J. Nicole’s Day Spa and Salon

Untrained staff, below par management and weak staff… the facility lack charm and positive vibe. Go to Carlton Hair instead get your money’s worth!

SOODI did a FANTASTIC job on my hair. My hair hadn’t been colored for ten months. She blended so well you can’t see any line. It looks absolutely beautiful. Highlights and lowlights. Fabulous! Also, the cut is great. I have long hair and she shaped it to perfection. Worth the drive!

OUCH! My eyelashes STILL HURT! I recently relocated from Dallas to LA. And I love my eye lash extensions! Decided to give J. Nicole’s Salon a try. I went in for a refill and saw Bella. Refills usually take an hour. Her refill took nearly 2.5!!! I had originally requested «J.Nicole» and she instead sent in Bella to do it. My eyelashes still hurt 4 weeks later! Beware! And to make matters worse, I called to voice my opinion. I was assured that J Nicole would reach out to me, It’s been nearly 5 days no response. Ugh.

So sad… my lash angel Michelle is leaving in a month! What am I going to do about my lashes now?!

Ugh! Used a Groupon for a herbal foot bath and massage. Roxy was my therapist and it was the most odd experience i’ve ever had — from a massage standpoint. My feet were in a herbal «bath» i.e. water with some flower buds on top for 15 mins. then I had a 30 – 45 minute massage that was one of the worst of my life. I’m not sure where she got certified to give massueses, but she could learn something by experiencing some great massages.
For example, pressure was inconsistent at best. At one point, she placed a finger/​thumb in a singular spot on my back (for what had to be 1 minute) and then I realized she must have been texting or reading an email in her other hand. LOL!
She did my back then had me flip over without ever touching the back of my legs. Again very odd, as when a customer is on their stomach getting the backs of their legs is much easier — than when they are on their back! Of course once I was on my back, she tried.
I could go on and on, poor draping technique, I didn’t even know when my massage was over — she basically was like…“ok, i’m done”. So freakn weird. Would encourage people to never consider getting a massage here. Save your $ and go to massage garage in culver city.

Great, perfect experience! I was a little nervous about getting a Groupon deal at a salon I have never visited, but my worries were over after I left. I got the most amazing eye lash extensions in the world! Everyone was so nice and helpful, the place is very clean, and everything was running on time. I am SOOOO happy with this place. My only complaint… I wish I lived closer to them. But it’s a good excuse to run over to Monsoon restaurant for a couple of drinks after.

Ok, so I’ll write a real review this time. First of all, my two reviews are solely based on their massage services. My first massage at J Nicole’s was AMAZING. My masseuse went the extra mile to make me feel comfortable and relaxed. The second time around, they ran 30 minutes late. I didnt get the choice of herbs for my foot soak, nor did i get a foot massage. They kind of just pushed me on towards through my services. Quality wise, the massage was good, however, based on the texts that I was having back and forth pre and post massage– I was back on my phone within 40 minutes… for a paid 60 minute massage. So all in all, I felt like the were trying to make up the lost time, so that the next appointment wouldn’t be as late, which took away from the experience.

**DANNY IS THE KING OF MY PORNO-​LONG HAIR**
I have porno-​long hair and it was time for a trim.
Booked an appointment with Danny at noon on a Saturday.
No wait, quick wash, and snip, snip.
Layers in the front, straight in the back.
Simple, beautiful, and I had to say it: I looked good.
No hassle, no pressure to buy products, and no lame talk.
Definitely enjoyed the experience here.
Felt comfortable and was grateful I was in good hands.
Thank you, Danny darling.
Will return for the Brazilian blow out next month.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

