Update: Wow, Dave read my review and sent me a very nasty response. Instead of listening to critical feedback, he decided to just insult me. I really expected more professionalism than that. What a big baby. I'm not extremely picky about my hair, but I was very disappointed. I didn't think Dave was that great. My haircut was totally average, and I literally couldn't see any of the highlights he put in my hair. When I walked out of the salon, I felt like I had 6 weeks of outgrowth. I won't be returning. read more

2nd Edit 5/08: This isn't really about his service, but I've heard though the grapevine that Dave is talking to other customers about me behind my back. If you're going to talk smack about me, at least do it to people outside of my circle. Ugh. ...... I really hate bumping reviews down from their previous stardom and glory. But after a less than stellar appointment with Dave, and hearing someone else voice a very similar concern to mine, I felt compelled to speak up. My first experience with Dave last year was great. I have a lot of hair and he took the time to cut it in a way that left it really manageable and cute. He is very personable and spent a lot of time getting to know me in the chair. But, in my following appointments, things started to go downhill. Not horribly, but enough that I'm editing a review--something I rarely do. My primary concern is this...When I'm getting my hair cut, if I feel like something isn't right or isn't going to work for me, I want to feel like I can tell my stylist that. The last time I was in he cut my bangs in a way that really didn't flatter me (even people I love, who want me to be happy, agreed). I wore them pinned back for months afterward because they were so uneven (and not in a cute, choppy way), and oddly angled that I couldn't wear them down. I should have told him that before I left the appointment, but I really felt like he'd be offended instead of happy to fix the problem. My second concern is that I feel like there is an emphasis on styling hair after the cut. I literally felt like half my appointment was spent styling my hair--and this after I'd expressed how happy I was at not having to do that because I've been so pleased with my natural curl lately. I ended up leaving with a huge, frizzy, stiff from product, 'do that really made me feel ugly. So while I'd normally keep these concerns quiet, I've referred quite a few people to Dave (most of them are happy), but some of them had really similar concerns to mine. So I thought I'd let people know that while I respect the guy, and obviously lots of people are happy, my five star review is now down to three. And I know I'm voicing similar concerns to at least a few other people who don't Yelp. Sighhh... read more

There's no doubt that Dave is a great styist. But beware. If you give him too much input on how you want your hair done and he takes it personally, he will write you a handwritten note the next day, canceling your next appointment. He has enough clients already. read more

I wanted to hate Dave. Mainly because I didn't think it was possible to get much better than my last stylist (who I still adore, by the way, no hard feelings there). I looked at these other reviews and thought, "Well no $hit your hair feels healthier, it always feels like that when you get out of the salon." Well, here I am, 3 days after Dave colored and cut me. I've washed my hair twice and taken the deadly flat iron AND curling iron to it and it's as healthy and silky as ever. WTF did he do to it? AND. I got an all-over red color put on it. Never before have I been able to wash my hair after going red, without it looking like I had killed a small animal in my shower. But this time - hardly any of the color washed out! Again, Dave, WTF did you do to my hair? At first, I was a bit worried over the cut. Thought it was too short, didn't fit my face right. But after I washed and styled it, I keep checking myself out in the mirror and marveling. That boy did just what I asked. For FORTY DOLLARS less than my last stylist. He also spend a ton of time on my hair, rather than mashing me in with one or two other clients. That rocks my world. Oh, and he did a tremendous job on the color. In prior experiences, the stylist didn't take the time to make sure all of my hair was one color (it usually looked lighter red at the roots, even ON the day of the appt). Dave pulled it off - he picked the exact color to match my skin tone and eyes and the color is consistent and natural-looking. Damn you for being so awesome, Dave. Can I still come over for a BBQ and to meet your birdies, please? read more

I chose this salon due to the great reviews. Maybe I expected too much, but I was severely disappointed with my haircut. Why the hell is it so hard to cut good layers? I had 3 picture of what I wanted, and I walked out barely looking like I had anything done at all. *Tears rolling down cheeks* The stylist had a great personality, but I didn't even walk out of there with a "My Hair looks Fab" feeling that you usually get when your hair is professionally styled. IT LOOKED LIKE CRAP! I could have messed up my layers with a pair of scissors for FREE, instead of paying $60.00 to have someone else do it for me. I will definitely not be going back here. If anyone can recommend a reasonably priced stylist that actually knows how to cut good layers, PLEASE let me know! If I could give it zero stars, I would. Don't waste your money. Oh, Ken Paves....stop doing Jessica Simpson's hair and come cut mine! read more

