Level 5 Salon

I’m new to the neighborhood, but could not be happier with the stylish cut I got from John at Level 5 Salon. John listened to what I was looking for (low-​maintenance cut, with layers to frame my face and lighten my thick hair) and worked a miracle on my head. He took the time to dry and straighten my curls (which many other stylists avoid, due to the effort involved) and even tamed the frizzy fly-​aways at my temple. The result was gorgeous, bouncing hair with the perfect amount of curl at the end. This will definitely be my new go-​to for hair cuts. Thank you John!

I have my new favorite salon. Dianna is AMAZING. She takes the time to cut your hair the way you want it to look and likes flair and unoriginality. She has a killer personally to boot and makes you feel like you’ve known her for years. The salon itself is clean, everyone is courteous and nice. $ 25 for a damn good cut, customer service that supersedes that of many five star hotels and stylists that KNOW what they’re doing. Will definitely be back again!

Karin did an amazing job with my two preteen daughters. Her warmth and care put then at ease and her experienced skill gave them lovely hair styles. Many thanks Karin!!!

I love this salon! Peggy is legit, you tell her what you want and the end result is even better than you imagined! Just went in for my touch up and cut and I am in love with my hair. She always has me leaving with such a big smile on my face and feeling sassy!

So far I have left 4 messages to get scheduled for this salon an it seems they don’t want my business. I don’t care how busy we are in our jobs you should always return messages. Very disappointing and unprofessional.

I would say this place is a bit high priced but I love the crew, I paid 52 $ for a trim of about 1 inch off and for side swoop bangs. They were able to squeeze me in when I called to make an appointment the same morning which I greatly appreciate. I haven’t had an issue here but unfortunately my wallet won’t be able to make it much longer with these prices, I am a broke college student.

I use to go to Phoenix Rising Salon in Montclair. I originally went there and was dissatisfied with the service. John Yates reached out to me after he arrived at this salon as a new stylist, and responded to my Unilocal and negative experience. Because of him, I decided to give it a second chance. He was an amazing stylist and colorist, he recently left Phoenix rising and went to Level 5. Of course I had to follow him! He truly is an amazing stylist and does a fabulous job. He has made a loyal client out of me. If you want an amazing experience he is your guy.

I would like to send a big thank you to Mrs. Dianna, for squeezing me in this week to do a color make over. Earlier this year I had done purple peek a boo’s in my hair by my normal schedule hair dresser, but since my last visit I haven’t been able to go back for a touch up… So needless to say I went months with a faded purple which at some point started to become pink and just pure blonde. And just my luck my best friend decided to get marry and I hadn’t been to see my hair dresser (to top it off I’m the maid of honor) so something had to be done quickly… I needed this matter taken care of and correctly. So Mrs Dianna came to my rescue!!! She took out all the faded washed out color, and transformed my hair to a magic chocolate brown. Now I look like an honorable maid of honor… And won’t be looking at horrible picture years from now when they renew their wedding vows!
Thank you Dianna, for staying late and take care of me and my hair!!!

I called Peggy at Level 5 Salon when the lady that normally does my hair had a family emergency and wasn’t able to see me. Peggy was so nice, she squeezed me into her schedule the very next day! I don’t like having new people cut and color my hair, BUT this time I did!!! I love the color and cut she gave me, and not just that, I really enjoyed my appointment with her! She was so informative, and kind! Peggy not only did a great job, she made a client for life! I will recommend her to everyone!

I am on of those people that put off getting hair cuts for as long as possible because I have had so many bad experiences. I am so happy I found Roza! I called in last minute, told her I wanted to shave the side of my head, and she said to come on in. When I got there she was super sweet and just as excited as I was for my dramatic hair cut. She took the time to really make sure she was doing exactly what I wanted, had me look up pictures to show her, and even looked some up herself! When it came down to the shaving she really took her time to make sure it was lined up excatly where I wanted it. She also did a beautiful job trimming, layering, and adding long blanded bangs to the rest of my long fine hair which I can be very picky about. I couldn’t me happier with the results, thank you Rosa!

