Sassoon Salon

I have been coming to Sassoon off and on since as a precocious teenager.
Sheepishly I come always with hair that is destroyed by all sorts of abuse. Dried, split, roughed, uneven pieces, missing pieces (casualty of hair being done in a village somewhere).
I returned to the fold last year to have my biannual hair cut after dallying around different salons in different cities. Still with each dalliance I always requested a Sassoon trained stylist.
Sassoon cuts are remarkable: You don’t only look good when you leave but no matter how you style your hair afterwards, and as it grows out, your haircut continues to look good.
They know how to cut hair.
Now, as to the Sutter street salon: You can’t go wrong with any of the top stylists; it is more personality combination. They have two rates the top pros and the young and upcoming Turks.
I had Thomas a young stylist and I adored him. Second time, scheduling, I had a top pro John. John reestablished my hair as part human again and not faux pelt.
Onto hair wash:
If you get a good trainee, you will have a delicious hair washing experience with no drip down your back (as happened many a times at Bloom Blow Dry Bar) and a head massage that tingles to your toes.
Service, however, is uneven. There is a lackadaisical attitude and the receptionist whether answering the phone or when you are greeted, well, you feel as though you are getting an appointment for and checking into an endodontist. The usual beverage coffee, tea no wine.
The space is and has always been a work place feel even back in the glory days when Sassoon dominated the hair salon world with 5000 square feet foot print. No mood lighting or sense you are in a spa.
Hair styling here is serious.
One can never go wrong with a Sassoon cut. It will set you back.

Another rave for Bomi! She’s incredibly meticulous with a great eye for proportion.

You cannot do better than Vidal if you are looking for a custom cut and color. This was my first time at this salon, so I was a little nervous, especially since I had been searching for a stylist for a while and my last 3 – 4 cuts were way off. I had an important interview and Vidal got me in same day for both color and cut. I walked out feeling like a million bucks.
Mia gave me absolutely the best precision cut I’ve ever had. She listened to what I liked and disliked, offered suggestions, explained what she was going to do, and did exactly that. It was perfect. It’s been about a month and it’s growing out nicely. Not weird lines or bulk.
I’m not certain who the colorist was but I doubt one could go wrong with anyone here.
Price was in line with other stylists I’ve had in the east bay and in la who weren’t even working out of bigger name salons. No complaints.
I’m not sure how Vidal is with more basic styles but the people I saw in there have some of the most on point hair I’ve seen. If you want to look polished and put together, but custom tailored for you, I can’t think of a better place to go.
Thanks Vidal Sassoon!

If you have curly hair and want to change your look, stop looking and go see Thomas. He is FANTASTIC. I have been getting my hair cut by Thomas for a year now. He knows what to do with your hair, I’ve been showing him pictures of what I want and he helped me to choose better style that goes better with my face every single time. He listens to what you want, and educates you on your hair. He recommends products that will work for me. I never feel pushed to buy though.
On top of leaving with hair that I love, he is incredibly funny, smart, interesting to talk with.
Nathan did my highlights last time and he is brilliant. He really listens, understands your personality and what you’re looking for. I am very happy with my hair colour. Its super shiny and natural.
Thank you guys! Keep doing what you do!
Go see Thomas, Nathan and Andrew… they are amazing and super creative!

There’s only one reason to go to Sassoon since the place feels tired, like it’s tanking, not like in its prime days and that’s Elizabeth, the Creative Director. Elizabeth is a hair genius! She has cut my hair for many years and is the best stylist ever.

My colorist Andrew is a genius! He was very meticulous and professional. Never had such detail on partial highlights & it turned out really nice! My hairstylist Beatrice is also topnotch. I showed her a photo of what I hoped my hair would look like. She broke my long history of hit-​or-​miss with haircuts. Someone finally got it right! Lol. Awesome experience. Thank you guys!

I was able to book my highlight appointment on super short notice and was lucky enough to get Andrew as my colorist. What a truly AMAZING artist he is! My hair has never looked better! Thank you for your outstanding service! HIGHLY recommended!!!

My review is for Bomi & Nathan, who did a SPECTACULAR job on my haircut & color!
Nathan is the color director at Sassoon. I decided to put color back into my horrendously faded tips, and add a little bit more on top of it!
We decided to go for purple (of course).
He lightened new sections of my hair, and after all the coloring was done and my hair and was washed, I was the purple queen again!
His color expertise is definitely noticed. My hair has the tendency to make dyes much darker than they appear, so the color came out a bit more violet-​blue. But it will fade into a nice bright purple after a couple washes, which is what I want.
Even that night, there were no stains on my clothes, skin, pillow, or bed! The dye really sticks!
The next day, completed my look with a cut by Bomi.
She really took the time during the consultation to really study my hair and understand how it works. She took into account the thickness of my hair (it’s thick), the amount of hair I have (a lot), the courseness (yup), and texture (it’s wavy).
From there, she decided that she’ll honor my request to keep it similar to how I always wear it, but with a new touch of fun to it.
Her cutting precision is at an expert level, and I love the way she works around my head to make even cuts. She then thinned it out at the end and styled it.
My new haircut was light and bouncy, but still has that heavy-​layered look that I adore.
This salon is bright and clean, with many assistants there to help wash your hair. They offer tea, coffee, and water during your time, which is a lovely touch.
Sassoon salon focuses more on geometric cuts. One that needs precise angles or shapes. If you’re looking for that kind of cut, this is the place for you! If you’re just looking to do big bouncy curls, this is probably not it.
Prices here are definitely in the $$$ category. And depending on the person you choose, it could be more. As I studied other salonists, I can vouch that they all do clean and precise cuts with amazing results.

