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    Vanity SD

    4.4 (118 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    By appointment only

    Services - Vanity SD

    Haircut

    Hair styling

    Makeovers

    1 More Service

    Makeup application

    Vanity SD Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Vanity SD

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    Reviews With Photos

    I worked with Van for my wedding day hair and makeup, and overall, I was really happy with the results! My makeup was flawless and stayed on all night--I loved the way I looked and felt so confident throughout the day. Unfortunately, my hair didn't hold up as long as I hoped and started falling after the first hour, but I think the weather played a big role in that. Thankfully, we did a makeup trial beforehand, which made it so much easier to finalize the look I wanted for the big day. Van is talented and I'd recommend her services--just make sure to discuss any concerns during the trial to ensure everything goes perfectly!

    Text between me and my husband showing assistant had only finished one make up by 9:22 am.

    Unprofessional. Terrible experience. TLDR: *showed up 30 minutes late *poor time management once arrived so had to rush as day progressed *did not have proper equipment *was more concerned about her assistant enjoying her time than her paying customers They were scheduled to arrive at 6:30 am but at 6:45 am Van texted to see if the bride wanted breakfast or coffee because they were stopping to get Starbucks. By the time they arrived, they were 30 minutes late. Not a great start but it only gets worse. All of the girls were given tentative time of when people were to arrive and start hair and/or make up. My arrival time was 8, I showed up to see they hard barely started the first girls. They were friendly and chatting with everyone and Van would stop while doing hair and make to chat. Which that's great if you budgeted your time properly but she did not. It took her assistant almost 2 hours to finish make up on the first girl. Van told her to pick up the pace. The bride and Van had previously agreed for the bride to be in the last group, but earlier in the day she called the bride over and started her. It seems fairly customary for the bride to go towards the middle or end of the group to ensure her hair and make up are still fresh for photos. I'm not sure why this last minute switch was made but I can only assume it was to ensure Van had enough time to do her before she left since they were running behind. The bride's hair and make up both turned out great and the bride was very happy. Thank god. As they continued to work they were discussing their schedule because Van needed to leave for her second booking of the day. She asked "how many for hair? How many for make up?" How do you not know and have a plan. After they decided that the assistant could finish up after Van left. She told the assistant "Don't worry take your time I want you to enjoy the process". Excuse me, you want your employee to enjoy the process? We are paying you and have been sitting here for hours and you couldn't manage to show up on time and you made time to get your Starbucks. I had to really bite my tongue because I didn't want to stress out the bride and wanted her to enjoy her day. So I continued to grin and bear this unprofessional process. It was over 2 hours past my arrival time when they started my make up. I get they say they don't go by a schedule and they want multiple girls at the ready but it seems like they should be able to estimate better than that. And definitely shows they value their time more than ours. About half way through they paused my make up make sure Van could do my hair before she left. I was the last to go for hair. I could feel Van rushing. She spent less time on my hair than any of the other girls. She was jamming bobby pins into my head. Hard. I'm not tendered headed. She had asked the other girls if they liked their hair, not for me. She said you are done and proceeded to start packing up. I got up to go to the room mirrors to see my hair. I really couldn't see the back because they didn't have a hand held mirror to show you your hair or make up. On multiple occasions they used small mirrors from random make up compacts to try to show you your make up. After she packed up some things (including the air brush equipment and eye lash curler) she left. The assistant had to borrow an eyelash curler from the bride. As the assistant resumed my make up she commented that it would have been easier and wouldn't have taken as long if she could have used the airbrush. So I showed up as one of the earlier time slots, went towards the end, had my hair rushed and didn't get the benefit of the better equipment. I had to have the assistant adjust my contour multiple times before it was ok. The rest of the make up was not great either but by that time I to rush to go get dressed and she still had one more girl to do so there wasn't really time to have anything changed. I had an arrival time of 8 am and I was done around 1 pm. Van is now claiming they were there before 7 and starting girls. She wasn't even there yet and it took a bit for set up. See photo for text proof.

    Amy M.

    I could not have chosen anyone else for my wedding. Van and her assistant had 7 woman and only 4 hours. Our make up trial went great, she is someone you can tell "I don't like this or that. Can we do less blush more bronze?" And she will make sure every person is happy with their make up. My husband was worried about "the make up part" because he wanted me and everyone else to look like themselves. When I met him at the altar he said "you look amazing, and so do all your friends and our moms." Van truly wants you to feel your best and she exceeded my expectations. 10/10 recommend and will use her again for any event or even to have a glass of wine with. Thanks again Van! We loved you!