So, it's been woefully long since I've seen my mom (who lives in Florida). Tonight, as we shared stories in her kitchen after my very long day of traveling, my mom cut me off to say "By the way, your hair looks healthier than I have ever seen it. It's always been so thick and coarse that it looked unhealthy. Now it looks so sleek and smooth, I want to touch it! And the color is so nice!" She's absolutely right about the coarseness. I have no idea what is in those magical scissors of Dave's but my hair looks amazing, it's true. Apparently even after sitting on planes for eight hours! Anyway, since my mom now wants to come to CA just for a haircut, I thought it was appropriate to update my yelp review. read more

I have been going to Dave for about a year, ever since moving from the San Mateo side of the SF Bay area. I found out about Dave through Yelp and decided to give him a try. I have been very pleased, especially since Dave doesn't have a lot to work with. (Yes, unfortunately, I have thinner hair on top, which can limit the options.) Dave has worked with me trying to find different style options that best suit my lifestyle and face. One month, a style or length or cut of hair might not work as well as a previous style; however, Dave always asks me how things worked the previous cut and takes it from there. Yesterday, I came in with a couple of pictures of how I wore it shorter one summer. I asked if I could still pull the look off. Dave looked at the pictures, suggested keeping some things the same and others different to make my hair look fuller. When I got back to work, I received several complements on my hair. The best thing; however, was that it looked great the next morning after I shampooed and styled it myself. To me, that meant that I had a great cut because I was able to make it look great, despite the fact that I am not a professional hair stylist. read more

OK, I know this is getting redundant but Dave is AWESOME! After reading reviews on Yelp, I decided I HAD to give Dave a try. I ended up showing up a half an hour late (I got lost even though I feel silly about it now since the place should not be too hard to find. But, hey, it's me. I get lost everywhere I go). At the time I went, I hadn't had a haircut or a dye job in almost a year so you can imagine what my hair looked like. What I loved about Dave is that he was honest but he didn't make me feel stupid. I told him how busy I've been over the last year and how much of a plunge my social life had taken as a result. I don't usually talk much during a hair appointment but there's something about Dave where you can just sense how good of a guy he is. He's easy to talk to if you want to talk but he'll let you just chill out and relax if you don't. I don't know if his prices are always that way or if he was just cutting me a break (because I've been tight on money during the last year due to the expense of school) but, WOW, his prices are extremely reasonable (maybe even more than reasonable) -- especially when you consider how good you look in the end. I walked out with beautiful, healthy-looking hair -- and he was able to make my hair healthy looking without cutting too much off (something I greatly appreciated since I like to have the length). I was soooo thrilled that I kept looking at myself in the rear view mirror on my way home. I'm surprised I didn't get into a car accident and I even missed a few exits and got even MORE lost coming home because I kept looking at myself so much! LOL! Thank you DAVE and thanks to everyone who recommended him!!!! read more

Ok...so with all the rave reviews about Dave, I definately had to go try him. When I went to Dave, my hair hadn't been cut in almost a year and it was really starting to become rather bushy near the bottom. Then of course, Dave worked his magic and my hair became nice...smooth...and *gasp* quite manageable. Another thing...I don't usually like talking to my hair stylists during the cut and I just want them to get it over with...but for whatever reason...Dave actually got me talking. He was also really great about getting my hair just the way I wanted. Which in itself was a feat because I wasn't even sure what I wanted. Overall, it was a great experience and I will definately be back...and this time maybe get some color done too. See you soon Dave! read more

I was so scared to find a stylist here that I somehow rationalized that it would be better to walk around town with a scuzzy mane. I think all the excess hair on my head was impairing my judgment. After reading all the rave reviews here on yelp and after seeing my husband be transformed into a sexy model the week before, I was finally ready to make an appointment with Dave. The place is in a tiny strip mall with a ballet/dance club and the Queen of Tarts bakery. There wasn't a "receptionist" when I arrived but Dave came to the front of the salon a few minutes later. It gave me just enough time to see some hideous photos of X-tina in a magazine. The salon is not what I am used to but that was actually a good thing. It's not the usual "open concept" salon - each stylist has their own little office/cube so none of the other patrons can see you with soggy flat towel hair between the walk from the sink to the chair. I liked that. Another cool thing is that if you show up with a mess he makes a "plan" for your hair so it is a work in progress until you get the exact look you want. Pretty neat. I am going to save up some dough and try out his colouring skills next time I go in. Make sure to bring cash or a checkbook since they do not accept credit cards here. read more

