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AXLE HAIR LABOR
Category: Beauty and Spas Hair Salons Hair Salons
4561 Park Blvd(between Madison Ave & Monroe Ave)
San Diego, CA 92116
Neighborhood: University Heights
(619) 299-2953
- Hours:
Mon-Tue 9 am - 6:30 pm
Wed-Fri 9 am - 7 pm
Sat 9 am - 5:30 pm
Sun 10 am - 5:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Hair Types Specialized In:
- Coloring, Curly Hair, Perms
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Jim L. said: "You all remember Sesame Street when growing up right? One of these things is not like the other? Ok, so I don't care that I'm the only guy to reveiw.....the place deserves one. I've been going to Deanna for several years, every 4th…" read more »
22 reviews for AXLE HAIR LABOR
22 reviews in English
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Review from gerg g.
San Diego, CA
5/21/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Okay, I'm sure all the stylists who work here are great but....
I'm gonna rave about Jackie.
I was in a bind and needing a cut badly. I hit up yelp and looked at salons in my hood, I checked out reviews for Axle and called Jackie based on other reviews. Jackie found a spot that worked for me with my crazy work schedule and I got my hair did ASAP.
She was really nice and we had a good talk about music and I left with a great cut.
Come three months later and long over due for another trim to the dome, I called Jackie and we got an appointment set.
We talked a bit and she did her magic and I left with an awesome clean cut. A couple days into work and many of my co workers commented on how good my dome looked and I agreed of course. I declared I had found my new hair stylist and told some fools they should go visit Jackie at Axle.
I'm thrilled to have found a great hair person in my hood who is sweet and who can accommodate me even with my unpredictable schedule. -
Review from Audrey Y.
San Diego, CA
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Axle Hair Labor is probably the tiniest, most intimate hair salon I've ever frequented. Unfortunately, I was "dumped" yet again by my regular stylist who moved away and I made an appointment with Axle because ... it was close to my house.
Richard is an amazing talent when it comes to cutting hair. I opted for an A-Line bob and depending on the person's skill level, it can be the most awesome haircut you'll ever have for three months or the worst one after your first post-haircut shampoo. Richard takes his time and gets the precision cut right, cutting extras here and there, right up the end. So, I end up with an awesome haircut for three months; it's the first haircut that made me commit to short hair for a while.
The salon space is small and intimate so there aren't a lot of distractions and you're pretty much guaranteed to be out of there within an hour or so. Prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality of the cut. I'll be sticking with Axle as long as Richard doesn't win the lottery or something like that. -
Review from joselle s.
San Diego, CA
1/18/2012
Quite simply put: I never get as many compliments on my haircut as I do when Richard cuts it.
As another reviewer stated, the grow-out period is great from his cuts too, so people will ask if I did something new, because it enters another stage of looking great.
Prices are so fair, you feel like you got a bargain for your new look. Don't be afraid to let Richard make suggestions -- and he understands when you say things like "I don't want mall hair or soccer-mom hair. A little rocker-chick but not Goldie Hawn 80's shag." :)
p.s. Richard is the kind of stylist you can be very candid with -- you can say "wait, don't cut that piece, I like what it's doing" for example. He likes the "group consensus", he has no big ego you need to worry about damaging. -
Review from Naomi C.
Los Angeles, CA
2/14/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I came to Jackie to get a hair cut after my friend Rogelia recommended her to me. I've never been one to be too fussy about my hair, so I've always just gone to Supercuts. But ever since moving to San Diego I decided I would try to find a good hairdresser that would really know how to work with my hair. So I went to Jackie and I love my haircut! Makes me want to go back and get another one just because I keep getting complemented on it.
Jackie also cut my sister's hair and she loved it. Considering she didn't want to cut her hair at first, she was really really pleased with the results. Everyone, go see Jackie! -
Review from Caroline B.
San Diego, CA
10/2/2007
Okay....if you know me....you know I am a tough cookie to squeeze five stars out of. This is the only reason I have not yet awarded this fine hair stylist the coveted fifth star....yet.
First up...I am a regular of Koji Toyoda...the stylist of Kinara Spa in West Hollywood. I have been for many years. Koji has been written up in Allure Magazine so many times he's honestly lost count.
But for the time being, I'm being held hostage in San Diego.....the drive to Koji can be daunting....this has brought me to numerous San Diego stylists. Now, unfortunately for the San Diego stylists, the bar is set high with me.....I can't help but compare them to the talents of Koji. Every single one has left me disappointed so far....except Richard of Axle.
