So Curl Hair

So Curl Hair is a small boutique salon at 3097 Madison Street in Carlsbad Village, built around curly hair. Ian Skolnik, the founder and head stylist, leads the salon, and the team also includes stylists based in North County San Diego who handle traditional cut and color work alongside curly styling.

A Curly Cut starts with an in-depth consultation. The hair is cut dry, following the natural spiral of each curl without a comb, and afterward it is cleansed, conditioned and styled, with guidance on products and styling techniques for home. If the consultation shows a wet cut would suit the hair better, the cleansing and conditioning happen first. The salon describes the Curly Cut as an education as well as an experience. It suits anyone with a wave or curl pattern who wears their hair natural most of the time. A Curly Cut 1 is a 60-minute appointment and a Curly Cut 1.5 is a 90-minute appointment, and new clients are asked to book the 1.5 for their first visit. Clients arrive with hair down and dry, without a hat or ponytail. Curly Cuts cost $150 to $225, depending on hair length, density, curl type and the style wanted.

Color appointments begin with a consultation to decide the right service. Base color for grey coverage starts at $105, and glaze, which is a semi-permanent color, is $120 on its own or $35 when added to a base color or highlights. Highlights are done with traditional foils or hand-painted balayage, starting at $150 for highlights and $175 for balayage highlights, with highlights added to a base color or glaze starting at $50. Blow-dries are not included in color services and can be added for $50. Chemically straightened clients can book a phone consultation to plan when to move over to a Curly Cut. First-time color clients are asked to call or text the salon before booking, and questions about cost or appointment type can be sent with a photo of the hair for a personalized quote.

Youth Curly Cuts for ages 5 to 12 are booked by calling or texting the salon rather than online. Cancellations and reschedules need at least 24 hours' notice. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged $50 for each hour of the canceled appointment. An appointment rescheduled more than three times is cancelled automatically, and clients cancelled for excessive rescheduling may need a deposit to book again. The salon is always accepting new clients.

Curly Cuts are cut dry, following the natural spiral of each curl without a comb, and the salon frames each cut as an education as well as an experience.

The salon describes its space as fun, welcoming and LGBTQ+ friendly.