Kelly Cardenas Salon

This Salon is Eveything!!! I’ve been coming here since they first opened and Amber has always taken amazing care of me! Booking appointments is always super easy with Crystal and Roxy, they make sure I get exactly the time i need, I show up on time and never have to wait and am immediately greeted with a cold beer! :)) next the message and shampoo in the relaxing spa puts me almost to sleep! It’s so peaceful! Then I alway discuss what I’m going to do with my hair to amber, she always has great ideas! I always leave feeling confident and happy to show off my new doo! Great atmosphere! Great service! Amazing stylists! Soo proud of this business! Thanks Kelly Cardenas!!!

I can hands down say this is the best salon experience I have ever had. The team of stylists were amazing. Friendly, knowledgeable. Amazing shampoo. Fantasic cut. Great guest service! I will be back!

Great experience, Amazing service. It’s like meditation, massage and therapy at the same time. Be specific with what do you want, and they will get it done. They take their time to get to know you and to take care of you, no rushing. Will go back for sure, and will take my babies there.

I went to the salon on a referral from a friend. I wanted a deep conditioning treatment for my hair and a cut because I haven’t cut my hair in 2 years. This salon is great. The concept is fantastic. Very upscale and hip. Upon entering I was greeted by the visiting concierge and another stylist both warmly said hello and welcomed me. I was able to get a mimosa (a big plus) changed into a kc robe and met my stylist amber. From there I was taken to the wash room which was very relaxing, dark with soothing music, to get my shampoo and conditioning treatment. They cut and styled my hair and it looks awesome. Three people blow dried my hair (I love the time efficiency) and the blow dryers hang from the ceiling and pull down, super cool honestly. Im not sure if I’d go back every month just because it is a little splurge due to the price but I would definitely go here again and recommend it to others

This salon is the best! All of the employees are incredibly friendly, but on a unique level, because they all take the time to make a relationship with you. They are all extremely talented with their craft. I’ve never been treated so well while getting my haircut. The wash house experience was awesome too! All the stress of the day disappeared. I will always recommend this salon to others!

LOOOOVE THIS PLACE! Truly one of the best salons that I have ever been to. and yes I’ve been to a lot. I went in the first time based off of a recommendation from one of my close friends and I can confidently that first impressions really make a difference. Everyone on staff is very friendly and they make it feel like you’re going in for a full spa treatment. If you are going in for color they mix your color right in front of you at their color bar (see pictures) and they use very good quality products that made your color pop. One time I had a purple ink on my hair over the red coloring and it was one of the coolest colors I’ve had before. My normal stylist is Salvador and he always does a great job with haircuts. Sometimes he’ll also get help from the other stylists with coloring or cutting my hair. They also cater very well to both men and women because they also have a very talented barber on staff. If you go for the Golden Ticket, you’ll get a haircut, color, and shoulder/​neck massage when you get your hair washed. Truly a great experience every time I come in. Keep up the great work you guys :)

Amazing experience the minute I walked in the door
The staff is not only friendly with their clients but I could see the personal relationship they had with each other
I don’t remember then gentleman’s name but he gave me an amazing shoulder and head massage
The girl who cut my hair did an amazing job and was fun to talk with
I have finally found my salon

There’s a reason this place has a five star rating! This place is incredible. The staff is Amazing! The service is Excellent! And you feel right at home on your first visit. Who doesn’t like neck massages?? This place is worth every penny, especially with the complimentary touch up appointment. I LOVE THIS PLACE! My hair stylist even gave me a hug after. I truly feel connected to these wonderful people!