I have been gong here for several years and have always loved my haircuts. I first started seeing Miriam but she moved down to SoCal and now see John.
Prior to coming here, I used to hate getting my hair cut because it always took two weeks to begin to look tolerable, UNTIL I started coming to Vidal Sassoon. Now my hair always looks good, (until I need it cut again).
I’m never leaving.
Truly, if you want a great haircut, this is the place to go.

Beatrice gave me a really cool edgy haircut that I just love. She completely transformed my look and gave me a new style that really suits me. I get compliments on the haircut everyday. I highly recommend her. I live in Austin and really wish a Vidal Sassoon would open here.

Nhi gave me an amazing hair cut last time I visited in February. It’s still going strong and is the perfect shape for the consistency and length of my brown, shoulder-​length, wavy, somewhat fine hair. Sometimes, the Vidal Sassoon photos make you think you need stick-​straight, black hair and an edgy look to get a good cut here, but that is not the case.
Nhi is a thoughtful technician and an artist.
Nhi’s advice regarding the simplest thing — changing the kind of brush and technique I use to blow dry my hair — has made styling my hair so much easier, and has my hair looking so much better! The result has real impact: looking good and saving time.
I’d also chatted with her about the possibility of cutting my hair a lot shorter. She was a skilled communicator in describing the look and impact of what this option would entail, and gave me the information I needed to decide, without deciding for me.

Went back for a second haircut with Susan. I had a coupon since it was my second visit. I’m growing out my gray and Susan asked if I was ready to go really short. I was and I did. Susan did a fantastic job of showing me how to style my new short hair with pomade and I walked out feeling confident and happy about my spring haircut. I will be growing it out for a bit but I am pleased with the look and the service. She even suggested a rinse through after the cut so I didn’t walk around shedding cut pieces all day. Great idea.

Vidal Sassoon delivered on my hair coloring needs. From making an appointment to leaving the salon with my desired look, Vidal did not disappoint.
The gloss +‘s:
+ Nathan, Vidal Sassoon’s new director of coloring.
+ Appointment for consultation and actual coloring was a cinch.
+ Reception and check-​out was smooth. Quickly seated and whisked to check-​out.
+ No product pushing. If I want a product then I can ask for it.
+ Nathan fixed my coloring from a stylist who had failed at another salon. Our consultation was collaborative. He suggested his own but did not push them.
+ Nathan highlighted my hair as desired. His suggestions played out and I was so pleased! I walked around the city in every possible light to see my new black strands infused with a priceless burgundy wine hue.
+ Colorists just color so I had to pay $ 25 to have someone blow-​dry it and flat-​iron it. She did a great job and I walked out with shimmering hair. Only wish they had disclosed this add-​on upfront.
The split-​ends -‘s:
— Salons will mark-​up the products for sale. Do your research before you check out.
— Salon does not use curling irons so if you want waves think again. However the salon is changing and slowly the stylists are all getting trained to put bounce in your hair if that’s what you wish.
TIP: Reserve a consultation with Nathan to get your locks curled the right hue. Bring images on your Pinterest board.
Perhaps book a cut as well after the coloring if you want the entire look finished. Be warned you will be at the salon at least four hours if you do a color and cut.

I was in desperate need of a haircut in the Bay Area and after disastrous results with another salon in East Bay I decided to try this place out after a friend recommended the Sassoon brand to me.
My stylist was Thomas and despite only having my vague comments of «just a shorter version of how it is now» to work with, he managed to do a great job and now I’ve been getting my hair cut here for several months.
Yes, paying $ 90 for a haircut (especially for a dude) is kind of a lot, but in my book it’s a small price to pay for not having my hair butchered. They’re also exceptionally good at the pre-​cut shampoo and wash — it’s like a mini head massage and a perfect start to a nice relaxing haircut.

