I have been going to Barbara Patnode for forever! Since I found Barbara I won't let anyone else cut my hair. She is truly gifted at styling and envisioning what can look good. read more

Barbara is a true artist when it comes to anything to do with hair! I went to her to have her advise me on hair extensions as my hair has become much thinner as I've gotten older and I also swim regularly. She took the time to educate on the different types of extensions and why the type I had been getting before were most likely causing more problems for my thinning hair (another hairdresser had also said the same). She explained two other options that would be better for me and the pros and cons. She also allowed me to buy my extensions on my own to save money. Finally, she taught me how to care for my hair before and after swimming. My hair is in the best shape it's ever been in and I get compliments all the time, but most importantly, I love it! I've also witnessed some of the haircuts she's done on other clients and they're amazing! Now I must say, if you're looking for the spa like ,bougie hair cutting experience, then Barbara may not be your vibe. However, if you want an edgy, high energy professional who's excited about what they do then she's right up your alley! read more

BP Hair Design - Hair Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

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Excellent cuts and color from Barbara! I've had several styles and every time I get compliments for a long time after I see her.

Barbara is fantastic! I have followed her to multiple salons and locations because she is, by far, the best hairdresser I've ever had. I have incredible fine hair and Barbara is the only person I've ever encountered who actually knows how to cut fine hair and not just pouf it up with a bunch of hairspray! In the time that I have been going to Barbara, my hair has gotten so much healthier due to her cuts and her product recommendations. I never feel like she is trying to just sell me something--if she recommends something it's because she knows it works and she's always right. Can't recommend Barbara enough! read more

Updating just to say I've now been going to Barbara for over a decade. She's the best there is.

All of the other reviews saying that they've followed Barbara from salon to salon throughout her career are here for a reason -- I myself have been following her for over a decade! She gives the most technically precise and flattering haircuts I've ever received, and is always a great conversationalist too. I recommend her without hesitation. read more

I have never had much luck with my hair. It's either a cut that doesn't work with my face shape, texture, whatever or it's downright unflattering. To say I was nervous trying out a new stylist was an understatement, but Barbara just "got me" straight away. Not only is she super friendly, she is probably the most knowledgeable stylist I've ever been to (or heard of for that matter). She looked at my hair type and texture and what I wanted and made it work best. It was like a curated cut! I'm not one of those people that goes in with a picture saying I want exactly that, so it was nice to have someone that knows more about hair and chemistry and all that to know what would work and look best. Plus, she told me that some of my medications might be affecting my hair growth and damage, and what oils would work best (not argan! Guess I need to return that bottle, Target!). I like her so much I make the 30 minute trek over to Oakland (she's worth it!). I've never gotten so many compliments on my hair before. Thanks, Barbara, see you in a couple months. read more

I'm not into writing super long reviews, so I'll keep it short. Went in for balayage highlights and it was one of the best hair appointments I've ever had! My hair looks amazing and Barbara simply did a fantastic job. It looks so natural and subtle - exactly what I wanted. It had been a few months and I had been going to another salon and she matched what I previously had exactly. Plus it helps that Barbara is super cool and fun to talk to! I will be back for next time! read more

Barbara has done my hair for the last four years and there is a reason for that. I have curls that can be quite unruly in the wrong hands but Barbara knows exactly what looks good. Even better, she will explain in detail why she thinks whatever cut or color is a good fit for you. She'll always be straight with you: once, right after a breakup, I informed her that I wanted to chop my hair. Barbara, wise as always, advised me to wait and do it at a less tumultuous time. A few years later when I was ready to make the chop, she made sure I was debriefed on what was going to happen and how I might feel after having 6 inches cut off for the first time in 10 years. Then she even helped me pick products over the following weeks as I adjusted to the new look. I 100% trust her with my hair! (a high standard) read more

Barbara is a perfectionist. I've been to fancy salons like Vidal Sasson and Bumble and Bumble--and she is as good as anyone at these salons. When my guy (that I've been going to for 7 years) moved, I tried a handful of people. No more! I've finally found my new stylist. She not only listens to what you want, but she really assesses your hair to makes sure what you're asking is going to work. Her cut is precise. It feels good, looks good and it's growing out so well. I live in Marin and I will drive to the East Bay to get my hair cut by Barbara. She's so worth sitting in a little Hwy 80 traffic. read more

When I moved to the Bay, I was sad to leave my hairdresser who had seen me through many hair colors/cuts, so when looking for a new stylist I thoroughly vetted reviews and pictures from multiple salons before picking Barbara. First off, the location of her studio is so charming! Plus, she has a private studio so it truly is one-on-one time when you are in her chair. Right away I told her I was looking for an organic relationship where we could talk and figure out what would work best together. We chatted about my lifestyle, favorite hairstyles, and worst haircuts before she even touched my hair. I told her I was hoping for a short, tousled, rolled-out-of-bed bob and I appreciated that instead of just nodding and cutting she took the time to explain that based on my hair color, texture, and weight it would be difficult to achieve that effortless French-girl look with only a cut. That being said, she told me how she could cut it and how I would need to style it to achieve the look. After an hour of fluid conversation, I left with a fantastic haircut that looks great with or without styling even as it has grown out! Thanks Barbara! If you are looking for a hairstylist who is going to truly assess and understand your hair and what you want before taking scissors to it, look no more! read more

