Sanctuary Salon by Cha

I moved to San Clemente from New York, & I was extremely worried about finding a hair stylist that compared to my previous one. I gave this salon a try, & I was COMPLETELY blown away by Garrett! I cannot possibly sing his praises to the extent he deserves. My hair has never looked better. People stop me on the street & ask who does my cut & color. Do yourself a favor & book an appointment with Garrett…

I made an appointment for an updo. When I arrived at my appointment, I discovered they had put my appointment on the completely wrong day. In fact, my name was completely misspelled and they had my phone number entered wrong. Luckily, Lindsey (one of the hairstylists offered to call and move one of her clients, so they were able to squeeze me in last minute. I give Lindsey 5 stars for effort and awesome hairstyle. The admin staff, I give 0 stars, for a huge mistake and they didn’t offer anything to fix their mistake (or even discount the price). I doubt I will come back.

I called in to make a last minute appointment for a hair cut only, and got in for a 12:30 with Andrea. I have never been here before, but it was such a nice experience. She was ready for me when I arrived, and I loved my cut and style. I felt like this was also very reasonably priced. She was very personable and sweet. I am saving her card for future hair needs. I would absolutely recommend her.

Children’s haircut 1 inch trim for 6 year old daughter = $ 40.00. Holy cow! To each his own however maybe $ 20. When did this all become so expensive?

I was looking to get my hair trimmed on a Saturday evening and found Sanctuary was nearby. I made an appointment 30 minutes in advance and had a wonderful experience with my stylist, Garrett.
Garrett was friendly, easy-​going, and accommodating.
He carefully listened to my requests and took the time to tailor my pixie cut to my hair type. I trust his sense of artistry and would love to come back for another trim!

I’ve been here once and I kinda liked my experience. My hairdresser was nice, but was late on my appointment by half and hour. That wasn’t bad because I didn’t have anything to do, so I just blew it off. She was one of the few women who actually styled my hair how I like. It was a 4 star experience.
Then I called today to set up another appointment. I had forgotten the name of the girl who did my hair last, but I was open to trying out different people. The girl who answered the phone could not understand my name. I get it, «Valor» is uncommon. But I spelled out my name, even said «V as in vest» and «Valor like Medal of Valor». She continued to say «Dalor», «Calor», and «Zalor». She even got my last name wrong the first time. After a minute or so of this ridiculous back and forth, I decided it just wasn’t the right place to go today. So I hung up. She sounded so confused already she probably didn’t even notice. I’ve literally dropped a star because of her.

I was referred to Cha through a close friend of mine. I had always been the type to just clean up my own hair and visit a barber or fantastic sams once every couple months, but now that’s changed since visiting his salon. This time around, I thought I had botched my hair past the point of no return. Cha didn’t seem phased by it. The man is a wizard with scissors. I showed him a picture of the cut I wanted and I was out the door with the exact cut I showed him within 15 minutes. He’s been doing hair for over 20 years so he’s seen it all.
I live in North OC and won’t hesitate to make the drive for this salon.

I love ANDREA and have gone to her for years. My sisters and I won’t let anyone else touch our hair, she’s professional, knowledgable, experienced, and you’ll leave her chair feeling gorgeous! She’s amazing! Thank you Andrea!

Walked in to get my daughters haircut and they said they were closed. It says they close at five. They could have been nicer and said can we make an appointment for u. She said I’m booked. Well we r new to the area and she could have gained a new client.

My whole family goes to the salon and we all love it! My husband never has time to schedule his appointments in advance so he has seen multiple stylists and always gets a great cut. I have seen Lindsay for many years and she is very attentive and listens to what I would like to accomplish. She never double books me and the service is above and beyond!

After a long search for someone who could consistently give a good men’s haircut, I finally found Cha. I have been going to him now for several years and have never been disappointed. He is a professional who understands how to tailor his cutting style to your desires and hair type. Highly recommended.

