A Secret Place Salon & Day Spa

I went in for a cut and color last week and was completely disappointed at the results. Tara did my hair and it was a horrible experience. First of all, she needs to learn to listen to what her clients want, she can not take it upon herself to assume what it is we want and what she feels works best for us. I came in with pictures and explained to her what I wanted and I feel that none of it mattered. Tara needs to remember who the customer is.

First time customer as well as last time customer. Mid-​week I scheduled an appt. for Sat. For an up-​do. I was scheduled for 3:00 with Tara. Half hour before my appt., Tara called to tell me she was running ½ hour behind. I told her fine and again reminded her that I had to be finished by 5:15. When I arrived at the salon and no one came to meet and/​or greet me so I sat down and started looking for an up-​do– there were so many to choose from and I intended to pick a fast but nice style.
Tara was not ready until 3:50, and then she asked if I already washed my hair. I would have been happy to wash my hair had I been advised in advance.. . especially at this point in time. She never even asked me if I found a hairstyle in the book I had brought to her station under my arm. Tara just took the book, set it down. Then said iput your things here so I Can wash your hair. The cut was quick (no style) we’d discussed layers but it didn’t happen. Then her idea of putting my hair up was taking an inch of hair from each side, rubber band it and put on a 1.5″ bun. After that she curled my thick, straight hair with a 2″ curling iron. I told her my hair would NOT hold the curls. She differed with me and finished with the curling. I walked out with the curls going straight and by the time I reached Oxnard, the curls were no longer. I was very unhappy with My whole experience. When a customer tells one working that something does NOT work, I.e. Curls, one ought to listen. I came to a salon to fix my hair into something special for the occasion. Additionally, I am a 50-​year old woman and did not like a hairstyle for a teenager. I will not waste my time or money at The Secret Hair … Salon ever again.

I’ve been seeing Audrey the esthetician for about 3 months now. When I can to her I had severe acne and absolutely no hope but my parents forced me to find an esthetician before I decide to go on accutane. I can tell you that I am so stocked with my results it’s insane. I get so many compliments from everyone. My skin is 99% clear now. And I will no longer be going on accutane. She changed me life. I havnt had a single breakout since she’s gotten my skin under control. Besides all this she’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever meet. She’s so patient and caring. I love her! I would recommend her to everyone! — Shar

I have been going to Danielle Bishoff fot several years and she always does a great color & cut. Consistent courtious and very professional. She is my all time favorite and I would follow her anywhere!

This salon has so much to offer. I’ve personally seen many of the girls that work here for different services. Linda gives a great pedicure. Her attention to detail and nurturing touch makes it so relaxing. Chantz does my color and my cut and I always love it. I recently have started getting massages and April has just the right touch for me. It is relaxing and beneficial to the areas of my body that I needed work on. Every aspect of this salon is great. I recommend everyone to try it.

I love A Secret Place! I have been seeing Shannon (stylist, not aesthetician) for years, and could not recommend her more! She is an amazing hair stylist who listens to what I want, but also gives helpful tips. Above all, she is so kind and genuine, and I always look forward to my appointments!

