The Lab A Salon

Felipe did an incredible job! He did my hair Sunday and I’ve been receiving compliments from everyone since. (3 girls even came in from the street when he was curling it to tell him how great he did!!) I went from a silvery color with dark roots to a beautiful pink & lilac and my hair is still healthy and looks great! Other than bleaching it to get to the silver, I’ve never had another color except for blonde and brown. After looking at Felipe’s Instagram and seeing the vibrant colors he has done (and hearing amazing recommendations from friends) I knew my hair was in great hands! I can’t wait to see what fun colors he can come up with next time — I’m addicted and I feel like a new person with the hair color I’ve been dreaming of for years.

I had my color done here months ago and I am still dealing with all the problems this salon caused. I came to this salon because of the other reviews that I had read that seemed positive. I was a first time client so I was paired with Holly. I double and triple checked with the manager that paired me that the stylist would be comfortable lifting me pretty blonde from a naturally pretty dark color. She reassured me that Holly was great and knew what she was doing and worked with blondes all the time. My biggest concern when highlighting my hair is that the blonde wont be on long enough to process and that my hair will be brassy/​orange. I told Holly again and again please just make sure it is lifted high enough and will be a light/​platinum blonde color.
After my appointment I noticed the next day that my roots didn’t quite match the rest of my hair. I reluctantly decided to call back and see if they could fix it. I figured that I paid a lot of money for the service so I may as well have it fixed. At my next appointment Holly reassured me that she could fix my roots and that it would all be taken care of.
After she finished touching the roots up (she did this by painting the places of the root she felt didn’t have the correct color rather than weaving) I was horrified to see the problem was worse. My hair had an orange glow to it and it was AWFUL. She felt really bad and offered to fix it again. I told her that my biggest worry was that she would try fixing it but that my hair would become too porous and would break/​no longer take color. She spoke with another girl at the salon and they both reassured me that the problem could be taken care of. I suppose it was my fault to let her try again. The entire time she was working on my hair she kept telling me how she had totally fixed the problem and i was going to absolutely love it. As soon as I saw myself in the mirror again I started to cry. The color was even worse than before and it was clear that she had no idea what she was doing.
Long story short the manager called me to arrange my refund. After 6 days of not seeing the refund I called my bank and saw that they had not refunded me, but had actually charged my card AGAIN! As upset as I had been with everything that had happened I had stayed pretty patient up until this point. After this, I was 100% done with this salon. It has now been months and I finally have a new stylist that was shocked looking at the weird banding and orange I had in my hair. My hair was so fried after Holly tried to fix it 3 times in one day, and I still hated the color but my hair would no longer take any color because it was too porous. My hair has now broken off like crazy and is in the worst shape it’s ever been in. It will take months to get it back into a decent condition and I wish I had never wasted my time with this salon.

New to San Diego and was pretty nervous about finding a place to get a haircut. Amber put me at ease right away and can’t recommend her enough. Friendly and knowledgeable staff

The Lab is a beautiful salon with a nice staff. Everyone that I interacted with was professional and friendly.
I met Katie through a friend and she offered to cut & color my hair. I asked for just a cut.
Through the entire cut she kept telling me how badly I needed a color. (I know I needed a color, but I have someone for that.)
I showed her a photo, my cowlicks, my short forehead, and told her great detail about what I wanted and did not want. She didn’t seem to hear a thing.
She talked and talked and talked and talked about herself.
When we neared the end I asked her to leave the front and bangs alone.
«Let me cut off the dead ends. Just a trim.»
My bangs went from 3 ½ inches to 1 inch. She left all the bulk in the sides, although I asked her not to.
The next day I texted her & told her I was unhappy. I asked for my money back so I could get what remained on my head fixed. She insisted over & over I let her fix it.
The back was very uneven so I asked if she could just trim the nape with #3 clippers. She said yes. In fairness, I reluctantly returned. Since we have a mutual friend I wanted to give her a chance. I figured with The clippers and The blade she couldn’t mess it up more.
She then trimmed the nape freehanded. She used the clippers but without the #3 blade as I asked.
The next day I went to another stylist in another salon & had it fixed as best as possible, costing me another $ 70.
Katie talked so much she couldn’t hear what I was asking for.

