Robert James Color

I am writing to strongly recommend Robert James Color as one of the best salon.
Robert is combination of skill, experience and intuition is exactly what I had been looking for in a hair styler. Additionally, his professional ethics are superb.
I truly would not trust my hair highlight to anyone else, and I recommend him to anyone seeking a competent, trustworthy hair styler.

I have been coming to Robert for years — even though I moved to Pleasanton and now Los Gatos. I just can’t part with Robert because he is that good. I love my blonde highlights and the color always transitions beautifully as it grows out.
Thank you Robert for my gorgeous color and thank you Maggie for taking such great care of me while I’m at the salon.
You guys are the best!
Sunny

Hair looks AMAZING! From frizzy and fuzzy to smooth and silky. I went to Maggie after having a bad experience with a previous Brazilian Blowout (see my other post). This salon is listed on the Brazilian Blowout website, so I knew that the person doing it would be properly trained in how to apply the product and was willing to pay full price for it (Maggie charges $ 350 for the Blowout, which is standard for SF).
The first time Maggie did the Blowout, for some reason it didn’t «take», which was a bummer because Maggie meticulously applied the treatment and flat ironed my hair, not to mention this is not a cheap service. Having done the treatment for years I know what it looks like when it works. Thankfully, I had bought the BB shampoo, conditioner, and treatment from Maggie so we knew it wasn’t that (side note… buy the products! It’s not the stylist upselling you. They actually make the BB last longer).
Customer service is INCREDIBLE! I called about two weeks after the initial treatment to let Robert and Maggie know it didn’t work. They graciously and gladly offered to redo it for free. It’s hard to find stylists who stand by their work and are so pleasant about it! Maggie redid the treatment (again, very meticulous) and after 30 days it still looks soft, silky, and frizz-​free. SO HAPPY with the results! Thank you for the great customer service, Maggie and Robert!

Robert is amazing and his new employee Ariana is great! Salon is relaxing and pleasant. Music is perfect! Can’t wait to go again and by the way my last color was perfectly matched.

Maggie is incredible. I’ve been getting my hair done by her for years, and she always gives me EXACTLY what I want. I live in New York now, but still wait until I’m in San Francisco to have Maggie do my hair. She’s attentive, intuitive and knows how to give me what I want even when I’m not the best at knowing how to describe what I want my hair to look like.
The salon is a great environment. It’s trendy and upscale but also comfortable and welcoming.
Make an appointment with Maggie. You’ll be glad you did!

Maggie is the BEST. I’ve been getting my hair done by her for years, and she always gives me EXACTLY what I want. I live in Seattle now, but I still get my hair done by her on trips back to the Bay Area — I can’t bear to try to find someone new. I always leave with healthy, shiny hair, and she does the best color. She’s also doing my hair for my wedding, and I feel completely relaxed about it, because I know that even if the rest of the day goes to hell, I’ll look amazing.
The salon is lovely! It feels upscale, but still super-​comfortable. I cannot recommend more highly!

Finding a good colorist and stylist is a lot like dating. You have to go on a few dates and kiss a few frogs before you find the right ones.
I’ve been coloring my hair for last 26 years, and I’ve been around the block several times in the San Francisco salon world. My goal: redhead. Not eggplant, crimson or Ronald McDonald.
I found Robert on a complete fluke when he was working at Oud. I turned up with my eggplant colored hair that had cost me $ 240 to ruin. I told Robert what I wanted and he delivered. It was perfection.
Fast-​forward to nearly 10+ years later… I’m still with Robert. I will follow him to the ends of the earth. I get so many compliments on my hair. It’s healthy, shiny, natural-​looking, and people are shocked when I occasionally let it slip that I’m a natural ashy blonde. Robert always listens when I want to tweak the color just a tad. I’m never bored and happy every time.
Highly recommend.

Robert always makes my hair look beautiful. Nothing else to say! ;-)

Just had my hair done for the first time at Robert James and I’m in love! He took the time to really look at my hair and explained what would and wouldn’t work as well as what went wrong with previous color. Colorists often have their own ideas of what they want to do and often times their vision doesn’t match mine. Not here! He executed it perfectly and we’re still working towards a different long term goal. Maggie, his assistant, was great too! Definitely going back!