I found Dave via all of the great Yelp comments and have been going to him for almost a year now. David provides exactly what a stylist should: 1.) Great technique; 2.) An artistic streak that respects the client's needs and wants, 3.) Great suggestions that are based on your hair and your life instead of trends and what is considered cool; 4.) a comfortable casual fun environment. There are several grumbles in other reviews that David is just too busy. Is that a bad thing? Busy stylist = high demand for his services = darn good stylist. The key is to make and keep your appointment. The great thing is despite his busy schedule, David never rushes you, always makes and keeps an appointment, and will even give you a personal reminder call. read more

I've been going to Dave for three years now, and as long as he's in town I will never see anyone else. He's a very talented stylist who will not hesitate to tell you when what you want will make you look....less than your best, not because he's set in his ways, but because he truly wants you to look good. Let the haters hate. In Dave I Trust. read more

Sorry I didn't post this earlier. DAVE IS AMAZING! (just like everyone else is saying). Called on a Saturday, there was nothing open but he came it at like 8am on SUNDAY to cut my hair! the hair of someone who was a first time customer, SO NICE! did a GREAT JOB, my favorite haircut in a while, and he didnt even charge that much it was like 40 i think. +he gave my friend and I tons of tips because we were coloring her hair, and he gave us some foil for it. AND he's super funny and nice very talkative makes you feel very comfortable! I will surely go to dave again for my next haircut. DAVE RULES read more

I called Tuesday afternoon hoping for an appointment in Wednesday. I left a message and Dave returned my call 1st thing on Wednesday morning and said he had one time slot open. That was perfect. The salon is clean and sparsely decorated. I liked that each stylist has their own room with high walls for privacy. Dave is great, I gave him an idea of what I wanted and he went to work. I liked the fact that the haircut did not feel rushed like many places I go to and very reasonably priced. Dave is great with hair. When I arrived my hair was a frizzy mess. After he was done I had a head of healthy naturally curly hair. Thanks Dave! read more

I too succumbed to the McKinley Park Hair experience after reading the plethora of positive Yelp reviews Dave got. I am a relocatee from the Bay Area and had problems finding the right salon, and even getting calls back! All I have to say is I entered the salon and felt "hair zen" immediately. I was stressed because I was running 5 minutes late and I appreciated Dave squeezing me in at 5:30. I went in with an overfrizzed, dry mop of hair that desperately needed root touch up and lots TLC. Dave, bless his heart worked on me for 2 1/2 hours, chatting away the whole time and left me with a beautiful, silky crown of blonde hair that I could run my fingers through! WOW Dave you're a miracle worker!! I rebooked him on the spot to touch me up again a week before my wedding in March. Including my crown highlight, cut, shampoo, blow dry, style, purchase of two styling products, and gratuity....I STILL spent $60 less than the last salon visit I had to a pretty pricy place in Walnut Creek. I have to say how much I appreciated the detail Dave went into also when showing me how to style my new do. I have found my Holy Grail of hair salons and I will not look any further!!! 4/14/08 update: I went to Dave in mid March for my pre-wedding color and trim, and then again 4/12 for him to style my hair for my wedding reception. It was about 2 hours until guests were to arrive and I brought my sister with me so she could put a quick bun in her hair while I was being styled since we were running short on time. Dave, once again did a fabulous job. When my style was complete, Dave asked if my sister would like her hair touched up, and it was just SUCH a sweet gesture..it really meant a lot to us. We just can't say enough about how great Dave is. :) 5/20 update: I had an appointment for color last week and Dave did a fabulous job...I'm blonde blonde blonde! I took several inches off too for the summer, and the style is super cute and I've had lots of compliments on it. Plus, Dave called me prior to my appointment due to someone cancelling(gasp, why would anyone cancel DAVE..I mean wtf?!), to let me know he could squeeze me in earlier. The timing was perfect and I *just* beat the rush hour coming home! Whoo hooo!!!! 9/8: Dave makes me feel pretty. Can't wait for my Oct 8th appointment. Am having withdrawals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1/18/10: And just when you all thought I was finished reviewing...I have more!! :) I decided I wanted to go dark so 11/11/09 I did it! I'd been blonde since birth and wanted a change. I had talked to Dave about it for months and he gradually was darkening my low lights, making me not quite as blonde. Then I told him I was ready to take the plunge and go all CHOCOLATE brown. I am absolutely thrilled with the results! It's been 2 months now and I have no regrets. This just goes to show the full spectrum of talent Dave has. To go from blonde to brunette, and I mean really DARK, not just a few shades..I mean like day and night, is a huge step and you must have confidence in your colorist that they're not going to make you look like a Joan Jett groupie. I feel like whatever I could dream Dave to do to my hair, he'd make me look and feel like a million bucks! read more

