Ambiance Hair Studio

09/29/09

Best hair salon on the Westside. By far.

by Marine at Citysearch

The owner Tom is an artist, and a true magician with hair.

I have fine, curly, shoulder-length hair. I like to keep it low-maintenance, and I don't want to have to spend hours styling it. Tom cuts it every 6 weeks, and all I have to do is get out of the shower and let my hair dry. Tom advised me on great products to use, which keep my hair in good condition and looking good.

I tried many hairdressers when I moved to L.A. from Paris -- none of them were satisfactory. I walked into Ambiance by chance 6 years ago, and have never looked back since. During my many visits, I have seen all sorts of people walk in, including the hair-challenged type: they always walk out looking good, whether they are hip youngsters or old ladies.

Bonus: the staff is very friendly, competent, it's always easy to get an appointment, and the prices are very reasonable compared to other hairdressers on the Westside.

I have enlisted my husband since: he used to go to any barber before, now he is happy to pay the price to get a fantastic haircut that makes him look great for at least 3 months.

• Pros: Great haircuts. Great value for money.

09/13/09

The Best color I've ever had.

by Katlin at Citysearch

Tommy is a genius with color. Everyone knows a good hair colorist is a rare thing, but now i have a great one.

08/24/09

GREAT COLOR

by MelBennett at Citysearch

Tom at Ambiance Hair Studio did my hair color for me and it looks so natural and GREAT! It was uneven from being out in the sun and was about 3 different shades, he created my own "personal color" that suits me and it looks sooo natural! And he blowed dried it straight for me which was a treat from naturally wavy hair!! He is very sweet and knows his stuff for sure! Melinda B 8-24-09

• Pros: Great color and style

08/06/09

Great Place!!!!

by KatieLovesHerHair at Citysearch

I just got my hair cut the other day and it was great! Tom cut my hair and he was really nice. I told him that I just really wanted my hair to look different and he knew right what to do. I love my hair now and i look forward to going there again :) also its a nice location so thereae fun places to go afterwards!

• Pros: amazing experience and personalities
• Cons: nothing

07/03/09

Melissa is perfect

by christineE at Citysearch

I just got my hair done my Melissa. My blonde hair looks amazing!!

She really listened to what i wanted exactly and didnt over process or dry my hair out. I always have issues with my hair having a brassy tone and Melissa made sure to cancel all of that out.

She also gave me a fabulous hair cut.

Ambiance Salon has great service and their prices are beyond reasonable.

I highly recommend Melissa for color and a cut- she has the perfect colorist eye.

• Pros: great color

02/23/09

Best Hair Salon in LA

by KathrynWC at Citysearch

Tom just highlighted my hair and cut it and it is fabulous. I have blonde hair and I find it very difficult to find a stylist that can give me a natural color, not the trailer park blonde. I have received numerous compliments on my hair from countless men. Tom is the only person I will be letting touch my hair! I highly recommend him to anyone that wants beautiful, natural looking hair!

• Cons: Parking

09/24/08

A Style Right for Me

by chornby at Citysearch

Just moved to the area and needed a salon in SM. Read these other reviews and asked for Tom. He was super nice and chatty as well as talented. He listened to what I wanted and gave me a great new cut. I'm not too adventurous when it comes to trying new styles, but this was just enough to make people notice, but not stare ;) I will most likely go back!

• Pros: convenient, got treated well, and end result is a good new hair cut.
• Cons: Store isn't too welcoming, hard seat, tried to push me to buy other products. All minor.

08/28/08

Great Highlights and a Relaxed Environment

by notanative at Citysearch

I've been going to Ambiance for almost ten years, for blonde highlights that are extremely natural and not too hard on my baby-fine hair. I'm absolutely loyal to this salon and have never had any reason to look elsewhere. The atmosphere is relaxed and the salon does not attempt to be too hip for its own good.

I see the same friendly stylists at Ambiance every month and it feels like home. My regular stylist is Tom (the most experienced of the bunch) and I have also used Louis, who is excellent as well. Louis was a total sweetheart when I brought in my six-year-old daughter for a haircut. He made her feel comfortable and kept her entertained while I had my highlights done. Regardless of what stylist you use, Louis is the guy you want to wash out your hair at the sink. With his muscular build and strong hands, you get a hairwash and a fabulous scalp massage at the same time. I always find a 2 hour meter available behind the building, so there is no added stress trying to park on busy Main Street, or worrying about not having enough time on my meter. The salon has a great selection of the latest hair products, which are fun to browse and I always come home with something new. I highly recommend this salon.

06/23/08

AMAZING LUIS

by eriniddi at Citysearch

After living on the west side for four years without a trustworthy hairstylist I needed to find the "one". Luis is that One. I went in with a bleach blonde un-natural hair style that wasn't working out so well. I wanted to go back to more of my natural shade of hair color although I wanted to keep some highlights for summer. Not only did they discuss what I wanted to determine what I needed, but they involved me in the discussion the whole time. They ended up getting out of me exactly what I meant and gave me exactly that! My hair color is the best it's ever been... better than natural ha. I love my hair and I love ambiance. THANKS!

• Pros: Double Thumbs up for Customer Care
• Cons: None

03/25/08

BEST HAIR SALON IN SANTA MONICA

by jkatemcmanus at Citysearch

What?! A charming, attractive, male hairstylist that's not gay?!? From now on Luis Franco is the only man I will let touch my hair. I wasn't really sure what I wanted, and the things i did want all contradicted each other. Luis was patient, thorough, and did an amazing job- i love my hair! He also told me what products I needed to achieve the results I was after and they are fantastic (in the past, I've been talked into expensive items that don't work with my hair... not this time). Thanks Luis!

• Pros: service, ambiance