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.
A colorist's eye
Blonde, grey blending and brunette alike — clients talk about color that's blended seamlessly and toned just right. Tap any photo to see it full screen.
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.
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Blonde and highlights
Hand-painted babylights, partial and mini highlights, and a money piece to keep the front bright between bigger appointments.
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Grey blending
A seamless way to soften or grow out grey, starting with a grey blending consultation.
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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.
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Transformational color
For an entirely new look — brighten and blend over a longer appointment, with a consultation first.
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Hand-tied extensions
One or two rows of hand-tied extensions for added body, length and volume, booked after a consultation.
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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.
Hair color, with Cate
Color by Cate is Cate Lucas's studio on W Lewis St in San Diego, a small, warm space where one person does your hair from start to finish.
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.
Five stars, every review
A perfect 5.0 on Google across 19 reviews.
“Cate is truly the best colorist in San Diego! … Even as a brunette SHE NAILS MY COLOR. She makes me walk out of her salon feeling like a trillion bucks.”
“Cate is the BEST, my hair never looks better than when I leave her chair. I’ve been going to her for years now. Today I got a clear gloss + trim for my wedding prep and I’ve literally never felt hotter … her space is SO vibey, there’s nowhere I’d rather yap and get a blowout.”
“I used to hate getting my hair done, and now I can’t wait because I get to spend time with Cate. I have referred so many people to her and they have fallen in love with her just like I knew they would.”
An appointment you look forward to
A moody little studio and a stylist who listens and makes the time fly.
The price card
Every service, how long it takes and where it starts. Hand-tied extension prices don’t include the cost of hair.
Color
| Service | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full babylight $100 deposit for new clients | 240 min | $500+ |
| Partial highlight | 150 min | $325 |
| The mini highlight | 120 min | $260 |
| Hairline highlight (money piece) | Ask | |
| All over color Not a highlight service | 90 min | $195 |
| Toner with blowout | Ask | |
| Transformational color $150 deposit for new clients, consultation required | 300 min | Varies |
Cuts and styling
| Service | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cut + style | 60 min | $130 |
| Dry cut Existing clients only | 30 min | $65 |
| Fade cut | 45 min | $75 |
| Edge up | 20 min | $35 |
| Bang trim | 10 min | $30 |
| Blow out | 45 min | $100 |
| Curls with a curling iron | 15 min | $20 |
| Updo | 60 min | $150 |
| Learn how to blow-dry | 90 min | $200 |
Extensions and consultations
| Service | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-tied extensions, 2 rows | 120 min | $400 |
| Hand-tied extensions, 1 row | 60 min | $225 |
| Consultation | 30 min | $50 |
| Grey blending consultation | Ask |
Good to know before you book
- Cancel within 48 hours of your appointment and you’ll be charged 50% of the cancelled service.
- New clients forfeit their deposit and need another deposit to reschedule.
- No shows are charged 100% of the booked service.
- Buy Now, Pay Later is available for bookings from $50 to $4,000, approved before your appointment.
- Gift cards come in $50, $75, $100, $200 or a custom amount. Gift card sales are final.
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.
Find the studio
Color by Cate1617 W Lewis St, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
(480) 329-3933
cupcatexo@gmail.com
Cards accepted, with wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance, and a restroom.
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 |