I went to Richard for a touch up of my roots and blond highlights. I also decided to try him out for a cut. I have very curly hair....and in the wrong hands...I can look like a demented muppet. Richard's cut was flattering and gave me a great grow out period. There just wasn't that day when you look in the mirror and go "Eeuuuw! What happened to me?!?"
Now, believe me, seeing one of the wild color looks from another reviewer caused me to hesitate to ask Richard to color me. I wanted to cover my copious amounts of gray....and be kicked up in the beauty department a couple of notches. No purple...no Mohawks....no "Wild Child" look or "Rebel Without a Cause"...Richard made me look as close to beautiful as anything!
His salon is intimate...two chairs. Parking is ample and free...with a private lot right outside his door.
I'll be back! -
Review from Astrid S.
Berkeley, CA
12/10/2008
Richard is AWESOME!!! I wouldn't go anywhere else in San Diego, and when I move...I'm going to be sad. Richard might be the best stylist I have ever gone to in my whole "going to stylists" career.
What he does is simple- he is good and keeps being great. He is down to earth, real and totally imaginative and funny. I love spending time in the chair for two reasons. My hair will have a curl I never knew it would, and I will have a conversation with someone I genuinely like. If he wasn't my stylist, I would hang out with him.
You can go many places, there might be other amazing stylists in San Diego, but take it from someone who has had her hair done by talented people on both coasts, he is really good. Put your hair in his hands and you will walk out amazed- If you're not happy, hit me up and we'll talk about why. *seriously*
Cheers! -
Review from Rogelia B.
San Diego, CA
9/30/2010
Jackie is the best thing that has ever happened to my hair! She is the only hairdresser I have ever known to be able to tame this mane. I have long, thick, black wavy hair that is NOT easy to cut and style. I don't know how she does it; and with such ease and grace I may add. She transforms me every time I sit in her chair. Before Jackie, I had gone to several places downtown and they never did it right. They would never do what I asked and I would always leave disappointed...
Then came Super Jackie to my rescue. It was a chance meeting that I will always be grateful for... I have been her loyal customer for over five years now and since then she has given me the best cut, color, and style. She was even able to give me a beautiful fingerwave hairstyle once- NOT EASY on my type of hair. It was gorgeous.
A number of my girlfriends also go to her now and agree that she is AWESOME. I love going to see her not only because she is a truly talented stylist but also because she is honest about what can work for you. She will never tell you she can do a certain color or style if your hair does not lend to it. I appreciate that since I have had negative experiences with that before. Overall, great experience every time! -
Review from Pattie C.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 12/27/2008 1 photo
The Master of Shears impressed me again!
I have a love hate for my hair. I never love my hair after a cut, only when it has grown out some; but when Richard puts his hands in my hair I'm all in love with my hair right from the start. The man has magic.
I have been wanting to cut bangs for a while and I was too scared. Then I heard Betty Page died and knew I had to cut them in honor of her life. I made my decision and called Richard!
I sat in Richards chair and felt a feeling of calmness, which I never felt before. My hair knew it was in the hands of a Master and that there would be no regrets!
We talked a little, I showed a couple of pictures, one I did not want and one I wanted; he asked me questions, so we have the same perception of language. Then he whipped out his shears and I started to shudder! not in fear, but in the excitement of knowing that this man knows what he is doing!
I have cowlicks on the crown of my forehead from a cow that licked me when I was a baby; that can make bangs split or become shorter on one side, but that did not happen after Richard cut them.
I am soooo happy and in love with my bangs! I love love love them! They are Betty Page inspired, but Thanks to Richard he modernized them and made the bangs mine by using his magic!
Other things that I experienced that make Richard AWESOME:
When you are in his chair, he is all yours.
He doesn't answer the phone, so leave a message when wanting an appointment, because that time is yours and he is professional yet down to earth. Don't worry he will definitely get back to you ASAP.
He called me to let me know he was running twenty minutes late- like three hours before my appointment, so I can hang at home or do what ever I was doing instead of sitting and waiting in the shop, which is fine, but he made it an option. Again professional and very courteous!
Richard is the Master of Shears!
I have never felt this good about a place that cuts hair. Axle Hair Labor blows all the high end salons out of the water. I will never go to another hair salon or hair cut place again!
When you come to Richard, your hair knows it is home and your hair will thank you everyday for it by looking spectacular from the magic of Richard the Master of Shears!Listed in: Champange taste on my beer…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/19/2008
Richard the Master of Shears!
He knows how to cut long tresses. He has his own style of cutting. He… Read more »
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Review from Joel K.