I’ve never written a Unilocal review before, but Robert James Color converted me.
I made a 15-​minute consultation appointment with RJC because I wanted to do something new with my hair. I decided to splurge and use Unilocal to find one of the best colorists in the city, so they would know what to do with my hair that’s been dyed before and might need some correction or special treatment.
I found RJC on Unilocal,and it looked as if he was good, although there were a few reviews about rudeness. I figured they were just flukes and made the consultation appointment anyway. It seemed like he was good with highlights, and he did balayage, which is what I was interested in getting done.
I arrived a couple of minutes before my appointment, and although I was one of three people in a quiet room, I was completely ignored for the entire 15 minutes of my 15-​minute consultation. I sat next to Robert without even knowing it was him for the entire 15 minutes before I finally mentioned that I had a class to get to, at which point I was made to feel rude for mentioning that the entire appointment had gone by and no one had addressed me. The guy I had the appointment with was standing right next to me, and he didn’t even acknowledge I was there. So weird!
Then, when he finally came over, I was patronized, talked over and made to feel stupid for asking legitimate questions about hair I’ve been having dyed for 20 years. I was barked at, challenged, told I was wrong and showed photos of nightmare dye jobs gone wrong. I was told I couldn’t get anywhere close to the inspiration photos I’d brought in. I was told I would have to grow my hair out completely before anything could be done to take it lighter, which, because my hair is below my shoulders, would probably take at least a year.
Okay, I allowed, he knew more than I did about color. If there really was nothing Robert James could do to lighten my hair, I asked, could he just let me know what he’d recommend? I wanted it to be a little more like my natural color. Was there anything he could do to get the red out, for example? What about a toner? If we couldn’t go lighter, what did he suggest? He was the expert, after all.
More barking, more telling me I didn’t know what I was talking about. He even at one point said «This is not an appointment for me to educate you about color.» I was really, really shocked. Then, what is it, I thought; then what is a consultation? I sat quietly, completely dumbfounded.
I was at my wit’s end. I finally just said, «Well, is there anything you can do for me? I figured I’d give him some opportunity to provide a service, to get my business.
More barking. This time louder and with more force. It was so close to my left ear as I sat there, that I had to lean away.
Robert told me I couldn’t get what I wanted, and he gave me no options to get something else that might make me excited about something new and fun for my hair. He gave me no opportunity to give him my business, but it was such a weird and aggressive experience, I wouldn’t have wanted to anyway.
Definitely ruined my day. If I wasn’t so angry when I left, I would’ve burst into tears.
I hope if you go to RJC, you will have a different experience, that this was just an off day for him, but it sounds like it’s happened before. Whew, what a nightmare.

Robert is my jam for color, and Nishat kills it with my cut. And the salon has a good vibe, very clean and easy. I HIGHLY remommend this place to anyone who loves their hair :)

Five years on, and I couldn’t be happier with my hair. Robert’s new place in Union Square is beautifully upscale, but he and his staff still have the same down-​to-​earth attitude. Going to get my hair done is a treat. Thanks Robert! (and don’t EVER leave SF!!!)

If you are looking for a top-​of-​line haircut from an amazingly nice gal, YOU MUST BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH NISHAT!
I moved to San Francisco about two years ago, and I *dreaded* the hunt for a new hairstylist. You know the drill, you go through some ‘so-​so’ haircuts that you have to let grow out for 6 – 8 weeks before you can try a new person, and maybe you’ll find someone within the first year. Well, I HIT THE JACKPOT by finding Nishat right off the bat. One thing I learned quickly is that she stays completely up-​to-​date on all of the latest hair fashions and styling techniques. It’s so great to know that your hairstylist is ‘in-​the-​know’ and is really invested in what she does. More importantly, Nishat is incredibly attentive when you’re trying to explain what you want, and she always makes sure to ask questions to make sure she is getting every angle of your hair exactly the way you want it.
I have a short bob with bangs that are squarely angled at the ends, and Nishat takes great care and time to make sure it looks PERFECT every time! I’ve brought pictures to other stylists in the past, asking them to replicate a certain haircut, and no one has ever quite hit the mark. But I brought a picture of Louise Brooks to Nishat last December, and she replicated the haircut on me TO A T. I was so thrilled, and since then, I feel like a million bucks every time I leave from a haircut!
To top it all off, Nishat is incredibly nice and super fun to talk to. She’s also the only stylist at RJC that does both cut and color, and you’ll absolutely be getting quality work done on both fronts with her. And to top all of THAT off, RJC has ‘happy hours’ on Fridays where you get complimentary champagne with your cut or color. Um, booze with a fabulous haircut??? WINS ALL AROUND!

Nishat is an amazing stylist! Very knowledgeable and she is always accommodating and takes her time to do a superb job every time. I feel so lucky to have found her and my hair has never looked so good. She is also so sweet and friendly and makes getting a haircut something to look forward to. Thank you Nishat!

About a year ago, I chopped off about 12 inches of hair and have been wearing my hair in a short bob ever since. Trouble is, my hair stylist disappeared from my usual salon about 6 months ago… no note. Just left :-(And finding someone who knows what to do with the shorter styles ain’t easy. A friend of mine referred me to Dani, and lo and behold, girl’s got game!!! I told her what I wanted, and presto: done! What I really love about Dani is that she is a perfectionist. You can really tell that she is passionate about what she does, and you can be confident that you will never leave her chair looking any less than FANTASTIC. For all you ladies with short, asymmetrical, choppy or all around less conventional ‘dos, look no further! Dani’s got you!

Keller is fantastic. Very stressful personal issues made me show up twenty-​five minutes late to my appointment as well as have to take three different phone calls while she was working on my hair. She was patient, friendly and accommodating the entire time and very easy to talk to. Everyone in the salon was super pleasant despite my obvious rudeness and last minute necessity to pay by personal check.
Even better, my hair, which had been the victim of an unfortunate blonde job back in november, is on its way back to looking natural and low maintenance. We discussed what had gone wrong with my hair, and what I wanted from it going forward. She mixed up a gorgeous blend of colors to bring back dimension to my hair and I’ve already got my next appointment booked for there months from now!
Basically: super friendly + super talented = super likely to make a long term customer out of me.

