Nik Martel

I’ve been going to Nik for about 5 years now and she is AWESOME! She takes the time to discuss exactly what style you are hoping to achieve. For me personally, I have very thick, wavy hair and big ears (no, seriously, they’re kind of big). There are some styles that wouldn’t be suited for my hair type no matter how cute I think they are on other people (like pixie cuts). Nik always lets me know what will and won’t work with my hair type so that I’m able to style it myself the next day and look great! A few weeks ago and against my better judgment I went to a different salon just to get a quick trim. The stylist who cut my hair completely destroyed it. I won’t rant it about it in this review, but let’s just say it was really bad. I called Nik after I got home from getting my hair massacred and she was so sweet and even offered to meet me at her salon that evening, or the next day on her day off just to help fix someone else’s bad cut. I ended up seeing her 2 days later and she made my hair look amazing again, despite having to work with a cut that was majorly snafued. I will only trust my hair in her hands from now on. Nik — you’re the best!

Who doesn’t agree that getting your haircut is one of the most terrifying and exciting things in life? You go see a new stylist and you don’t know whether you are going to come out looking like Chewbacca or Clooney.
Well…I have avoided that terrifying feeling by having my haircut by Nik for the last 5 years. I can always count on her to do a great job as well as squeeze me into her busy schedule when I pop in unannounced. I love Nik and the fact that I know I can always rely on her.

I have been getting my hair cut by Nik for several years now and she does the best job of anyone I have gone to! She listens to what you want and does what you ask instead of some crazy vision of what she wants! She helps you choose a cut that is right for your hair type. I have fine wavy hair and she knows that I don’t spend a lot of time styling it and she works with that to give me a cut that fits into my busy life and looks great! If you need a hair cut, color or any other hair service, go see Nik!

I’ve been going with Nik for over 5 years and she is wonderful! She always remembers little quirks about my hair and listens to what I want while still being confident enough to question me or give advice based on her expertise. Highly recommend her!

I’m half-​Japanese and have extremely thick, hard-​to-​manage hair. I’ve gone to many other stylists and walked out disappointed. Nik is the only person in San Diego that I know I can trust to not just cut my hair well, but also to color it in all manner of crazy colors and patterns. She takes the time to make sure I always walk out looking perfect. Even more importantly, she really listens to what I’m saying and gives my hair the style I’m looking for, even when I don’t really know how to describe it. Hair is one of the first things strangers notice when they meet you. I can’t imagine ever letting anyone else style me.

I have been going to Nik for the last 3 years. We met when I needed a color correction. After being blonde my whole life I decided to go brunette, then attempted on my own to return to blonde. Needless to say, it didn’t go well.
Nik fixed everything and gave me my blonde hair back in a healthy way, without further damaging it. She also recommended shampoo and conditioner that I could use to make my hair stronger and grow long.
I highly recommend her for blonde highlights & hair cuts. My color always turns out blonde without orange or bronze hues. When she cuts my hair, she does it exactly as I ask and doesn’t take too much off.
She is the best!

I absolutely love Nik! I’ve lived in the San Diego area for almost 5 years now and have struggled to finally meet a hairstylist as talented and professional as she is. I’ve had some troubled experiences with stylists at other salons but I barely even have to tell her what I want and it always comes out exactly how I picture. I am super impressed with the way she highlights my hair. And the cut is always on point too.
I even went out of my way to hunt her down at her new salon because I just couldn’t lose the only person I trust after 5 years of bad haircuts. (I found her on Facebook since I didn’t have her direct number, her old salon wouldn’t give it out.) I highly recommend trying Nik out, you’ll be happy you did! && her prices are great.

I have been having my hair colored and cut by Nik for the last 5 years. I highly recommend her if you want someone that is an expert in their field (she is a trainer at haircutting conferences) and will provide a great look. I personally go to Nik because she is willing to get me in and out… I know that is not everyone’s preference, but it is mine, and I like that she knows that. I am picky and select persons for service that take pride in their work. Nik is that person.