Ok… I’m using my experience at the salon as a sign that the universe was looking out for me. My usual esthetician cancelled our tri-​weekly session because she was sick, desperate, I found myself in need of a wax. A secret place came highly recommended.
I should also note That I am SUPER picky about my brows, have had some BAD experiences, so I’m a tad reluctant to try new people.
Anyway.Called the salon on a Tuesday for an eyebrow wax, I was told Shannon was the girl to see; however, she does not work on Tuesdays. The receptionist was very nice, and told me she would be able to get me in with another esthetician, Carla, at 1pm. Great! We set it up.
I show up to the salon, almost right at 1pm. There is a blonde woman up front, who greets me, but in that obligatory «I have to greet you» kind of way. Maybe greets me, is an overstatement, her first words to me were, «do you have an appointment»
I’m sorry, no smile, no hello?
Whatever. I tell her I have an appointment with Carla and she says ok and walks into a back room with he door labeled «quiet zone» or something like that.
I am assuming she is getting Carla, note my use of the word assuming.
I find myself sitting for a while, and I never see the blonde woman again, other people come in and out of this room, yet no one comes to introduce themselves to me, or say that they are Carla. 10 minutes has passed. (The wait is annoying, but not an issue, it happens)
After 10 minutes, a brunette, walks out of the room, I can see she’s walking towards me (in my mind I’m thinking, hooray! This is Carla! –WRONG!) the woman greets me and says she is sorry, but she forgot to block off Carla’s schedule, and that in fact Carla was not even in the salon at that time… Annoyed as hell, I didn’t bitch or complain, the woman tried to schedule me for. Different time with Carla the next day, or even later in the day, I declined.
Definitely will not be returning to that salon EVER! I understand scheduling mistakes, double booking, over lapping, etc. but come on, to schedule an appointment when the esthetician isn’t even in the salon??? Was the receptionist even AWARE, that she was wasn’t there? Then, to leave me waiting for over 10 minutes knowing Carla wasn’t there! Wtf? Pretentious, snobby blonde lady in the front couldn’t tell me that herself? She had to go hide in the back and send someone else out? Get the F outta here! Very unprofessional!
My tip, when making an appointment, ask the receptionist if your hairdresser or esthetician sets their own appointments. Probably better that way.

Love this salon! I have been a client of Danielle’s for years, even when they moved locations. It’s super easy to make an appointment, and they are always really flexible and helpful when I need to change anything. The salon itself looks great all the time even when there are so many clients each day! A very happy, friendly atmosphere all the time. And Danielle is THE BEST.

My chance encounter with this salon started at the Loma Vista Elementary School Family Fun Festival. There was an intriguing Silent Auction. I hovered and finally won a haircut & color for myself at A Secret Place.
I am a Mom, a high school teacher, and I tend to take care of others before I take care of myself. I do not know when this trend started but it has been a long time. I need to change.
Deborah Allen is the hair dresser that donated the cut & color certificate valued at over $ 100. She is spectacular! I feel so much more confident about my looks! My hair feels so healthy. I told my hubby, a custodian, at Loma Vista Elementary School all about this great experience.
Deborah made me feel comfortable right away. I shared. She shared. She talked about different coloring techniques. I leaned toward the safer choice… she continued to tell me about her Mom’s hair (the newer approach to hair coloring). I told her I trust her and I went for the coloring technique I hadn’t heard of… and I couldn’t be happier.
My hair color looks more natural to me. It is a little bit darker blond. It is darker on the bottom and painted in different areas… not always at the root. When my darker blond hair grows out I won’t look like I need to run to the salon. Brilliant!
Did I mention that Deborah is funny, smart, and talented. Never a dull moment. Love that.
Hubby didn’t really want me to cut my hair. I had my hair cut to the collar bone per Deborah’s advice. I feel so much more confident. Hubby loves it! Thank you, Deborah. You are forever, my girl!

it’s hard to find an esthetician in Ventura, not because there are a lack of them, but to find one who is dedicated to her clients and is gentle with your skin.
I had threaded about six weeks ago and decided my pain threshold is much better suited for waxing as it’s quick and to the point!
My wait time wax less than 5 min, Shannon came out introduced herself and walked me through the basics of skincare asked me about myself and started work.
Gentle, so gentle I didn’t even realize she’s started. My brows look shaped but natural and my lip is smooth again.
Reasonable in cost and a calm setting, already booked my next appt!

We both go here and we wouldn’t think of going to any other place. We see Deb and she’s the best. She’s a great stylist and a really cool person. Make an appointment with her and you’ll be glad you did. The rest of the staff has always been very nice as well.

My first visit to this lovely salon and Shannon’s personalized facial room. You are transported to another place in this peaceful, floaty bed, warm sheets and the lovely crystal chandalare hanging overhead. The products in which Shannon used gave my skin a fabulous glow a pumpkinseed mask, amazing. All I know after leaving this little oasi my husband saw me and said your skin has a glow you look 7 years younger I kid you not. All I can say is thank you Shannon.

