Introduction

There is a real difference between a basic color job and a head‑turning color change that looks expensive, grows out softly, and keeps hair feeling silky. People often search for phrases like best hair colorist, master colorist Martin Rodriguez, or Ooh La La Salon Spa Fountain Valley, CA because they want that difference to show up on their head, not just on a mood board. I live for that moment when the cape comes off and the smile says it all.

I’m Martin Rodriguez, a master colorist with 40+ years behind the chair at Ooh La La Salon Spa in Fountain Valley, CA. I specialize in color correction, blonde work from dark hair, dimensional balayage, and precision hair cutting and coloring that supports the color. I serve one client at a time, never hand your hair off to an assistant, and explain every step so you feel calm and confident.

I blend science and art on purpose. From my Purity of Tone approach and custom formulas to the balayage tools I invented called the ColourWand, I bring deep knowledge and steady hands to every appointment. If you have had a rough experience elsewhere, I meant it when I said, “Don’t be afraid to call me even if you have been cheating with another Hairstylist. Unlike your husband or boyfriend, I’ll always take you back.” Read on to see how experience, honest guidance, and careful application can move your hair from stressful to stunning, and how to book at Ooh La La Salon Spa in Fountain Valley, CA.

Key Takeaways

• I have 40+ years as a master colorist focused on custom color, blonding from dark hair, and precision cutting. I handle one client at a time so your hair gets my full attention. Every formula and placement is made for your head of hair.
• Color correction is my specialty, from banding and brass to box dye and breakage. I follow a methodical plan that protects hair health while moving you closer to your goal. A clear consultation sets expectations before we begin.
• My philosophy blends science and art for clear, clean tones that flatter skin and bone structure. I use professional systems and careful developer choices to protect your strands. Healthy hair always comes first.
• I created the ColourWand for balayage and hair painting because standard tools fell short. Better tools plus practiced hands lead to soft blends and graceful grow‑out. Education and careful placement make the difference.
• Your first visit is relaxed and thorough. We talk history, goals, time, and budget so the plan fits your life. I recommend booking on a day with no time limits.
• You can book directly by texting 714‑366‑6964 at Ooh La La Salon Spa in Fountain Valley, CA. Deposits apply to corrections and some treatments. Clear policies keep your visit easy.

What Makes Martin Rodriguez Orange County’s Best Hair Colorist

I am more than a color fan with a brush. I’m an artist who understands hair chemistry and an educator who insists on clean, believable color that lifts your features. My training includes Aveda, Redken, Wella, Paul Mitchell, and Sebastian International, and I’ve served as West‑Coast Regional Artistic Director for Chromastics and as part of the Guru Village team. That education shows up in my chair, where I explain why a certain path serves your hair better than a quick fix.

Over four decades, I’ve earned honors like Best Balayage Colorist of the Year, Best Stylist of the Year, the Latino Hairdresser’s Award, and City Beat News Service Excellence. I also won the Fountain Valley Small Business Excellence Award, which means as much to me as any trophy because it reflects steady care for clients in my community. My path as an inventor came from daily work too; I founded the ColourWand to get cleaner blends in balayage when standard tools just didn’t cut it.

My service model is simple and rare: one client at a time, no assistants. When I mix your custom formula, I apply it myself. When I foil, paint, or tone, it’s me. I dry‑cut and refine the shape so the color looks intentional and the grow‑out stays pretty. I start mornings with meditation to bring a calm, focused mind to every appointment, and my martial arts background shows up in my discipline with timing, placement, and clean technique.

“Like an artist’s brush on a rich canvas, the hues of your hair dance with the light.” — Martin Rodriguez

The Martin Rodriguez Philosophy – Where Science Meets Artistry in Hair Color

Hair is a living canvas. It reflects mood, style, and how you want to be seen. My job is to read your hair history, your features, and your goals, then blend chemistry with placement to create color that looks expensive, feels soft, and suits your life.

Four pillars guide my work:

• Custom Formulation: I mix what your hair actually needs based on texture, porosity, starting level, skin tone, and lifestyle. Cookie‑cutter mixes cause stress later.
• Integrity First: Hair health leads every plan, and I will say no to shortcuts that risk breakage.
• Personal Service: I perform every step myself and talk you through what I’m doing.
• The Power of a Great Change: A smart cut and color can make mornings easier and put real confidence in your step.

