Venus Salon

For the first 20 years of my life I have always gone to the same salon to get my hair done. An old friend of the family who gives me an incredible deal. Unfortunately, that incredible deal always left me leaving with something negative to say about what my hair dresser had done to my hair. Within the past few years I have gone to many different places, and had MANY horrible experiences. To say the least, I have grown to be very apprehensive about doing ANYTHING to my hair because of fear that something will go wrong. Thankfully...I have found Art! I cannot say enough positive things about him. He gave me highlights and a trim and I have received many compliments on both. He is incredibly precise with highlights in particular. He uses very small sections of hair to give the end result a beautiful blended look that I am so happy with! Besides his obvious talent, I also really appreciate that he does not double book appointments. When you have an appointment with Art he is working with you the entire time, you do not end up sitting around while he tries to squeeze in a quick haircut or anything. So many salons keep you there waiting while working on someone else that it was a nice change of pace. Overall...Art is friendly, amazingly talented, reasonably priced, and just plain and simple...does a great job! I would highly him to anyone. more

Okay, I have been a bit reluctant to write this… because selfishly, I don’t want to find Art too booked up to see me. On the other hand, the man has an amazing talent that really should be shared. He is that rare beauty buddy who has your best interests at heart. In his case, I think it is a matter of professional pride. So if you are looking for a hair professional to care for your hair, I would only comfortably recommend Art. From cut to color – he’s the best. Here’s my story…. I have been seeing Art every 6 to 8 weeks for the past three years. When I first started with him, my hair was wildly out of control. It was dry and frizzy in parts, curly on some parts of my head and straight in others. I had been seeing a colorist who did foils for me, but unfortunately the results varied widely from treatment to treatment. The situation was desperate. He soon brought me to sanity. First, he identified a better color for my skin tone, then he changed the coloring process to a simpler and gentler one that provided more natural and predictable results. As our visits progressed, my old hair was trimmed away and the new hair that grew in and he cared for was lovelier and lovelier. He is up on the new products that work and he has introduced me to great stand-bys. He’s definitely more of an advocate, then a salesman. He tells me what will work and then leaves it up to me. I really feel that Art very genuinely wants my hair in top condition. The last treatment he recommended was absolutely one of the best! A color touch-up, a bit of a trim, and then he finished it off with a Hawaiian Blow-out. My hair looks and feels amazing. Even after repeated washings. I think the key to Art’s success, is that he builds the relationship with you slowly. He will only go as fast as you are comfortable with changes and he will be honest and frank with you if it’s going to take some time or if something is not going to work for your hair type or face shape. For me, it’s been a wonderful journey and it keeps getting better! The best compliment to Art is that I was recently mistaken for 35 or 40 years of age – not bad for a 51 year old woman. You have got to admit that’s one amazing hair cut! more

Hey Guys - I cannot recommend Art Dominguez enough! He is truly amazing - a genuine artist with hair! I have always wanted rich highlights in my hair but am horribly allergic to most hair chemicals - enlightner, peroxide, bleach... I tried Aveda salons with no reaction to the products (after much trial and error) but also without the results I had hoped for. After I saw the magic he did with some of my friends hair I shared my dilemma with him and my desire to do highlights and he confidently said "" I can do that."" Boy, can he!!! The products he uses are all natural, organic, not tested on animals and smell great. They also produce beautiful highlights. Art took his time with me, skillfully considering and applying each foil to achieve an awesome multi-dimensional look. My search is over. I won't go anywhere else. BTW - added bonus - Art is a wonderful, caring, funny guy that you will love spending time with! more

Hey everyone! I want to let you know that my experience at Venus Salon was AWESOME! I went to my dear friend Art Dominguez after having some discussion concerning what I should do to change my hairstyle. I had NEVER before gotten my hair done in a salon. (My mom is a hairdresser). Art suggested that I try the Brazilian Blowout. I was a little worried at first having extremely curly hair all of my life. The time I spent with Art will never be forgotten. He was very skilled and efficient. He made the experience wonderful and my hair came out INCREDIBLE!!! I never thought it was ever look so smooth and straight. I would most definitely recommend going to Art to get any cut, color or treatment done! : ) Check out my pics on face book! more

I have never dyed my hair before and was recommended to Gina from a friend. She was great to talk to. I felt as if one of my long time girlfriends was doing my hair. We had a lot of laughs.\r My hair came out wonderful. I would trust her to do absolutely anything with my hair. She is totally awesome. \r \r If your searching for a new salon and stylist Venus is the place to be and Gina is the stylist to choose!\r 5 STARS! more

Erica is the best - I have been going to her for 8 years and have always been beyond happy with the results. She is always on time, professional and take great pride in what she does. She's up to date with styles and trends - my color always looks natural and my cuts are easy to style at home. Anyone who thinks otherwise shouldnt even be in the hands of a professional stylist. Her prices are reasonable and gives great style! CatW: Sorry your experience was not up to par - I recommend you head somewhere else. Venus and Erica are obviously too high-class for a person of your nature. Pros: Erica Cons: Nothing! more

I really enjoy having Katie cut and color my hair! She does such a great job everytime and is really fun to talk with, too.\r \r For my wedding, we had to change our hair/make-up plans last minute and Venus was really accomodating and considerate of our needs. They made us all look so pretty! Thank-you Venus!\r \r Carrie S. Pros: Great service and high quality work Cons: Wish it cost less so I could go more often =) more

Erica has been doing my hair since 2001. She is amazing at what she does and I highly recommend her for either color or cuts! more

Cynthia Kinnear does a terrific job with her painless waxing, in the privacy of her push room in the sky. It's an absolutely celestial experience. She is also one of the few on the peninsula offering eyebrow and eyelash tinting. Both are a pleasant experience, come out great and are not too expensive to maintain. I hear her facials are fabulous too, I'm going to make an appointment for one before the Holiday season. Venus Salon is a full service salon with a convenient location and ample free parking. Pros: Full service, ample free parking, a variety of food and beverage places near by more

