The Loft Salon and Spa, Santa Cruz CA

Update- after posting this review, I received a phone call from the manager who offered her apologies and explained that a refund had been issued for the full amount. I'm appreciative of this response, and I want to acknowledge her commitment to making things right, even if I remain upset with what happened on the day.
****

This was truly the worst experience I've ever had with a stylist. I was looking for someone to do my hair in a simple half up style with a couple combs for my wedding. Nothing too fancy - but potentially a challenge, as I have some pretty short layers. I came in 3 weeks before my wedding for a consultation with Christine. We discussed what I wanted, and what I didn't want (braids). We discussed my concerns - the short layers and that my hair doesn't really hold a curl. The stylist spent a few minutes running her fingers through my hair, looking at the layers, then assured me that she knew "exactly what to do". She said a full trial was unnecessary, since "it'll never look the same on the day anyway". She was so confident that I just trusted her. 3 weeks later, morning of the wedding, she starts trying to pull back the crown and is instantly struggling. She tries a "hack" she tells me she learned this morning on TikTok and it doesn't work. She then starts complaining about the layers being too short. She's using more and more hairspray, oodles of Bobby pins, all sticking out, exposed. Combs are in but not very secure. She then decides to braid my crown, and when I notice, I remind her that I explicitly did not want a braid. We discuss a loose fishtail (something she had suggested at the consult), but it becomes clear the layers are too short for anything but a tight braid. (It's not like they got shorter in the last three weeks! Why wasn't this obvious at the consult?) she then starts again from scratch, but the same thing happens - a ton of bobby pins exposed and enough hairspray to create a helmet look. "your layers are just too short" she says. I don't think that's true, because I've managed to pin my crown back myself without issue. And if she really felt the layers were too short to work with, it's really something she could have said at the consultation. I could have done a blowout, but that's no longer an option with the amount of product she's used. And she has no other suggestions to offer. She gives a half hearted attempt to curl the longer pieces (my hair is really straight, so a curl would take prep and some real technique, something she's clearly not interested in). She says "wow your hair really won't hold a curl" and then just stops trying. At this point, I'm thinking I just need to leave so I can go home and do it myself. This has only been about 25 minutes at this point, but she's clearly given up. She charges me $100 for this absolute disaster. My best friend and I then ran over to CVS to buy a curling iron, head home, and, with a teensy bit of back combing, manage to pin back the crown in a way that hides the Bobby pins and lets us place the combs securely. It wasn't that hard. We curl the long pieces (allowing them to cool in hand before dropping - a technique I would expect a stylist to know), and my hair turns out just fine - nothing fancy, just simple, like I wanted. But I am out $100 for nothing but a waste of time and a stress I didn't need.

Worked with Sara and had the best hair cutting experience of my life. She gave me the framing pieces I wanted and blended my hair so nicely. She was so sweet and really listened to what I wanted! Im so happy with my results and will only be going to The Loft Salon and Spa to get my hair cut from now on!

Best blowout and event style I’ve had to date! Stylist Nicole was super kind and attentive, she did a beautiful job on my curls. I relaxed in the lounge with some tea afterwards while waiting for my ride and got to enjoy the company of Deborah and Michelle. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming — will absolutely be back for a style when in the area!

Had the best experience with Sara! She gave me exactly what I asked and my hair feels so healthy! She also gave me so many different ways to style my hair! Thank you so much Sara!

This is by far the best salon to use close to UCSC. I’ve been coming here for many years and all the stylists are excellent. They have local art that changes- I love this! Plus the best products that smell and feel amazing. Audrey cuts and colors my hair to perfection every time. She is very detailed about making sure to ask you exactly what you want. I cannot compliment her enough. She makes me feel so beautiful, worth every penny!

Nice full service salon that does hair and more. Very friendly staff. In a nice location next to coffee, wine trains, breweries, fancy butcher.

I've been seeing Audrey at Loft Salon for about 4 years now. Whether I want pink highlights, a regular trim or a significant chop, she is up for it! I give her an idea of what I'm looking for with just a few photos and I trust her to execute & make my hair dreams come true! She always makes excellent product recommendations to keep up my style in between cuts. Thanks Audrey!

Michelle was Absolutely Amazing!
She made time for us on short notice and made us feel like lifelong customers. Thank you Michelle!