Twist Salon

Went back for my second Deva cut at Twist, this time with DJ. He worked magic on my hair! He explained the Deva method patiently step by step and took great care to give me a perfect haircut. DJ spent tons of time teaching me how to style my curls myself. He is definitely an expert on curls and I trusted him completely with my hair. Very nice guy as well. Highly recommend!

My first experience with Twist Salon and a Devacut was fantastic! My professional stylist, Erin, was amazing. I love the atmosphere and most of all the overall caring of the guest; the offering of a drink, changing into a robe, scalp massage and most importantly listening to when I needed/​wanted. After years of heat and color damage to my full head of curls I really wanted to experience a devacut that would be the kick start to me rocking a natural style. In the past I would have been fearful to do more than just a trim but today I wanted to do what it took to have a beautiful and healthy head of hair. Erin, wanted me to keep my lenght while keeping my hair healthy so rather than doing a drastic chop, she took the time to precisely take off unhealthy strands where needed. Usually after I’ve finished at other salons there’s something I’m not 100% content with but not today, I LOVED it and within hours after my service a few strangers on the street even complimented my hair. Thanks a bunch Erin and see you again soon!

The girl Aubry at twist salon us excellent. If you need a person that can do some curly hair go see Aubry she’s the best.

Need to pamper yourself and remind yourself how to embrace your curls.
The Deva cut is the perfect way.
I had a great experience today, with Erin.
She made thoughtful cuts and explained every step of washing and styling to get the softest curl.

This is a long review (reading the first two paragraphs is enough if you just want the gist of it). It is a tough review to write since Erin was overall a very nice person and she insisted on giving me my money back, but I’m not going to hold back because she did not give me a Devachan «curly haircut», though that’s what was promised by her and this salon. I’ve had about a decade of Deva cuts and I don’t want others who expect a true Deva «curly cut» to have the experience I just had with Erin. Erin did not cut just «3 curls at a time» as Tami, the owner, who wasn’t there to view Erin’s technique, claims below. No, Erin cut full ½ sections repeatedly, using the same traditional cutting technique used for straight hair, where dense sections of hair are cut all at one time, rather than mostly cutting individual curls (or even just Tami’s alleged «3 curls at a time» lol). I thought once Erin re-​wet my hair and dried it after the initial cut, she’d start working with individual curls the Deva way, but instead she kept cutting in dense swaths. The effect of that became obvious as the shape looked bulky and still way longer than I’d asked it to be, w/​the antithesis of the shape I’d asked for, and the infamous round-​the-​head «shelf» of hair. It was also uneven in back (which another stylist elsewhere confirmed), but Erin denied it. I have hair like the reviewer «Emily S», whose hair Erin cut. But Emily’s pic shows a conservative cut w/​few if any layers compared to what I’d asked for.
I showed Erin pics of the style I wanted just beforehand, and described it carefully. I have a cosmetology degree (didn’t tell her that) and unfortunately, what I got was bulky and looked nothing like the photos, including the one I left out for her to look at. I hate that this review is going to be longer, w/​more complaints, but I only realized just how wrong everything went once I left the shop. If you want to stop reading here, just know as a curly customer that a true «Deva» curly cut, which Twist Salon claims to practice, is basically a curl-​by-​curl cut, not a standard straight-​haired cut where you hold the hair up in solid ½ inch sections and cut. When you have curly hair and see any stylist mostly just lifting your hair to cut it in this way, just know it’s NOT a technique that Devachan teaches and if you stay seated in that stylist’s chair, you do it at your own risk. …
There were some signs I should have left early on that I didn’t heed because Erin was so nice and I was unusually trusting that day. She really didn’t listen carefully to my clear instructions for the cut or the wash. I had told her I’d washed my hair the day before and only needed a conditioner rinse w/​some product I brought in (which they had in the shop). I also told her I don’t care for the Deva product line, except for that one I brought w/​me. But still, as I sat down at the basin she placed a Deva «no poo» shampoo in my hair to wash it anyway, before I had time to stop her. She then proceeded to add two other Deva products to my hair. I didn’t fight it at that point. Was just looking forward to the finishing cut. She wanted to put a fourth product in (the Deva gel) at the end, which I declined.
Unfortunately, when she went to re-​cut it, she went right back to the straight-​hair method, cutting it mostly in sections/​chunks, when it should have been mostly or all single curls. I kept anticipating a time when she would refine the cut but that never happened. She kept fluffing sections of my hair out as she cut, disrupting the curls and creating frizz. She was treating it like it was straight or wavy. Finally she was «done». Among other things, I pointed out the shortest layer (in the crown) was supposed to be much higher, and presented the older haircut of me w/​short layers in the crown that I’d already shown her as a guide when I first sat down. She said, «That’s not possible with your hair. It won’t look right.» MInd … blown. I’d already shown her a pic of my hair where it had (tastefully) been done by a Deva stylist. So she’d just observed a pic of my hair w/​short layers in the crown that she was now saying was impossible lol. She advised me to wash and style it again on my own (have already done that) and contact her again (maybe for a touch up?). A nice gesture but using her as a stylist wouldn’t be in my best interest at this point.
Even after we both knew I wasn’t happy w/​my cut, I still left her a few bucks I’d already had on me because she had spent so much time on my hair (I have a lot of it). To be fair, she insisted I keep the rest of my money. I told her it wasn’t a total «botch» job, but that it wasn’t at all what I wanted. But after visiting another salon later that day, I realized it was a botch, w/​the one saving grace being she didn’t take off way too much hair.