I love clean, pure tone. I often use Chromastics Pure Tone Color because it helps me get clear, believable shades without extra stuff your hair doesn’t need. Placement matters too. I use precision foiling and balayage to follow bone structure, wake up your haircut, and create movement that looks natural on camera and in person. And yes, I meant it when I said, “Don’t be afraid to call me even if you have been cheating with another Hairstylist. Unlike your husband or boyfriend, I’ll always take you back.” Come as you are; we’ll make a plan that respects your hair and your time.

My Specialized Hair Coloring Services at Ooh La La Salon Spa

I offer a full menu, but my most requested work is fixing color gone wrong, taking brunettes lighter in a smart way, and crafting dimensional blends that grow out gracefully. Every formula is custom, and I pair hair cutting and coloring so the shape and shade work together.

Color Correction – The Fixer of Fails

I’m known as the Fixer of Fails because I take on banding, brass, box dye, breakage, and uneven color with a clear, step‑by‑step plan. We start with a required consultation to review your hair history, test strands if needed, and outline a safe path forward. Most corrections take six hours or more, are billed at $200 per hour, and require a $200 deposit to hold the time. I explain why each step matters and what results are realistic for your hair right now. Getting it right the first time is always easier than a fix, but if you need a rescue, I’ve got you.

Blonde Changes Done Right

Going blonde from dark hair is science, not guesswork. There is no magic in hair coloring. I lift to a light yellow stage, tone with a custom mix to hit the target shade, and finish with treatments that support strength and shine. Whether you want:

• Sun‑kissed
• Ash
• Nordic
• Clean platinum

…we set honest expectations based on your starting point and color history. Dramatic shifts may take more than one visit, but your hair’s health stays at the center the whole way.

Balayage and Hair Painting Mastery

My balayage and hair painting create soft, seamless blends that mimic natural light. I dial in custom gradients and use my ColourWand tools for precise placement. That avoids the stripy look so many clients bring in from elsewhere. Balayage starts at $295 and is ideal for anyone who wants brightness without harsh lines and an easy grow‑out. It pairs beautifully with a smart haircut to frame the face and show off movement.

Understanding Hair Color Chemistry – Why Experience and Knowledge Matter

Every great color change rests on chemistry. When you know how colorants, developers, and pH work inside a strand, you can plan predictable, pretty results while protecting the cuticle. I translate the science so you know why I pick one path over another, and I stay patient when patience is what your hair needs.

The Role of Colorants and Pigments

There are two main types of colorants. Oxidative colorants are tiny at first, slip inside the hair, and form larger color molecules with the developer for long‑lasting change. Direct colorants sit on or near the cuticle and fade faster, but they can be perfect for toning and shine. I pick the type based on your goal, your hair’s condition, and how often you want maintenance. That way the result looks good now and keeps looking good later.

Developers and Why They’re Critical to Hair Health

Developers control lift and deposit:

• 10 volume: gentle, great for deposit and subtle shift.
• 20 volume: blends gray and lifts a bit.
• 30–40 volume: lifts more but raises risk on the wrong hair.

The fastest route is not always the best route. Choosing a developer that is too strong can burn, swell, or weaken the fiber. I read your starting level, past color, porosity, and strength, then choose the lowest volume that gets the job done. That patience pays off with hair that feels good when you leave.

The Supporting Cast – Additives and pH Adjusters

Alkaline agents like ammonia or MEA open the cuticle so color can work. Conditioners, silicones, and botanical extracts help cushion the process and improve feel and shine afterward. Brands differ, which is why professional systems beat box dye in consistency and care. I often reach for Chromastics Pure Tone Color to keep the shade clear without extra additives your hair doesn’t need. Ingredient quality shows up in the mirror and in how the color fades.

Why I Created the ColourWand – Innovation in Balayage Tools

After decades painting hair, I wanted better tools for cleaner blends, softer edges, and faster, more controlled application. Standard brushes were either too floppy or too stiff, and boards didn’t give me the glide I needed. So I designed and hand‑crafted the ColourWand with both square and angled tips to place light exactly where the eye wants it.

The ColourWand lets me sweep color on with featherlight pressure, build gradients that look natural, and avoid hard lines that shout “foil.” The tools are made to last and come with my guarantee because I use them every day. I also teach other colorists how to paint with them, sharing methods with salons and beauty schools so more clients get better results. When you book balayage with me, you’re getting careful hands and custom‑engineered tools working together for that soft, camera‑ready blend.

Your First Appointment – What to Expect When You Book With Me

The first visit is about trust. We talk, I listen, and we build a plan that respects your hair and your time. I perform every step myself, from the consultation and formulation to application, rinse, and styling. No assistants. No handoffs. Just my eyes and hands on your hair from start to finish.

