recommend you scheduling in with him :) read more

nice people, but not at all what i hoped for..., Gina just lies to your face, or at least mine, from my experiences.. .. she is only in it for the money, not to actually help you with what u really want done, (without additional 'unknown' pricing for things..." from highlights to her killing my hair with fake 'hair extensions that only lasted one week.. i even paid her w.o the groupon,so she could have extra money, and yet, she still gave me a snotty attitude about when i told her she did not cut my bangs evenly... she wasnt even sorry about it.. she blamed me, saying she did me a favor by even doing them.. even though i bought a voucher for highlights and cut.. she still said bangs were more, and not included in a normal haircut.. so that was news to me.. ... i still tipped her for messing up my hair because i felt bad.. even though i am the one with Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS), not her... lol.. bless her heart.... she did a okay with the highlights/ ... not worth it, even for a groupon price... this is only the 2nd review ive ever wrote.. so ya... i am not happy at all with how she conducts business.. she even made me wait 40 minutes for a 5 minute touch up... and that was a few days after i had an appt with her, but was running 5 minutes late, so i called her to let her know, and he told me i had to re-shedule, cuz she NEVER makes clients wait... wow she is a joke.. read more