Last time I was at this salon I was sorely disappointed. I had a root touch up and when I checked out it cost the same as the overall color! Also, I asked for two to three inches off and the owner Tami refused and only cut one inch off. I will not be returning! Very disappointed!

Aubrey is a complete doll, she gave my daughter a beautiful deva cut and I was so happy with the results!
Side note: We waited a couple minutes while she finished up a client which hair she dyed GREY AND IT WAS AWESOME! The color was great!
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This salon is very clean and Aubrey was very friendly even when my 1 yr old was running around the salon she knew exactly what she was doing, my daughters curls were lifeless prior to the visit and when she was done I was amazed !
I plan on coming regularly for myself and my daughter

Thank you Erin! I was pretty jittery because I have never had great experiences getting my curly hair cut or trimmed. But I was excited because of all of the wonderful reviews for Twist, and everyone is right! The salon feels open and relaxing. I wanted help with layers /​giving shape to my hair, and I wanted bangs. I wanted all of these things, and to keep my length on top of that. Erin listened, gave great advice, and was open to my comments throughout the process. She was so kind and a joy to work with. I’m thrilled with my haircut, so glad I came here!

Love this place! DJ and Aubrey are great! The Deva cut has really made a difference in my hair.

I must have tried 20 hair salons in SF before I found Tami Quan and now she is the only person I will let touch my hair. I followed her from a salon in SF to her terrific salon in Alameda. My friends think I’m crazy for going across the bridge for a haircut (and organic color!) but unless you have curly hair and know Tami, you just can’t understand. Just because someone is trained in the Deva cut and products does not mean they understand curly hair. She is simply amazing. The only downside: she books up quick so book early and often!

Finally a place that truly knows how to cut curly hair. This is the haircut I have been looking for for years! Erin cut my hair and was patient and explained the Deva process and showed me just how I could do the style myself — which I am happy to say I can! No more fighting the curls. They take their time to carefully cut their hair.
I traveled 25+ miles and will again.
The environment is clean and trendy.

DJ is the best stylist ! I have been a client of his for over 13 years, and now I travel all the way from Oregon just to have him cut/​highlight my hair. I have tried many other stylists, but they don’t even compare. He is a perfectionist and always makes my hair look great!

Had a great experience and an awesome deva cut from DJ. I’ve had a deva cut before and was sold a crap load of deva hair products that I threw away as I wasn’t explained how to use them properly. There is method to the madness with curly hair styling. I walked in with bulky shapeless curls and walked out with perfectly shaped bouncy curls! DJ talked me through step by step a he applied products and reshaped my curls. As for the cut, he did exactly as I asked and removed bulk and reshaped by tortured hair (I have thoroughly abused my hair with a flat iron.)
My experience with DJ was 5 Stars! However, the front counter was about a 3. I was attempting to purchase some products and had a bad experience. There was a customer in a chair trying to make up her mind about scheduling several future appointments. She told the girl at the counter to help me as she was still deciding. The girl didn’t look up or say a word to me and continued to let me wait for what’re felt like 10 minutes as the woman looked as her calendar attempting to make several appointments all while being unsure of upcoming vacation plans. I left the products on the counter an walked out.
Highly recommend a DEVA cut with DJ! He is very talented!