La Jolla, CA
7/30/2009
Jackie has been taking care of my hair for years now and she always does a fantastic job giving me "scissor only" cuts. Now my wife is a customer of Jackie.
The new setup at Axle is sweet - only a few chairs, very cozy. Price is also very affordable. -
Review from Austin D.
10/13/2007
I've been going to Richard for 4 years. He is an expert in his craft. I used to sweat each haircut I got, trying to explain the unique look I was going for. Now I don't even have to; he just KNOWS what works.
The salon is cool and cozy, with an industrial look. He features new local artists' work showcased every few months. It is clear that Richard really cares about his community.
Richard's stories alone are worth the price of admission, but he gives them away for free with every haircut!
He knows everybody in the neighborhood, as they all walk by the street-level window and chat as he works.Listed in: Tradesmen & Tradeswomen…
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Review from Lukas V.
San Diego, CA
2/20/2009
Went to Richard (Axle) after not having my haircut from a stylist in TEN YEARS!!! That's how impressed I was by his work. His salon is personable, friendly, clean, relaxed, pretty much everything I had been looking for during those ten years of cutting my own hair. :)
Secondly, I don't know who that Lisa girl is but she needs to get a life. She's only reviewed one thing. She sounds like a waste of space if you ask me :) Take your negative energy somewhere else!
AXLE you've got my business and I will be sure to recommend you to everyone else! -
Review from Stella D.
San Diego, CA
6/26/2010
This place was a wonderful surprise.
I got my hair done by Richard, who did a really great job. I am very hard to please when it comes to my hair and he really really impressed me. I have very difficult curly hair and this man has the skills and experience that shows so I felt completely at ease putting my big fuzzy head in his hands.
The place is very cool, laid back and fun. Felt comfortable and I would want to hang out there all day. -
Review from Leah F.
San Diego, CA
8/2/2009
***This review is for Jackie***
I absolutely love love love this woman! I have extremely curly hair and in the past four years that she has been styling my hair, it has never looked bad. It has gotten to the point where I can just tell her to surprise me when she cuts and colors my hair, and she will always create a fantastic new hairstyle. If you want to see examples of her more creative work just go and watch Fashion Whore. She is incredibly honest and has never done me wrong. I would suggest her to anyone!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Zoe C.
San Diego, CA
1/7/2010
Axle is pure entertainment... and he is a master of men's hair cuts!
but, alas I am a woman so I've had his saucy side kick Anna work her magic time and time again. She is a perfectionist and has massive amounts of style that she infuses into every hair cut. I have never been disappointed with her work. She's a Vidal Sasson trained super star after all! -
Review from Chris C.
San Diego, CA
3/19/2010
Oh, Anna, how do I love thee :) .... I went to Anna yesterday based on other Yelp reviews and she was able to turn the worst haircut ever (went to a new guy last Saturday) into the cutest little modern bob. I walked in sad and desperate and walked out on cloud nine.
The bonus is that Anna is super sweet, listens to what you want, and asks all the right questions...
I LOVE my hair, Anna. Thank you so much! See ya in four weeks :) -
Review from Ross T.
San Diego, CA
What more could you ask for??? Only place I ever go now! Jackie is the best colorist and I love Axle. She is very quick and efficient! I get blond highlights once a month or so from her and they are always flawless. She also uses foils on my hair which for guys it's hard with such short hair. But it looks so much better when done with foil and not the stupid cap. My haircut only costs me 25 and my color 40. She is very accomodating with a beverage of choice and smoke breaks! LOVE LOVE LOVE HER... Affordable and Jackie is a DREAM!!!!!!!!
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Review from Tina C.
4/4/2008 1 photo
Here's my story..... My husband loves long hair. I think most men do. Well since I have lived my entire life living up to what I thought others perceived my hair should be. Which was just that. Long hair, wispy bangs, pony tail on bad hair days and flat iron and curling iron on good days. I wanted something new...
A friend recommended Axle Hair Labor, so I called and made an appointment. The evening of my appointment, it was a cold and breezy night. I had no idea on this evening that my days of long hair were not only behind me but would come to realize I had hid behind for years.
I drove up to a quaint little salon on Park Blvd that had two seats. No arrogance, no stress and laid back to say the least. I was greeted by the owner, Richard (Axle) and discussed what I wanted with my hair. Of course something new, stylish and of course LONG!
