What is the best hair salon in Santa Barbara?

Matson & Co. on State Street is a boutique salon with over 20 years experience, six specialist stylists, fair prices, and around 20,000 clients served since opening in 2017.

Does Matson & Co. accept walk-ins?

Matson & Co. is primarily appointment-based but walk-ins are welcome when availability allows. Call (805) 403-5277 to check.

Is there a curly hair specialist in Santa Barbara?

Yes. Erin Olson at Matson & Co. specializes in cutting and styling curly hair, coils, and waves without straightening first.

Are hair salons in Santa Barbara expensive?

Matson & Co. keeps prices fair and transparent. Haircuts start at [price]. No hidden fees or surprise charges.

Do Matson & Co. haircuts grow out well?

Yes. Matson & Co. stylists cut with grow-out in mind so hair looks great at the appointment and months later.

What is the difference between partial and full highlights?

Partial highlights brighten only the top, crown, and face-framing sections, so they take less time and cost less. Full highlights cover the whole head, including the back and underneath, for all-over brightness. If you mostly wear your hair down and want a natural refresh, a partial is often plenty.

How much do partial highlights cost in Santa Barbara?

Partial highlights start lower than a full head because less of your hair is lightened. Exact pricing depends on length and density; we give you a firm quote at your consultation.

Are partial highlights good for first-timers?

Yes. A partial is a low-commitment way to try highlights. You get a noticeable, natural result without lightening every strand, and you can always add more next time.

Do partial highlights grow out well?

They do, especially when placed thoughtfully or hand-painted. Because the brightness is concentrated up top and around the face, regrowth tends to look soft rather than harsh.

How often do I need partial highlights refreshed?

Most clients come in every 8 to 12 weeks, with a toner or gloss in between if they want. Your stylist will suggest a schedule based on your hair and the look.

What is a money piece?

A money piece is a pair of brighter, bolder highlights placed at the very front to frame your face. It is a modern, high-impact accent that pairs well with a partial or full highlight.

Can I upgrade to full highlights later?

Absolutely. Many clients start with a partial and move to full highlights when they want more brightness. Your stylist keeps notes so the transition is seamless.

Partial Highlights Santa Barbara, CA | Face-Frame

Partial Highlights in Santa Barbara, CA

A little brightness goes a long way. Partial highlights add sun-kissed dimension around your face and crown, the pieces people actually see, for a natural refresh with less time, less upkeep, and a lower price than a full head.

What Are Partial Highlights?

Partial highlights lighten only a section of your hair, typically the top, the crown, and the pieces framing your face, rather than the entire head. Because the color is concentrated where the light hits and where you part, you get a natural, sun-kissed effect in less time and at a lower cost than full highlights. They are ideal for a refresh or for maintaining brightness between bigger appointments.

The Pieces Everyone Actually Sees

‍Here is the secret most people do not realize: the highlights that make the biggest difference are the ones around your face and along your part. That is exactly what partial highlights target. You get that bright, healthy, just-back-from-the-beach look without lightening every strand, which means a gentler process and an easier maintenance schedule.

Jeff Matson has painted and placed highlights since 1997, and he is precise about where a partial delivers the most impact for your face shape, your part, and how you wear your hair. Nancy Garza brings the same eye to the color chair. Whether you are adding a bright money piece, softening your grow-out, or dipping a toe into blonde for the first time, a partial is often the smartest place to start. Want more brightness later? It is an easy step up to full highlights.

How Partial Highlights Work at Matson & Co.

We talk about the effect you want, your part, your natural base, and your maintenance comfort zone, then decide exactly where the foils will do the most.
Your stylist places foils through the top, crown, and face-framing sections with intention, brightening the areas that read most in everyday light.
Once we hit the right lift, a custom toner refines your shade and kills any brass.
A blowout to show off your dimension, plus a simple home-care plan to keep it fresh.

A hairstylist with tattoos, wearing a white t-shirt and gray jeans with a Gucci belt, is cutting a customer's hair in a salon. The background has a neon sign and beige tiled wall.

A woman with long blonde hair and a checkered top, carefully carving a pumpkin with a small knife.