Curly girls, run, do not walk to see Tami!
My hair was curly as a kid, went straight right before puberty and then decided to get progressively curlier as I went through menopause.
I was almost embarrassed to walk in for my appointment because my hair looked like such crap. I had been getting it cut by someone who is a good stylist, but she has straight hair and that’s what she mostly cuts — straight hair.
She had been «cutting in» to my hair instead of cutting blunt edges. The result — frizz, and waves in places.
Plus, I had no idea how to use products (and I was using three or four!).
Tami cut my hair, showed me how to use products and which products to use. So, I’m one of those people who walked out of there with a ton of stuff (shampoo, conditioner, gel, spray gel, etc.) but now I know what to do and my formerly frizzy hair is curly and glorious!
Seriously, I cried when I saw it — it was that awesomely wonderful! I had ringlets! The Deva cut is pricey, but so totally worth it.

So professional.
Great service, highly skilled staff, beautiful salon space. I love my curls now whereas I was always fighting against the natural wave before I found someone who understood my hair AND who could help me understand my hair.
They are great with client education. The products are great. Always a positive experience there. Both Tami and Aubrey have helped me out.

I wanted to say a special thank you to DJ for taking the time and care while doing my hair. The outcome really shows your true talent. I’m very pleased with my Ombré color and Deva Curl Cut. Another pleasant visit with a very gifted hair stylist. You just can’t go wrong choosing Twist Salon.

I have never known what to do with my curly, fine, prone-​to-​frizz hair. It’s been a hot mess ever since I can remember. Usually I’d just straighten it but over time it just became dry, and then I just gave up and it has been held hostage by a scrunchy for the last two years. I’ve had only two good curly cuts in my life, (and I never figured out how to make it look the stylist did the next day!) and the rest just left my hair looking poodled up, so stylists would opt for straightening.
But I decided to give it another try and just took a chance when I read the reviews about Twist. I didn’t choose a stylist as I figured the owner and salon’s write-​ups pride themselves in curly hair cuts so I hoped that the stylists the owner hires (that do the Deva cuts) would have the expertise that is needed. So I took a chance and just booked a time that worked best for my schedule. DJ was who I booked with. This was the VERY best hair cut and curl education I have ever had! He had a sweet, endearing, funny disposition. He made sure to give me step by step instructions — even how to deal with hair the next morning (that dreaded bed head for some of us curly headed nightmares). This morning I followed his tips and I was able to get rid of bed head and bring my curls alive with definition again. It looks great.
The education process was extremely important — I learned so many things I wish I had known 20 plus years ago! So many great tips and tricks that you do during the wash, after the wash, and during the dry, after the dry and next day maintenance. It’s not that hard at all, not a lot of extra time (I don’t have a lot of time) — it’s just getting into the routine of knowing and it becoming second nature. It’s very much worth it!
I received compliments right away, but especially from my husband and also from my best friend, and BOTH always tell the honest truth. If it sucked, they’d respectfully tell me it’s not their favorite or something like that. So I know their compliments were genuine. They couldn’t believe that my hair hadn’t been curled up with a curling iron and that is was all natural.
Anyway — I know this was long. But I am very happy.

I moved to the Bay Area about a year ago, and I have been totally missing my Deva stylist from back home! I was sooooo excited to see that Twist specializes in Deva cuts, a style of cutting and working with curly people of all magnitudes.
I saw a bunch of positive reviews for Rebecca, so I made an appt. for myself and my VERY curly wife. The Salon is small, but sweet. They offer beverages, and do what they can to make you feel at home.
Rebecca took plenty of time with both of us, making sure she did just what we asked. I also found a kindred soul in this health conscious gardner.
Needless to say, they don’t have to try too hard to get you to spend a wad of money for the curly-​girl products… they smell and work amazing! LOVED all the ladies at the salon, and I can’t wait to see my wife’s before and after pics they took… yeah, she was that bad. ;)

I am so thrilled I gave Twist a try! The salon is warm, fresh and sophisticated and the staff so welcoming!
I went in for a color change, and was scheduled with Rebecca. She took my damaged, over-​processed mop and turned it into a head full of rich, chestnut tresses. I am so happy with her color choices and application.
I actually can’t wait to return, and it seems their other clients feel the same, as it was a shop full of happiness.

Now following Tami Quan from San Francisco to Alameda! She’s that good and she knows curly hair like no one else I’ve met.
I’ve trusted her advice regarding my curly hair for the last 9 + years. She knows what products it takes to keep the curl, not frizz, in my hair on those foggy San Francisco days.
I love that she uses vegan, organic products on my hair. Good for me, good for the environment and it smells good too.
The new location has plenty of parking and it’s located on a beautiful tree-​lined street with other cute café’s and shopping.
Love the new space!