    Elizabeth S.

    Van did my Makeup / Hair for my work and personal photos which came out great! I highly recommend her for any upcoming special event!

    Messages

    Recently received makeup & hair services for myself (bride) and my guest. My guest was not a "last minute add-on" as I asked in advance if it would be okay and she agreed. Van confirmed with me the night before and said "a team of girls would be assisting me and it would take us no longer than 2 hours." (See attached as proof) Upon arrival at our appointment at 10 AM, parking is an issue as she did not disclose that it's her own apartment not a studio. We found parking eventually, so no big deal. We arrived around 09:45 am. She was working on another client when we arrived at her place. We patiently waited for awhile. And we did not get started until close to 10:15 AM when we repeatedly told her that we have to leave by 12:30 PM or 1 PM (AT THE VERY LATEST FACTORING TRAFFIC TIME). The "team of girls" that she claimed to are her students!!! I was not made aware of it until I showed up there. She did work with my bridal makeup and her student worked on my guest's makeup and hair. The way she speaks to her students are very condescending, it made me very uncomfortable to be there. The overall vibe felt rushed, tense, and stressful as she was overseeing a total of 3 makeup/hair services there all at once. Also, not only she did not make any effort to know/address any of her clients' names, she would make comments about my guest - "her eyes are smaller." I find that extremely rude and unnecessary! Long story short, we did not get out of there more than 3 hours later. Each time we kept reinforcing that we gotta go, she would brush us off and put blame on us "because we added your guest last minute." It's not true at all, because she could've told us well in advance that she could not do it and we'd be okay with it. But she did it anyways - just money hungry. As soon as we left, my updo hair pieces started falling out already. But I literally had no time to go back. At the end, I was late and I couldn't take any get-ready pictures and had to rush to my own wedding. It truly set the tone of my wedding day - overall so stressed out due to her poor time management and communication skills.

    MUA @Vanity SD . Thank you Van. You are amazing. Photograper @Michael Peak.
    Jessica N.

    Vân is always the best of the best make up Artist. I m very picky. Since I found Van. Every time I need make up for special occasions, or my modeling pictures or Comnercial. I have Van do my make up. I just relax and enjoy because I know she always do great job. She is very creative and work with her heart. Very professional, experienced, Patience, accommodating, very detailed, straightforward and honest if something doesn't work best in your interested. Her coverage is very comfortable wear, flawless and long lasting! I only have to touch up my lipstick, even though long day photoshoot outdoor or travel long time. Her make up stay beautiful and fresh on me. I highly recommended Van an amazing make up artist to who is looking for a person make you pretty and elegant. Again. Thank you very much Van. You are so talented, very professional and always do amazing job with all your heart.

    Brittany F.

    Recently moved back to San Diego and searched over Yelp for a MUA for an event coming up. I have had past experiences showing pics for inspo for the look I'm trying to achieve and have settled a for the stylists own take. Van was spot on. The makeup was on point and same for the hair. I was nervous on the time crunch but she was super efficient with time and seriously nailed it. Hoping to have some events in the future cuz she's my new go-to for hair/makeup.

    I hired van for my wedding makeup a few weeks ago and 2 of my bridesmaids who were searching for me found her thru instagram! Van is very kind and patient on top of doing my hair and makeup she also did my mothers, mother in law, sister in law and also maid of honor. What I loved best was her ability to adapt and adjust with the momma's when they werent entirely sure exactly what they wanted! She took me from basic to glowing in the span of a few hours! Highly recommend!

    Emily H.

    I just finished my 2 days make up class with my wonderful teacher- Van Tran. I was following her for a really long time and didn't have a chance to get into her class until last weekend. That's a great experience. After taking the class, she suggested us to be her assistant to work with her. What a wonderful idea! Went through 2 days, i learnt a lot from brushes to cosmetic, tips and tricks from her experience. I can see her enthusiasm and passion of her career. Also, taking class with your relative like mom and daughter, sisters is a great idea for birthday gift or time to bounce with your lovely relationship. The class benefits you many things, so register for her next class, guys. You won't be disappointed.

    Healing process ombre powder brows
    Thao N.

    I was a bit skeptical about having my ombre powder brows. I know that Van Tran has been working on face features for over 20 years, and she knows which shape best goes with your face feature. I knew Van would do a good job. But I didn't think it would turn out so great. I love that I don't have to spend extra time on my brows in the morning. Because you know, that takes forever if you don't know what you are doing. It saved me so much time for my morning routine. If you are looking for someone to do your brows, she will not disappoint. She will spend as much time needed to get the shape where it needs to be. You have to be patient. It will be all with it in the end. I recommend you go to her if you want your brows done.