Partial Highlight Options

Face-Framing Highlights

Brightness placed right around the face to lift and warm your complexion.
Money Piece

Two bolder brightened sections at the front, a modern, high-impact accent.
Crown & Top Highlights

Lightening through the part and crown where sunlight naturally falls.
Partial Balayage

‍ ‍
Hand-painted partial placement for an even softer, grown-in finish. See our balayage page.

Pricing

Partial Highlights: starting at $150

Face-Framing / Money Piece: starting at $90

Toner / Gloss: starting at $60

A Brighter You, One Appointment Away

Book your partial highlights appointment or call (805) 403-5277 for a free consultation.

Book Your Highlighting Appointment

Santa Barbara's Home for Natural, Low-Maintenance Highlights

Looking for partial highlights in Santa Barbara that look natural, not stripey? Matson & Co. is on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, and our color specialists have placed highlights for a client base of more than 20,000 over nearly a decade in business. A great partial is all about placement, and placement is where our experience shows.

Contact: 805.403.5277

Email: info@matsonandco.com

Where Our Highlighting Clients Come From

Santa Barbara

Our home turf. From Funk Zone creatives to State Street professionals, locals trust us for highlights that look gorgeous in every light.

Montecito

Polished, refined highlights that complement the Montecito lifestyle. See our Montecito page.

Summerland & Carpinteria

Sun-kissed, low-maintenance highlights for beach-town living. See our Carpinteria page.

Goleta

A quick drive down the 101 for expert blonde. See our Goleta page.

Santa Ynez

Worth the drive over the pass for expert blonding. See our Santa Ynez page.

San Luis Obispo

SLO clients make the scenic 101 trip for highlights done right.

Book a Free Consult

Partial Highlights Questions, Answered

Partial highlights brighten the top and sides of your hair, around the face and crown, for a natural refresh with less time and cost. Full highlights cover the entire head, root to tip, including the back and underneath, for all-over brightness and a bigger transformation.
Balayage is freehand, hand-painted, for a softer, graduated transition. Foil highlights isolate strands in foil for more precise, uniform lift. Both are beautiful; Jeff often combines them for the most natural, dimensional result.
Pricing depends on the technique, your hair length, and density. We provide a custom quote at your consultation so you know exactly what to expect before we begin.
Most clients come in every 8 to 12 weeks. Balayage and dimensional blonding last longer because the grow-out is designed to be seamless. Your stylist will recommend a schedule.
Yes, but it is a journey, not a single-session miracle. Jeff specializes in gradually lifting darker hair to a beautiful blonde while protecting its integrity, and will map a realistic timeline at your consultation.
We do. Subtle, well-placed highlights add dimension and a natural, youthful look to men's hair. Jeff and the team have extensive experience with men's blonding.
Toner is a semi-permanent treatment applied after highlights to neutralize brassiness and perfect your shade. At Matson & Co. toning is standard with every highlighting service.
Any lightening involves some processing, but we prioritize hair health, use professional-grade products, monitor timing, and tailor every formula to your hair's condition. Most clients are surprised how healthy their hair feels afterward.
Your stylist will recommend color safe shampoo and conditioner, along with any treatments that benefit your specific hair type. Avoiding excessive heat, using UV protection, and booking regular toning appointments will keep your highlights vibrant and fresh between full sessions.
Come with clean, dry hair that hasn’t been freshly washed that day (a little natural oil actually helps). Bring reference photos of looks you love, and be ready to have an honest conversation about your hair goals. We’ll handle the rest.
We require a credit card on file when you book. We ask for 48 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged the full service price. Highlighting appointments are significant blocks of time reserved just for you, so we appreciate your understanding.

What Our Clients Say

I've lived in LA and NYC where you'll find some of the best hairdressers and colorists on earth. Jeff is not only their rival in haircutting talent and quality, his color is out of this world too. Matson & Co is my secret.

Sadie Nardini, Google review
This place is top-notch! It's a beautiful space with beautiful people and when I get done there I'm looking beautiful! I highly recommend Matson and Co.!

Nicholas Araza, Google review
Jeff and Ariel are both amazing. I am a middle aged woman with a pixie cut and constantly I get compliments on my hair.

Aria Bercovich Google review