I was excited to try this place based on the Unilocal reviews.
My first sign that things might not go well was when I met my stylist. She was pleasant, but seemed distracted or maybe rushed – wasn’t sure, but it didn’t feel right. I was comforted when the hair wash/​head massage was very good, so I thought maybe I’d misjudged. As it often is with haircuts, it’s hard to tell what’s going on, but as I was watching, I felt like not enough hair was hitting the ground. Not that I wanted anything too dramatic to be done, but I wanted the split ends gone, and the split ends were at least an inch, if not two. (My neglect – it had been a long time since my last haircut.)
So I waited patiently. The blow dry was good, but I felt like the good blow-​dry was masking something – namely, the lack of much of a haircut. Though I don’t know what I’m doing at all, and am unable to articulate anything meaningful about my hair and what I think it should look like, I asked for some more layers. At a certain point, I just didn’t know what to do, though I still felt like I wasn’t going to like what I was going to get once I washed it and blew it dry myself. And sure enough, I was right.
Haircuts are expensive in LA, so it really sucks to be disappointed by one. I don’t know if the stylist was having a bad day or what, but I won’t be going back.
P. S. I still have split ends. How is it possible to have split ends AFTER a haircut? A week later and I’m completely miserable with my cut.

I had a problem with my previous Santa Monica-​based hair stylist, who had been doing a great job, inviting his interested friend from Downtown LA to my appointments. Very unprofessional behavior. I went to a couple of alright salons looking for a stylist I liked and finally I found J. Nicole. Much better!
I am loyal to a stylist over whatever salon they work for so this is not a review concerning the rock-​and-​roll feel of J. Nicole more than it is a review for him. This honestly isn’t as intimidating a place as it looks. You’ll get good, polite service here. The kind you would expect from a day spa. Have them take your jacket then ask for some coffee or tea while you relax on the soft leather couch in the waiting room. The hair salon is filled with natural light on most days. You will be able to relax!
Park in pubic structure 9 on fourth street past Wilshire Blvd. Unlike other Santa Monica public lots, it is never full except on event days. If you can’t find parking there, try the private lot behind the J. Nicole building which really isn’t ever full. You can pay the attendent for however many hours you were in.
Anyway, I love when a stylist truly consults with me before a session. I have fine hair, even though there is plenty of it, so layers will make it look limp and frazzled within a couple weeks. This stylist really worked with me to achieve the vibrant, natural sheen I wanted then created a classy work-​appropriate cut.
For my first appointment I chose a brazilian blow out and cut. The way he set up the blow out I never once had to smell the keratin treatment as it was worked and set into my locks. Also, what a scalp massage during the shampoo! Oh my goodness. I have never had anyone other than a professional masseuse work on my scalp like that. It’s marvelous.
Now more than two months later, my hair is still flowingly straight and very easy to comb into obedience in the mornings. Be careful to follow instructions if you want similar results on your keratin treatment. The cut is naturally flattering and lovely, although I have since seen the stylist again to sharpen the face framing layers of my look. I will keep coming back!

Just had a blowout done here courtesy of Paul. I’ve never even had one done before, but I figured it was one of those things that I had to do before I could consider myself a true LA resident.
The place has a very unique style to it without all the pretentiousness that you’d expect from a high end salon. They have actual guitars hanging on the walls and a drum set in the middle of the room. If it wasn’t for all the chairs and mirrors, you probably wouldn’t even know that this was a salon. In fact, some of the stylists here are in bands themselves. How awesome is that?
Paul took his time styling and did a lovely job of adding volume and natural-​looking waves to my hair. He was EXTREMELY knowledgeable about what he was doing and I left learning more about hair during that visit than what I’ve learned… ever — seriously, he gave me the entire rundown on the science of hair, and he was quite the conversationalist which made the experience even better.
If you’re looking for a salon without the snobby vibe and you’re in need of a blowout, Paul’s your man. He’s got the personality and skills to come with it too!