Shannon’s Skin care facials treatments are the best I’ve ever had and I have been to over a dozen places. As a man, it is important to have discreet and professional service. Shannon is one of the most knowledgeable and thorough Esthetician’s in Ventura!

Came here to see Shannon for a lash and brow tint after she moved from another salon. She is the best! Always just the right touch for applying the tint with care and touching up carefully when taking it off. The colors always look perfect when I walk out the door. I also like her new space in this salon. Soothing and elegant.
A good experience all around.

It’s never been a pleasure to do my waxing, but Carlie does it really professional and fast. I will definitely be coming back

Lisa and Danielle are both amazing! I was married on ⁷⁄₁₂ and they made me look my best :)
Both did an incredible job of interpreting what I was looking for in hair and makeup and making it happen. Highly recommend!

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my recent review. I am happy to explain further into my disappointing/​unprofessional experience. In regards to Elisha and the haircut, it most definitely was a straight line across the bottom, that took 2 hours. I was indecisive if I should let her cut my hair, but knew what kind of cut I wanted. And as I was in the chair getting the cut I was reading reviews on Unilocal and read a few to the same regard, so this can’t be news to you. And with Danielle, she did cut my hair and added a little more style and volume, and I am so grateful for that. I will give her credit for that. But that most definitely does not make up for the hair coloring experience. And as I mentioned before she did give me her two sense in regards to the red, but then she showed me styles that she thought would be so great for me and when I pointed to the picture on the phone, and said that’s exactly what I want the hair process began and I was even told it would look nice. Quite the contrary. And to say that it would take a process (I’m assuming meaning more future appointments with you) sounds very dishonest and corrupt on your end, considering I was able to get the exact hair color I wanted in one visit. And if you believe that my review makes it sound as if your salon does not care about its clients, then I got my point across. That is absolutely the case. The response I received when I called and spoke to your stylist and expressed my unhappiness and unsatisfactory experience was «too bad and deal with it.» If you believe your business is dealing with customers issues in a kind passionate professional manner, I would suggest looking into them and even retraining, because how you claim your salon treats customers and how they are actually teated are two different things.

I never realized how great «A Secret Place» for a Brazilian bikini wax until I went to a waxing salon in Denver. When you walk in there are nice chairs and a self service «water cooler» that usually has some sort of fruit in it. The rooms have relaxing music and the esthetician leaves the room while you undress and leaves a wash cloth to cover yourself until the treatment begins. The only problem is the wax they use causes somewhat more pain than at the (otherwise terrible) spa I went to today. I’m giving 5 stars because you can’t give 4 and a half.

TAYLOR at a Secret Place is absolutely AMAZING.
She is so talented and just a pleasure to be around.
She can do a flawless weave and an INCREDIBLE ombré.
I also adore the way she cuts my hair, its so perfect every time.
Color, cut, style, whatever you need done I’d recommend Taylor for sure, you can trust her with all your hair needs no matter how extreme! :)
thanks to her I literally get compliments on my hair daily.
she’s also great company when your stuck in the chair for 4 hours haha
I come all the way from Thousand Oaks just to see her and it’s more then worth it!
Not to mention a Secret Place Salon atmosphere is really nice and relaxing I love the space.
Found my new hair home, most definitely.

After being very happy with my tanning and waxing, I decided to start getting my hair cut and colored here. Due to the other recommendation on Unilocal, I decided to request an appointment with Shannon. I have not regretted this decision once!
I have lived in Ventura for only 6 years, and I have been to 6 different stylists. There was always something that didn’t work, either scheduling issues, bad cuts, or personality conflicts.
With Shannon, she does an amazing job with my hair AND is an awesome person to talk to for the 2 hrs it takes to get my hair done. I feel like I found a new friend, who also makes my hair look gorgeous with highlights and great cut.
I would definitely recommend her to anyone and everyone looking for a place to get their hair cut in Ventura.