Ayla Davis at Sola Salon

I just had my first haircut with Ayla. She is a genius with hair. Thank you, Unilocalers, for pointing me in the right direction. I have long hair and have been trying for years to find someone who can listen and also has the artistry and skills to achieve whatever style you’re asking for. She takes her time. She also has a serene private space within the salon. I am thrilled and my search for a hair stylist is over.

I’ve seen Ayla twice, once last spring a few months after moving here, and once a few days ago. When I first saw her, I had a really elegant NYC cut that had grown out some and needed to be tidied. I wanted to keep the style, continue working with the grays as they grew out (I’ve got strategic low-​lights in place to allow me to keep my hair long while transitioning), and she gave me what I asked for. That took listening, which really, a lot of people don’t do well. There were a few flyaway hairs, I think because we pushed it a bit too far with thinning too high (I’ve long, heavy hair), so after growing it out some months I let myself, on impulse, try another stylist with good reviews just before the holidays because he could fit me in. Massive mistake. I spent two months after that cut unhappy every time I looked in the mirror (I know, shallow, but really the worse cut I’ve had since I was young and broke), and then, when some of the damage had grown out, I went to her and she rescued it. The bad cut took hair that was all at least down to my shoulders and hacked layers into it so horrible that some of it was just below my crown while there was a duck’s tail thing reaching between my shoulder blades and puppy ears on the sides of my head. Really indescribably bad, and I thought she’d have to cut a lot of it off to fix it and she didn’t. It actually looks LONGER after the cut because it’s not so choppy, and I feel like looking in the mirror is fun again. It will have to grow out another few months and be smoothed one more time before it’s completely recovered from the bad cut, but what she’s already done is incredible. Thank you, Ayla.

Amazing hair guru! Totally great with coloring, cutting, and styling! I love to change up my hair and wanted to go from blonde to brunette with some highlights to bring out my features for fall and she did an exceptional job!

Ayla is amazing! I have been coloring my hair for years in salons from Southern California to Hawaii to the Bay Area. Ayla is the only stylist who was successfully able to take me from brunette to blonde beautifully. She really has a talent for weaving/​hilighting color into hair using small sections so that it blends beautifully and naturally – but still takes you to the level that you want. If you’re a brunette who wants to try a lighter color, but are nervous from past unsuccessful dye jobs, I highly recommend going to Ayla.

Once again, a fabulous haircut by Ayla. Guys, if you think it doesn’t matter who cuts your hair, think again! Thanks Ayla!

Ayla is fantastic! I’ve been going to her for years. She has cut, colored, styled and even permed my hair. She always listens to what I want, then explains what she is going to do. I have also been very happy with the products she has recommended for my hair type. I trust her completely. I always love the way I look when I leave her salon!

Ayla is awesome! She’s to only person I trust with my hair. When she moved from the salon right by my house to her own space in willow glen, I got one more haircut at the salon by my house. Big mistake! I went right back to Ayla and she fixed my bad haircut and has been doing my color ever since. The drinks and snacks that she offers are a nice touch, and the scalp massage is great. I like that she writes down what she does to my color each time so she knows exactly how much to adjust it if I want to go cooler, lighter, etc. I will keep going back.

This was my first time getting my hair cut in a long while so it was as dead as it gets but Ayla took wonderful care of my hair, she cut all the dead dry ends off without taking off too much. She is very careful and deffinetly knows what she’s doing. Im deff going again and I would recommend her for sure!!! :)

In 2010 I read the reviews about Ayla. Since then I am very happy to have her taking care of my looks. She is a sweet person, who is very professionell. I recommend her always, whenever a friend is asking me, which stylist to choose.

As always, Ayla does an amazing job every time… People love my hair and I get complemented all the time on how amazing it looks. She always does such fantastic work. I won’t allow anyone else to touch my hair.

Ayla has been cutting my hair for over a year now & I cannot remember loving my hairstyle more. I was a messy-​bun-​ALL-​the time & now I love my short hair. She took boring and transformed it to easy & fun.
I trust her completely & without reserve!

Still loyally going to Ayla for all my hair needs. I’ve gone from short dark brown to platinum blonde long hair in the years I’ve been going to her. I’ve never once been unhappy. Even with the transition process. I used to bounce from stylist to stylist. I don’t plan on going anywhere else. I’m very happy with her work and always trust her instinct.

I first found Ayla over at Sanctuary Salon in Santa Clara a few years ago. She did such an awesome job with my haircuts and highlights. Then she gave notice she was moving to a new salon so I followed her to Sola Salon and have been a regular client. She really works with you and is honest about what hairstyles may or may not work with you. And when in doubt it is always best to have a picture of the cut or color you want. You can make an appointment online which has been very handy.