WOW!
Making a reservation was smooth and informative. My first time here and I got the full experience. Hair washed with a pleasant tea tree oil+ massage. Grabbed a mimosa on the way back to the chair.
I grew my hair out a bit before coming in so they would have more to work with. I went for a slicked back under cut look. Salvador used scissors to bring down the sides super tight and clean cut. Looked amazing! Post cut wash followed by a quick styling and I loved it. He nailed the look I was going for plus gave me some good tips for styling.
My boyfriend came along as well and they treated with great respect instead of leaving him in the Front room.
Location is small but they used the space to its potential.
Thanks guys

This was my first visit and I can confidently say I have found my new salon! First off it was a beautiful salon, modern and clean in design, changing room with robes vs a smock, a tranquil wash room dimly lit by candle light and calming music and modern clean styling area.
I was greeted by Roxy, who is the concierge. She Checks you in and is there for anything you need; holding your things, a beverage or even feeding the meter. I then had Teresa show me the facilities and explain to me how they do things. Next I met my stylist Salvador, I am very picky when it comes to my hair as most women are but he listened to exactly what I wanted, gave me recommendations on how to style and care for my hair.
I am overall extremely satisfied! Prices are reasonable, staff is friendly and warm and facilities are beautiful! This salon is definitely a must!

The Kelly Cardenas Salon is BY FAR the most professional & talented group of hairdressers in the WORLD. You will not regret visiting any of their locations. Also, do yourself a favor and buy a bottle of bling while you’re there. Trust me. KCS + Bling = LIFE

There’s nothing quite like the Kelly Cardenas experience! I was invited last minute to be a guest to a wedding and stopped in to get a fun, curly, glam hairstyle. Salvador not only gave me the best shampoo I’ve ever had in my life, (the neck massage though), but he was so kind and made me feel super comfortable. Roxy is magnetic and the most professional manager I’ve ever met at a hair salon. I walked out feeling relaxed and ready for the night, and my hair was fabulous! Thanks to the amazing staff at Kelly Cardenas for your pristine work and welcoming atmosphere!

Wow, what an amazing and relaxing experience ! This is definitely my new favorite salon in San Diego. Salvador was my stylist and he was super sweet and beyond talented. He even gave me tips on how I can grow my hair and keep it looking fabulous (:
what I loved most was their spa shampoo/​conditioning room ! They even give you a mini massage … It was so relaxing and an experience I never had before at any salons I’ve been to (: I’m a very happy customer !

I don’t even know where to start with these guys. Great hair doesn’t even begin to describe a visit here. This is more like an experience. They take such good care of you when you come in. Beginning with asking what you’d like to drink, they tuck away your belongings and get to work. I’ve had my haircut and styled by salvador, and styled once by amber, both amazing. And let’s not forget roxy up front, that when I check in I feel like I’m catching up with an old girl friend. I bring my 2 year old with me sometimes and let’s just say she doesn’t always sit quietly, and they go the extra mile of printing out coloring sheets and giving her crayons, and even styling her hair if it’ll keep her entertained. They really spoil us. Let’s not forget their salon is esthetically on point. I’ll never go anywhere else!

Yes, finally a serious hair cut … Need to thank my crazy sweet friend Roxy, she just created the rigth situation for enjoy a hair cut and in the same time meet mister Lomantini and know better about his program for help the animal shelter in San Diego and more. I was not thinking that those guys really enjoy and respect tham job, they can let you feel comfortable and at home … I’m gonna came back really soon. Thank you Roxy and thank to all the staff !!!

Saw Whitney for a shampoo/​style, and what a wonderful experience! First of all, the staff in general are professional and attentive. Whitney is a real treat; she gave me the best head/​neck massage I’ve ever had!
Now, I have «challenging» hair. It’s short, dense, and wavy. I *always* have to re-​style my hair a little after a service. Whitney, however, is incredibly deft with a dryer and gave me a beautiful, smooth blowout. She picked out the perfect products to keep my hair manageable after an afternoon at the beach. And seriously, they work. I just got in from OB and my hair looks great!
Plus, the salon is just perfect — hip, updated, clean, fun. Highly recommend.

This salon surpasses any salon I’ve ever experienced. Amazing service, music, atmosphere and expertise. Salvador was my stylist and I can’t say enough: Totally tuned in to my needs and rocked it!
I am very great full and can’t wait to come back.
If your still wondering about going there, stop now and make your appointment!