    AFTER!!!!

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    20 days ago

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    Van T.

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    21 days ago

    Van did my makeup perfectly. I highly recommend her!! She is very professional and precise. I even looked younger;)

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    1 month ago

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    Van T.

    Thank you so much for trusting me, you are so beautiful!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Vanity SD

    Review Highlights - Vanity SD

    Ever since I met Van during trial for my wedding hair and makeup, I knew I have the right artist for my BIG day!

    Mentioned in 91 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Hair by Kaelyn Christine

    Hair by Kaelyn Christine

    5.0(27 reviews)
    12.7 miLittle Italy

    Okay- book Kaelyn. Like don't even think twice. She is the best in the game. She made me look so…read morebeautiful and my hair lasted for probably 12 + hours if not more without slipping or moving and I have THICK hair. My bridesmaids, my mom and mother of the groom all looked really beautiful as well. If you want QUALITY and want to know that you have a killer hairstylist booked and don't want to worry about any "what ifs" Kaelyn is your girl. She knows so many versatile styles as well even beyond the beautiful bohemian braids! My mother in law showed her a picture she wanted and Kaelyn was like "no problem I gotchu!" I so appreciated not only how comfortable she made me feel on my wedding day but also the people most important to me! She did a beautiful job.

    I can't recommend Kaelyn enough! She was incredibly sweet and fun to be around, making the entire…read morewedding prep experience delightful. Her warm and bubbly personality instantly put everyone at ease. Her talent is truly unmatched. My bridesmaids, family, and I were all thrilled with our hairstyles--they were absolutely beautiful and held up perfectly throughout the day and night. She listened to our ideas and brought them to life with stunning results. If you're looking for a skilled and personable hair stylist who will make your special day even more memorable, Kaelyn is the one. Thank you for making us all look and feel so gorgeous!

    Photos
    Hair by Kaelyn Christine
    Hair by Kaelyn Christine
    Hair by Kaelyn Christine

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    Hair By David M - other balayage babylight combo

    Hair By David M

    4.0(92 reviews)
    12.7 miLittle Italy
    $$

    DJ is an amazing human and so talented. He knows what he's doing with blondes, extensions, and of…read morecourse life advice. The vibe is immaculate, he's a total and utter king in his industry.

    This is the first review I have ever left because my hair did not come close to how I wanted it. I…read morepurchased the Groupon for balayage, cut, and blow dry. Since I had box dye in my hair, he informed me it would be an extra $70 for a color correction. After getting price estimates from other salons, this seemed like a decent price for my budget. I did my research and looked over his website, Yelp reviews, etc. and the photos impressed me and led me to believe he would produce the balayage I wanted. I didn't mind the price for everything I was getting. I sent David photos of how I wanted my hair a few months before I scheduled the appointment. I have been saving up money and planning this treatment for five months which is perhaps why I'm so upset about the original results from my first appointment. When I walked in he briefly welcomed me and then immediately asked me what I wanted done. Since I've been planning this treatment for so long I had a Pinterest album of similar balayages (not to mention he already had the photo in our thread). He took one glance and got started which made me nervous but I trusted him as a professional. Throughout the treatment there was no communication regarding color, length cut, or anything like that. We sat in silence for 80% of my 3 hr. appointment. We made small talk and I asked him about after care, what he was putting in my hair, etc. He curled my hair and when I turned around and saw my hair for the first time I noticed it was WAY lighter than I expected, but I did like it. I left the salon happy. But I never curl my hair so when I saw it natural (wavy/straight), I could see how messy and amateur it looked. There were chunks reaching up to my roots and he basically dyed the bottom half of my hair a rainbow of blonde colors. NOT a balayage. I left a short review on the website and he text me shortly after with a long reply. I sent him photos of how my hair looked and the photo I originally sent him of what I wanted. He offered to fix it for free, so I went back in. Before my appointment he text me to confirm and said "Would be great if you could take down your review," but I'm glad I waited until after the second appointment to review him again. This time the communication was better, however now that a day has passed I see that my hair is still not where I want it to be since he bleached the whole bottom half and effectively made it difficult to achieve a balayage with just toner. I do understand that I did tell David I liked my hair in the salon because at that point I was fed up and wouldn't bother to have him fix it since he already comped this appointment and spent his time fixing it. Overall it looks much better now and is healthy after I cut 4 inches off (which I did to get rid of the dead bleached hair), but I am still going to get it fixed by another hair dresser. Not only that but I asked him for long layers in my hair cut but my hair is all one length. At the end of the day, if you go to David, just make sure you are clear about what you want because otherwise from what I can tell in other reviews he is a good hairdresser.

