About

Claire Spence

color & Cutting specialist

Hello, my name is Claire.

I grew up in Aptos, and fell in love with the ocean and community Santa Cruz had to offer. At a young age I’ve always had a passion for hair and makeup. I started with dolls to playing with my sister and cousins hair. As I got older, doing hair became my creative outlet and a way to connect with people in a positive way.

In 2014, I started cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell in San Jose. After school I had the opportunity to work in Monterey and San Jose. I was able to grow as an artist, and in each step in my journey I've always learned something new. Now I feel lucky to have my career in Santa Cruz where I've grown up and feel at home. My passion includes doing bridal hair and makeup as well as cutting and color.

When I'm not doing hair, I enjoy spending time with my husband Sampson, bonus son Kai, and our dogs Rocky and Sequoia. I love going to the beach, mountain biking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I truly feel blessed to do what I love everyday! Thank you for taking the time to read my page.

I look forward to meeting you!

Claire

Email: clairespencebeauty@gmail.com

Specialties

• Haircuts of all lengths

• Curly Haircuts

• Grey coverage and grey blending techniques

cancellation/Reschedule policy

Please allow 24 hours for rescheduling and cancellations. Any service cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours requires a full payment of the missed service before being allowed to reschedule again.

Reviews

“Comfortable and welcoming setting and Claire does a great job! Very happy with my color. Got some compliments today on my hair!”

Debbie S.

“Claire is always very attentive and has a really sweet mellow disposition. It is very calming and every time I visit I feel very special and always go away happy with her service! I look forward to my next appointment!”

Linda G.

“5 stars, because Claire is awesome in every way!”

Joel B.

“Very pleased with my first experience at this salon. My stylist Claire spent a lot of time before my coloring to ask me questions about my hair and past experiences with cuts and color services.  I am so happy that my daughter gave me a gift card so that I would try this place out!”

LeeAnn M.

“Claire is fantastic. She spent time talking to me about what I wanted and we consulted together to come up with the best plan. She did a wonderful job on my cut and color. She was also very professional coming from another experience where the stylist was not at all professional. Last but not least the salon is beautiful and I loved the atmosphere.”

Michelle S.

“The salon itself is gorgeous, everyone is so kind, helpful and sweet. My stylist, Claire, is very skilled and gifted at her work! I always feel pampered!”

Brice F.

“Claire is friendly & professional, always listens and does a terrific job. The salon is clean, welcoming and lovely. Always a great experience overall.”

Megan Z.

“Wonderful service, welcoming environment, very satisfied with my hair!””

Kylie L.

“I enjoyed working with Claire, her talent and interest, and the relaxing and peaceful ambiance.”

Margaret F.

“Claire is a wonderful stylist who really pays attention to small details. The entire salon is very detail-oriented and it really shows. The first thing when you walk in is that Robyn asks you if you want coffee, tea, or Prosecco (Friday only!) and I was so pleasantly surprised by that. L’Atelier salon has the warm feeling of a mom and pop but the class and quality of a ridiculously expensive and snobby salon. I will definitely keep coming back!”

Amanda H.

“Claire is the best! I always feel AMAZING after an appointment here!”

Diana P.

“Claire did her usual great job on my hair cut and color.  She is always very professional, considerate, sensitive, and accomplished.  I feel fortunate to have her as my stylist!”

Carolyn C.

“I really like L'Atelier and their staff. My hairstylist is Claire Rosenberg & she does an absolutely lovely job with my hair, which is straight and long. She is very personable & professional and fun to chat with. L'Atelier's staff is professional & warm & their salon is very well situated. They carry and work with Kevin Murphy products, which work well with my hair type. The clientele ranges all ages and genders. L'Atelier is definitely a premium salon, not a Supercuts, though their price points are reasonable for the amount of care they take with their clients. Try them out!”

Alaina B.

“Claire was great! She made sure I knew what I was getting into and that I was comfortable, and my hair ended up being exactly what I wanted! She also gave me the best head massage I’ve ever had. Will be returning once the color fades out! I also really enjoyed the salon’s atmosphere.”

Mikayla D.

“Claire is an excellent listener and problem-solver for unruly hair. She was able to visualize and accomplish what I needed. I truly appreciate her meticulous approach to detail and her patience!”

Valerie B.

“The short version is that Claire was Great!  The longer version is as follows:

I chose L’Atelier because I live in Santa Cruz and have known a little bit about L’Atelier for a while now and had the sense that you are one of the better salons in town.  I’ve been getting my hair cut in San Francisco for years now, and wanted & needing to change things up so I called hoping to get a same day appointment since I have an event this weekend.  Your receptionist was very nice and helpful and gave me a couple of possible slots - much appreciated.  I took the 6:45 with Claire knowing little about her, except for a few quick glances at positive Yelp reviews.  What I had remembered hearing was that she was good at working with clients to genuinely understand and meet their needs, and she most certainly did just that!  

Claire was very comfortable and friendly to work with right off the bat.  I let her know I was looking to change up my look, and I had some ideas and photos, but wanted her input and help as well.  She clearly understood what I was looking to achieve and made me feel very comfortable as she step by step made changes to my hair checking in with me each step of the way.  I felt like she really listened and heard me, and provided me with a look that I really like.  After the cut, she took the time to style it and help me understand the product that would give me the look she had co-created with me - so appreciated.  Already I’ve received compliments saying this is the best cut I’ve ever had.  I look forward to working with Claire in future appointments.

I know that Claire is relatively knew to L’Atelier, and its very clear to me at least that she is a great asset to the salon.  Nicely done Claire, thanks again for a great cut and style. This guy is very happy with your work.”

Joel B.

"As usual, Claire was a joy to work with. She is kind and attentive. I so appreciate her conservative approach to cutting my hair - checking in on the length before cutting too much. "

Susan M.

"Claire was AMAZING. I had a moment of panic before my service and she totally talked through it with me and adjusted my appointment to make sure I received the desired service. She was genuine, kind, and easy to spend 90 minutes with. Looking forward to coming back :)"

Danielle W.

"Thank you for being so accommodating and welcoming. I don’t normally feel comfortable in a salon, but L’Atelier is different and I appreciate the effort to make it so comfortable. Claire is so sweet and I will be back again!"

Shelly L.

"Hello Megan, I really loved the experience I had at your salon with Claire, she was really good, and also I felt comfortable, she explained everything and recommended what worked best for me! I hope to come back soon! Thank you so much!"

Mayra C.

"I want to tell you that I had a fabulous time with Claire yesterday: she is fun, loves her job, I could tell that she enjoys transforming people’s hair, and she is very professional and caring. I’m enjoying the Young Again treatment serum. My hair is luscious! I must say I was born with confidence, but this hair is adding even more confidence! Blessings to you, to your family and to your business!"

Edisione B.

"Hi Megan, I am happy to share with you my excitement over getting to meet Claire. I love the cut she gave me. It is just what I wanted. It was really gratifying how she really listened to me about what I wanted, and how my hair goes, and what I was worried about.  Then she repeated everything we decided before she even lifted her scissor.  She was so gracious. I really look forward to my next hair cut with her. And I've been telling all my friends.

I love your salon. It is beautiful and relaxing and everyone is so friendly. Thanks for being downtown where I can just walk over at lunchtime to get a cut!"

Susan M.

"I can’t say enough wonderful things about your salon.  Everyone was so kind and the experience left me wanting to keep coming back.  The environment is clean and warm and inviting.  I feel I finally found the salon and stylist I want to stick with.  My hair has its own big personality and I feel like Claire really took the time to understand it and the result has made me very very happy.  I’m looking forward to my next cut with Claire!"

Brice F.