“Hairdressers are a wonderful breed. You work one‑on‑one with another human being, and the objective is to make them feel so much better.” — Vidal Sassoon

Expect a thorough consult where we cover hair history, what you loved or hated before, and your ideal look. First‑time color can take two or more hours, and corrections may run six hours or longer. I strongly suggest booking on a day with no clock pressure so we can do precise work without stress. My goal is that “wow, who’s your colorist?” moment, paired with hair that feels healthy when you touch it.

The Consultation Process and Communication

For certain services, like color correction, a consultation is required. I ask about your color past, chemical services, medications if relevant, and how you style day to day. We discuss tone options that flatter your skin and eyes, the shape of your cut, and a realistic timeline to reach your goal. I explain what will happen and why, including any sacrifices we might make to protect your hair. Clear talk up front builds trust and helps us avoid surprises later.

Booking, Location, and Salon Policies

You can find me at Ooh La La Salon Spa, 18120 Brookhurst Street, Unit 59, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. The fastest way to book is to text me directly at 714‑366‑6964. I see clients Wednesday through Saturday and close on Sunday and Monday. Please give 24 hours’ notice to cancel. A $200 deposit is required for color correction, and deposits apply to organic keratin treatments and some specialty bookings. Come with clean, dry hair unless I advise otherwise, bring inspiration photos, and plan your parking with a few extra minutes for a calm start.

Real Client Makeovers – Stories of Color Correction and Confidence

Every color change has a person behind it. I keep the names private, but the feelings are shared. Relief when banding disappears. Pride when a clean blonde reflects the light. Ease when the shape and shade make styling simple.

A brunette once sat in my chair after a box dye spiral. Her hair had dark bands at the roots and copper mid‑lengths. We mapped a six‑hour correction, lifted slowly, rebuilt tone in stages, and finished with a gloss for shine. She left with healthy, dimensional brown and said it was the first time in months she felt like herself at work.

Another client came in with level‑three hair and a platinum wish. I split the goal into steps, lifting to a safe pale yellow and toning to a cool shade that fit her skin. Over two visits and strong treatments, she reached a clean, icy result that turned heads in the office without that over‑processed feel.

A fashion‑forward guest wanted real balayage after getting stripy highlights elsewhere. I used the ColourWand, painted a custom gradient, and trimmed face‑framing layers so the light landed in all the right places. The blend grew out softly, and three months later it still looked fresh with a quick toner.

I also see clients with fragile, chemically stressed hair. In those cases, we put strength first, work in smaller steps, and choose shine‑boosting tones that flatter without pushing the hair too far. The common feedback I hear is simple and kind: “You listened. You told me the truth. And you gave me hair I love.”

My Complete Service Menu and Pricing at Ooh La La Salon Spa

I believe in clear pricing and premium care. You are paying for my 40+ years of experience, custom formulas, personal application, and a result that looks polished the day you leave and still looks good weeks later.

• Color correction: $200 per hour; consultation required; $200 deposit.
• Balayage: starts at $295.
• Full head highlights with a cut: $325.
• Full head babylights without a cut: $295.
• Hair color touch‑up with a cut: $195.
• Glaze, gloss, and toning: priced after a quick look at your hair’s needs.

Haircuts and treatments:

• Women’s haircuts start at $75 (Wednesday and Friday deal: $75 with scheduling).
• Men’s cuts: $55.
• Kids’ cuts: $45–$75.
• Blowout and style: $85.
• Organic keratin treatments: $300 (deposit required).
• Friday color and trim: $225 when booked.

Every service includes my consultation, custom formulation where needed, personal application, and a polished finish.

Hair Cutting Excellence – Precision Cuts for Every Hair Type

Cut and color should work as a team. A smart shape shows off dimension, frames the face, and makes daily styling faster. Over 40+ years, I’ve refined precision techniques that support movement and keep the cut holding its shape between visits.

For curly hair, I often dry‑cut to respect the curl pattern and build balance curl by curl. I love a clean pixie and modern textured cuts that look effortless but are planned. I always study bone structure, growth patterns, and how you style at home. I cut women, men, and kids with the same attention to detail, and I often include a cut within color packages to give you a complete, camera‑ready finish. Women’s cuts start at $75, men’s at $55, and kids at $45 to $75, with a Wednesday and Friday women’s cut deal at $75 when scheduled.

“A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” — Coco Chanel

Maintaining Your Color – Expert Care Guidance From a Master Colorist

Beautiful color lasts longer with smart at‑home care. I teach simple steps that protect your investment and keep hair feeling soft.