    Photos
    Hair By David M - Baby lights and balayage

    Baby lights and balayage

    Hair By David M - Example of a babylight baggage and root tap combo

    Example of a babylight baggage and root tap combo

    Hair By David M - Babylights, Balayage, rooted base color, long layers

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    Babylights, Balayage, rooted base color, long layers

    Hyde Edwards Salon & Spa

    Hyde Edwards Salon & Spa

    4.7(584 reviews)
    12.4 miLittle Italy
    $$

    This salon is always well-maintained, and the stylists really work with their clients to make them…read morefeel their best. They have an online confirmation reminder for appointments and may call to confirm if there's no response. I've been going to Kris S. for a few years now, and she's always good about understanding what works for my hair as well as others. Recently, I scheduled a back-to-back appointment for myself and my mom, and we were able to get our hair exactly how we envisioned. Their hair care products are luxurious and worth finding parking in Little Italy for.

    I've always been very particular about who I trust with my hair. A salon can have all the high-end…read morefeatures and offer every service imaginable--but without a truly exceptional stylist, it all falls short. The right stylist is someone who's not only highly skilled, but also consistent, detail-oriented, and able to perform under pressure. That's exactly who Nicole Alex is. Nicole has been my go-to for haircuts and color for nearly 10 years, and I can honestly say she continues to impress me with her talent and professionalism. I'll admit I'm not the easiest client--my hair is extremely coarse, thick, and often damaged, and I'm not always the most punctual. Despite these challenges, Nicole always treats every appointment with care, patience, and precision. Whether I'm coming in after weeks of being out of town or squeezing in a last-minute session, she never cuts corners . Her work is always meticulous, and the results speak for themselves. I've worked with many stylists over the years, but none have come close to the level of quality and consistency Nicole provides. If you're new to San Diego, visiting, or a local who still hasn't found that one stylist who truly checks all the boxes--look no further. Nicole Alex is the real deal. Once you sit in her chair, you'll understand why I, and so many others, continue to choose her time and time again. She's simply exceptional.

    Photos
    Hyde Edwards Salon & Spa
    Hyde Edwards Salon & Spa
    Hyde Edwards Salon & Spa

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    Konfidence By Kayla - Violet red fusion

    Konfidence By Kayla

    4.7(12 reviews)
    9.3 miMission Valley

    She's amazing! I just love how my hair is under her expert hands. To have curly hair and find…read moresomeone that knows how to work it, it's awesome!

    Despite all the positive reviews, unfortunately I had a very bad experience going to this salon. I…read moremade a free consultation appointment with Kayla a week prior to the actual appointment regarding hair coloring. During the consultation, she told me that my blonde highlights got darker because of "mineral buildups" in my hair from hard water, and she recommended to do a "CPR treatment" following by applying a toner to bring back the blond color (which highlights got darker and more yellow over time). She said that this treatment plan would make my highlights lighter and blonder again. I made the actual appointment, when the proposed treatment was done. After 30 minutes of sitting under the heat with the treatment applied, she washed out the "CPR treatment" 3 times!!!, scrubbing my scalp and later she told me (when I had the skin reaction) that she used a PH 9 shampoo, which is apparently (I'm reading now about it) harsh, and is disruptive to the hair and scalp. Then, she applied the toner, then a leave-in conditioner, that needed to be washed out due to some skin reaction. When she was working on washing it out, she scrubbed my scalp so viguorusly, that I screamed from pain to stop her doing it so harshly. Later in the afternoon, I started to feel an inflammatory type of severe pain on the back of my scalp. It got worse since yesterday and I don't know what really happened to my scalp, skin, tissue, or nerve, but whatever injury happened, it is extremely painful. Regarding the result of the treatment, nothing that promised was achieved, my hair feels like it got a little darker and making my highlights blonder didn't happen. Kayla told me after drying my hair that she was surprised that her treatment plan didn't work on my hair. What is much worse than not achieving the promised result is the severe pain on the back of my scalp.

    Photos
    Konfidence By Kayla - All smiles with her new honey blonde hair

    All smiles with her new honey blonde hair

    Konfidence By Kayla
    Konfidence By Kayla

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    Vanity SD - makeupartists - Updated May 2026

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