I have always been that guy who goes to fantastic Sam or super cuts because it is cheap and easy to find, however after moving to Dana Point I found this wonderful hidden gem. The staff is so friendly and Annie did such an amazing job. I asked her to do what she think would look good on me and she nailed it. For any guy whom is nervous about going into a salon and not a barber shop don’t this place is great.

After one year and four south county salons later, I’m absolutely thrilled to call Sanctuary home!
I was referred to Cha through a good friend and was amazed after my first visit by his talent, creativity, and stellar credentials. I have been with Cha for a year now and am consistently pleased with the excellent service that he provides. Cha stands out as a stylist and artist because of his personability and custom service. He looks at the big picture — my complexion, dress, lifestyle, and routine — while incorporating the best, but most importantly, manageable look and style for me.
Most valuable to me, is his candor. I have had ideas and visions where Cha has given me a flat out no. This is an imperative quality. I think many woman fail to realize that we are not the experts and that the ones behind the chair truly know best. I trust Cha with my life :) I have never been happier with the health and color of my hair; and feedback that I have received from family and friends has accurately reflected this.
An added bonus is Sanctuary’s beautiful interior — modern and sleek ambiance with an industrial feel. Sancuary is stylish and hip, yet is impartial to the stuffy, pompous feel that many salon’s possess.
In addition, wait times for appointments are virtually nonexistent. If you are also a blonde, you can probably relate to me when a say that roots give no warning. One week they are fine and the next I’m canceling all social events and screaming mayday. I am always able to be booked within a matter of days, which is so convenient.

Today was my first visit to the salon to see
Missy who had come highly recommended.
Missy definitely passed my expectations. You know when you get referred and you expect something and get the total opposite.
That was not the case. Missy looked at my hair and right away knew what to do to fix what my last hair dresser had done.
I went in for highlights and a cut and to say the least i am very pleased.
We had a great conversation and she just made me feel very comfortable.
Needless to say I will be back.
Thank you Missy
–Terese

Jarrod has given me the BEST color every time I’ve gone to him. He’s never steered me wrong with a recommendation and I know that even if I walked in and said, «do whatever you want», I would still be blown away by his talent.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has become hooked on his skills and planning to follow him to the Daniel Michael Salon (beautiful location, btw).

Cha has been cutting my hair and my son’s hair for over 16 years. He always does a great job and my son won’t allow me to go anywhere else. Cha is very good at what he does, is very personable and always friendly. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Add me to the list of delighted clients please!
I had a haircut with Meredith and a Brazilian blowout with Cha. Aside from the fact that time passed so quickly because they were both so fun to speak with, my hair came out FABULOUS!
I’m a very tough cookie to please when it comes to my hair. It’s naturally dry, extremely curly and prone to tons of split ends if not taken care of. I am very particular with how I treat it and who I let treat it. Both Cha and Meredith were beyond capable of working with my hair type and I am so very pleased with my results! I will most definitely come back.
Meredith was also super sweet to offer me a military discount because my boyfriend is a Marine AND a complimentary blow out for another time since I was going to work out afterwards. Both meant a lot to me, she definitely went above and beyond great service.

This review is for Meredith. She’s amazing! Meredith always gives me the look I am wanting. She’s great at suggesting new ideas as well, that will compliment my cut and color. I cannot speak highly enough about her work!

I had a very expensive process done at this salon. The process did not take to my hair. I called the hairstylist no less than 7 times. She never called back. Only when I threatened to come down to the salon to stand by her station did she return my call. She agreed to redo the process.
When I arrived to have my hair retreated, she arrived in a sports bra and yoga pants. Hardly professional. She sat me in her chair and asked me «what do I want». I explained (again) that I wanted my hair redone. She told me that she would redo my hair but that the process wasn’t going to work. I sat there thinking «why didn’t you tell me that the first time before I dropped $ 300?». Because of her response, I asked for my money to be refunded.
Throughout the refund process, I got to hear her complain to me about how I WAS IN THE WRONG. Seriously? Poor service. Then, she blamed me for wasting 3 hours of her time. I’m not sure where 3 hours came from. She only spent an hour and a half doing my hair.
Later, I asked for the owner to call me. It’s been 2 weeks. He’s never called me back.
I called the highest ranking salon in Newport to speak with 3 specialists who work with this process. Each of them has performed the process on my before and it’s worked perfectly each time. I asked if what this stylist was telling me was true. They laughed and said no. Instead, they said, she did not do the process correctly.
Poor service, poor management, poor ownership. This salon is a joke.

