About Faces Salon & Spa

I’ve been to About Faces a few times to get my hair done but I went in to get my nails done and was not let down. I’ve never had better customer service from anyone before Jen. She took her time making sure they looked good and was very friendly and social while doing them. I will most definitely be going there for my nails from now on! Thank you Jen!

This salon is amazing! Ive had great experiences here. Ive had my eyebrows waxed, got a full set of acrylics, and great hair cut and color. Everyone who works there is amazing… you really can not go wrong choosing who to work on you. I am disappointed that my previous hairdresser left, but the feel of the place is awesome so i stayed for the friendly professional atmosphere.

I have happily followed Daniel Van Hook, also know as Danny, for almost ten years now from his first salon to his current one. About faces is his third salon and to be completely honest, About Faces is my favorite location that he has worked at. Unfortunately, his previous salon was lacking a receptionist and now that he has the help of a full time staff, it makes a world of difference. I have only been in the salon twice thus far, but each time I arrive for my much anticipated appointment with Danny, I am kindly greeted by my name and they even remember my dogs name; according to my father of whom also trusts Daniel with his fine hair, he too has nothing but great things to say about the receptionists and their professionalism.
Though I try to keep Daniel my personal Diamond in the rough, I can’t help but share my praises. For me to follow any stylist to new salon is huge for me, but to stick with the same stylist for this year is beyond my usual personality. I haven’t maintained a doctor for this long!!! lol Either way, Danny has practically become family. He knows my hair unlike any other stylist ever could by this point. I have never received anything but a superb cut from him and with fine hair like mine, one wrong cut and it shows. I will follow Daniel Van Hook to as many salons as he needed me too for his work is that consistent and his personality even better. I have a great feeling regarding About Faces. With their fantastic remodeling under way and with their wonderful staff, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else and if I did, I wouldn’t ever want another stylist touching my hair. Bottom line, Daniel Van Hook, not to be confused with the Daniel that was fired from this salon ages ago, is a brilliant stylist. A true hair artist that has made myself and my family happy for the past decade and I am positive that he will do the same for you. Oh, and he stands 100% behind his work. He gave me his personal contact info for emergency hair needs and that is beyond great customer service, its the epitome of what I look for in all my servicing needs. Enjoy your next visit and tell Daniel that you were referred, he will give you a discount! CHEERS!

Daniel Van Hook,
What can I say, he’s a great stylist. I’ve followed him for 10 years and can say that this is one of the best salons I’ve seen him at.
There is a great energy to the whole place. About Faces is by means your run of the mill sterile high-​end salon. There staff is very professional without losing that personalized service that is essential when trusting somebody with your hard earned locks.
Although, I can’t speak for the other stylists; I can speak for Danny, since, after all he’s been my (and all my friends) go too guy when it comes to getting that dream cut you’ve always wanted. A seasoned stylist that has worked in all of my published photo and video shoots. He knows his way around a head and will give you the most thorough consultation you’ve ever had, leaving you comfortable and eager to see the finished result, instead of cautiously optimistic that it’ll turn out.
You wont be disappointed. Have fun and congrats on your new doo!

Daniel Van Hook is the best hair artist in all of Santa Barbara. He’s been doing my hair for years, and although he’s also a cut master, he is an absolute genius when it comes to color. Over the years he’s given me platinum hair, rich burgundy, warm chestnut; he’s colored my hair with bold chunks at times, and at times in a more natural way, depending upon my predilection of the moment. Regardless, I always leave with shiny, warm, beautiful color that earns compliments from strangers. If you get fortunate enough to sit in Daniel’s chair, you’ll leave feeling fabulous.

Ivette Lugo is a spectacular stylist, she is an artist! She is super sweet, professional, gave me the best wash and cut and had a little fun when she blow dryed and styled my hair. I hope to have Ivette again, she is was a delight and made the whole experience so special. Thank you Ivette.

Jen is the absolute best when it comes to stiletto acrylics. She’s very thorough and pays close attention to details. Super creative and flexible with ideas and is also one of the most interesting and friendly nail technicians I’ve been to. Jens a doll and her work is on point. Five stars forsure.

I cashed in my groupon and I was really disappointed with the hack job Daniel did. He was very unprofessional. He burnt my head with the hairdryer and my hair felt really oily and nasty with the products he put in my hair. Beware of Dainel… not a good stylist at all!

Absolute worst haircut experience I have ever had. My friend and I bought a groupon for a haircut and blow dry and called to make an appointment for the same time. When we arrived Daniel took my friend back and took an hour to cut her hair while I waited. He then had her get up and had me sit down without cleaning anything.
I told him I wanted an inch and a half cut off and very subtle long layers. He started cutting my hair in a way I have never seen before and was taking chunks out of my hair and cutting much more than an inch and a half.
I finally stopped him halfway through and asked what he was doing to my hair and he was very rude and told me that he knew what he was doing and that he was doing exactly what I had asked.
I told him he wasn’t even close to doing what I asked and his exact words were «I don’t know why you are tripping it looks good.» I was so frustrated I told him to stop cutting my hair so short so he chopped the front in a straight line and said it was done. I was so mad I got up and walked out.
I posted a picture of the hack job he did on my hair above. I have had some bad haircuts before but this was the worst by far. I don’t know how Daniel got his license because he has absolutely no idea what he is doing.
He was also extremely unprofessional and was asking my friend and I very innapropriate questions. He asked what we were doing later that night, if we partied, and then asked us what the craziest thing we had ever done was. I was very uncomfortable the entire time.