I bought a Groupon for a Brazilian Blowout. At first I was a little nervous and then I checked out all the Unilocal reviews and felt a little better.
I moved back to California from Vegas about 3 years ago and have been straight out of luck when it came to finding another hair dresser. After having 3 hair dressers mess up my hair I decided I’d just have to drive back and forth from Vegas to see my hair dresser. But after coming to Kyle Mathis hairdressing I think I have found a home for my hair! :)
Jennifer was my hairdresser at the Salon and I loved, loved, LOVED her! When I first walked into the place I thought I would feel out of place and uncomfortable with the «rock» setting, but not at all! Jennifer was sweet and really easy to talk to. That’s always a plus in my book. I HATE to sit in a chair for 2 hours just hoping the hairdresser would finish soon.
It wasn’t like that at all with Jennifer. She made me feel secure and comfortable and not to mention I loved the results! The process was easy and surprisingly fast and my hair looked amazing afterwards! I totally recommend her!
The rest of the staff were also very nice and set a comfortable tone and setting. I will definitely be back!
The only con I have is the parking. The salon is located near the promenade, so I had to search for parking. I think I found a location a few blocks away from the Salon.

Check this out…
I don’t ask for man advice from a single lady. I don’t ask for fitness tips from an overweight person, and I CERTAINLY don’t entrust a… shall we say non dread head with MY locs.
Until now…
Yes I have locs, commonly called dreadlocs but I like to call them «locs» because there’s nothing «dreadful» about them. Not cyberdreads or extensions of any kind… the real deal holyfield naturally grown out of my own head.
*blank stare*
I met Angel socially through a friend of mine and absolutely love her look. When I found out that she did hair I was like «awesome». The lady has style. But I never thought in a million years that I’d find myself in her chair. The reason being I’m a loctician and style and color my own as well as my client’s locs myself. I’m a huge advocate for all natural ingredients and all natural hair products.
I had spoken casually about how I wanted to change my hair color from a sandy golden cinnamon to a firey almost blood red. And Naturtint with her 5 colors was not going to get it.
NTway Angel casually said «I can color your hair» just like she was saying «two plus two is four». Just as casual and matter of fact like it was no big deal. Chic is not afraid of a challenge… after all. It’s just hair right. She even seemed to have the same color in mind as I did. The wheels were turning as to what color concoctions she thought would be perfect for me.
Okay why not. It’s just hair. I let her know beforehand though that locs tend to act as sponges and the color has to actually be squeezed in the individual locs in order for it to take. That’s really the only difference between coloring straight hair and coloring locs. What you have before you is hundreds of strands of hair curled inside of itself. All of those tightly bound shafts take a bit of work to penetrate…
And work she did.
After one pass of semi permanent color, my roots said «Oh is that all you got chic?»
Color did not take there. What Angel did in response to my kinky head’s stubbornness was the stylists equivalent to a rolling stand up in a martial arts fight. Down but not out, she would not let me leave until that color took and was as vibrant as we BOTH wanted it to be. She was too far gone and was not about to let my locs beat her.
She disappeared in the back with the color guru and they mixed up a cauldron of color magik. With a satisfied grin on her face she was very confident that she had the right color that my roots and the rest of My hair would take.
one more round of spackling and sloshing… then back to the dryer and sink.
Angel did it.
On top of everything else, the brand of color she used did not have that chemical amoniated smell which is why I usually stay away from most permanent colors to begin with. She used a fantastic high quality color on my hair and I’m no longer skeptical about color that is not Naturtint.
My hair color is the perfect combo of blood, fire and violet depending on how the light hits it. I absolutely love it!
Angel is a goddess. She will be doing my color from now on. I will even refer my loc clients to her if they ever want to do something funky with their color.
I got my color on Friday and have received endless compliments from friends and complete strangers. Not to mention the fact that I can’t stop looking at it and taking pictures of it lol.
Kyle Mathis has a gem in Angel. TRUST
The only thing I have to add to this is that I have completely changed my mind about having my color done here again. The 3^rd time I came by I got a chemical burn from my tech using too much developer. I have natural hair to avoid this type of problem. This is no reflection against the salon at all the staff there were very friendly and professional. This is the thing to avoid if you are a person of color with natural hair. Be careful when stylists tell you that they can do what you need done. That hair still hasn’t grown back completely where I got the chemical burn. If you are a person of color with non-​chemically treated hair. Get a Colorist with experience who is not intimidated by nappy hair.
That is all

I came in last week to get the Keratin treatment done and I love it!!! Curtis is awesome! Great personality and super friendly atmosphere.
He listened to exactly what I wanted, especially with the trimming. This was the first time I ever came here and for sure will not be the last.
I love how smooth and straight my hair is and not to mention all the time I save now! It’s really hard to find a good hair stylist, I am so glad I found this place!!!

