What can I say about this place?.. nothing short of amazing!!! Made a last-minute appointment.. Alyssa went out of her way to squeeze my wife and daughter in the last minute for the following day. Alyssa is like a magician with the scissors, the haircuts were very stylish and trendy. They will definitely be returning to have Alyssa cut their hair again. Highly recommend! read more

Alyssa is my new hero. I hadn't had a cut in 10 months since moving up here full time. Frankly, I didn't want a haircut by someone who shoes horses on the side. I scored good one. Had a bunch of laughs too. Salon was friendly and mellow. See you in 10 months Alyssa! (Jk) read more

Special Effects - Store front directly behind Amangelas. - Hair Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I had damaged, bleached hair and wanted a pixie cut. I have been to others who cut it and made me look so masculine! Alyssa did a fabulous cut, very feminine and got a lot of dead hair gone too! read more

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So I walked into the salon this morning, and Alyssa was the only one working. I told her I know it's last minute but I was wondering if there's anybody that could do my hair just needed some highlights ...she said sure come back at 4:30. Came back in she did my hair came out fantastic better than I could've even asked for she was super nice. Super hilarious definitely give her five stars plus!! What a superstar.!!! read more

I am new to the Big Bear area and my sister recommended Juniper Lounge. Too bad no one answers the phone nor do they return calls. So I saw this cute salon and Alyssa picked up right away. She takes walk ins and works pretty much every day. She cut my hair the very next day! And on a Sunday, WOW! She has a very cool vibe and very friendly. If you want fast and good service I highly recommend. read more

I need my nails done, came to Special Effects. Sarah is great. She figured out why my nails were splitting and has given me a great gel manicure. I highly recommend Sarah to get your nails done. read more

Alyssa did a great cut. She was able to fit me in perfectly for my timing. She had a steady stream of customers, and was welcoming to each. I didn't feel rushed. She took the time to give a scalp massage. My hair was so dry, and she made a recommendation to layer it which would also compliment my natural curls. Taking her time to blow dry and style my hair expertly a section at a time, I love the results. I have a fresh look and my hair feels wonderful. read more

Sarah is the best. I highly recommend this place. Looking for reasonable prices and a chill environment. This is the place to be.

Alyssa is amazing! I'm a platinum blonde difficult mess and she always gets it as white as I want. She's a perfectionist and always makes sure I look my best! Definitely recommend her. If she can do my blonde, she can do anything! read more

I was looking for a hairdresser to fix my color and I came to Jen! She was so so good!! After a month of stress after my previous hairdresser Jen spent many hours to fix my hair that look amazing now!! She was very kind and professional. I would recommend her to everyone!! read more

Got my hair cut & colored by Jen. She is amazing!! She does a great job taking what you want & making it a reality, while considering how to keep your hair in the healthiest best shape possible. She takes her time & explains the process along the way! Loved how my hair turned out & would recommend her to anyone looking to get their hair done in big bear :) read more

Located in the heart of the village, this salon was warm and welcoming. They did a great job and I can't wait to go back!!!

I just wanna say Àshley is a AWSOME person..She did a Awsome job on my nails..She's a very kind person.. and a gentle soul..Wish I could bring her home.lol read more

Kimmie, Sarah, and Robin were AMAZING. We had a bachelorette party weekend in Big Bear, and Kimmie helped me set up a private nail party for our 9-person group. This was the only nail salon I could find in Big Bear that could accommodate a big group of people all at once. They were willing to open up early on a Saturday morning, and open up their back room so that we could all be together. They even decorated a table for the bride with snacks and decorations. They went out of their way to make the day so special for us, and they were so kind and accommodating. We all were very happy with how our nails turned out as well. I would HIGHLY recommend Special Effects, and especially these three technicians. :) Thank you ladies!! read more

I want to thank Danielle for giving me a beautiful cut and color! If you want to get your hair done, nails or a massage go see Special Effects in the village. You won't be disappointed. read more

Recently stayed in big bear for a family vacation. I didn't get a chance to get a hair cut prior to leaving for our trip, but near our hotel was a wonderful place called Special Effects. Gale was amazing and so interactive, a true professional with a bubbly personality. Some people get a bit nervous about using someone other than your personal cosmetologist, but I felt right at home and completely comfortable. Thank you! read more

it's been an absolute pleasure getting my hair done by sarah and jen who both went above and beyond for me both times i've been here. everyone here is so lovely and accommodating. thank you again! read more

