Gila Rut Aveda Salon-Torrey Hills

I’ve been going here two years and usually got my hair cut by Chelsea who was great. But she left so I decided to try someone new and that didn’t turn out too great. First of all what I love about Aveda salons is they give a free small treatment in the beginning — I always go for the neck massage since it’s great. Tori my stylist basically pressed my neck for maybe 10 seconds and that was the duration of my supposed massage! Now for my haircut. I’d taken a few pictures of what I wanted and together we picked the hair cut I wanted. I was going from long hair to a lob — so it was a big change. Tori took maybe 10 minutes to cut my hair and in the end it looked nothing like what I had wanted. It was shorter, had no definition and basically looked like she had taken the scissors and just chopped it off. I’m definitely not coming back here — guess it’s time to find a new salon now

Nice place. My wife and I followed Mallorie up from the Otay Ranch location, which we liked. This location is spacious and the staff was warm. An assistant washed my hair and performed a shoulder/​neck massage and she was outstanding. Friendly, strong, etc.
As for Mallorie, she’s a highly talented and personable stylist. Frankly, I don’t need to pay as much as I do for a simple men’s haircut, but I feel compelled since she does a great job (she’s a perfectionist) and I enjoy chatting with her.

Oh Aveda… my, my what a time we’ve had: meh to great! I’m picky with who touches my hair so I tend to nest once I find a gem. The only reason why I tried this spot was because I needed a cheaper hair spot. My last (what turned into a two parter (05/27&06/04) has 1) sold me on this salon and 2) compelled me to get on Unilocal & preach a bit.
Last visit: (the picture shown) Kiara did my color too dark for my taste ($ 125 for a frown? No thanks) and no fuss took me back in a few days later to make sure I was happy. Very fast with email replies and my colorist was with me soon. COMPLIMENTARY REDO! (Emily & Megan helped with styling.) So kind & totally took her time lightening my locks to my taste. The redo (although free) cost more than the initial appointment too which was just more than I could ask for! Fabulous service. I had a hair stylist in LA who rudely refused to assist with fixing my hair color that faded faster than anything I’ve ever received or done myself & she also overcharged me (saying I used a groupon as a reason not to help me with my hair again)…so I know bad service! Like I said before, this last visit really confirmed my affection for the range of prices, time flexibility and quality of service here.
Cut: CHARLES! A total gem. I cannot believe he is $ 50 flat. He is so easy to talk to and kind and really makes being a tight budget college student with good hair a lot easier. Thank you Charles! Praise the hair gods.
Final note: 1) the staff is very cute and familial with each other as well as clients who aren’t even their own & 2) WAYYY easy to make appointments online and last minute! Most of my appointments have been the day before sometimes day of!
Go look fabulous fam!!! Check this spot out.

Came in today for a first time appointment with Charles and I had the most amazing experience!
Everyone at the salon was knowledgable and friendly. They have specialized stylists who either color or cut to give you the most expert results possible. One of the highlights of the experience was the complimentary treatments they offer you along with your cut or color (make up touch up, mini facial, neck and scalp massage, hand massage and treatment), and you can pick two.
The prices were very reasonable (actually cheaper than the stylist I used to see in Orange County, who offered less in services), and for the experience I had, I honestly felt like I should have been paying twice as much!
Last, Charles was such a sweetheart. He gave me spot on recommendations for my hair, was an absolute pleasure to talk to, and I left feeling like a new woman with my gorgeous haircut. He’s definitely gained a new regular client!

I have been going to this hair salon for a long time, but my most recent appointment was the best cut I’ve ever had. My hair specialist was Charles. He was so kind, friendly, and did a great job cutting my hair. I would very much so recommend requesting for him.

This was my first time ever getting my hair colored! I wanted to know I was going to get someone who would do an amazing job. I Unilocaled this place, and it had some great reviews. So, I decided to try it. I got a gorgeous balayage (brown to blonde) by Christine! She is super nice and easy to talk to, she had a lot of fun with it, and she did an incredible job! I will be going back to her from now on!

