Wow I wish I looked at her reviews before booking. This is the haircut I received from her. And when I reached out to her to have her fix her job, she said too much time had passed and she always encourages her clients to come in within a week to have it fixed..she did NOT mention that to me. And not that much time had passed! She wanted a full charge of over $250 to fix the cut. What!!! That's insane. Why would I pay her that much when she did a horrible job the first time around. I asked for blunt ends and layers and got..butchered. Other reviewer here says she did reach out to her within 1 week and then Ruby ended up ghosting her. She also did not ask me how I like to normally wear my hair and went straight in to cutting how I came in. After she cut it she goes, "oh I assumed you always wear it middle parted and unstraightened!" Girl, who doesn't style their hair?! And I came in unstraightened because you're supposed to come in with no wash to a hair stylist. This is her horrible haircut with chunky stragglers. Rip my hair. read more

Ruby Kim - The "hiii" is crazy - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I had really high hopes from Ruby. l showed her a photo and it didn't turn out the way I wanted. It wasn't even a big difference from what I already had. Her blending was good and she gave me a bomb haircut (for an additional $200) which I did appreciate. The only thing I like from this job was the cut. I contacted her within a week that I wasn't happy with the color and she responded she would fix it once she came back from her trip. Which was okay. I contacted her two weeks later and no response. Then I contacted her yesterday (she 2-3 weeks after my first contact) and no response. I think at this point I'll just go to another colorist to get the color I want. I got the color on may 27th so it's over a month now and she hasn't had the time to get back to me. It's not bad color but it's also nothing amazing. It's just so basic and not what I wanted and not value for money. read more

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My last visit with Ruby was about 2 years ago and finding a better colorist after her doing my hair would end this disappointment but when carelessness turns into apathy, the feeling of being ignored doesn't go away. I'll say that my hair was fine the day she did it in 2020. She didn't tone it at all after bleaching it blonde and left my hair really really dry, and quite honestly ($400 and 2 days later) I hated my hair. She also left my face with bleach burn. When I called her a few days later to tell her she said she's always careful, well apparently she's not. So there was no apology just a "I don't know how that happened?!" This was a double loss for me when I invested my hair with her and my face took a hit too. I found a better colorist in West Hollywood and forgot about the over bleached hair but I never forgot that chemical burn on my face. read more

Ruby Kim - Bleach burn on my face from 2020 - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I went to Ruby after a referral from my friend Mary. After getting to know more about her credentials, I learned that Ruby had apprenticed a master hair colorist and hairstylist in the East coast for years prior to relocating to LA. Ruby has taken multiple hair workshops to level up her skills every few months and let me know she had just finished another master class with a nationally famed hair colorist (I wished I remembered what his name was) just last week and I was excited for her to apply her new techniques she learned on me. I told her I wanted to go a bold all-over pink hair color, but Ruby told me to trust her and try doing a more natural high-lights with a bold pink color approach. Unsure if it was exactly what I wanted, Ruby reassured me this was the more elevated and age-appropriate way to go (keep in mind I'm over thirty years old and Ruby didn't want me looking like a angsty-punk teenager). I am so happy I trusted Ruby and got the perfect pink I wanted. The color placement was also done in a tasteful and age-appropriate way. The way she placed the color/highlights framed my face perfectly and I've gotten so compliments everywhere I go. I am so happy I put my trust in Ruby! Thank you, Thank you!!! read more

Ruby Kim - Pink highlights hand placed by Ruby Kim - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I wish I could give Ruby 100 stars, she is the absolute best! She is a master when it comes to color - she's been doing my hair for years and always knocks it out of the park whether I ask for balayage or highlights. I get SO many compliments on my hair after seeing her - she is truly gifted at finding the perfect shade of blonde and somehow making it look so natural, even as it grows out, while keeping it healthy. Plus, she's super fun to hangout with and easy to talk to - I always look forward to appointments. If you want beautiful hair, see Ruby! read more

Ruby Kim - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I found this lady magician few years ago when my last hair colorist destroyed my virgin hair and I almost shaved my hair completely. I went to her with too many different of shades of red/orange which were supposed to be gray!! She changed the game 100% and I couldn't go anywhere else since then! She is my go to girl!! I defiantly needed this professional skilled color correctionist goddess in my life! read more

Ruby is the most talented and so good at catering to her clients. She's able to not only give you the best color and what you want, but finding the best color to bring out your skin tones naturally. I continuously was asked if I was tanner, but she just knew the right colors to enhance my natural glow. she also does extensions and will make them match your color and cut to your liking/length. You won't be disappointed, she's the answer to all your hair needs you've been looking for!! read more