I saw Tanya who also works at Kid’s cuts and cuts my son’s hair. I called her after a hair disaster and she told me to come right in. She not only fixed my hair but saved what I had left (not going too short) and I am getting compliment after compliment.
This was my first cut with Tanya. She is incredibly sweet, professional and confident. She was working with someone else’s bad cut «fixed» once. I’m sure not the most fun for any stylist. But she pulled it off and I will be going back to see her again.
What is also great about seeing Tanya is that if you visit her at Kid’s Cuts, you can get an amazing cut while your kiddo plays and then they can get their hair cut too. Win win.
I would go to About Faces or Kid’s Cuts to get into see Tanya. What a find!

I love About Faces! They have the best customer service, not to mention the friendliest stylists. It is a very professional salon, with affordable prices. You can’t go wrong there!
I just got my hair cut a couple days ago by Martha, and I have to say it feels great to have healthy hair again :) She is so amazing!
Definitely the only place I go now, you should definitely all go check it out. They have so much to offer there for everyone!

Wow what can I say. This place was such a wonderful surprise! I went in here to get my hair done because I was in major need of some highlights and I saw I had a coupon in my campus coupon booklet. I was able to get an appointment the very next day with Tanya. Since the fact that I have been highlighting my hair since 13 years old… let’s just say that I’ve been to more hair salons than a shoe addict has been to the mall. This is the best coloring job for the cheapest price that I’ve ever gotten! This is a perfect place for a high maintenance college girl with a small budget like myself. I will definitely be returning and telling my sorority sisters to get their hair done here. Everyone was friendly and I was even given a new client package with coupons and a complimentary brow wax or hair treatment! Mmm awesome much?!

Best hair cut experience I’ve ever had!
I am very picky when is comes to getting my hair cut, after finding a long time hairdresser who i absolutely loved I was sad to lose her when moving down to SB. Hearing about «About Faces» I was skeptical at first but after my experiece I would say it was the best hair cut experience I’ve ever had. From the beautiful sweet receptionist Lindsey who greats you and offers you something to drink to the kind and sweet owner Denise asking if you need anything as well. I definitely felt like royalty being there! They also have great prices too! I was shocked to hear about how a mans haircut can run up to $ 50 in SB! Out the door I paid $ 25 and boy was it worth every penny! I will definitely be back and tell everyone I can about «About Faces».

I always enjoy going to About Faces Salon. They have incredible service, and everyone there is always so friendly. If you want to huge, corporate-​type salon and environment, don’t go here, because this place offers comfort and down-​to-​earth friendliness. I love my stylist, Michael; he always has entertaining stories about his life and chats with you on a personal level, unlike many stylists who pretend to care what you say but don’t remember the next time you go. Plus, he is THE hair stylist to go to if you want an avant-​garde, funky hairstyle. No one can do it better than him– and I’ve been to some of the best salons.
They also always have discounts, especially if you ‘like’ them on Facebook. I recommend using it as a source of up-​to-​date discounts and special offers.

I had a facial with Denise, the new owner, and it was terrific. She is very nice and knowledgeable and my skin looks and feels great. I will definitely be back.

I have been going to Martha for my hair cuts for 5 years. I am very very happy, and keep going back even though I’m 400+ miles away. I have also referred multiple people to her, and they keep going back too!

Edit 10÷20÷09: The salon is under new ownership. I have received 2 messages since the date of my posting, asking me to remove and/​or edit my original posting. I will not remove it because my past experience is valid, but please be aware that Pamela Gamber is no longer working there, AND the salon is under new ownership.
I visited About Faces in spring of this year, per a clients recommendations. I heard that Pamela Gamber, the esthetician, offers «wonderful and affordable» facials. I found nothing like that in my experience with her.
I do not know how to explain my experience, besides down-​right rude and condescending. During my hour-​long facial, Pamela chatted about her young daughters (about my age), and how they have such great manners and taste in men. She then made a rude remark to me, relating to how *her* daughters always expect their dates to use a napkin in their laps while eating– and since I did not expect this, I clearly was not as refined as her daughters. Who the f*ck says this, while giving a facial? Hm? I am her client, I am paying my money for a nice relaxing break from reality. I do not need this lady, who is trying to poke and prod away at my face, making comments insinuating that I am not classy enough.
She also made other remarks, all of which made me feel like shit. I should have cut the facial early and not left her a tip. At any regard– beware of this woman. Her facial left me lackluster, and baffeled at her behavior and comments.
P. S. I heard that she has since moved to a new location, the Life Balance Centre on East Micheltorena street.