Ok, so shortly after my initial review, I waited until my hair was driving me insane (yes I’m that client that doesn’t advance schedule) I called up and my call was answered by their scheduling center, I asked if Chelsey had any openings that week and the girl said no. .I figured, that’s ok, when’s her next available? The response was «never, she moved» and queue heart attack. I just found some one who cut my hair the way I liked it… now what the «F» was I going to do?!? I told the girl I would call back since I needed a moment for my ocd, lunatic, anxiety ridden brain to process this. I rationalized that they must all get the same training and called back, friendly as always, the gal that answered the phone let me know that chelsey had recommended 2 stylists to take over her clients, I chose Tori. My first haircut was 8 weeks ago, I explained what I was looking for and she immediately got it (even referenced 2 celebs that have exactly the cut I wanted) she was incredibly friendly, meticulous and hilarious, we hit it off immediately. Tonight was my second appointment with her and we picked right up where we left off, chatting like old friends and when she was done my hair again looked amazing, her attention to details, clean lines and ruthless attack on any hair that refuses to fall in line is flawless. If your in the market for a truly exceptional hair stylist, Tori is your girl! I will also mention that this salon is beautiful, clean and so relaxing, Shannon at the front is always full of smiles and is welcoming and lovely. He always had the updates on new and awesome products and is very knowledgeable, seeing and talking to him is definitely one of things I look forward to!

My entire experience here has been amazing all thanks to ERICA LAURIE, she is fantastic at coloring hair. I got a very bad dye job at supercuts and I lost confidence in my appearance and hated my hair. Erica was up for the challenge to fix my ugly hair, and now I feel so comfortable in my own skin and hair again; with my birthday around the corner I am thankful that I got such a skillful and knowledgeable person. It is really hard to trust people with your hair but I honestly would trust Erica with my eyes shut, I make over a 30 min. commute to go to her and trust me it is worth every second. It can be really hard to find people that are so passionate about their jobs, but here it really shows through… Thank you Erica!

Thank the Lord for Christine and her God given talent! My hair was a hot mess and ruined by someone claiming they could do Ombré, but just ended up frying my hair and giving me wak half ass highlights. I was embarrassed to even be out, and to show my hair. Christine was so sweet, reassured me, and took the time to explain the best approach in fixing my hair. She is super knowledgeable in what she does and definitely a professional! I already was in love with my hair even though she hadn’t blow dried it yet! The final product was amazing! I loooooove my hair!!! I feel pretty again and got so many compliments that night at work! I am never letting anyone else touch my hair ever again! Christine is now my go to! Book with Christine and you WILL NOT BE disappointed!

Master stylist Andre Holt is so AMAZING! He is so talented and I can’t even begin to express how happy I am since I’ve started going to see him. My hair keeps it’s shape and I get complements all the time.
Go see Andre… you will be happy.

I’m so thankful to have found this place. Andre is wonderful and truly is a miracle worker. My hair prior to seeing him was damaged and just plan ugly. He listened to my concerns and helped me find a solution to my crazy hair. Thank you Andre.

Gila Rūt is the best salon in San Diego hands down. Their service and products are always top quality and worth every penny. I’ve been going to Christine at the Torrey Hills location for years now and she is a color genius AKA the balayage queen!!! She’s taken me from natural black to ombré and now to a perfect blonde. She knows what she’s doing and always makes the best suggestions when I have no idea with what I want to do with my hair. She’s also so welcoming and easy to talk to that it’s hard not to become friends!!! 100% recommended.

I’ve been coming to Gila Rut since 2008. I have a tendency of following the hair stylists I absolutely love from the Eastlake, Hillcrest, and Torrey Pines locations because natural talent is just hard to find nowadays! Christine is, hands down, the best color specialist there is. I’m always open to any color and style because I know I’m in great hands. I always leave the salon feeling confident and beautiful. Thank you Gila Rut!

I read a couple Unilocal reviews and decided to give this place a try for a Balayage color and haircut.
Christine was my colorist. She is a mega babe and an absolute Queen of her craft. She listened to what I wanted, offered her insight and reiterated everything I was looking for. She went over the entire process and cost. She has great expertise in color profiles. She brightened pieces that needed it and left the dark in places to give it depth. I was using the word «buttery» all day :) I am so happy with how it turned out.
Charles did my haircut. He welcomed me into the place and gave me an awesome tour of the eclectic Aveda line. He worked with my anxiety of cutting off several inches and gave my brittle, unhealthy hair the body and movement it needed.
It was my first time at Gila Rut, and I already have my touch up booked a few months from now. I am so happy I found these miracle workers.