Dave, you have transformed me. I am a new woman. How I dispaired over my hair, regretting evey color dedcision, wanting my blonde healthy lustorus mane of waves back.....and I debated and debated should I go or not? Will he do a good job or will he do what he thinks is "hip" and make my look like a skunk gone bad? So, I decided to bite the bullet and go. Dave, oh Dave, can I be in love with a hair stylist? Let alone a stranger? As soon as I walked in, I felt at ease, He took the time to listen to me, what I wanted, what I needed, and how to work with my hair. Dena, I don't know what you did, but this is the most patient and easy going hairstylist I have ever met. He is very knowlegable on a variety of subjects, made me laugh (very importaint), and we had a great converstaion. I love my haircut, it's still long, but no longer frizy and damaged looking, it is a lovely natural blonde, no longer a faded tired red. I am deeply thankfull for your expertiese. A list of what is awesome. 1. I was able to call him and get an apointment the next week. 2. In addition to a great cut, I got adivse on how to take care of my hair, and make it the way I want it to look. 3. He didn't blow dry my hair. I HATE it when stylists just assume you want it done and before I can say anything they gloop about 5 gallons of waxy crap into my hair so that after it's blow dried it looks exactly like it would have if I had let it dry naturally. That and I end up looking like a poodle with an afro afterwards if no product was used. 4. Besides good hair advise, he gave me really good tips on places to eat, a great suggestion on classes to take for general interest, and other buisnesses I might be intereted in. 5. From our converstaion I got the feeling that he is very much into the local buisness owner croud, and is active in the comunity. It made me feel so much better to know that I am patronizing a local buiness that supports other buisnesses. 6. He is not pretentious and outragously priced as other local "celebrity" hair salons. I have been to Hoshalls and to Mosaic and was sooooooo turned off by the greater then thou attitude. I still got a better cut with Dave. Dave you got a new fan! read more

When I started going to Dave 3 years ago I could not have better things to say. However I can not say those things any more. His prices are unreasonable and the service does not make the outrageous prices any easier to understand. Most of the time he gets side tracked talking to other people in the salon and you end up getting short changed on the haircut. read more

My boyfriend and I both got our haircuts from Dave. For $45 I was expecting much much more. My b/f was also very disappointed in his cut. Overall I don't think it was a bad cut, but definitely not worth $45 for men's cuts. read more

Along with all the other "Dave" fans out there, Dave is great. The best thing about Dave is that he listens to what you want and then uses his mad skills to create a great cut. Yay for Dave! read more

I've known Dave now for about 10 years. Before Dave started cutting my hair, I was the Supercuts or Great Clips guy who would just get a simple cut and pay 12 dollars. Shortly after moving to Sacramento, one day I was desperate for a good haircut. I was on J St and saw Hair Above J St, and Dave was there. He set up an appointment for me and totally took care of the mess on my head. I started going to him regularly and he threw color in my hair and really changed my whole style. In the last few years, I haven't always gone there only because I'm out of town a lot so I'll get a quick clean up job. Last year I went to him a couple days before my wedding so I could look my best and he came through, as usual. I just saw him the other day again and he's still the same Dave, a great guy and a terrific hair stylist. If I'd have to guess what he's best at, I'd say color; but he's also very good at knowing what style/length looks best for each person. Enough talking already, CALL HIM!!! read more

So it has been about two months since I have been to Dave haven't had time but my hair still looks great. Luckily I get to go see Dave in a week and a half. It just goes to show you that a great hair cut last a long time. Gotta love Dave. read more

From reading the reviews it appears that people have a love/hate relationship with Dave's haircuts. I am am on the love side...I was a supercuts guy for many years. I really didn't care all that much. Well things changed and I started to care about the hair up there..and well Dave does a great job of keeping it looking good. Nuf said. read more