If you’re used to pretentious & uppity attitudes from businesses, you’re really going to hate this place… ‘Because Sanctuary Salon, has none of that!
Store Front —
Lots of natural lighting, clean & spacious.
Photo —
By no stretch of the imagination am I a «hair snob» or fanatic…
Normally, you’d find me at the neighborhood barber…
Joe’s Barber Shop —
«Yeh Joe, the usual, number three on the sides & blocked off in the back.» Done.
But I definitely know when like a haircut or could care less about it… ‘Never been overly upset about a «bad one,» it’s hair… It’ll grow back. There are a lot bigger things to worry about like, «I wonder if COSTCO has strawberries in stock…» My point exactly, petty.
Before I started letting my «do,» do its own thing… ‘Like just grow & grow, & grow… You’d find me at Joe’s Barber Shop. (‘Been about three months since my last haircut.) However, since I’ve been letting my hair grow, figured it was going to need a bit more styling & finessing.
Imagine Robin Williams from «Jumanji» — «In the jungle, you must wait ’til the dice read five or eight.» (‘But hapa.)
Over the last couple of years, I have been leisurely looking for a solid, reliable place that can do a great job… ‘Fair to good, you can find just about anywhere. I was looking for «great.» I have been to a handful of different shops in the South OC Area aaaa’nd for the most part, okay.
‘As my insomnia kicked in @ 3am, I decided to do another Unilocal*search:
«men’s haircut, best, current location»
A few shops came up & then I saw «Sanctuary Salon by Cha.»
Hmmm, thirty five reviews, five stars… Okay, lets give this place a try!
‘Called later that afternoon after they opened, set up a 1pm appointment for the following day.
I was greeted by Tiffany who checked me in & offered me a drink.
So far, business as usual that one might find at salons in the general area.
BTW, I had a coffee…
Photo —
I sat down w/​Richard, aka «Cha» and for the first 10 minutes discussed what I was doing & wanted. (PS — I really wasn’t sure what I was doing. Like I wrote previously, I was letting my «do,» do it’s things… ‘And now it was out-​of-​control.)
Cha: So, do you want to keep the mullet-​looking thing you’ve got going on…
Me: Please… (struggling) You must help me…
Hey, I have nothing against a great, flashback mullet! It’s s fine if you never plan on venturing outside the trailer park or bayou.
My hair was heavy, thick & bulky… (‘Much like my @ss.)
When you throw on a hat to hide «crazy» hair AND the hat needs help? Yeh, it’s time. I would just like to be able to run my hand through my hair without chipping a nail.
Bottomline: Great.
Unilocal* «New Client» Check in offer — 20% off! ‘Or ask if they have any New Client Specials. It pays to Unilocal*!
Photo —
Total w/​tip & promo: $ 52
Prices —
Afterward, Cha gave me some Styling 101 lessons to my new haircut.
I ended up purchasing a bottle of Bumble & bumble. — Bb. texture: hair (un)dressing crème ($ 31)
Bb. texture —
I never heard of Bumble & bumble., nor seen it on my store’s shelf next to the $ 2 can of Aqua Net… So, I looked them up.
Bumble & bumble. (An Estée Lauder company)
Official website:
Overall, a bit pricy for my coupon cutting, Ziploc reusing, leftover eating, «are you going to eat that?,» matinée sneaking, self BUT I think I’ve found THE place — Sanctuary by Cha.
Mahalo nui Cha & Tiffany! ‘Definitely returning for my next haircut.
Cha & Tiffany —
— Big Aloha
Food/“Beverage”: 3 (Coffee)
Ambiance: 4
Service: 5+
Value: 5+