Dulce.
Once you get your hair cut/​styled by her, you will never need to know another hairstylist’s name.
Being a mixed guy (Japanese/​Argentine), I’ve had hair just as confused as my identity has been, at times. No one could ever figure out exactly what to do with it. Thick and straight, it’s sort of Asian, but then the Latino-​ness pushes through and throws in some curves. An internal struggle played out on the battlefield of my hair… I eventually reached a point where I kept my hair long, too long… in retrospect, my way of hiding from myself.
Then came Dulce. I took a leap of faith and put my trust in her skills. She cut my hair short, much shorter than I had it in years. And it looked great. Great on the day of, and great as it grew out. I don’t mean to sound dramatic about it, but she helped me be myself — and be confident about it — by shaping my hair in a way that highlighted, not hid, the best of me. Now that’s priceless.
It’s worked out so well for me that day a couple of years ago that I’ve been going back ever since, even while I was living up north in the SF Bay Area (yes, her cuts are totally worth an additional round-​trip flight on Southwest).
Of course, it’s not just about the cut. It’s also the pleasant experience of catching up every month or so with Dulce while sitting in a comfortable environment with a great vibe. It’s an experience I look forward to.

Dulce!!!
That’s the name of my personal & favorite hairstylist!!! I totally LOVE her!!!
She saved me from a nightmare where my previous hairstylist that I had gone to for years was giving me a modern day mullet in which I started to notice because I was not able to style my hair anymore… Not only did this meanie of a hairstylist mess up my hair, she also told me I could not have long hair so she kept my hair short!!! I don’t know what I ever did to her to make her do that since I always tipped her well and it wasn’t like we were friends!!! She was only my hairstylist!!! (Maybe a tinge of haterism???)
Anyways, enough time spent on the negative!!! When I came to Dulce, I needed a lot of help… And that she did!!! She’s amazing on coloring hair that complements your skin tone but she also does an incredible job cutting your hair to fit your needs! I have a natural wave that in the past I had a hard time embracing because I never had the right cut so I always would straighten my hair… Anyone that straightens their hair knows that’s not always fun and it’s time consuming! She has shaped my hair so amazingly that I can wear it wavy or straight and have a cute style! I love the color she has given me along with the highlights! My highlights look very natural and not streaky like some.
Her recommendations are great so listen to them!!!
So try her out if you’re looking for someone spectacular!!!
BTW-​I have LONG hair now!!! I’m so glad to have found Miss Dulce!!! :)

I have been around the block or two when it comes to getting my hair done. I’ve lived in Seattle, NYC and L.A. and have worked at high end spa’s and salons. So I hope you will take what I am about to say seriously.
Kyle Mathis is a god… of hair.
Don’t argue.
It’s a fact.
Kyle is a true hair design master. First, he did my guy friends’ hair and mine practically simultaneously. We were done in rapid time considering (under two hours). I only knew I wanted a change, nothing too drastic but classy and something to enhance my overall appearance. I told him, you have complete creative license, do what you will. Mmmhm. He did.
He used the Balayage hair coloring technique (this creates very natural-​looking highlights which grow out without developing a noticeable and obvious root) which is something I was impressed not only that he did it, but with the results which are incredible! Kyle and his team are friendly, professional and welcoming. I love the location in Santa Monica. The interior of the shop is fun and classy with a chic rock n’roll style – the most beautiful drum kit is in the middle of the studio… drool…
If you are looking for quality in a hair styling professional and an experience, this is your place, and your man.

