I have been of client for many years. Irina is amazing color, Clyde for haircuts. High quality work and excellent service always.

Had to wait forever for my color appointment before an important trip I was taking (day before departure). The clock kept ticking....45 minutes of waiting. Irina was running extremely late. To her credit, I had been alerted she would be a little late but as the minutes ticked by it became unsettling. A loyal customer having to wait over 45 minutes for the stylist? We contacted her. She had been held up at a customers home doing color or something to that effect. I explained my dissatisfaction about having to wait close to an hour just because someone else had been running late and it was the day before my trip and I had other back-to-back appointments. I had thought she would have been overly accommodating and super apologetic. What happened was the complete opposite. Unfortunately, Irina, you were painfully rude to me. You spoke to me in a way and a tone that is unacceptable and therefore I won't be removing this post and won't be returning ever to Alex Chases again. This has left a bad taste in my mouth. After always being kind to everyone at the salon (always on time for my appointments, generous tips, holiday gifts, etc!). Irina said something like "What do you want me to do here?" and then expanded her barking tone with a "why don't you come in on Sunday?" I explained that I was leaving for my trip tomorrow. Silence and crickets. It was like her attitude was - well sorry I am running now close to an hour late, it was someone else's fault, therefore you come in on another day and that is that.... At this point I was so upset and shocked that anyone in the service business would treat a respected customer like this. Baffled. Dismayed. Shocked. Pit in my stomach. irritated to the nth degree. I then offered if I continued to wait (at this point I would have been waiting an hour and maybe 15 minutes for my appointment) that this service be gratis on behalf of the salon. She raised her voice and said, "Absolutely not. Covid has made all of us suffer. There is no way that is something we will do." I thought wow. We have all been in this pandemic together. Not just you, not just me, the whole world. Every business has suffered. Just because you're having a bad day or your first client made you wait a long time or the client was being a diva, don't take that out on someone who has always been kind to you and someone who has gone to you for a long time. This not only disappointed me but made me lose respect for the way the salon trains the staff. They need to be much more friendly and eager to please the client. I'm in the service business and wow do I know what service is all about. All I do each and everyday is treat my clients well and ALWAYS put them on a pedestal. If I am in the wrong, I admit that and do what it takes to make it right. I actually lose sleep if there is ever tension between the client and myself. I can't imagine ever speaking to my clients the way Irina spoke to me on that fateful day. To their credit, the manager and I spoke. He was very apologetic and kind to me. He gave me a gratis hair coloring appointment AFTER I returned from my trip. The funny thing is that day I went to CVS and got a bottle of Lorreal hair dye and did it myself. Sometimes a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! Since this event, I have changed salons and now go to La Belle. The go the extra mile there, scalp massage when shampooing, complimentary blow dry (Alex chases doesn't blow dry the hair unless you pay for it!), and even fetched me a latte next door at Blue Bottle when I was tired. Excellent service and exactly what I need at this point in my life. Life is too short to surround yourself with unhappy, toxic souls. The end. read more

After working very very long hours the last few weeks, I decided to treat myself to a nice hair cut. I had an amazing and fun time and had the best hair cut ever. I asked to keep the length but make it healthier and shapelier. My hair has so much bounce now! They served tea, and chatted me up so much that I felt like we were long-term friends. Gustavo was very personable, knowledgeable about hair, and meticulous in getting my hair in perfect shape. I think I found my permanent stylist! read more

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Love this salon! This was once located inside the Sense Spa, but they've since built a separate location just right outside the Sense Spa doors. Elaine has been doing my hair for years and she is super sweet & amazing. FYI: When arriving, you'll have to go into the Sense Spa doors to check in. read more

Alex Chases Salon - Hair Salons Near Me - Menlo Park, California

After an unsuccessful experience with Clyde, the salon manager set me up for a re-do with Kelly. Kelly was masterful with my fine, curly hair. She showed me amazing tips and tricks that I cannot wait to try at home. It's rare to find someone so exceptionally trained to cut curly hair and also so personable and helpful. I will be back! The handling of my initial experience demonstrated a strong customer service ethic on the part of the salon management. That I appreciate. read more