Professional Products and Home Care Routine

• Use professional, pH‑balanced shampoos and conditioners (typically sulfate‑free) to help color stay true and hair feel smooth.
• Wash two to three times a week with lukewarm water; massage the scalp and let suds run through the ends.
• Condition mid‑lengths to ends every wash; rinse well.
• If you wear blonde or silver, rotate in a purple or blue shampoo as directed to keep brass away.
• Add a weekly deep conditioner and a leave‑in with heat and UV protection.
• Buy quality products; they often last longer and keep hair looking like it did when you left my chair.

Touch-Up Timing and Long-Term Color Strategy

Root touch‑ups usually land at four to six weeks. Balayage can stretch to three or four months with a quick gloss in between. Toner refreshes help at four to six weeks to keep tone clean, especially for blondes. Corrective paths may need a few visits six to eight weeks apart to protect strength while moving toward your goal. I plan a color map that fits your calendar and grows out well. Book ahead to hold your ideal time, and ask me about the Friday color and trim at $225 if you like tidy, regular upkeep.

Conclusion

There is ordinary hair color, and then there is a Martin Rodriguez color and cut that looks rich, feels soft, and fits your life. With 40+ years at Ooh La La Salon Spa, I bring a calm, expert hand to big changes, careful corrections, and natural‑looking blends that get compliments without shouting. I serve one client at a time, mix every formula for your hair, and protect hair health at every step.

What sets my work apart is simple. Deep training and awards that reflect long practice. The ColourWand tools I built to paint better. A science‑first approach that keeps your strands strong. And an artist’s eye for tone and placement that flatters your features. If you need a fix from a past miss, want clean blonde from dark hair, or crave a soft, dimensional look, I’m ready to help. As I like to say, “Don’t be afraid to call me even if you have been cheating with another Hairstylist. Unlike your husband or boyfriend, I’ll always take you back.”

Find me at Ooh La La Salon Spa in Fountain Valley, CA. Text 714‑366‑6964 to schedule your consultation, and book on a day without time limits so we can do it right. Deposits apply to color correction and certain treatments. When you want the best hair colorist, master colorist Martin Rodriguez, or Ooh La La Salon Spa Fountain Valley, CA, I’m here with a plan, a smile, and a seat just for you.

FAQs

Question 1: How Long Will My First Appointment With Martin Rodriguez Take?

First‑time color visits typically run two or more hours, depending on your goals and hair history. Color correction can take six hours or more because we move in careful steps to protect hair health. I strongly recommend booking on a day with no time limits so we can work without stress. That time investment lets me plan, place, and finish your color and cut the right way.

Question 2: Why Is Color Correction So Expensive and Time‑Consuming?

Correction means undoing past work, balancing tone, and repairing uneven lift while guarding your hair’s strength. It often involves removal, re‑pigmenting, toning, and several treatments. This is advanced, detail‑heavy work that calls for deep chemistry knowledge and steady hands. I charge $200 per hour for corrections, with a $200 deposit to secure the block of time. In the long run, getting hair colored correctly from the start costs less than a major fix later.

Question 3: What Makes Martin Rodriguez Different From Other Hair Colorists in Orange County?

I bring 40+ years of focused experience as a master colorist and perform every step myself without assistants. My one‑client‑at‑a‑time model gives your hair my full attention. I trained with Aveda, Redken, Wella, Paul Mitchell, and Sebastian, and I developed the ColourWand for better balayage. I take on complex corrections many avoid and base choices on real hair chemistry. Awards and long client relationships reflect steady, high‑level work. Hair health guides every plan.

Question 4: Can Martin Really Fix My Hair Color Disaster From Another Salon?

Yes. I specialize in correction and call myself the Fixer of Fails for a reason. I’ve seen banding, brass, box dye, breakage, and patchy color, and I approach each case with a custom plan. We start with a consultation to assess your hair and map a safe route. I give honest talk about what’s possible and how long it will take. Many clients find me after a tough visit elsewhere, and we move forward together.

Question 5: How Do I Book an Appointment at Ooh La La Salon Spa With Martin?

Text me directly at 714‑366‑6964 to schedule or ask questions. I’m available Wednesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Please give 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel. A $200 deposit is required for color correction and some specialty services. For major changes, a consultation may be needed before booking your session.

Question 6: Will Blonde Hair Coloring Damage My Dark Hair?

When done by an experienced colorist, going lighter from dark hair can be done with care. I plan the lift in stages, choose the right developer, and follow with strong treatments. Big shifts like platinum may take more than one visit to keep your hair strong. During the consult, I set clear expectations based on your starting level and past color. Hair health leads the plan, always.