Blow Salon

I just moved here from NYC where I had a great salon that specialized in funky edgy cuts. I was skeptical that I would find a place like that just minutes from my house in Berkeley but after a cross country drive here I needed to do something with myself. I got an appointment with Amy and she is great - professional, knowledgeable, creative and personable. I felt like I had known her forever and loved the way my hair came out - she was able to take my not so eloquent ideas of what I wanted and use her expertise to give me a funky cut and color that suited me perfectly. Thanks Amy!!!! Pros: AMY, cool ambience, edgy Cons: none more

Let me give my own plug for this place:\r \r First, I've been going to Juliana since I moved to Berkeley (7 months and three haircuts ago). I booked my first appointment, came with my box-colored, dried-out hair and she ""took me in"". She gave me great advice on helping/conditioning my hair, and she knows what works for me in terms of hair style/cut. But NOTHING can compare to her ability to color hair. You can tell that she is an artist, and is great at bringing in both light and dark colors that blend together into something that ""works"". PLUS, when I went home over Christmas the hair color looked totally hip, yet natural, and I got a lot of complements on it!\r \r Besides being very nice and fun to talk to, her haircuts are about $40, definitely on the cheaper end for this place. Hair color is 90 bucks.\r \r As for the salon in general, I admire that they are really into the local art scene. I especially like the art shows that they hold every few months after hours, always with some local catering and free beer.\r \r Also, as a Berkeley grad student, I'm definitely not ""punk"" in any sort of the word, yet I appreciate the relaxed vibe that comes with the ""alternative"" feel of the salon. Pros: quality of work, people, atmosphere Cons: not cheap, but balanced out by good quality! more

This was my first time to this salon. Amy did my hair. She was AWESOME! I was totally sold the moment I walked in there. The atmosphere is relaxed, everyone was very friendly and it's at a great location. Amy listened very carefully to what I wanted and had great suggestions. She was so excited to be styling my hair. The results were amazing! I've gotten several compliments on the new style. It was a great experience and I hope to have Amy as my hair stylist for life! Pros: Ample parking available, friendly staff, very attentive Cons: None! more

I used to have my haircut by Natasha who I really liked. I have thick, wavy hair and even when somewhat short (which I don't often love) I liked it! She always gave it pazzaz and I was never in danger of a bowl cut! LOL! After Natasha left I started to have my hair cut by Becky who I have also liked though not as much as Natasha. I feel that although Becky knows what she is doing and is skilled she is not as artistic or talented as Natasha was. \r \r Still, I have had many compliments on cuts from Becky and my hair has retained its shape even while allowing it to grow out after a cut from Becky. She has also always been polite, sweet, on time, etc. \r \r My only real complaint is that sometimes it's hard ot get an appointment quickly and often you have to book an appointment months in advance which can be a drag... \r \r Parking too can be a challenge as there is only street parking with meters. Pros: Ambience, nice staff, nice cuts Cons: hard to get quick appointments, parking more

I have been going to this salon for about 4 years now. Jil always listens to what I want and gives me a great cut & color. And when I listen to her suggestions for possible changes, she's ALWAYS right. I have had my hair cut there also by Becky and she was also very professional and listened to what I wanted. I have NEVER had a bad haircut there & always feel welcomed there, even from the very first day. They also have interesting art from local artists showing at the salon. When they periodically change the art installations, Jil hosts a gallery opening for the artists and invites the salons' clients. Just ANTOHER great reason to go to this Salon! Pros: everything Cons: nothing more

This was the first salon I went to when I moved to Berkeley from NC, and Becky did a great job. She was nice to talk to, confident in her work, and really listened to what I wanted and delivered it exactly. I got a pretty basic cut, but I added bangs, which I was really nervous to do. She did a great job and they grew out well so I didn't look ridiculous by the time I needed them cut again. I got my last cut, just a trim, at a little place in SF b/c I was in the area and it was cheaper, but for anything more than a trim I would go back to Becky. I can't wait to check out the art opening there this Saturday! Pros: atmosphere, friendly staff more

I went once, very excited about getting a hair color and a new haircut. The girl at the desk was so arrogant, I had the feeeling that I was so lucky to waste her precious time. She was so proud to tell me that she charged more than the others for a haircut, didn't offer any kind of information or nothing and handed me the business card. I had a look at some of the haircuts and I'm finally glad I didn't go.\r I mean, hello? If you don't MAKE me wanna come and see how wonderful you are, why would I go??\r \r DISAPPOINTED. Pros: Proximity. located downtown. Cons: all the above! more