I had just had a bad haircut the day before at another salon and then we found Sarah at Special Effects. I went for my daughter but after telling her how I had just had a bad haircut the day before, she offered to fix it for me and she did an amazingly good job. She is very talented with the scissors and we have high expectations. She is also very bright, funny and a warm personality and made us feel very comfortable. She cut my daughter's hair beautifully and exactly the way she wanted it and she fixed my bad cut and turned a sow's ear into a silk purse let me tell you. She was really really great and we are so grateful we found her. We lost our last stylist of years because she moved and were struggling to find the same type of quality in Big Bear. Sarah offers the kind of service you expect to find in Beverly Hills or in a popular LA Salon, trust me we are from LA. Thanks again Sarah! You rock!!!! read more

I don't know about the rest but Debbie cannot do color to save her sole... Went in for touch up, a little shine.. came out without color.. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.. She may have a great personality, but do not go for hair... read more

My girlfriend liked this haircut thr most of any I have had in the past few years, and honestly I only expected a temporary solution up on the hill. Pretty swell. read more

I 100% recommended going here to get your hair done. Cat was so nice and easy to talk to. She did my hair really fast and it looks amazing!!!!! Love to shop and next time I'm up here I'm getting my hair done again! read more

Laurie did a great job with my naturally curly hair. She knew exactly what to do and shared her experience with curly hair so I felt comfortable with her. The salon is a little cramped in the back corner of the Village but they seem to know their stuff. I'll definitely be seeing her again for another cut. read more

Jeannine did an up-do for me for my wedding, and she was amazing! I didn't really know what I wanted but based on a few preferences I vaguely articulated, she created something perfect on the first try during our practice run appointment a couple days before... and then insisted in testing out two more styles to make sure that was the one I wanted. I was impressed that she would take that much time and go to those lengths to make sure I was happy. On the day of the wedding, she recreated the style I chose in a much more detailed, even more beautiful version. It held up all day and yet was comfortable too (not poking or pulling like sometimes up-dos can). I got tons of compliments all day and I felt like it was perfect for me and the look I was going for. Also, she was just a pleasure to be around and chat with during the appointments (I had friends and my mom with me), as well as a calming and reassuring presence on my big day. For example, I was really worried I was going to mess up my bangs while doing my makeup back at the hotel, and she assured me I could stop by on my way to the venue if needed for her to fix it (not needed). Also, her fee was extremely reasonable, especially considering it included the hour-long practice appointment and nearly an hour and a half the day of (and a bang trim both times). Random fact: on the day between my hair appointments, I got my nails done at a completely different salon (the only one in town i could find with an opening) and while paying and chatting with the lady there, she asked where I was having my hair done... She said Jeannine is one of the best two hair stylists in Big Bear, hands down (the other being the stylist who just did my nails). The other ladies working in the salon Special Effects were friendly and helpful as well and the space was small, but clean and welcoming. I would definitely recommend this salon for other services as well, and certainly Jeannine for hair. read more

Have been seeing Jan for 11 years and have always LOVED her work! My color is always beautiful whether I'm looking for a touch up or something new. read more

I found out about this salon through Big Bear Stuff for sale. Cathren had a keratin special for the month of January, with a fair price. Seeing how I just moved here and needed my hair done I figured I'd give her a try. Cathren was extremely knowledgeable in her profession and friendly. She took her time with my hair and guided me but wasn't pushy on any certain thing, which I liked. I loved her so much I've already rebooked with her! If your looking for a stylist that's professional, yet personable with fair prices look no more. Cathren you rock!!!! read more

Debbie O'Hara was just what I needed in the mountains for 3 months!! A great haircut, engaging personality & a local to talk to. I will be back for a color Debbie..... read more

I am not satisfied with the way my hair turned out. I asked her to give me a cut a little bit longer than a pixie cut. She fought me, and told me that what I wanted was a bob. I did not want a bob, I just wanted a long pixie. She fought me on how short I wanted it to be, and told me we would start at shoulder length. I am assuming she thought this would be my first time getting short hair, it wasn't. She cut it it shoulder length and I told her to go shorter. She told me that my hair would get shorter when it dried, so she began blow drying my hair. When she was done, I told her shorter, and she went shorter. She blow dried it again, once I was nice enough to say I was satisfied, and began blow drying it and brushing it excessively, for about 15 minutes. Then she took the apron thing off and said we were done, then began to cut my hair even further, without the cape, getting more hair down my shirt. She then put the cape back on and cut EVEN more. She began blow drying it again, and when she was done, she began to use a curling iron on the ends of my hair, curling them inward. I ended up looking like Dora. Wasn't worth the 40 dollars I gave her. I don't remember the woman's name, but she had short hair, had glasses, and was an older lady. read more

Debbie O'Hara at Special Effects makes my hair look amazing. I have been to hair stylists in salons from Boston to Las Vegas costing much more but they cannot compare. Debbie is an expert at color. I feel so beautiful when I get out of her chair. She has an engaging personality as well. read more