After Axle conditioned and colored my hair I realized I wanted something more. The best thing was he never suggested for me to cut it short. However, after looking back I realized he asked just the right questions to point me in that direction. And then it happend. I said "let's cut it all off" "how about short?" Axle said "okay lets' do it". He started out by cutting little by little until I got so excited the song "I'm going to wash that man right out of my hair" started going through my mind. Funny at a time when that couldn't be farther from the truth. And then it happened, my hair started taking on a personality of it's own. Short in the back, flipping forward into my face, with a style all of its own. I couldn't even believe I did it. Posh and Katie would be proud! The confidence I never felt with my long hair was now shining through with my new do. Even Axle seemed pleased and admitted at one point that he was taking baby steps all along to make sure I didn't freak as he was cutting. Right there told me that not only was he a great hairdresser but he was down to earth and humble at the same time.
It has now been a week since my major transformation and I have to admit, I have never been happier with my hair. Axle showed me how to work with it and my hair has never been easier. Most of all, my husband said to me yesterday. "As much as I like long hair, this is the best your hair has ever looked"
Yes! I highly recommend Axle Hair Labor for those not only interested in a major transformation but for those of you who are in need a break away from high traffic salons.Listed in: Big Girls Don't Cry
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Review from Justin R.
San Diego, CA
7/30/2009
I've had quite a torrid love affair with AXLE for the past four years. It started even before I stepped foot into the place when I met Anna, one of AXLE's incredible stylists. Anna was working at another salon at the time and told me she needed a male model on whom she could demonstrate her awesome coloring abilities. Having never had my hair professionally colored before, I decided I'd give it a go. Anna did an amazing job! I was getting comments at every turn. It seemed like everyone loved my new vibrant 'do. From that moment forward I knew Anna would be my stylist for life. I followed her when she moved to AXLE and kept up the color for another year. During that time we tried out all kinds of fun styles and cuts. I've always trusted her sense of style. Whenever I come to her with a new idea she takes it, adds her own spin on it and creates yet another kick-ass 'do that turns heads, garners comments and makes people ask me on a near-weekly basis, "Who does your hair?" I've recommended Anna to more friends than I can count.
I was devastated when she decided to move to Los Angeles a little over a year ago, but she told me she was leaving me in good hands with Richard, the owner of AXLE. She was right. Richard did just as incredible of a job with giving me a haircut that was (forgive the pun) on the "cutting edge" of style. I wouldn't think of going to anyone else!
But then Anna came back!! AND she's working at AXLE again! Now I'm left with the impossible decision of who to go to to get my hair cut--will it be Anna or Richard? Richard or Anna? Either way, I know I'm going to look good when I'm done. I'm elated at the fact that Anna's back in San Diego and doing her thing, once again, at AXLE. Not only do she and Richard cut amazing hair, but they're two of the nicest and funniest stylists I've ever met. It's not uncommon for me to walk out of that place with sore abs from all of the laughing that took place during my cut. I love those guys and I'd recommend them to anyone and everyone--well, that is, anyone who's partial to looking stylish and cute at all times (do I sound like a narcissist or what?) Seriously, though, these two have got it going on. 27 million stars for Anna and Richard!! xo -
Review from Holly R.
San Diego, CA
8/11/2009 1 Check-in Here
Anna's back!!! She is the absolute best. I had contacted her and offered to drive to LA to have my hair cut. She is that good. I was so glad to hear she was coming back to San Diego. We just saw her yesterday and our (me and my teenage daughter) are both in love with our new cuts.
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Review from logan c.
San Diego, CA
8/16/2008
Great place for my clipper cut. From the women I see coming out, seems they do great work too. I regularly come in during later hours (7pm) with never a complaint. The salon has two chairs so you don't have to deal with a lot of distractions. There's free parking which is a blessing in parking challenged University Heights during busy barfly weekends, brunch crowd and theater shows next door. Finally, I've never had a bad a cut and the price is always fair which says a lot from me considering he's only the 4th person in my life to cut my hair!
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Review from Dominic K.
San Diego, CA
10/31/2009
If your looking for a great Hairdresser this is the place to be!! Be sure to ask for Jackie! She's an amazing free spirited Hairdresser! I'm so picky when it comes to color, not all hairdressers have what it takes to do color.... Cute little place and clean =)
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Review from carly s.
San Diego, CA
7/1/2007
Richard has this way of altering minds through engineering spaces. Whether through music, interior design, or sculpting hair, he imparts a nuanced, sophisticated, no bullshit design ethic to everything he does. Go into to Axle Hair Labor and you will see all of this for half the price of some pretentious salon teaming with skin tight black t-shirts. This is the real deal, yo.