Becky is a goddess! I have been seeing her for a year now, and so has my boyfriend, and she never dissapoints! I have brought her pictures and she has recreated the styles, I have given her vague ""i want my hair to make me feel like... "" and she nails it each time. She is also a great person, funny, and nice. I will never see another hairdresser again. If you want constant compliment on your hair (which I get all the time... i actually carry her business cards around now, it's easier...) go see Becky, she will change your life.\r And it's cheap! For bleach, 2 colors, and a cut, it's around 120$ with tip...\r \r Call NOW!!!\r \r Pros: great staff, affordable, atmosphere Cons: sometimes long, hard to get appointment more

i had to wait 20 minutes because stylist was running late, when she got there she had to clean her station and get ready. so i waited another 5 minutes. she cut my hair with her ""special technique"" that was supposed to be for my type of hair. turned out a mess. and the highlights i got fried my hair, so much that it's been falling off when i wash it. now my medium length hair looks like straw. what a waste of $ and the hair that took me 3 years to grow out is ruined :( i will never go to this salon again! Cons: unskilled stylist, damaged my hair, expensive more

When I decided to change my naturally blonde hair to dark brown, I knew that Tami and the girls at Blow would make me look exactly like what I wanted. I was a little nervous to make the change, but Tami, and all the girls at Blow made me feel right at home, and talked to me about what i wanted to do specifically. Tami gave me some great ideas, and by the time I left, I was newly brunette and super happy with my new look. I would recommend Blow to ANYONE, as their salon can adjust with you--if you know exactly what you want, they'll give you a quality cut and color to your liking, but if you need new ideas about how to change your look, they can give you a great new style that you're sure to be happy with. Pros: Great Environment, Great Staff, GREAT results more

I have never been to this salon... I was considering going here since I am looking for a new hairstylist... but it seems like most if not all of these reviews were written by one person (except for the negative reviews). Just thought I'd question these reviews. more

I'm always so nervous when I get my haircut b/c I'm almost never happy with the outcome. But I took my chances and went to Becky at blow and I was blown away! She was so accommodating and really listened to what I wanted and did exactly that! She also threw out some great suggestions on color so I took her advise and went back to put a little kick into my hairstyle and I absolutely loooove it! While I was there she also trimmed my bangs and it looks even better! My hair hasn't looked this good since... never! Becky is awesome! Pros: affordable, great coloring, skilled cutting more

I went to Blow needing a big change with my hairstyle. I had extremely long hair past my waist line and looked to Becky for some advise. She did such an amazing job, giving me an updated look that I am so pleased with. The cut, color and style was very affordable and I could not have asked for a better outcome. You're the best Becky! more

Jil and Becky are cold, heartless b*tches. If I have to hear ""Hail Satan!"" one more time, or about one more weekend of sexual rituals and sacrifices of baby animals to the Dark Lord, I think I might explode.\r \r On the other hand, they're f**king hot, and their haircuts and colors are the best I've ever seen. Maybe a little Faustian bargain played a role in the salon's past? Either way, I've reconciled myself with contributing to the success of the Devil's henchwomen in order to look this good. Pros: Everything about this salon rocks! Cons: I wish I lived there, but I don't. more

I'm not the easiest person to please, with a background in the Salon Industry, as well as many years in Customer Service, I don't spend my time and money easily. Jil has been my stylist of choice for many years, and unless I go bald, I'll happily follow that girl anywhere! (And if I did loose my hair, I'd still go to her for a shampoo and shine)! Jil and the Blow Salon staff has treated me (flawlessly) with respect and courtesy each and every time I go there. And I know how tough the public can be. Jil always makes my day and hair better than when I arrived. more

I was not happy at all w/ the service provided. Staff seemed highly inexperienced. It was like getting a cut done by a random off the street. When I asked for a certain style, the stylist had no clue what to do! more

If you are looking for a sharp, technical haircut, go to another salon. The stylist I saw was didn't seem to know what she was doing...she was tentative and handled the scissors without any apparent skill. She really tried to be charming and she listened to what I wanted, however she was unable to provide a halfway decent haircut. I made an appointment the next day to have the cut fixed at another salon. Pros: convenient for BART, inexpensive, Cons: Bad haircut, No changing room, more

I'm sorry this other person had a bad experience, it's seems pretty unfair to say to something so negative about the entire salon b/c of one cut. I've been in to see Emma several times and she is awesome (great with short haircuts)! I, personally, have never been happy with a cut until I went to Blow. The salon is comfortable and fun, and they don't overcharge like too many salons do! more

The worst haircut I've ever gotten. It's uneven and choppy. Stay away if you want a professional cut. more

Emma has been cutting my hair for years and she has always been able to give me exactly what I'm looking for. From trims to new styles, my hair always looks great not only immediatly afterwards, but they grow out fantastically. I recommend her higly! Thanks Emma! more