This place is dead to me. Absolutely zero organization or communication skills. How the fuck do they run a business?!
I had a blowout demo scheduled at 6pm that I made with Brenda. I asked her who my appt was with and she told me to just ask for her. I come in at 6 sharp and ask for Brenda. Whoops looks like she’s not working. Receptionist with blue hair tells me she’ll figure it out. Five minutes later a Asian girl asks me who I’m here to see and I said I only have Brenda’s name. 10 more minutes go by and no one acknowledges my existence. Um okay… I walk up to two of the employees and THE ONLY HELPFUL WOMAN THERE with short blonde hair and an accent tells me she will find out for me. Another ten minutes go by and I see her leaving the salon so I ask her her wtf is going on. She says she found someone who will do my blowout and it will only be a couple more minutes. Ten more minutes later and Bonmi comes and speaks to me and says they had a miscommunication and their class started an hour later than usual and if I could stay till 8. Um fuck no I can’t stay until 8 wtf I had obviously made plans thinking a simple blow out wasnt going to take two hours!!! She told me she would just have to let me go even though I had sat there being ignored for 40 minutes. She tried to turn the whole thing on me by saying I knew what I was getting myself into. OH REALLY ITS MY FAULT YOUR DUMBASS RECEPTIONIST TOLD ME TO COME IN AT 6 AND WHEN I SHOWED UP AT 6 YOU GUYS IGNORED ME FOR 40 MINUTES AND GAVE ME THE FULL RUNAROUND WHEN I ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON?!! Yeah okay Vidal so are you guys stupid or what’s up?
This place is a joke. I’ve been a hair model several times and have never been treated like this. Bonmi ended up promising me blowout at a future date if I can come on a Monday. With all the high end salons around here there is zero reason to ever come here. I spent 30 minutes getting there and 40 minutes waiting. Over an hour of my life I will not get back. An hour I could’ve spent at happy hour getting hammered at a local bar. Ughhhhhhh.

I usually go to my regular barber/​salon and they do a decent job for a decent price, but it’s always the same haircut with no fluff. I called Vidal (is that still their name? I’m confused) because I went to their model classes years ago and wondered if they still did it. They do and luckily I was offered to be cut by the instructor and have the class watch instead of the other way around in their Sassoon Academy. Um, a $ 125.00 haircut for free?! Duh. Her name is Nhi! (pronounced like the knee on your body). Honestly, I would not be able to afford her, but I highly recommend if you spend that much on a haircut or if you are looking for a change. Worth the money! I have difficult hair (like everyone says) and I said do what ever, but I’m sure if you had strict restraints she would listen because she is a perfectionist and understands YOUR hair.

I’ve been going across town to get my hair colored by Jeannie for more than 5 years now and she has amazing talents! She transforms my mousy brown grayish hair into beautiful lush locks with soft plum undertones! Really, I get compliments on my hair color all the time… and I love it! I get a touch up every 5 weeks and Jeannie is worth every penny. She is also very flexible and even though I go to her on a regular basis, she actually listens to me when I want to change my hair color. Some stylists stop listening to their clients after a while because they think they know what the client wants more than the client. Super-​frustrating and you won’t get that nonsense with Jeannie. Not surprising but worth noting, she has won awards commemorating her coloring talents.
The salon is clean and the staff is professional, which I truly appreciate. No hipster attitudes to greet you either. Yah!

It’s so sad when just 1 person impacts an entire program. I’ve gotten my last hair cut at the Sassoon Academy (at least until they get another person in charge.) My last 3 haircuts were Boring, and I noticed that everyone left with basically the same hair cut. But the kicker was that they didn’t grow out well. That’s something I loved about going here, because no matter who cut your hair every step was double checked for perfection by the instructor.
The last pitiful haircut I got was from a person right out of beauty school. She was stationed at the very end in the corner instead of being put somewhere in the middle where the instructor could keep an eye on her. I could see the chick was not doing what she was told, but when the instructor would come over, she barely touched my hair and said… good job. What?
So after they layered the back, she gave the girl no specific, step wise instructions to layer the top of my hair. This girl mangled my head and then said, how do you like your style. This is no style, I choked. The instructor did come over at the very end to fix the top and sides of my head, but it was still very uneven.
I have been going here for over 10 year, but I won’t be back. The Paul Mitchell school is faster, and there isn’t a cattle call of clients trying to get their hair cut at the same time.

I love my haircuts from Thomas. I can’t imagine I am an easy client, since I never actually know what I want to do with my hair when I show up, but we always figure it out together. I get compliments on my cuts, which are short and edgy, but still feminine. Thanks, Thomas!
Update: Since my last haircut, I think I have had no less than 20 people between SF and LA tell me how much they like it. Suddenly, strangers on the street stop me to tell me that they like my «style», which is not great to be frank and certainly hasn’t changed, but my hair apparently has. At Starbucks, one of the baristas asked me, «How much did your hair cost? $ 200?» (true story).

I always go to Vidal in NYC so this was the first time coming to this particular salon in SF and it was consistent with the other salons.
I had a great consultation, haircut and blow out by Beatrice.
I’d recommend this place to everyone.