This place is amazing. I got a color correction/​balayage done by Andrea and she did an amazing job. My previous blonde was dull, too yellow and and obvious looking dye job. Andrea does such a great job with blonde, and makes it look very natural. Especially with the balayage the transition between colors is so soft and pretty. She also did a killer job styling my super thin hair and made it look much fuller with some loose waves. I commute over an hour to make it to this place and it’s 100% worth it.

Had an emergency cut and color correction with Andrea Miller LeFevre for my wedding! The first guy I went to in La Jolla totally ignored what I wanted for my balayage and turned my jet black hair into an ashy dark blonde with very little dimension. I had specifically asked him to keep my natural color as a base and wanted a natural sun-​kissed look with dark caramel/​chocolate highlights. Had it not been a week before my wedding, I probably would have just sucked it up and lived with my terrible decision to go there. Thankfully though Andrea was easy to get a hold of and after explaining my situation, she agreed to meet with me for a quick consultation and set up an appointment on her day off.
I showed her the same pictures I had shown the previous stylist and the difference was that Andrea delivered exactly what I asked for! She also gave me a great haircut! Thanks Andrea for saving my wedding day hair!

I had my Balayage coloring with Holly few weeks ago and I LOVE it !!! I have a very exotic hair, so I was kind of nervous about the whole coloring process but Holly really cared about my hair and made sure that it will be fine ! I am very satisfied with my hair ! I will definitely come back again!

Called on a Sunday morning looking for a stylist who is competent doing a razor cut and was paired with stylist Holly for an immediate appointment. Holly did a FANTASTIC job cutting and styling my long silvering blond hair. It’s many weeks later now and I am still happy with the cut. I will definitely be going back to visit Holly at The Lab. Price was reasonable for a professional stylist and included blow-​dry. Parking sucks, but that’s typical given their high-​traffic location on the popular end of University Ave; deal with it.

I have never been happier with a stylist than I’ve been with Andrea Miller LeFevre. I found her through her website after searching for blonde specialists in San Diego because I wanted to go from a dull brown to a neutral light blonde.
The cut and color are both perfect and exactly what I wanted. Last time I wasn’t really sure what I wanted and after talking to Andrea she made a few suggestions and gave me the hair I didn’t even know I wanted!
The only downside is that what I have done is pricey, so if you are budget conscious this may not be the stylist for you. However, I have found that the VALUE of the cut and color makes up for the big price tag. It’s easy to maintain and it looks good. I have heavy, thick, and frizzy hair and the cut makes my hair so much more manageable.
There is also a parking garage around the corner if you aren’t able to find street parking.

I can’t recommend this salon enough! Prices are fair for the quality of service and attention to detail (which is essential for hair). The salon itself is easy to find and is clean, bright and modern. Their selection of hair care products is also appealing.
I love my new look (went from long-​ish dirty blonde hair to a cute strawberry blonde bob with layers). Nobody does strawberry blonde like Amber. I have come here twice in the past 4 or so months for a cut and color, and have loved the friendly and punctual service.
Both times I’ve had Amber cut and color my hair, she has been consistently excellent. Between visits, I let my roots grow out a bit, and the coloring was so well done from the first visit that it grew out looking like natural hair. It was a flawless combination of subtle colors that created something bright, natural and exciting. Thanks Amber! I will definitely be back.

My sister and I had a hair date here this weekend. She had Andi as a stylist and I had Amber. They both were extremely friendly and helpful in the process. The feel in the salon is great, doesnt feel like a stuck up salon, which sometimes you can get that feeling at other salons. Prices are average, we both ended up paying about $ 250 for balayage, cut, and style.

All I have to say is when your head is in Amber’s hand not only will you get the most AH-​MAZING head massage but a fantastically fabulous haircut and style. I love love love her and recommend anyone who is looking for the best to go to Amber!

I met Alex when I found out we volunteer for the same organization. It was also around the time that I was hunting for a new hair stylist. I had been in the process of attempting to grow a terrible pixie cut out (no thanks to a salon across the way from them), but her Alex’s suggestion, she took me back to my feisty pixie glory. She even talked me through the idea of doing plum peekaboo highlights and I get compliments on my hair all. the. time. Even when the plum fades to this gorgeous blue/​grey. My cuts grow out beautifully and she makes sure I know what products to use for proper styling. She’s done some amazing work on some other friends and I can’t wait to send more people her way. Thanks, love! See you in June to touch these tresses up!

