James Craig Salon

I loved coming here. Have had my hair cut and dyed a few times. But my last appointment will be my last. My stylist broke the cardinal rule after dying my hair, she did not blow dry it. I spend $ 80 for toner, something frankly I could do myself, and it’s just not professional to let your client leave with wet hair plus not drying it did not give me the opportunity to look over the color with her.

Chelsea is great with color! She takes the time to talk to you and see what you’re going for! I love the way my color comes out. Cute salon in Saratoga and not as expensive as you would think for the location. If you’re tired of not being satisfied when you color your hair give Chelsea a call, you’ll be glad you did.

Ding Ding Ding. The moment when you find that stylist that you know is a keeper, it’s the best feeling! So after leaving my regular stylist back in VA in 2013, I’ve gone back 2 times to my old stylist in VA and also tried 4 or 5 different stylists in CA up and down the coast including LA and San Diego. In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away but I was pleasantly surprised by Nicole Radish today. So much so I had to write a review immediately. Truth be told, I only went because I got a great Groupon deal and the salon looked upscale (unlike some other salons on Groupon). Saratoga is not far but too far to go for a mediocre stylist so I thought well, I need a cut and it will be good enough but I wasn’t expecting to find a total keeper stylist.
Front Desk: From the start, the front desk person was personable and 100% interested in my hair and my needs. He asked questions about my hair and what I was looking for. Scheduled my appointment with exactly the right time needed. And told me my stylist was going to be Nicole. They send me texts and a phone call to confirm the appointment.
The Salon: Located in DT Saratoga, very cute location with street parking. The inside is bright, modern, and clean. The product displays are filled with high end products like Kerastase (my favorite). They showed me to Nicole’s chair and the area was neat and the bathrooms were nice and tidy. They had robes to put on hanging in the bathroom, nothing out of the ordinary here. The salon was busy enough that there were other stylists and customers. They offer coffee or tea, and I felt very comfortable.
Nicole Radish: Right off the bat, she was very good at listening to what I wanted. I liked her demeanor because she understood what I wanted pretty much right away and didn’t talk too much or too little. I have issue with stylists who are too chatty or pushy. She didn’t push anything that I didn’t ask for, she was confident and I trusted her right away. We had a great conversation, and she was genuine and sweet but didn’t ask too many questions or talk too much because sometimes I just rather read a magazine.
Nicole did a professional balayage in a perfectly subtle tint, and also covered my grey with my natural hair color. She did a flawless job, her technique was 100% on point. She then gave me a great layered cut with a swoop bang, exactly what I wanted. The worst thing is going to a stylist who won’t do what I want, like literally refuse to do bangs (I’ve actually had that happen). I have had stylists before that don’t even know how to blow dry properly, like they don’t use a round brush or they don’t pin up the hair first. Those little things I notice are red flags to me that a stylist is an amateur. Nicole did everything right! At no point, did I think to myself WTF is she doing? And trust me, I have had bad stylists over the years, and I can tell a bad one from a mile away. I am the type of person who will smile and nod everything’s okay but then never go back.
It is pure gold for me to find the right stylist who understands what I want, knows how to cut my type of really thick course hair, who has a great personality and isn’t annoyingly pushy or chatty. This is worth the price tag and I won’t skimp on my hair and I also won’t go back to a stylist unless they do exactly what I want. I am very picky when it comes to my hair and it takes a lot for me to be a repeat customer. I am very relieved to have found Nicole and I’ll be back for sure~!

I made an appointment 6 weeks ago for a haircut. Yesterday I get a call from Jeremy telling me the appointment had to be canceled unless I change to a hair color only as the stylist was a hair color specialist. I know she cuts hair because she has cut my hair before. My appointment was scheduled for December 19^th which is a very busy time. He insisted and was calling me unreasonable and annoying because I did not want to accept a hair coloring which I didn’t need. He offered me haircuts with less seasoned stylists. He couldn’t understand why I was upset that James Craig was not honoring their appointment and even called me annoying!

Stylist Mary is the best!!! She is absolutely amazing and did the best job on my hair. She’s so kind and not gossipy or excessively chit chatty. She knows how to do an awesome cut n color!

I bought the groupon for $ 95 for a haircut and color. For $ 95, I thought it was a steal. I should of gone to my regular hair lady. Before coming in, I had two sessions of blond ombré from my hair lady from somewhere else; and my hair was healthy and full of life, despite having had two ombré sessions. (My hair lady is that good). THEN I COME HERE, And now my hair is dead and frumpy. It looks and feels so damaged. Typically, your hair will look healthier when you go darker, but NOPE! Maybe the James C hair stylist didn’t use enough Opex solution or maybe she didn’t have enough experience (which is why it was $ 95) I can’t wait till my hair grows out so that I can cut off my frumpy and damaged hair. I regret trying this place and should of stayed with my original hair lady.

