Seeking a Hair Stylist

Parent Q&A

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  • Hi there BPN! My mother is graciously in town helping with our new baby and ended up staying longer than expected, thankfully. Unfortunately, she’s now missed her regular BB hair appointment at home. I’m wondering if anyone knows of a highly reputable salon or stylist specializing in Brazilian Blowout treatment for mixed hair? We’d both be interested in east bay or SF salons experienced with fragile not entirely white or black textured hair. Thanks so much in advance!!

    I like Primarosa Salon for keratin treatments and Brazilian Blowouts. The have 2 locations, Hercules and Point Richmond. Hair feels a healthier than before. I don’t have mixed hair but my hair is super thick. 
    https://primorosasalon.com

    Hi! I have fragile (thin) curly hair and go Chris at the Lost Salon in Oakland near the Lake. He does great with my Brazilian blowouts  to http://www.lostsalon.com/chris.html 

  • I'm looking for two different experiences. First I'd like to find someone who can cut and color fine, curly hair well. Any experience with Reflections in El Cerrito or any other good salons?

    Second, my college-age daughter would like an "edgy" haircut for medium length curly hair. I'm hoping to find someone who can create a look that is *both* professional and edgy. There are some great recommendations for 2006, but that's awhile ago.  She would also be willing to travel farther if necessary. Thanks!

    I have been going to Diane at Reflections and she is fantastic.A friend of mine who moved to Benecia still goes to her,as does another woman I met there who moved to Alameda.My daughter who is 27 likes her too.

    I know Reflections and they are good.  I use Diane, but there are younger stylists who are also good.  Can't beat the fees.

    I have recently been using Tery Varela who owns Chroma Salon in Albany on Solano, west of San Pablo. She is wise with color and does fine with my super curly hair. I also find her prices reasonable. 

    Patricia Lewis from La Peluqueria in Berkeley, specializes in curly hair and color..

    I have been her client for years!

    Hi - Gail Hassall at Bellezza Salon in El Cerrito (Fairmount Avenue, across from Fatapple's) is very experienced with curly hair.  Gail has been cutting my hair for 20 plus years.  She is very experienced and reliable.  Although I do no have curly hair, my daughter does (tons of thick curly hair) and Gail has been very helpful to her.  And, Gail, herself, has very curly hair.  She definitely knows how to work with curls!     

  • My kids are older now, and I want to update my style and feel and look better. I have not gotten my hair cut in a very long time. I want something different, but I am not good at figuring out what styles would look good on me. I am a mom in her forties, and I want something that isn't too fussy but I would be willing to spend some time on it in the morning if it was worth it. I am also willing to spend a little more to get something great. 

    I'd suggest Revival barber + beauty on the oakland/Berkeley border at Adeline, or Marquee on 40th in oakland. There are several stylists at both that are terrific, and for my 40s self as well as several other friends, the styles & color we are given by these two spots have become integral to our comfortable self image. Sounds a little vain when I put it like that, but after becoming a mom, feeling easy in my body really goes a long way. 

    You could try getting a 'Jehrcut'. Jehr Schiavo is an itinerant hair stylist/artist who comes to San Francisco every couple months (he also cuts hair in LA, NYC, Paris, Rome, Bangkok...). His approach to a haircut is 'no-nonsense' to the extreme: there's no shampoo, styling, blow-drying or color involved. Just your dry hair and his magic scissors. But you can be 99.99% sure this will be the best hair cut you've ever had. He cuts your hair so that you do not have to style it (yay for saving precious time in the morning!!) and he knows how to cut it so that it won't look terrible after a month when it grows out. He embraces the natural properties of your hair and will cut it so that you do not need to alter it in any way for it to look amazing. You might think he is pricey (~$300+ per cut), but if you factor in that you don't need more than 2-3 visits per year and will no longer pay exorbitant prices for color or other hair-killing alterations (highlights, balayage, what-have-you), this is actually a good deal. However, if you love the regular pampering of a salon and do not mind the damage your hair sustains in the process, then for sure this recommendation isn't for you. 

    Hi,

    I have been going to Karen Jones at New Florence salon for years. I'm totally clueless when it comes to hair and can't do anything with my hair. She always gives me a great hair cut that looks great when I blow dry it and looks good when I just let it dry straight out of the shower.

    Good luck!

    Kim

    Anjela Norsworthy at New Florence salon in Emeryville! SO great.  Fresh & modern, but not fussy and need to spend alotta time on hair.  Seriously, she's great.

    :)

    Darren David is terrific--I first went to him in much your situation, wanting a change, and I've been going for 15 years now. He is at Salon Camilla on Solano Ave just west of San Pablo. Very creative and meticulous. 524-8121.

    I HIGHLY recommend Lupe Muller at Hair Solano! She's got a great approach & does a fantastic job.

    I walked into Nanci's salon Head Room Productions https://www.yelp.com/biz/head-room-productions-emeryville-2 by accident, but I've been so grateful I found her. She's very down to earth, but also has given me CONSISTENTLY the most amazing haircuts that last (perhaps to her dismay, since I extend my time between haircuts). I also trust her to pretty much do anything to my hair -- she's thoughtful and willing to be direct and honest. Plus she's fun to spend time with, unlike many of other hair stylists I've seen over the years. I'm currently living away from the Bay Area, and I have pretty much decided not to cut my hair until I can see her again.

    Tell her Sam sent you. Hope she's a good fit for you!

    hi, for the past several years i have gone to Lynn Johnson of Studio One on Piedmont Avenue for haircut (and color). I think she's awesome. She runs her own shop (just her) and is very skilled and reliable. I appreciate that she frequently goes to 'hair shows' to learn new techniques, stay updated, etc. Plus she is fun to talk to!

    I recommend Sunny at the Claremont Hotel, now called the Fairmont Spa. She has been cutting my hair for over 10 years. She is very good at using your face shape and personal style to determine what would be best. Wear an outfit that you love that is a good example of your personal style, where the inner you is reflected well in the outer you. She can also do color. I personally don't care for the Claremont Spa or even the other stylists but Sunny is a rare find! Good luck! 

    Susie Geda- 290-5325. She is wonderful, stylish and does amazing cuts. 

    There's a great little salon on Solano Ave called Modena. It's a very comfortable spot and the stylists are great. Try Kim or Stephanie both are great and they'll definitely help you find a style that's suitable. I'm always happy with hair and feel so relaxed after my appointment. 

    Melanie Shapiro does amazing cuts. She runs her own salon, Charm School, in Emeryville. http://www.charmschoolsalon.com/

    I go to Kay Joyce at KayDoesHair on Piedmont. She has a way to bring your hair up-to-date while making it easier to care for. When I've been in, most of her clients appear to be middle aged women. She is the only one in her charming shop. She's a lovely person, too, and her chirpy British accent doesn't hurt! 415-420-5400. Good luck! Sarah

    It sounds like you're looking for Megan Kelley! She can definitely take the lead in showing you options and offering suggestions. The first time I went to Megan, we spent a while looking at photos on her iPad and talking about which ones I liked and how different styles would actually come out on me. And then she seems to have an amazing ability to look at hair, see how it naturally wants to twist and fall, and cut accordingly. I don't want to spend time on my hair and she makes it look good without styling. She's at Dandelion Salon in Rockridge.