Amber is the queen of all hair!
Works absolute wonders and is such a doll– maybe it’s bc we are both from Ohio ;)
Such a cool vibe (they offer wine, mimosas and water), everyone is so friendly and the treatments are great.
Love love love this spot, will never go get my hair done anywhere else!

Let me preface by saying that I am normally a once-​a-​year rush job at Supercuts kind of girl. This had to change, and wow! I had a wonderful experience today. I’m an anxious type, but the team made me feel right at home. They are personable and professional and friendly, and they take such good care of you. Salvador was my main dude today, along with Amber and Eric (forgive me as I am awful with names) I got a consultation, color, shampoo & conditioner (with a massage!), cut and style, plus additional styling advice and a follow-​up appointment. Salvador totally fixed my hair, which had suffered a poor layering job six months ago. It’s a relief. I look great.
Receptionist Roxy is a doll… she reminded me of names, helped me out with tipping, and even put quarters in my meter for me! I feel completely pampered. Worth every penny. The neighborhood is also adorable, so be prepared to want to hang around after.

As a «regular» customer (read: I schedule appointments whenever I’m back home. I’m in the Bay Area for 2014 and I haven’t found a stylist up north) one of my only cons about the original Carlsbad salon is that it is far — especially since my family’s house is on the opposite side of SD (Chula Vista). Before this salon opened my family would make entire day trips to visit the original Carlsbad salon. With the opening of this salon the southern half of SD can stop complaining.
With the exception of different stylists the services offered is exactly the same as the Carlsbad salon, which you can read about here (
). This review will focus more on details specific to the Hillcrest salon and any information I haven’t previously written otherwise.
— When the starting beverage they offer you when you walk in is a mimosa, you know you’re in for a great experience.
— This is more of a criticism of the Hillcrest area in general — parking SUCKS. As a fan of the Hillcrest restaurant scene I am fully aware of the metered and non-​metered 2 hour spots as well as the presence of the overly-​watchful meter maids. Although this usually doesn’t bother me when eating, this can be a big problem with my salon experience, especially in the wash house. A simple cut/​color can take around 2 hours, but with certain hair types and services, a visit can easily go past the 2-​hour parking limit. The salon alleviates this problem to a certain extent by refilling your meter if you are expected to go over or in my case having staff move your car for you, but it’s just additional stress when visiting this salon. At least in the Carlsbad salon parking is a non-​issue.
— Roxy’s the host and head business lady of the Hillcrest salon. She’s awesome as always.
— What sets apart the Kelly Cardenas salons from the other SD salons is their «wash-​out experience». With any basic services you can get shampoo and a mini head and neck massage. To add to the experience is the music that plays in the background is exactly like the massage rooms. The wash-​out experience helps me relax in the salon, which is why I would rather not have to worry about parking issues.
— The salon layout is quite different from Carlsbad; there is no outdoor view.
— If you had services done at any sister KCS they have your profile stored so you can request the exact services as your last visit.
— For a person new to having their hair colored and/​or for a first-​timer at a KCS the «Golden Ticket» Experience is the best way to experience the signature services, a cut and color. The experience is for base color but I think the price can be negotiated if you want highlights instead. The Golden Ticket experience is only for first-​timers and is $ 100 (a $ 250 value). I got my first highlights here and since I love them so much subsequent visits will have me in the color bar.
— I’ve had my cut and color experiences done by three different stylists between the two salons and *all* of them have been great. Keep in mind that this is a Paul Mitchell salon — though I had my services done primarily done by three different stylists, expect another stylist or two to help out the primary stylist during the blow-​dry and occasionally the hair coloring. With that being said, Amber is my go-​to stylist in the Hillcrest location and Kelsey is my stylist in the Carlsbad location, though they have been known to work in the other locations, even the ones out of state.
KCS is a great addition to the Hillcrest community. If you can deal with the stresses of Hillcrest parking (or don’t have to deal with it by having a person drop you off and picking you up afterwards), you can easily spend several hours in the area by having your hair services done here and then exploring the myriad of eating and drinking options afterwards.