I love getting my hair done at Ayla, she is getting too popular and hard to get an appointment over the weekends. Book in advance your next appointment

My daughter has been going to her for almost 3 years now. She was so patient with her when we first went and has been great ever since. She gives great advice as well on hair styling tips. Thanks

I’ve been going to Ayla for over 2 years now and I’ve never had a better stylist! She takes the time to ask what you really want and she gives her input on what can be best and if you would like that approach or not. I’ve done different cuts and colors and have always asked for opinion personally and professionally and I have never been disappointed! Definitely worth a visit if you haven’t seen her before

Ayla is utterly brilliant — so professional, but warm and friendly and very caring. I was one of her first customers at Sola Salon and I look forward to each haircut.
She’s a treasure!

TL;DR Version: Ayla is great, professional, knowledgeable, and all around amazing. Got a haircut and it turned out like I wanted. No muss, no fuss.
I visited Ayla today for a haircut. I had been meaning to go to her in a while, but I had been so used to paying for cheaper haircuts, so I waited until I had the right moment. Seeing that I will be graduating from a Master’s program this week, I figured, why the hell not and booked Ayla.
I booked via her online system and was contacted shortly when that slot had been taken. I told her my availability and she was able to fit me in during the same week without any hassle. The appointment system then reminded me of my appointment. First by email, then phone, then text. Multiple times within the 48 hour span before the appointment. We were talking and I asked how often people miss the appointments when there are so many reminders. Sadly, there are some that do! After you meet with her for the first time, you are given the option to choose the method in which you’d like reminders, so no hassle!
I arrived a little early for my appointment and she was with another client, finishing up. I sat on the chairs outside the studio, occupying my time with my phone. Right at the appointment time, she was ready for me. She offered water/​tea/​coffee (Keurig). She even suggested to make the coffee while shampooing so that way it would be nice and tepid by the time she was done — and she was right! Yum. Coffee.
Before she began, I sat in the chair and we discussed what I was looking for. She offered some suggestions and let me know what her vision was for the look I wanted and how she would get there. After agreeing, she then spun me around and got my hair washed.
I normally don’t get my hair washed by other people, but if you must at least once in your life, please do. It’s a pretty nice experience to have someone else take care of your ridiculously long hair AND massage your head at the same time. Ayla took great care in doing so to make sure the hair was clean and the hair was well conditioned. She has a really soft touch so unless you are super, super sensitive, it feels great.
I was cleaned up and she was ready to go. Snip snip snip. She worked quickly, but with precision. I think the longest part was blow-​drying my hair. I have a lot of it and it’s thick and healthy so it took some time, but that was part of her meticulous routine. I could tell she didn’t want me to leave unsatisfied so she made sure it was to my liking!
What I liked best was that she talked me through her thought process for my hair. Many stylists will just cut «according to what I wanted» but somehow, it just ends up a little off. Ayla talked about the things she was going to do and things she wasn’t going to do and gave me the reasons why. I wasn’t left in the dark about how or why my hair turned out like it did and it was nice to know all of that information. Plus, she was able to give some good tips while not pushing products or specific brands, but explaining why she preferred one item over another.
To be honest, I don’t know why I waited so long! It was nice experience and while I’m loving my long hair at the moment, I’ll definitely have to come back for something else? Maybe a color? Maybe a total cut? Who knows. Thanks a bunch!

Clearly, Ayla knows what she is doing. You can’t mistaken her perfectionist tendencies after one peek at her pristine salon space. I felt under-​dressed in my yoga pants and t-​shirt, just because everything was so meticulously organized and sanitized. Nevertheless, the OCD gremlins inside me quietly burst into dance and celebration as my eyes soaked in my surroundings.
Ayla provided a consult, then worked her magic, after offering me my choice of ice water with fresh lemon, or fresh-​brewed coffee (nice touch).
I received a dry cut and color, which took approximately 2.5 hours; very efficient!
I don’t know how she did it, but with a few minor snips, she transformed my hair from keratinized-​over-​ironed, stick-​straight-​crispy-​ended sadness to bouncy, flowing, beautiful happiness that could have qualified for a Pantene commercial.
I’m in love with the cut, and even though it’s on the shorter side, male feedback has been decidedly positive so far! Thank goodness, because I was dreading the much-​feared, «Oh… You cut your hair» comment.
Well done, Ayla! Pretty impressive for a first round against a skeptical, discerning, hard-​to-​please patron like me! (I’ve been called «critical» once or twice in my day.)
Ayla even has an ultra-​convenient appointment system, which provides notifications via text and email, from booking through payment. I’m always open to things that make my life easier!
It’s nothing short of amazing what a good stylist can do for you… I’m living proof; Ayla took me from sullen to sassy, armed with only scissors and dye, in one brief visit.

Visited Ayla for the first time at her sparkling new location at the Sola Salon pod in Willow Glen. Been a customer of hers for about 3 years, previously at Sanctuary Salon.
Got the same great haircut, with all of the same amenities I’m used to from Sanctuary, for the same prices. The quarters are smaller, but that’s actually a good thing. Now I don’t have to get up from the seat to get my hair washed… the seat swivels and the sink is right there. So I get to plant my lazy bum in the chair for the entire hour… pure relaxation!
I highly recommend Ayla for any of your hair needs. No one touches this hair but Ayla!