One haircut and you’ll swear she’s using black magic – her name doesn’t help to dispel that idea. But Salem (yes, that is her REAL name) is no practitioner of anything but incredible hair… and I guess I would know now. I’ve been seeing her pretty faithfully for a couple years now.
She’s as sweet and striking in appearance as she is talented at hair… at six feet two (okay, not, but she seems tall because she’s just… striking) with a massively gorgeous tangle of voluminous black curls, she’s tan and toned and always wearing something to accentuate herself ;p sorry, I had to say it!
All that and Salem is probably the only person who actually leaves my hair long… while cutting it. «Leave it long please… I want a trim… but leave it long?» I swear it actually looks longer sometimes… after she cuts it! I’m always terrified it’s short because it feels so much lighter. I swear it’s going to be lopped off and I’m going to cry – but I look in the back and it tapers into a gorgeously long, layered and uniquely chic cut: exactly what I want.
Salem totally fits the vibe at the salon – pretty, tattooed, and rock n’roll. I’ve had a couple other haircutters cut me there – and I would probably trust any of them. She’s one of the priciest (but worth every penny, though I would have to sell my soul to pay for her myself*) at $ 110 for my cut, but how often can you buy happiness?
*Inserting a very grateful thank you here. :)

This salon must be some sort of acquired taste or something? Or it’s really for pseudo «rockers» whose hair looks like hell & that’s the way they like it? It doesn’t seem to be for people who want fairly classic cuts which require a little finesse with hair texture and a touch of skill in cutting… It doesn’t warrant the stars it seems to be maintaining on Unilocal.
I’m still on the search for a salon and a cutter who is capable of and willing to COMMUNICATE with me about my hair. I will no longer stay in the chair of any stylist who does not participate in the conversation — the one you have right before they take their scissors to your head. (ok note to self that one)
I explained (to Kyle) what I know about my hair and how it behaves. I explained why I was there looking for a new stylist & what about the cut I had then I would like to done differently. I asked for a little less of this and a little more of that… all the time assuming that the idea was for me to leave there looking like I have a stylish hair cut that I can work with… not looking like I just got my hair done in, possibly, prison. He nodded and nodded and agreed with me. I now know he really wasn’t listening at all. OR, he was pissed off that I had the nerve to ask him for something specific???
I left with a cut and blow dry that a small child could have accomplished. I looked better when I went in there and I hadn’t had a cut and blow dry for a good few months.
It seems Kyle didn’t like that I asked him to use some skill in creating a hair style for me. I really didn’t ask for something outrageous or terribly complicated, but what he gave me was almost spitefully bland, skill-​less and ugly. Wham bam.
I will never return. I was almost embarrassed to walk down the street looking the way I did when I left that salon.
ps I have had not so great hair salon experiences before this. (not as many as good ones if you’re wondering) but this one, I can’t let go without reviewing.
And now, I’m putting off going to another salon in case it turns out this AWFUL.

Yeah. I’m another satisfied customer. Got my hair cut here a few days ago and the compliments keep rolling in. I have to admit, I felt a bit intimidated by all the tatted up girls and glamour, but an hour in the chair melted all of that away. Salem did an awesome job with my overgrown mass of hair. Everytime I get a trim the stylist always comments on how much hair I have… when I left it looked like she had shaved a dog! If you’ve ever seen the Japanese movie NANA, I totally thought that was us. Here she was looking all tough rocker chick and there I was, the chipper little asian girl. Despite our differences we bonded over our love of pooches and our flip-​flopped star signs. :)
As for the cut itself, she gave me just the right amount of layers, and a cool shaggy crop in the back. I totally botched an at-​home coloring attempt so I rescheduled some time to go back and get it fixed. Gotta admit, sitting there watching her cut my spotty locks made me cringe like i was standing in the ‘what not to wear” 360 mirror!
When all was said and done I left feeling light and airy. Yeah it was on the pricey side, but it was worth it.