Barbara is hands down the best hair dresser I've ever been to. I've been going to her for 5 years and followed her from two previous places. I also recommended two friends who have been going to her for 4 years. Even though I can't always explain what I want, Barbara will ask a lot of questions to make sure she understands what I am explaining. Though I usually get the same kind of cut, a few times I have brought in photos for something different and she was very honest about whether my kind of hair could look like the photos, as well as the upkeep and time involved for those styles. She knows that I often go from the hiking trail to my bartending shifts, so I need easy doos. When she is done, if I ask for a bit more layering, or say, maybe we should go shorter, she doesn't get aggravated or anything--and she never disses my hair ideas or tries to get me to try something she would rather be creating. I've had hair dressers say some pretty awful things like "Only women who are boring want bangs." She also does excellent color and highlights, and is really fun to talk to, as we read a lot of the same books, and watch a lot of the same sci fi shows. read more

I've been going to Barbara for 2+ years now and I couldn't be happier! I honestly don't want to ever move because she does such an amazing job. Barbara is very skilled technically, and also understands trends and has a good feel for what works with you. I've been getting balayage / foilyage plus cuts, and it always grows out beautifully. I highly recommend Barbara. read more

After 2 years at Remedy, I followed Barbara Patnode to Shed, and now as she launches her own studio, I am following her again! -- Barbara is amazing... excellent color, beautiful cuts, interesting (hilarious, thought provoking, well-read, obscure movies seen, etc) conversation. She is a great communicator, I trust her completely with a major part of how I look, and the single biggest budgeted $ spend on myself is completely worth every single penny. I would give up a big piece of my cell phone budget before I give up Barbara. She works with me based on how much time I have to put into my hair (both from a daily upkeep POV and from a "when are you coming back" perspective... anything from adding a little blond in the front to full-on fuschia highlights when I (pardon the pun) got a wild hair.... ;) (they look spectacular) My hair doesn't just look amazing when I leave the salon (but it really does look amazing when I leave the salon - all smooth and shiny and fabulous), it looks amazing air dried (i.e. flying around in my car during my commute) when I am late for work as well. That's a solid cut. I get tons of compliments on how my hair looks from people around me, and - more importantly - I feel glamorous and beautiful BC MY HAIR ALWAYS LOOKS SO FREAKING GREAT! Thank you, Barbara! Highly recommended! read more

Barbara is so good to me. She's been giving me the color treatment that I've wanted, she knows so well how to cut my waist-length hair, she's teaching me a ton about how to take care of it. She's professional and courteous and funny. I'm hooked. read more

Barbara is great! She has been cutting my hair for several years, through multiple hair styles. Very skilled and friendly.

I started using Barbara for hair extensions, and let me say, she is so knowledgeable and gave me the hair of my dreams! She gives you her honest opinion, doesn't try to up-sell you all the time, and is very transparent in her work. It feels so great to find a long term hair stylist...and I love the private salon as well. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else, she is the best! read more

I'm so glad I found Barbara! She gave me a great haircut and was super friendly. Would highly recommend!

After I moved to Oakland, I stopped at a random local salon and got my hair cut. MISTAKE! And it was super short and I had to invest in a lot of hats. When it was finally long enough that it could be fixed, I asked my friends who they recommended and was sent to Barbara. Huzzah! Ever since, I've had consistently good hair cuts. I've followed her when she changed locations. And next time I get my hair cut, I'll be going to her. 'Nuff said. read more

Three years ago Barbara fixed a horrible haircut for me, and since then I only trust her to cut and color my hair. I can't praise her skill and talent enough, not just with cut and color but also Brazilian Blowouts and hair extensions. read more

To be honest, I have pretty easy hair, and I don't really do that much with it. I like a haircut that I don't need to fuss with much, but will look reasonably good. Barbara is excellent at understanding what you want out of your hair style- and really appreciating how your style fits your life. I have no doubt that if I wanted something beyond my basic bangs and trim she'd do an amazing job, and I'd look great. I've followed her from remedy to shed to her current location, and I always enjoy our appointments. read more

So happy I found Barbara. She's AHhhmazing! My haircut never looked so good. She knew how to create extra layers to add dimensions & oomph. Volume & layers I never knew I could have. Also she fixed my hair color to look even & together. My years of searching for the one(hair stylist) has finally stopped here. So glad! read more

I have been seeing Barbara for at least a year and a half now. I have think curly hair that's been growing out from a very asymmetrical cut. Barbara has done extremely well with my curls and my vision for them. I'm really happy have been referred to her. read more

Barbara has been cutting my hair for a little over two years and I'm always happy with my haircut. She does a fabulous job. I've recommended her to friends and they are also in love with the end result each time. I look forward to experimenting with a new color this month. Will post pictures afterwards. read more