Ruby is a color goddess. It's been 3 months since my last coloring session with her, THREE MONTHS, and the toner has gradually faded into a nice warm tone that is extremely low maintenance. Not only is Ruby meticulous, she listens to her clients and is always reasonable with what to expect throughout the process. If you're looking for low maintenance color or wanting to try something completely new, Ruby is your go to girl. read more

As someone who has been led to horrible stylists who don't understand my hair, its texture, volume, that have completely destroyed it, Ruby is a GODSEND. She nurtured my hair and made sure not to keep on the bleach too long to ensure the healthiest result. I appreciate that because my hair (before the color) was completely virgin dark brown from root to end. I was worried about how it would feel after because of results I've gotten in the past, and it's still silky soft and best of all, the look is super low maintenance! All I'm going to need is a few touchups with toner over the next few months, but it will look natural and that was also one of my concerns. PS. Ruby's hands during the shampoo and conditioning were sooooooo soothing. I have definitely found my stylist for life! read more

Ruby Kim - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The talent: Ruby is amazing! She knows all the current trends and will take your color to the next level. She tells you how to take care of your hair in order to lock in the color for as long as possible. I wanted to add dimension to my new cut and she totally delivered! I can't wait to go back to her in a couple of months for lilac! The space: The studio is very modern, chic, and private. It's decorated with white subway tile, twinkling lights, a badass custom mirror, and a tv for your viewing pleasure. It's nice to get your hair done in a studio with just you and your stylist. read more

Ruby Kim - Fresh sunkissed highlights by Ruby - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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So good!!! Can't thank Ruby enough for doing an awesome job -- I don't really go to salons and didn't know much about how it works (etiquette, etc.), but it was comfortable and really interesting to go through the process. I got a more natural color, and she went with it :). It's really crazy how good she is, cause she can just see a picture and do it without needing to reference it several times. I also got a cut which is refreshing since it's so much lighter and falls nicely!! I never really went to salons cause they scared me because of all the horror stories, but I think this ones the one and I definitely recommend her! read more

Ruby saved my hair! I was unhappy with the "blonde" that my former stylist attempted with my virgin locks (the result was a deep brunette that faded into a solid reddish/orange brown??), so I searched far and wide for a new colorist who could fix the mess on my head. In one visit, Ruby was able to perform a miracle color correction on my Asian hair and achieve a lovely blonde close to my original goal. I've gone to Ruby one more time since then, and my hair is fading into a low-maintenance color that still receives tons of compliments. Keep in mind that Ruby's talents don't come cheap -- but you truly get what you pay for! read more

I've been going to Ruby for a couple years now... I've never left her salon unhappy with my hair! I found her after my hair was on the mend from a chemical cut due to over-bleaching. I scoured Yelp for a stylist in my area who used Olaplex. Some IG stalking later, and I had an appointment. One appointment later, I'd found my go-to colorist! She really listened and gave me a low maintenance balayage. Even more miraculous, she didn't charge me extra when she saw how much hair I had(it's affectionately known as the lion's mane in some circles). She's a master colorist. Seriously. She's fixed other people's botched color jobs(why I looked to her in the first place). And she's sweet to be around! I love supporting her business, because she's such a pleasant person. This factors in when you're chilling for 4 hours with foils on your head. Most importantly, my hair is healthy! Thanks to her keeping health a priority (at my request) and helping moderate the look I want with how much my hair can be pushed per session. Like I said, I always leave her salon beaming. read more

Finally got to have Ruby lay her magic hands on me! I've been admiring her work from the East Coast and so happy she finally made her way out West! Ruby took my damaged burnt brassy hair to beautiful blonde foilyage! It took two times because of how intensely difficult my hair can be but she was so super patient and willing to help me get to blonde. I love the blend of blondes and ash brown that she got me to! I also love that her studio is in Santa Monica, super convenient parking garage next door with an hour and a half free parking and a $1 each hour after. The salon is adorable and I love the personalized quality time you get for her having all of her time and attention just focused on you. Thanks Ruby and can't wait to go even lighter again! read more

I recently went to Ruby Kim to get my hair touched up before taking engagement photos. I didn't have a ton of time but Ruby wanted to make sure I looked my best in photos I would have the rest of my life. She lightened up my roots and evened out the color through out my hair to give me a long lasting low maintenance look. Not only is Ruby great at coloring hair, she is always fun to talk to. My experience was relaxing and enjoyable. Ruby kills it every time. If you are looking for a colorist she is your girl! read more

