Diesel Salon Culture: Inspire and Educate

I watched Moulin Rouge last weekend when I was stricken with strep and stuck to the couch with a bowl of Pho and a box of Kleenex. Normally I can’t stand movie musicals, but large amounts of antibiotics make me do things that are less than usual.

For some reason, I’ve always loved the scene where Nicole Kidman is dangling from the ceiling on a swing, crooning to the drooling, foolish men below how diamonds are a girl’s best friend. She gets me almost every time on that one-liner too...

Here’s the real deal: Mrs. Kidman lied to you. The truth is that your hair is your one and only best friend. Trust me, I of all people should know considering that the faux tresses stitched to my cranium are the result of my last hairdresser deciding to go scissor-happy on me. Diamonds may sparkle and make you feel like a princess, but having the look of Mr. Clean is not in fashion this season, or any season.

Any beauty aficionado knows that San Diego is home to a myriad of acclaimed hair salons ranging from funky and eccentric to elegant and awe-inspiring. But riddle me this: what does it really take behind the scenes to be a top-notch salon? You can put a pair of scissors and a tube of hair dye into anyone’s hands. However, it takes a polished expert to know how to blend the two and make a masterpiece.

This week I sat down with Candice Bucket, owner of the très chic Diesel Salon, to get the inside scoop on what sets their crew apart from the many salons of San Diego.

Nestled on the corner of Adams Avenue and Biona Drive in the quaint neighborhood of Kensington, Diesel Salon is anything but typical of the stereotype of its surroundings. Boasting audacious shades of chartreuse, red and dark gray paired with worn brick walls and Craftsman toolboxes, this edgy salon is far from the realm of ordinary.

Besides, how un-fun is ordinary anyways?

“We have an entirely different kind of philosophy here at Diesel,” says Candice. “We thrive on inspiration and take pride in the fact that we are constantly evolving to keep up with the latest trends.”

From a 16-week mandatory education schedule for the year to continuous classes taught by world-renowned stylists from L’Oreal and Bumble & Bumble, it’s easy to see that stagnancy is not an element likely to be found at Diesel. And the salon’s tenacity doesn’t end there. Just recently, Diesel was chosen by L’Oreal to feature their technological breakthrough, the INOA color system. The first salon in all of San Diego to carry this contemporary and innovative product, INOA is the first non-ammonia permanent color to hit the shelves and won’t be available to other salons until mid-May.

But everyone knows that the outward glamour stems from hard work and dedication. Candice believes that what truly makes Diesel unique is the amount of time and money that is invested into education. For starters, Diesel boasts a year-long Assistant Program to teach stylists straight out of beauty school the ropes of the hair world. For 12 months, assistants will go through five different phases from the basics of shampooing “the Diesel way” to highlighting and freestyling.

“A lot of salons don’t offer this kind of opportunity to their stylists, but it’s our culture,” says Candice. “We hold the mentality that there is always more to learn from each other.”

But if you think that the training ends there, you are sorely mistaken my friends. All stylists at Diesel take part in mandatory continuing education so you can rest assured that your hairstyle won’t be straight from the pages of ‘98 issue of Vogue. After all, with the slogan at Diesel being “Art With Boundaries”, you’re guaranteed to get a fashion-forward hairstyle to fit your persona. Although Diesel is far from the funky salon preaching shaved heads and A-symmetrical haircuts, their meticulously selected staff of stylists is far beyond talented and ready for anything.

“We draw our creativity and inspiration from everywhere: nature, shapes, the runway, you name it,” says Candice. “Imagination and originality is key in this industry because it’s what sets you apart. We take complete and total pride in our work because it’s not creating a simple hairstyle, it’s having a vision to create a masterpiece.”

It’s no wonder you see this inspired hair salon showing off stylist skills at San Diego lifestyle events every month. Check out the Diesel Blog to stay up to speed on where you can find the Diesel style team around town.

Diesel Salon offers Hair Color, Cuts and Styling, with services ranging from Full Highlights to Women’s and Men’s Razor Cuts, Hair Extensions, Deep Conditioning, Brazilian Blowouts, Yuko, Up-Do’s and more. Prices start at $30 for Men’s Scissor Cuts and $40 for Women’s Scissor Cuts and more elaborate services extend to $100 for Full Highlights and free consultation based customized quotes for Extensions, Yuko and Relaxers. Diesel is open 9am – 9pm Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 6pm on Saturdays and closed Sundays and Mondays.

For a modern hair haven with an alternative edge and extra emphasis on education and inspiration, check out Diesel Salon. To make an appointment please call 619.280.9611, or visit Diesel Salon directly to get listed online.

Discover more San Diego style tips and trends in our local beauty blog.