I’m very difficult to please when it comes to my long red hair, and I’ve spent years bouncing from salon to salon, most of the time slinking out of the chair nearly in tears. I’ve had a hell of time finding someone who can enhance the color without it ending up bright orange or jolly rancher red. I had just about given up when I first saw Robert. He took the time to talk discuss options, and I felt very confident he knew what he was doing. The result? A warm, almost Irish Setter red that is absolutely AMAZING. Every time I leave the salon I’m bombarded with compliments.
Trust me, Robert knows color. If he feels the color the client requests isn’t the best choice for someones complexion, he’ll suggest a tweak. I swear he’s always right. If you’re not sure what’s right for you, you can feel confident that Robert will know exactly what’s the most flattering shade for you. On top of that, he’s got an awesome sense of humor and will make you feel instantly at ease.
The entire staff is great! Both Jason and Debra are awesome — I’ve had bang trims from both, and a great cut from Jason. Keller and Maggie are talented and a pleasure to be around. The salon is spacious, clean and very welcoming, a relaxed environment. On top of that, it’s right across the street from the Stockton Sutter garage. No meter nightmares.
Whether it’s color or cut, Robert James is absolutely the best salon in SF.

I love Keller! I’ve been going to her for my color for years and she knows exactly how to care for my fine hair. As a natural dark blond, she’s taken me from platinum to dark brown and then back to blond when I changed my mind. As much as I pushed to make the change immediately, Keller would only do what was healthy for my hair. Right now I have natural partial highlights and receive many compliments on my color.
Keller is lovely, attentive, and a color perfectionist! The best!
Robert James Color is appropriately priced for the high quality professionals. The convenient Union Square salon is clean, airy, and intimate. Highly recommend if you’re looking to get some color that everyone will covet!

I had my hair done by Robert James and I must say, it was an amazing experience. He’s so friendly and accommodating, and his staff is just as pleasant. The salon is located in an excellent area downtown, so you can show off your glamorous new look after and go shopping. It’s perfect!
This isn’t your corner Super Cuts by any means; you definitely get what you pay for which is fabulous service. I recommend Robert James salon, hands down.

I had to write this review after being SO greatly disappointed. I had read all the rave reviews and looked at Robert’s website and thought this would be money well spent. I came in for consultation on both color and cut before scheduling my apts.
For my color consult with Robert I brought 12 pictures so I could show him what I DID and DID NOT want for my red color. I’ve been the shade I loved previously but couldn’t find someone who was consistent in giving me this color. He looked at these pictures and said that we could match it no problem. My hair was halfway down my back so it was going to run me $ 90 (ouch) but for perfection I was willing to give it a go.
I did my cut consultation with a fellow who I don’t believe is there any more (sad b/​c his cut was the only thing to come out well) we talked about the hair cut and were on the same page :) After we talked about the cut I asked about having my hair done in an up do for a Mad Men Christmas party. He quoted me $ 60 for the type of up do, saying that he would wash and set it for the proper look and hold I wanted. I scheduled that apt. too.
When I came in for my color & cut apt’s I was confident for the results. The receptionist/​assistant was nice enough but kind of passive in her greeting and demeanor. Robert mixed my color and applied some of it and then the assistant took over. That was the last of his interaction with me as he moved onto his next client. After having the color washed out it seemed a bit dark but was going to wait until after it was dry for the final judgment.
My cut went off with out a hitch but as my hair was being dried I really wasn’t happy with the color. I agreed with Robert to give it two days and if when I came back for my up do apt. we could change it.
Two days later I came back for the up do but told Robert that I wasn’t happy with the color, it really was not what I had specified. His response was «well when you come back next time we’ll get it». WTF???
As I sat down to have my up do started I was informed that I wasn’t going to get a wash & set /​c they don’t have a dryer for clients to sit under. SERIOUSLY?! How could you agree to do someones hair a very specific way and then totally change what you agreed upon when you gave them a consultation?
I agreed to let my hair be styled the with the alternative method b/​c I had to be to this event in 2 hours. The entire time my hair is being worked on my stylist and Robert are shit talking other stylists & salons all over San Francisco. Not really professional behavior in front of clients. Even if another salon is crappy, I don’t need to hear that negativity discussed in such a catty high school gossipy manner while I’m trying to get ready for a fun event.
When my hair was done, I was told my style was $ 90!!! I asked why the price had changed after the $ 60 quote and I was told I must have remembered wrong. I had only brought enough cash for the correct price plus tip so that’s all they received.
All in all the only satisfactory service was the hair cut.
I paid $ 90 for color that didn’t turn out correctly & wasn’t corrected.
I was miss quoted on a hairstyling and even then it wasn’t properly executed.
Definitely not the service you expect to receive from someone who’s worked for VOGUE. I feel I was ripped off and will never go back.