I booked an appointment at Venus Salon after hearing that Erica Murry had come back to the Peninsula. She does amazing color and my haircut turned out cool too. I will let all my friends know that she is back in town. Pros: Erica Murry, the color Pro more

Erica does incredible work. She is cutting edge in terms of trends and products. Her color is as beautiful as you'd find on a small child's hair and her cuts are contemporary and easy to care for.\r \r I don't need to go all the way to San Francisco or Los Angeles anymore. She does it all, with a smile and with attention to every detail.\r \r Erica compliments the other services at Venus Salon. They are very lucky to be able to showcase her work. The menu of services is adequate and the prices are very competitive.\r \r \r \r Pros: Great parking, walking distance to coffee, pastry and breakfast or lunch more

Venus salon is in a great location - easy to get to and lots of parking. Cindy has been cutting my hair for a couple of years now and I have recommeded her to several friends. She recently colored my hair and it turned out great. I get so many compliments on it. The atmosphere is relaxed and I always look forward to going in! more

I first went in to Venus a little over a week ago and I wanted bangs and a really good layered cut that gave my lifeless hair, well, life! Katie did exactly what I asked for and I am so happy with my cut! My hair feels fuller and looks soo much better! My boyfriend loved it! While I was there Katie told me about Cynthia the owner who is also the esthetician. I had been needing to get some microdermabrasion done and went back two days ago to see Cynthia. I have to say that was the best, most thorough facial and microderm I've ever had done! My skin felt amazing and felt much smoother! I am so happy to have found a place that I can go to for my hair and my facials! I will definitely go back soon to Katie for color next time and Cynthia for another microdermabrasion! They are both super nice and attentive and I was so happy with the results! Pros: Katie and Cynthia! more

Katie has been doing my hair for the last 3 years. She is so awesome!! I have long thick curly / wavy hair and she has mastered how to deal with it! She does my cut and color. My hair is a medium to dark brown and she does a 3 color weave to turn it into a honey, carmel, dark blonde that is really pretty. I am constantly getting compliments on how great the color is! She is friendly, outgoing and SO patient...a typical color cut for me is at least a 3 hour process. She listens to what I ask for and follows it exactly. I have never ever left Katie's chair with a style I don't absolutely love! \r Aside from her skills as a hairdresser, she makes you feel totally at ease while she is working. Sitting in the chair for 3 hours could be a long boring day, but she keeps me laughing and it is like having a chat with my best friend! more

I've lived in the area for 3 years and recently started going to see Katie a few months ago. I have never had anyone in this area give me a cut and color like she has! She is very friendly and professional. I like the fact that she doesn't just use product on my hair and not tell me what it is - she'll tell me, ""This is the Bumble & Bumble Shine Spray"".. etc, and if I like the way the product makes my hair feel then I can purchase it in the salon. Katie is a great listener and she always takes into consideration what I want. I'm always very happy with the way my hair turns out, and I recommend Katie to anyone.\r The salon is also very clean and professional; it's easy to find, and parking is never a problem. There are a few restaurants next door so it's nice to be able to grab a quick bite to eat while I wait for my color to process.\r \r \r more

I just got home from having my hair done by Katie and I am so happy with my style. She really took the time to listen to what it was that I was looking for, and wasn't afraid to let me know what she thought would look good. She gave me tips on how to style my hair and what products are great to use (without seeming like a sales woman). I have been to plenty of places that made me feel like just another customer and this definitely was not one of them. Katie talked with me the entire time I was there like I was a friend, not just a client. This was especially comforting to me because I am new to the area, and don't have many girlfriends to chat with. All in all this was an amazing experience and I will be returning to Venus and to Katie anytime I need anything done with my hair. Pros: Great Service, Good Music, Refreshments, Parking Cons: ZERO! more

I live in NYC, but wait until I come back to Monterey to get facials from Cynthia, and my haircut from Chris at Venus.\r \r The salon has a great vibe, with very sweet and very talented owners. \r \r I recommend it for haircuts, waxing, all of the above! \r \r \r Pros: amazing staff, parking, comfortable feeling, supports local artists more

I have recently moved to Venus Salon and I couldn't be more pleased to be working with Cynthia Keneer and Christian Menkal, owners & consumate professionals. I also am glad to be working with my longtime friend & colleague, Michelle Saba, as with my new friends Katie, Cindy, Erica, Michael,Chong and Stacy. \r I have been in the beauty business for over thirty years, have owned my own businesses and worked at many top salons in the Monterey peninsula and in San Francisco, and this is the ideal fit for me. \r Cynthia has an eye for efficient and streamlined decor featuring a calm, safe and stylish salon while Christian keeps the entire salon spotless and proves himself a very capable stylist as well; this not being an easy task for either of them as they have a very beautiful three-year-old daughter named Lili that keeps them hopping.\r Thank you for receiving me with open arms, I know our alliance will be a long and healthy one. more

I went Venus Salon after hearing about it through friends. The Salon is very spacious and has a very urban decor reminding me of a large city. The music was very relaxing and sophisticated and the entire staff was friendly. My hair was done by Chris and I was impressed by his willingness to listen to what I wanted and his patience through my entire appointment. My highlights and haircut are beautiful and are very suitable to my lifestyle, I definitely recommend Venus to anyone. Pros: parking more

I went to Venus for a brow wax with Cynthia. She was very nice and made me feel relaxed through the whole process, I can't even remember if it hurt. I will definitely be going back. Pros: Parking, quiet atmosphere, friendly service Cons: Can't tip when you pay with a credit card more