I was lucky and caught an appointment with Alex Chase for highlights!! He was incredible. I live in Texas and was in town for a week. I came in with ombré but not as blonde as I was hoping it would be and he put in full highlights that were perfect. I have a LOT of hair so it takes 2 hours to get all of the foils in place. I've never had a salon rinse out the bottom portion before completing all of the foils- I always wondered why since the bleach is on those hairs way longer, but Alex rinsed as he went and kept a careful timer on the sections. I live in Texas but will probably fly here to see him again-it's hard finding someone that you trust! Afterwards he wanted to make sure that I loved it and even said he'd lighten it some more this week if I wanted him to. I loved the job he did-you can tell a huge difference when they care about each little hair on your head! He is professional and the best at what he does. This is my first review of anything ever! He doesn't take new clients unless you schedule a year in advance or if he has a cancellation. I was on the "praying" list for a cancellation. I hadn't heard from them so the day before I called just to see if someone had cancelled and they had!! The people that were ahead of me on the list hadn't called back yet so they gave the appointment to me. Don't be afraid to call and check! I just uploaded a photo of my hair on my Yelp account! Thanks again, Alex!! read more

Alex Chases Salon - Full highlights with Alex! - Hair Salons Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Gustavo is nice to talk to but his work is just OK. I did balayage but he bleached my hair way too much so I had to go back every other week to get it toned down. The first visit back was complementary but the subsequent ones were at my expense. However after spending about $700 for the visit it seemed like poor value/service for money. Also, the color was not multidimensional at all. It was pretty flat. He definitely has some learning to do. Irina was less interested in talking and super conservative with her work. So she does very little to your color just to make sure she doesn't mess up, which tells me she's not confident in her skills. After $200 my hair looked the same with a tiny bit of reddish highlight (which she called "special effects"). Not worth the money. The makeup lady is fantastic. She did my eyebrows beautifully and she's super nice and treats her clients well and with respect. Then there's Vivian Grimaldo, OMG quite the overworked, cranky lady. I showed up for my appointment and she had a very disrespectful, rude attitude from the start. Asking questions harshly and disinterested about my hair in a condescending way. I felt judge by her response when I told her I colored my roots. She told me that I needed a haircut before the color and that she didn't have time for that so she turned me down. When I asked how much time was allotted for my appointment she said 2.5 hours but that she had another client on another chair so I guess too much to juggle for her? Anyway, I'm happy I didn't let all that bad energy get anywhere near my hair! read more

I have finally found my salon! After moving back to Palo Alto from the east coast I was at a loss for who to turn to for my complicated hair: naturally dirty blonde with partial highlights, fine, and curly. I tried several salons-- DiPietro Todd, Edge, Juut-- all of which were positive experiences, but for the amount of money I was paying it did not seem worth it. When it came time for a highlight touch up and trim I searched yelp for salons in the Palo Alto area and found Alex Chases at Rosewood and I am so glad that I did! The prices are steep (150 for cut, 160 for partial highlight), especially for my graduate school budget, but it is completely worth it. Both Jaye (cut) and Irina (color) were very attentive, knowledgeable, and fun to talk to! Even better, they were excellent at taking my cues-- engaged with me at the right times and also let me quietly read my magazine. At Alex Chases you pay for both *skill* and *excellent customer service.* At my first color session with Irina she suggested that I try balayage instead of highlights because the grow out is better and it is healthier for your hair. Irina told me that the color might not be exactly what I am use to with highlights, and if I wanted more color, she would happily have me come in again for some extra work. That type of excellent customer service was worth the $160 price tag alone. I love my color and I look forward to my return trip in late September. Jaye and I had a great time talking about our mutual love for the Russian River and he helped me find the perfect cut for my complicated hair and wash-and-go lifestyle. I also LOVED my blowout! Pros: customer service, skill, beautiful spa and grounds, unlimited parking Cons: a little pricey, but 100% worth it read more

Hair color by Irina - I lived in Menlo Park and Palo Alto a long time and used to drive to San Francisco to get my hair cut and colored. Ironically, now that I am living in San Francisco, I am now driving to Menlo Park to have my hair colored by Irina. It is well worth the drive. Irina is great with keeping me on track with my desire in not wanting too many highlights and allowing my natural hair color to shine through. She is very thoughtful in applying where the color will be placed. This method perfectly blends with some of my gray hair that is appearing now too. Having Irina color my hair is a luxury that I don't want to give up. read more

I had a bit of an complication, but the customer service was very helpful and formidable. It appears they strive for excellence.