I needed a last minute appointment for my wedding hair and makeup and found Level 5 because it’s so close to my parents house. And when I say last minute… I mean literally, the day before.
The woman who answered the phone told me that Peggy does wedding hair and makeup and that she’d ask her to call me as soon as she got in. She did, and I had an appointment the next day.
Peggy was great in person as well as doing my makeup. I gave her pretty minimal direction but she did ask me to text her pictures of me and hair and makeup inspirations prior to appointment. At the end I got exactly what I wanted — makeup that would look great in pictures but also allowed me to be me. And hair that was more undone vs refined but would stay in place for my outdoor forest wedding.
Thank you Peggy for helping me feel relaxed and beautiful.

I have been going to Rosa for years now, and really love her. She handles me super thick wavy hair very well. I use the ISO straightener and love that too. I highly recommend this professional and awesome place!

I colored my own hair since I was 16 however due to a broken foot I decided to find a salon for a root touch up for the very first time. I found level 5 on Unilocal and because of the great reviews I gave them a call. Michele answered the phone and agreed to see me the same day. The salon is in a great location near my home, stylish clean very welcoming environment. Michele was very kind in accommodating my disability. I was so happy with my color and style. I am now hooked the service and won’t be coloring at home anymore. I called at the last minute for my second appointment and Michele was kind enough to come into the salon on her day off to see me. I felt special and well taken care of. The service is totally worth the price.

My daughter and I both came here this evening for the very first time, and we were BOTH quite pleased with what Peggy was able to do with our hair. For a teenager AND a mom to agree on anything speaks volumes. I have problem hair and my daughters hair is to her waist so we both take some extra time and attention. Peggy even took the time to completely blow out and style our long hair after the cuts. I was so impressed with my cut tonight I already have an appointment booked to return later in the month for some color services. I can post some pics then. I think my daughter and I have found our new hairdresser :-). My husband even noticed my hair tonight LOL. Thank you Peggy. The shop is very charming and located near downtown San Leandro, convenient to my home and work.

Came year almost a year ago from a Groupon or Living Social deal. Peggy did an amazing job on my hair. I told her I wanted something simple and that would accommodate my hair growing out. Probably around that time, it was well above my shoulders. It was a great wash and air-​dry hair cut and it looked better (but heavy) as it got longer. At the time, she gave me exactly what I wanted — a nice haircut that would sustain the growing out process. She is one of those salon professionals that I remember after so long because I was that satisfied with my haircut. And now, I finally return the favor by writing a review.
During the haircut, she talked about how she informally cut hair for ages and then went to beauty school so she has way more experience than one may assume. At the time, I believe she was charging $ 60? for a haircut. I’d be ok with that if I don’t plan on getting frequent haircuts.

Peggy is AMAZING!!! I was referred to her by my sister in law… due to a horrible job that a previous stylist did on my hair. Peggy was able to bring my hair back to life and did exactly what I asked! She listened to my concerns and was able to give me the hair I always wanted. I will never let anyone else touch my hair again… She has a new client for LIFE!!! She has such a great attitude and great sense of humor. Best experience at a salon by far! I highly recommend Peggy you will not be disappointed!

Love love love Roza Stewart. She is amazing! It took me a long time to find someone sensitive to my blondearexic, extension diva needs. I have been getting extensions with her for almost a year now. Everyone always comments on how natural my hair looks and how the color is always matched perfectly. She does a wonderful job, listens to my needs and makes wonderful suggestions. I have never left there unhappy.
On another note, she also did my wedding hair. She was gracious enough to travel to San Francisco at 7am on a Saturday. She was on time, and ready to go! I also felt she charged a reasonable price and did a wonderful job meeting everyone’s needs.
She is just wonderful all around!

