Color by Cate · San Diego
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.
Why clients come back
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Five stars, every review
A perfect 5.0 on Google across 19 reviews.
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A colorist’s eye
Blonde, grey blending and brunette alike — clients talk about color that’s blended seamlessly and toned just right.
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An appointment you look forward to
A moody little studio and a stylist who listens and makes the time fly.
Recent work
Blonde, platinum and brunette, from the chair on W Lewis St. Select a photo to view 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.
“I love what I do. And I truly believe in the power of great hair.”
Cate
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.
In their words
“Cate is truly the best colorist in San Diego! While she is a blonde specialist, and also a specialist with extensions… even as a brunette she nails my color. 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. Today I got a clear gloss + trim for my wedding prep… 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
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.
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
cupcatexo@gmail.com
Restroom · Credit and debit cards accepted · Wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance
Good to know
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 and $200 or a custom amount, for someone else or yourself, and can be scheduled for delivery. Gift card sales are final.