Love love love this place! Laura, the master hair colorist is worth every penny… I had been getting blonde highlights in my hair for years and when I came to her I simply said I want to look like the best version of myself — she just nailed it — she made subtle tweaks that didn’t announce to the world «i just got my hair done» but really elevated my whole look — I get compliments on my hair ALL. THE. TIME. Not only is she awesome at what she does — I really like her as a person too — which I think is underestimated. She is so nice, down to earth, and really strives to make you feel as comfortable as possible… listening to all of your concerns or questions. She is the type of stylist you can ask ANYTHING to and she will not only answer it thoughtfully, but also will demonstrate how to achieve techniques at home. Simply the best :)

Whether you are an Aveda loyalist like me or simply looking for the right salon this place amazing.
It takes a lot for me to trust anyone with my hair let alone two different people. Elida is one of the best colorists I’ve had in such a long time and I’m grateful to have found her! She knows what she is doing and is so good that I can finally tell someone what I need… And she delivers!
David, wow!!! I can’t say enough he is a curly hair stylist master! It is not easy to understand curly hair and in the past my hair has suffered at the hands of those who don’t know how to cut my hair. David on the other hand has made me happy! My hair looks great and he has been consistent in his ability to keep my hair looking great.
I highly recommend Elida (for color) and David for cut + style (they are the best of the best).
Not only does this salon have the best of the best their staff is 1^st class. This salon knows how to make a client feel appreciated!
Thanks Gila Rut in Carmel Valley! And thank you Christine and David!
I’m now a loyal client!

I wont be back. The colorist was all right, but made my hair a brighter shade then I wanted but I can put that down to me not being explicit enough. But then they assigned a young girl to wash (fine) my hair, then blow dry it, and she was not only blowing me in the face with the hair dryer but she did a terrible blowout job — worse than I do, even, and I am pretty bad. I do not blame her, rather the manager/​owners who thought she was trained enough (at all) to be put out onto the floor that way. Tsk, tsk. At least another girl stepped in to do my make-​up, otherwise I would have had to say thanks but no lest I turn out like a clown. This was my first visit, hello. I will not be back, did I mention that?

So happy leaving this salon. Smiley and friendly girls. Roxy was so inviting and I loved talking to her. Brita cut and styled my hair and omg I could have cried I loved it so much!!! She’s going to be my main girl from now on. Made me so comfortable and we talked the entire time. The complimentary massages were amazing too! I left with a bottle of shampoo and conditioner because I loved their products so much. Definitely going back for the hair spray! If you’re looking for someone who is trustworthy and knows what they’re doing, call Brita!

I generally love Aveda products and salons and was super excited to try this place out. We’ve recently moved and I’m looking for that next great stylist.
So I’m bummed to have to say, I got the worst customer service ever in a hair salon. They were having a «cutathon» from 10 – 3. I called to confirm and asked if I came in around 2:30, if I could get a haircut. I showed up at 1:45 and they rudely said they were booked and wouldn’t honor their printed special. I told them I called and their flyer said it went until 3. The man at the front gave me a fake smile and not much more. Maybe the universe was sparing me? I don’t know. I do know the receptionist was clueless, arrogant and rude.
I left work early to participate in this fundraiser too. Another whammy.
This review is for the treatment I got from the receptionist only and doesn’t reflect the quality of Aveda products or the stylists.
Update: I sent s message to the owner and she replied with a fair offer and resolution. I’m adding one star.

I always had been an aveda salon fan, I usually go to another aveda but I found this closer to my place so I thought why not?
I was totally not disappointed. I was one of those customers that were not sure how I would like my hair color. I came in for a hair consultation and I just told them that I want blonde even though I am a TAN asian.
Opal (my color stylist) offered me so many suggestions and was flat out, straightforward HONEST what would look better on me. I wanted pure blonde and no one could have changed my mind, however, she somehow managed to give me such honesty on her opinion that I just went on whatever she offered (I am not usually to give in) which I appreciated so much.
So in the end, I went to her suggestion of doing ¨Caramel Blonde lumineering Balayage¨ and it turned out BEAUTIFUL.
My suggestion, if you want a real color stylist who does not beat around the bush get Opal as your color stylist.
I bought the aveda products and I am loving them so far! They are very silky and shiny. I am definitely coming again in 2 and half weeks to get my base maybe lighter, but I am still contemplating because I am loving this hair combination so far.
So in conclusion, I am more in love with my self!