Let me start by saying I live in Orange County but will not hesitate making the trek out to Santa Monica for another session with Ruby. When you find a talented hair colorist who works on weekends (Sundays for Ruby), you hold on for dear life She is talented, passionate about what she does, so easy to talk to, and responds fast to clients. In my experience, many colorists will look at your picture once then work off memory and the color doesn't quite turn out the way you wanted. Ruby looked at the picture a few times and then did her toner mixing voodoo magic. I think she ended up using 3 different toners to achieve the exact shade I wanted. The salon is in a great location in Santa Monica. Only blocks away from 3rd street promenade and right next to Sugarfish (awesome sushi spot). I park in the underground parking structure immediately after Sugarfish. Take the elevators up and you'll pop up right at Salon Republic. read more

Ruby is AMAZING! Super nice and quite fast! Turned my long + thick brassy highlighted hair back into low lights. Even looks much healthier. I will definitely be a repeat client! Booking: quick to reply read more

I went back to see ruby again yesterday since I want to do something different. Hair turns out to be gorgeous and healthy. She uses olaplex to make sure hair is healthy during lightening process. Can't say enough good things about her read more

Ruby Kim - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

After having a regular stylist in SF who I loved, I struggled to find someone in LA I could trust -- until I found Ruby. I came to her with long hair and she transformed my look (cut and balayage) with such expertise that I refuse to go to anyone else now. Every time I leave her salon, I get so. many. compliments. She's the first stylist I've really been able to trust to take my hair shorter and shorter. Would literally let her do anything with my hair. read more

Ruby is the Wonder Woman of hair. Seriously. I came to her (in a complete panic) for a serious color correction. Got "balayage" from another stylist that ended up being a hack job that completely stripped my hair of any health and turned into orange zebra stripes after my first shampoo. Ruby literally saved my hair today. We talked in great detail about what had been done by the previous stylist, and what my ultimate hair goals were. She came up with a plan for saving my strands and over delivered in every possible way. Highlights, balayage, color melt, olaplex, and 2 toners later, she made sure my hair was perfect before I left her salon. (She even threw in a trim to make sure my tresses were the healthiest they could be!) She's incredibly knowledgeable, and very straight forward about best practices for your hair. I have found my LA stylist. She's worth the investment and peace of mind, and I look forward to visiting her again and again! (Already had 3 strangers compliment my hair today!) read more

Ruby Kim - Left is before, right is after. WHAT a difference !! - Hair Stylists Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Ruby did a miracle on my hair! I've colored my hair black for over a year, and she was able to turn me blonde! I've always had brass and orange tones when going lighter, but Ruby was able to give me a nice ashy tone. She's also very nice and bubbly, so the entire experience was fun! read more

Ruby is amazing at her craft and in making her clients look and feel absolutely badass and gorgeous. She is super sweet (she always offers me a fresh cup of coffee) and easy to talk to (another plus when getting your hair done). She has an great eye for color and style. Also, she's very honest about what each client's hair can deliver. She can totally take your vision and create something that will not compromise the integrity of your hair. read more

First time getting Any drastic color change on my hair and it was awesome! I told her wanted to do ash brown-blonde ombre with highlights but since i had red in my hair from previous color, she said id have to come into second session for a complete ashy look. After the 2nd session, my hair wasnt that damaged surprisingly and overall i love how my hair turned out to be! ruby is super nice and welcoming! i highly recommend getting your hair done by her read more

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I've lived in LA for 6 years and had a hard time trusting a hairdresser to color my hair, especially without spending a ridiculous amount of money. Ruby changed that after one session. I wanted to take my natural chestnut color to a honey brunette, without getting too blonde. I simply showed Ruby a picture, and she was able to get me to a color even better than I had originally thought. Knowing I am terrible with maintenance, she talked me through her idea of how to take my hair lighter, while also being able to let it grow out so that I wouldn't need to touch it up for MONTHS! She ended up giving me a cut that accentuated my new color perfectly, without taking much off my length. Best of all, Ruby gave me a great price for both of these. Friends of mine have spent double for having the same cut+color combo and had lesser results. So happy to be able to have a local hairdresser that I trust and can wholeheartedly recommend. read more

Ruby is amazing! I waited two weeks to write this review and my color still looks perfect. Ruby is sweet, professional and talented. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone. Can't wait to go back for a haircut! read more

I went in to Ruby after I had a horrible experience with another salon. I had asked for balayage and they basically gave me cheap looking highlights. Ruby responded to me so quickly and I was lucky enough to get an appointment. She transformed my embarrassing hair into exactly what I had wanted in the first place and even more! She really knows her stuff and it's nice being in the salon one on one. I will definitely be returning! Thanks again!!!! read more