Love Gustavo for haircuts he always does a amazing job with my hair I I have very long think hair he always gives it the perfect volume and balance add the perfect layers that gets me compliments until my next visit and he gives you the best have massage while shampooing your hair so that's definitely a plus Bianca is there makeup and brow specialist she is also very amazing she has given my eyebrows the best shape they have ever had all it takes is one visit with these two and you will fall in love read more

Make sure to ask for Luca! He has been cutting my hair for a while now and every time he does an amazing job. He is quick to understand every intricate detail of your hair and how it works with your face. Very talented and artistic. The salon itself is beautiful with a relaxing atmosphere. I definitely recommend this salon! read more

Got an appointment with Alex and he was able to recreate the cut i had 10 years ago that no one else was able to do. Very excited about the new look! He is an artist and I loved watching him work. read more

Gustavo is simply the best. I went to get my hair cut and partial highlights, and he was terrific. And they serve wine! :)

Let me start off with saying that this place is gorgeous inside and out. The atmosphere draws you in from the moment you step inside and the front desk greats you with a warming smile. Besides that, I'll get to the point; VANESSA worked magic on my hair. I went in for a cut, highlight, color and ended it with a style that lasted me well through the weekend (that usually does not happen with my hair). My hair color looks great (exactly what I was looking for) and paired with a fresh cut it has such bounce to it, perfect for summer! I've been receiving many compliments on it! Thank you Vanessa! read more

I just returned from a visit at this salon. I am so happy with my balyage highlights. I've been seeing Vivian G. for quite some time and she never disappoints. She makes my naturally ash-blonde hair golden and gorgeous. She has worked as a colorist at top salons in Beverly Hills. I'm not sure if I can mention the names of the other salons here, but trust me when I say, Vivian is an expert. I've also had some fabulous cuts at this salon by Clyde H. and Kelly P. Both stylists are top-notch. I really don't think you can go wrong here. read more

It's all about IRINA! She is so talented at what she does- her attention to detail and generosity of spirit are wonderful- she will go out of her way to make adjustments and invites feedback- she is always saying "email me in a week if you aren't happy"- I appreciate that, and at the price point you're shelling out, you should expect that kind of niceness- but so many times the irony of these places can be that you pay more & the people providing the hair service expect you to defer to them and their expertise, rather than your own intuition... Irina is absolutely not like that- she is not only amazingly talented with hair, she is a stellar "people person"... She has really done a fabulous job with my hair- it gets better with each visit! I do a combination of foils and balayage- and I am a blonde... But everyone that I have seen leaving her chair looks fabulous, so it's clear that she understands multiple colors & types of hair! I also must say that BIANCA is a talented esthetician- I never cared about my eyebrows until I saw how spectacular everyone looked after she got done making them over- she has such a great sensibility about her- she really knows how to compliment the whole face- using the shaping & tinting to perfection... Love her, too! read more

This review is LONG OVER DUE: I have been a client of Alex for many many years and have nothing but wonderful things to say about him, he's extremely talented and professional and would never want to be in the hands of anybody else. I would recommend Alex to anyone, he has mastered his craft and is so nice and professional. If you ever need anything for your hair please do not hesitate to go see Alex!!!!!!! read more

Vanessa Grant is by far one of the most talented stylist I have come across in my 15 years of getting my hair done. I have been going to the Rosewood Sense Spa for the last 6 years and always looked over at the salon and wondered, hmmm.... maybe I should make an appointment, but never did. One day I ran into Vanessa at the spa and just loved her energy. She was excited and from our conversation could tell she was knowledgeable and extremely passionate about her job. I knew that her passion would translate into an amazing hair cut, color, and experience. My intuition served me right. Vanessa did an extraordinary job on my balayage and cut. She explained to me her technique, what products she was using on me, and how to most importantly style my hair after I leave the salon. Gave me some useful tips on how to style my hair in the morning, when I'm rushing out the door trying to make it to work. Most stylist will not take the time to do this or advise you on what looks good. I wanted to cut my hair in a bob and Vanessa advised me on what would look the best on me and what length would give me that trendy/fresh look I was going for. More importantly she knows her color. She explained to me that we should soften my highlight color so I can have a more youthful and natural look. If you are on the fence about making an appointment at the Alex Chases Salon, ask for Vanessa and let her transform you into the new you. She is a sweetheart and very talented. You will not be sorry. read more

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