Still on my quest to find a person who can cut medium length hair right. I can’t say that I had the worse haircut ever here, but for the price it is pretty bad. I thought I was just a harsh critic of myself. But around $ 70 for a haircut that all my friends say I over paid and looks average at best, I knew the quality at level 5 salon was subpar.
People here do not know how to do layers AT ALL. I have three layers of hair so distinct and thick it actually looks like someone took a ruler, cut my hair, moved the ruler two inches down, and cut my hair again. You can actually see a horizontal line where they cut the layer, and its right in the middle of my hair. So it looks like I have longer hair and then put a shorter bob wig on top of it. Just horrible.
I usually don’t care about service if the quality is good. However, the service is definitely lacking. The hair dresser kept mentioning that her next appointment was here already. She didn’t even check my hair after cutting it wet and just proceded to blow dry it (found out one side is longer by ½in in the front when I went home). Then she said she would curl my hair for me. I should have said no because she did it really fast and was yanking my hair with the iron to finish. I honestly felt that she just wanted to get my haircut over with and take my money because it was obvious she was rushing. My hair dresser allocates will have no problem giving you a speedy super-​cuts style haircut.

For the past year I have been growing my hair from a short bob to a «lob.» No matter what I seem to do I can’t grow it long and my hair constantly messy even after a haircut. I expressed my frustration to my previous stylist, who finally told me that my hair has never recovered from the postpartum loss and thinness (even though my baby is 20 months!), that like a chef, he «can only deliver good hair if he has good ingredients.» Ouch. I asked if there is anything he can do to fix my hair, he combs and toss through my hair and says that he has done everything right and there is nothing he can suggest other than calling the doctor. Double ouch.
After swallowing my tears, getting a lab test, and visiting my doctor to confirm that I am not suffering from a medical problem, I made an appointment online and visited Rosa at Level 5 salon for a second opinion. She has been highly recommended by more than a few friends of mine. I decided I needed a second opinion — Even if I am still trying to recover from postpartum hair loss, I know that there has to be a way to make my hair look better!
After looking at the hairstyles I pinned on my Pinterest iPhone app and discussing what problems I have been having, Rosa told me that I will continue to be frustrated my hair if I try to grow it long because of the uneven layers. She understod that I did not want to go back to my usual bob haircut and assured me that I can make a fabulous change and go for that pixie cut I have been considering. At first I was a bit scared seeing all the 5 – 6 inches of hair that fell to the floor, but I am so pleased with my hair once it was all done. I have cut 10 minutes from my post shower hair drying and styling routine. I have been told that I look younger, and I definitely feel more confident in my new hair as well.
I am really glad that I visited Rosa, who listened to me with empathy. Maybe it is because she knows what being a mom is like, she treated me with a compassion and understood my wish to solve my hair problem. I have learned that a good stylist is not just someone who can cut a particular style of hair, but also come up with good solutions to self-​esteem crushing problems while listening empathetically. I also really liked being able to book appointments online — super useful feature for a busy mom like me!

I’ve been here a few times and am getting the sense that the stylists don’t like to listen. Peggy cut my hair maybe three times and each time I asked her specifically not to cut my bangs since I was trying to grow them out. My hair was pretty damaged from swimming and coloring so when she cut my bangs anyway the first couple of times, I wasn’t too mad. They were pretty fried. However, they last time my hair was in much better condition and I told her repeatedly NOT to touch my bangs. She cut them again! Not by much but really, they haven’t grown a lick in MONTHS and I’m so tired of it!!!
A few days ago, I took my husband in to see Rosa for a haircut. I told her I wanted his hair below the eyes. She proceeded to ask me how long it had been since he had a haircut. I said maybe 6 months and she said «so, like 3 inches off then?» I said”…yes, two or three. Right below the eyes.” Inches can be a little tricky, but I gave this lady a landmark and she ended up cutting him way above the eyebrow. Awesome. When I told her it was too short, she was apologetic and said «next time, I’ll know.» Oh ok, NEXT time you’ll know English? NEXT time, you’ll actually listen to me?” No next time. I am officially done with Level 5.
Another thing, my cuts have ALWAYS been 15 – 20 minutes late and I have NEVER received a phone call to warn me. I know schedules usually run behind but my last stylist was always good about texting me and keeping me in the loop. That’s a HUGE deal. Waiting at home is way better than waiting in a salon.