Long wavy hair from behind, brown at the root melting into hand-painted blonde through the lengths

Color by Cate

Color that looks like you

A San Diego hair studio for blonde, grey blending and lived-in color, plus hand-tied extensions, cuts and blowouts.

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A colorist’s eye

Blonde, grey blending and brunette alike.

Long straight blonde and grey balayage, the client looking down in a salon hallway

Sleek platinum blonde hair partly covering a woman’s face, worn with a red top

Back view of wavy platinum blonde hair in the salon

Blonde and grey balayage; platinum, waved and sleek; silver-blonde in profile. Color by Cate. Select any piece to see it full screen.

Hair color, with Cate

Color by Cate is Cate Lucas’s studio on W Lewis St in San Diego, a small, warm space. High contrast color, soft blending, a lived-in look you can grow out — it all starts with a real conversation about what you actually want.

Cate’s view is that great hair is about more than being blonde. It’s health, balance and placement that suits your face and your routine, so your color still looks right months later.

Clients come back for the work and stay for the hang. If you’re ready to update your look and have a good time doing it, book a chair.

Black and white portrait of a smiling woman in a beret, chin resting on her hand — The artist. Cate Lucas.

“I love what I do. And I truly believe in the power of great hair.”
Cate

An appointment you look forward to

A moody little studio and a stylist who listens and makes the time fly.

Mirror selfie of a woman in sunglasses and a sparkly top, string lights behind her

What you can book

Color, cuts and extensions in San Diego, from a quick gloss to a full transformation. A consultation comes first for some services, so the plan fits your hair.

Blonde and highlights

Hand-painted babylights, partial and mini highlights, and a money piece to keep the front bright between bigger appointments.
Grey blending

A seamless way to soften or grow out grey, starting with a grey blending consultation.
All over color and gloss

All over color to cover grey and add depth, or a conditioning toner and gloss to cancel unwanted tones on pre-lightened hair.
Transformational color

For an entirely new look — brighten and blend over a longer appointment, with a consultation first.
Hand-tied extensions

One or two rows of hand-tied extensions for added body, length and volume, booked after a consultation.
Cuts, blowouts and updos

Cut and style, dry cuts, fades, edge ups, bang trims, blowouts, special occasion updos, and a lesson in blow-drying your own hair.

Black and white shot of long hair being brushed out with round brushes — The blowout, round brush in hand.

Appointment times and prices as listed by the studio.

Color

Full babylight: 240 min · $500+; Hand-painted highlights throughout the head (back and underneath not included). Balayage lifts up to three levels and may take several appointments; a low-maintenance, seamless grow out. Includes full styling and a custom toner. $100 deposit for new clients.
Partial highlight: 150 min · $325; Hairline to crown, with balayage on the ends to keep them bright.
The mini highlight: 120 min · $260; Hairline and partline plus a little balayage, to blend roots and pop the front between highlights.
Hairline highlight (money piece): Keeps your color fresh and the front bright between bigger appointments.
All over color: 90 min · $195; Covers grey and adds depth and shine. Not a highlight service.
Toner with blowout: A non-permanent conditioning gloss on pre-lightened hair to cancel unwanted tones; doesn’t guarantee a brighter tone. Includes blow dry and style.
Transformational color: 300 min · price varies; An entirely new look: brighten and blend. Consultation required; $150 deposit for new clients.

Extensions and consultations

Hand-tied extensions, 2 rows: 120 min · $400; The full glam look for volume and length. Consultation required; cost of hair not included.
Hand-tied extensions, 1 row: 60 min · $225; Body and a little length. Consultation required; cost of hair not included.
Consultation: 30 min · $50
Grey blending consultation: For anyone thinking about, wanting to do, or already in the process of grey blending.

Cuts and styling

Cut + style: 60 min · $130
Dry cut: 30 min · $65; A quick clean up, no wash or blow dry. Existing clients only.
Fade cut: 45 min · $75; For anyone who likes to keep their hair nice and tight.
Edge up: 20 min · $35; A quick clean up around the hairline.
Bang trim / face frame: 10 min · $30
Blow out: 45 min · $100
Curls with curling iron: 15 min · $20; Heat-styled curls on dry hair.
Updo: 60 min · $150; Special occasion hair, depending on the look.
Learn how to blow dry: 90 min · $200; New: if you struggle styling your own hair, Cate guides you through a blowout for the looks you want.

Five stars, every review

A perfect 5.0 on Google across 19 reviews.

“Cate is truly the best colorist in San Diego! … She makes me walk out of her salon feeling like a trillion bucks.”
Michelle Tacawy, on Google

“My hair never looks better than when I leave her chair. I’ve been going to her for years now… her space is SO vibey, there’s nowhere I’d rather yap and get a blowout.”
Lindsay Hall, on Google

“She loves what she does and it shows. I won’t let anyone else touch my hair. I used to hate getting my hair done, and now I can’t wait because I get to spend time with Cate.”
Lauren Click, on Google

Bundles of hair extensions in shades from dark brown to blonde

Book your next color

Open Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm, and Friday until 6pm. Call or email and tell Cate what you have in mind. Cards accepted, with wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance.

Book an appointment Email Cate

Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday	10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday	10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday	10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

Find the studio

1617 W Lewis St, San Diego, CA 92103, USA

(480) 329-3933
[email protected]

Restroom · Credit and debit cards accepted · Wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance

Good to know

Black and white close-up of scissors cutting blonde hair

Cancellations

Cancelling within 48 hours of your appointment is charged at 50% of the cancelled service. New clients forfeit their deposit and need a new deposit to reschedule. No shows are charged 100% of the booked service.

Deposits

New clients pay a $100 deposit for a full babylight and $150 for transformational color.

Pay later

Buy Now, Pay Later is available for bookings from $50 to $4,000. Get approved before your appointment.

Gift cards

Gift cards come in $50, $75, $100, $200 or a custom amount, for someone else or yourself, and can be scheduled for delivery. Gift card sales are final.