Great haircut from Nicole. Get the groupon deal to give them a try :)

First time here at the salon and loved my experience! I have been wanting to do a balayage for awhile now but haven’t because I’ve been nervous and scared. Scared because I didn’t want my hair to be butchered short or for the color to look awful. I decided to give it a shot when I found a great deal on Groupon. I saw Nicole Radish for my appointment. She made me feel very comfortable & reassured me I’m going to love it. She offered me water, tea, etc & so did the front desk! I’m definitely going to go back and make this salon my permanent salon :).
Thanks Nicole :).

What a great experience today! This salon is fantastic and Melinda is wonderful. I learned their secret, they recruit from the best of the Santa Clara graduates. I cannot wait for my next appointment in six weeks. Such a lovely salon and a really wonderful education program. Thanks to Brittany for inviting me and to Melinda for a fabulous job!

I purchased a Groupon for a color, cut, and style. The receptionist was very sweet and booked me in with Chelsea for the following day.
The salon is very neat and clean with a very calm atmosphere. They offered me a cup of coffee and I even got a little neck message. :)
As far as the cut and color goes, all I can say is Chelsea did an amazing job. She really listened when I described to her the color and style I was looking for and took her time to make sure every detail was attended to. My hair looks fabulous. So happy! Thank you Chelsea!

Thrilled with Robert James! He cut all of my long blond/​reddish hair off into a pixie which spurred a not only a new look, but a new attitude. His staff are friendly, helpful and supportive. Thanks, Robert!

I have been so lost for so long when it come to hair. Over the past year however, Vanessa has changed all that. Her amazing color helped me break the bleach blonde cycle and I am now able to rock my natural hair color. On top of that I always leave their beautiful salon repressing the urge to skip away, as she does such an amazing job with the cut and style!
Plus they have drinks and snacks, so what’s not to love?!

The salon atmosphere is casual, clean, and welcoming. I love how all the stylists are extremely friendly and no exactly what they’re doing. I’ve had many bad experiences with salons not particularly grasping what I want then able to pull it off, but I had Nicole Radish who did nothing less than perfect!
They offer a little snack, drinks, and neck massages (who doesn’t love massages…)
There deals are awesome if it’s your first time in the salon and if you bring a new client in, they get 25 $ off as well as yourself for your next appointment! Great place hands down. Only negative was the girl at the desk didn’t seem too excited to be there

I’ve been coming to James Craig Salon for over a year now and can’t say enough about my stylist Robert. He is absolutely amazing and I love that I can leave the salon with perfect ready to go hair. No touch ups necessary! He will always answer my questions and also show me great styling tips. Neck and shoulder massages are a nice touch and the staff is extremely professional. 5 stars from me :)

Had a very nice experience at James Craig Salon today. Carolyn did an excellent job highlighting my hair. She was extremely professional and friendly. The salon itself is very attractive and clean. I would highly recommend this salon. Most importantly, I didn’t have to wait! Carolyn was right on time.

Vanessa did an amazing job on my hair. I wanted to have it appear as if the sun kisses my hair. Perfect. She was delightful to chat with.

My hair was bad news bears. After not getting a cut in ages it really needed some love. Vanessa was amazing and gave me a cute little do with some sweepy bangs. She’s such a talented, artistic and crafty lady! Everyone was awesome, from the gals at the front desk to the amazing shampoo girl who gives magical neck and scalp massages. I’ll definitely be back! Only bummer was parking down the road a ways and they were out of the Unilocal check in travel pack things. Ask for Vanessa, she was fabulous!

Okay, so it’s now more than a year later, and I still couldn’t be more thrilled with James Craig, and my stylist, Robert.
Pretty much every time I get my hair done, I get carded buying booze. I’m not kidding. I’m 40 so that’s kind of a big deal.
Enough said.

Even though I’ve lived in Saratoga practically my whole life, I’ve never noticed James Craig Salon! It’s tucked away inside a plaza in downtown but I’ve seemed to miss it every time I walk past. I’m glad I’ve stumbled upon the Groupon they offered a few months ago.
Anyway, this salon offers great and friendly service. Easy to work with. They even make sure you’ve quenched your thirst before getting started on your hair with some tea or water.
The past two times I’ve come here I’ve had Kate. She’s super friendly and easy to talk to. She also gives honest opinions and gives great suggestions for styling your hair.

A day after my previous review was posted, Brittainy the salon manager contacted me and offered to fix my hair. Despite the nearly one month time frame since my hair cut, Brittainy was able to accommodate me since I was out of the country immediately after the new year. I contacted her as soon as I got back to the states and got an appointment the very next day with Carolyn.
Carolyn is such a sweetheart — she agreed that my layers didn’t fall well together and even said she was happy that I came back. My hair looks great. I would definitely come back!