Salon D5 in Santa Monica, CA

After making an appointment for a haircut with a one week wait, showed up at the location listed all over their website, online, and Google but found out they moved. After calling and speaking with the owner, she gave the address to another location where we proceeded to go only to find out yet again, this hair salon wasn't where she mentioned. How does one stay in business when you can't even find the salon? Not quite sure.

I went to the 2nd street location for the first time and met with Sandra. She was nice and pleasant to talk with and the cut she provided was great. However, I left disappointed about the highlights I had done here. I have been getting my hair highlighted for over 12 years at salons across the country from New York, to Chicago to LA, and in all my prior experience, when salons offer either partial or full highlights and I ask for partial, it has been unspoken that the highlights will include the top half of the head, including the sides above the ears. To my disappointment, after the job was done at this salon, I discovered that the sides were not included in the price and would cost extra. When checking out my existing hair before starting to color, I wish that the stylist would have said, "By the way, I see that you have highlights on the whole top half here from your last appointment--I just wanted to let you know that the partial highlights here only include the top and crown, is that OK with you?" It is frustrating to only get 1/3 of the amount of highlights that you usually get for that kind of price, especially when you're on a budget. In addition, I have never before had a salon not prefer (and insist on) blow-drying the hair after coloring in order to check that the color turned out as intended. Instead, I left with a head of wet hair and didn't get to see the finished product until later that evening. I went back to the salon thinking that it would work with me and cover the price of filling in even a little bit of the sides to remedy the coloring, but to my surprise this was not an option that was offered and so I left. In the future I will go to another salon and be sure to confirm what I had thought--and in my experience has always proven to be--the unspoken standard for what is included in a color appointment. When other salons offer more complete services for the same price range, this salon unfortunately just can't compete with that. Another thing that didn't bother me much on its own at first, but in combination with the other aspects was a little lame, was that I was told after the appointment that I needed to pay in cash and use the ATM there. Adding on another $5 of hidden fees at the end of the visit is not something I appreciate.

New to L.A. last November, I dropped in for a haircut at Salon d5 (soon to be Salon Republic at 1333 2nd street) and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. My stylist Sandra had such a warm and caring approach combined with years of experience and a "can-do" attitude that you're lucky to find in a stylist/colorist. As a person who always wore her hair in a pony tail due to cuts that never worked right, I walked out (hair down) feeling so beautiful with my bouncy new look. I wear it down now all the time and it's grown out great! Fast forward to yesterday, when I went in to see Sandra for a followup cut and a highlight. She listened in her usual professional and warm way to all my preferences and concerns (I've got fragile, thin hair) and went to work. The end result was skillfully layered and full of dimension and shine, but slightly lighter than I wanted. Sandra didn't even blink an eye when I asked if we could darken it a bit. She perfected the color, spending an additional 45 minutes with me to make sure it was perfectly what I wanted. It became clear to me that Sandra is the sort of professional that is only satisfied when her clients are satisfied. She is a top notch hair artist I'll trust with my locks from now on!

Where do I start. I moved to Venice from the SF Bay Area about 5 months ago. Starting a new career and In new city I thought it's time to change my look. I searched for a new hair stylist that specializes in men's hair. I ended up reaching out to 6 or 7. Sandra Marckoff (new address 1332 2nd st Santa Monica. Salon Republic Studio 1) was the first one to respond and the only one that really listened to what I was trying to do. I set an appointment and we talked through what I could do with my hair. Over the next several months she worked to find a style that ft me and my hair. She did an amazing job from the first cut. I have never been happier with my hair. At this last visit I feel like we ended up with a new style that's easy to take care of and looks great. If you are looking to add some style to your hair or for someone that simply understands men's hair. Sandra is your new stylist.

Obsessed with my new hair! Super worried about having bangs again and thankfully Sandra did amazing! Down to earth personality and can tell she definitely knows what she's doing. Couldn't be happier!