I just moved to Sacramento so i didn't no any one to ask for references and decided to look on yelp for a hairstylist. i was ready for a change and wanted to cut a lot of my hair off so i wanted to make sure to get someone good... i am so glad i went with dave! things i loved about dave: (1) fabulous haircut (2) he returned my phone call within one day (3) totally unpretentious, and super friendly (4) knew what would make me look great! (5) cared about getting me something i really loved! read more

I am very happy with the haircut Dave gave me today! I went on the recommendations of the other reviews - it's nice when you go somewhere with high expectations and they are met. Dave is very skilled, really nice, and really enjoys what he does. Apparently, he really likes doing color, so I think I may be returning for a little bit of color at some point. read more

Great haircut and a pleasant experience. For the reviewer who didn't like him I'm not sure why. However since you don't know the difference between "your" and "you're" maybe you should just keep on with the mullet from super cuts. read more

Dave's awesome, he's got mad skills with the scissors and has good advice for when family comes to town. Rock on Dave, rock on.

Never again! I was so impressed with all the great reviews from yelp, and I also had a girlfriend who already goes to him; so I thought he would be the guy to transform me from long hair(the last 18 years) to a short bob. Dave is very personable and chatty. He told me in order to have the Katie Holmes bob, I'd have to have layers to take the weight off my thick wavy hair so my hair is not so puffy on the bottom. I agreed with him, and thought that's what he was going to do. I told him I fear what humidity may bring to my hair, so he suggested that we don't blow dry the hair, so I know what my hair looks like wavy( I always blow dry my hair straight). Well, my appointment was at 10:30am, and I was out of the chair at 11:00am. I was in such shock at what I looked like( Molly Ringwald circa 1986, no Katie Holmes 2008). I didn't expect exact 100 percent Katie Holmes, but I didn't expect 100 percent Katie Homely either! I kept thinking that if I blow dry my hair straight, it'll look better. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. My hair was uneven and no layers at all! Worst of all, I live in San Francisco, and I had to leave for an out of the country trip for a week the next day , all the while looking like a mushroom head. It has been a week since I returned from my trip. The first thing I did was to correct Dave's awful haircut. The stylist who cut my hair couldn't understand why Dave did "that" to my hair. I was reluctant to write this poor review about Dave, but I was really put off by the fact that when I was paying him for the $45 haircut, and handed him $60. He made no attempt to give change back. I have no problem to tip generously, however, it was wrong of him to assume that, especially when he should feel guilty for the lousy job he did on my hair. NC Update: I just want to share with Jami and other reviewers that I,too, received a nasty response from Dave. I also found that my review is nowhere to be found. I was told that Dave had contacted Yelp in the past to have his bad reviews pulled. What I wrote about Dave was not a personal attack. I stated the facts, and reviewers should know what to expect if they plan to have Dave work on them. read more

McKinley Park Hair Company Rocks!! Dave Aguirre (the bestest hair guy ever!!) makes you feel so comfy, welcome and at ease. Going to a new place , I feel you need to know that. Every time I leave his chair , I'm flooded by compliments. I have referred several friends and they feel the same. Also, his prices are fab! read more

I would put more stars if I could, like 20. I have unruly curly hair. Just awful, perm gone horribly wrong, tight FRIZZY curls. However, unlike a perm I am stuck with mine FOREVER! It doesn't even go straight. I had lost all faith in ever having nice hair. Hair stylist after hair stylist would give it their best try. But, they would fail and I would be left with yet another bad cut. One day my life changed and my aunt referred me to Dave. It was a miracle! Finally, someone who understood how to cut my hair. When I leave, for a good month after my cut, people I know and those I don't compliment me how great it looks! As though I just had it done that day! He is extremely accommodating with appointments. For girls who have curly hair, you must go to Dave. He understands it, he knows how to cut and layer it, no shelf cuts! My first appointment, he was so nice and patient, I was very nervous and a bit scared from my previous cuts. He always walks me through what he was doing and now I feel like we have a mutual understanding about my hair. Not to mention he is so much fun to talk to! Time flies when I am in that chair. I cannot wait to go back! Oh and for those reviews that say he is too expensive, well I suppose those people don't understand the concept of monetary exchange for something of good value. If you want a cheap hair cut it will look like a cheap hair cut. Dave is totally worth the $40. If I have yet to convince anyone, I commute over an hour just to have him cut my hair. He is that good! read more