After a tragic experience at another salon, I decided to come here and it was the BEST decision I’ve ever made. I went here on a limb, hoping for the best and I was NOT disappointed at all. All of the workers were affable and cordial! I highly recommend Alex – she’s your dream hairdresser! She actually cares and gives you her input. I barely talk to my hairdressers because I’m extremely shy, but it’s easy to talk to Alex. She doesn’t make it awkward nor does she mind criticism, so if you aren’t content with your hair she’ll be happy to work her hair magic until you’re pleased! I paid $ 150 for cut and color + tip, but honestly it was totally worth it! This is hands down my go to salon now.

:Another successful day at the Lab A Salon! #AlexSIsARockStar!: Great color melt… I’ve been coming to Alex S. For a couple years and I fall in love with my hair everytime!:

I had my first visit to The Lab on Friday and loved the place. Amber cut and styled my hair and it looks amazing.
The space itself is really beautifully decorated with modern styling and whoever was the interior designer there did a great job with interesting unique touches throughout. the salon I’m a Visual Artist and Art Instructor and I felt right at home from the moment I walked in.
Everyone working there was very friendly and super helpful. They carry Bumble & Bumble products which I also really like and my hairdresser Amber showed me what products will work best for my very thick, overly bleached hair. She was beyond patient with me since it was my first visit I was quite apprehensive but this all melted away with my great experience there.
I have already been asked by a friend for the Salon’s info because she wants to go. I definitely recommend coming here.

Salons are so difficult to review these days. As booths with revolving stylists who come and go, switch locations at will, you’re more often following the stylist than the salon. However, some salons are certainly better than others at making this business model work for both the stylist and the customers. Lab A has a supportive staff for the stylists, but supports them and their relationships with clients. They allow tipping on the credit card receipts, rather than that awful cash or pre-​tipping policy some salons do. Not sure if that’s better for me, them, or the stylist, but it’s nice. They offer you all kinds of beverages, but since my appointments are usually in the morning, I typically arrive coffee in hand.
They carry Bumble and Bumble and have a 10% off Unilocal check in discount on product.
I am loving this salon. They did a wonderful job matching me with Katie. Personality and direction wise, I couldn’t be happier! She’s great to talk to and not afraid to take you along for a risk, if you’re into that.

I have a friend who works here who was out of town, and I needed a new ‘do for the new year! I randomly called the salon and just took the last available appointment of the day. I’m so happy they placed me in Amber’s capable and talented hands! I was ready for a major change and had some ideas but let her run with it. She was super sweet and easy to talk to. Chopping off 9″ of hair was a little scary but she made it fun. She even made a suggestion to donate the hair to kids that need it, which I hadn’t thought of (I guess I didn’t realize how long it was!), so that was also a nice touch.
I look a million times better, and although there are many reviews talking about the priciness of the salon, but I felt that this was very affordable. I even asked about her color prices for a future visit, and those also seemed fair and affordable.
Based on the other Unilocal reviews and my experience, the owner of the salon sure knows how to bring on board talented, kind and lovely people. Thanks, Amber! I will be back!

Although, I am currently living in New Mexico, I make sure I book an appt. with Alex whenever I come back home to SD and I want a color and more drastic cut. (I basically only get trims in NM).
Aside from being a super rad, friendly and funny person, Alex does a great job at listening to what you want and making suggestions on what would look even hotter for your face shape and hair type. I normally get nervous cutting my hair but I knew I was in good hands within a couple minutes of talking to Alex about what I’m looking for. She gave me a textured lob with a winter appropriate balayage and I couldn’t be anymore happier with my new hairdo! I’m already looking forward to the next time I get to come back home so I can book my next touch up appt. Thank you!

They really keep their word in valuing customer service! Andrea Miller is a great stylist/​individual. Cindy the Store Manager is helpful and understanding.
They know how to do their job and GET IT DONE RIGHT!