REVIEWER # 13 ATTENTION LADIES!! Are you looking for that beauty lounge that takes care of everything you need? I mean EVERYTHING from: getting your hair fresh, getting your eyebrows and Brazilian wax to even getting your nails done?? Well Essential Beauty Lounge is my all time favorite! These ladies do a bomb job! You don't believe me? Check their Instagram photos, you know pictures don't lie LOL... Yup! Thanks to Instagram I was lucky to find these ladies who have amazing talent when it comes to making you look like a million dollars! I can't speak to much on the other women at the shop because Shanda is the one that blesses my hair. Shanda is the most caring and genuine person when it comes to doing my hair. When I first came in November I was preparing to go back home to Florida and visit my family. I explained to Shanda that when it comes to hair, I'm clueless! Real talk, I always need a hairstylist near me because I just couldn't make it! I hate dealing with my hair but Shonda makes it look SO easy. She did a sew-in my first time I came. Scheduling was easy over the phone and she actually took time to hear what I wanted. She took her time to braid my hair and even made sure to ask if it was tight to make sure she wasn't hurting me. (Real talk, this lady is the ishh) An hour and a half later I was getting out of her chair looking like a million dollars, HOLLA! I gained SO many compliments about my hair I was shocked! Shanda's hair game is so legit, I was able to leave my hair in for almost 3 months and it still looked brand new after I washed it. #A1status The shop decor is set up really nice. It's literally set up like a lounge area. Nice seating room area with 4 booths and 2 stairs for washing and blow drying. Plenty of parking in the street and I never worry about going hungry because there are tons of little markets with tons of food options. Her shop is located near a Muni line, totally accessible! I swear what more could you ask for? Shanda is totally flexible when it comes to setting appointments. I work throughout the week so weekends are always better for me and from day one she has always fit me in her schedule on Sundays. #shawtyistheshit So moral if the story ladies. I learned there is NO reason for a woman to be walking around with her hair looking weak because Essential Beauty Lounge is open to get your hair back on fleek! #HAHA I definitely recommend calling in your appointment now just not on Sundays because those are my days! Good luck ladies! REVIEW 16/196 read more

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do not book an appointment with sonia!!!! i repeat do not book an appointment with sonia! i booked an appointment back in may to have a natural hair wash and flat iron with a trim and curls. as required, i paid the $25 depost to secure my appointment. i was so excited to get my hair done because i normally wear protective styles and wanted something different. the day of my appointment, which was today, i get a text from her assistant that she cancelled my appointment. now i can understand cancelling an appointment with 24-48 hours notice. that didn't happen. she cancelled my appointment 10 mins before the appointment. i was literally down the street from the salon when i got the text. the assistant told me that she had someone to take her place. i asked the assistant could i keep my same time for my appointment that i booked. she told me that there's no guarantee. when i tell you i'm pissed, i'm pissed. i paid to get over the bridge and was looking forward to this appointment because 1. it was my sister's high school graduation and 2. i am going to cleveland with the golden state warriors staff tomorrow for game 4 of the nba finals. coming from atlanta, the hair capital of the world, it's so hard trying to find black hairstylist here in the bay area that are reliable and professional. she's not it. i guess i have to be a celebrity to keep my appointment. i will never book an appointment here and i do not recommend anyone else booking an appointment with sonia. she's unprofessional and unreliable. i will be filing a claim against you through paypal to get my deposit back since your assistant didn't want to respond to my text. read more

I have been living in San Francisco for 5 years now and have always been hesitant about trusting someone with my hair. So, I have done it myslef the entire time. However, with my 30th birthday approaching, I decided to treat myself to an actual salon experience. After researching many salons and asking for friend's recommendations I made an appointment with Sonia. The online system was very quick and easy to use, which adding to more confidence that I would have a great experience. Unfortunately everything that followed was a complete let down. When I arrived early to my appointment, I wasn't even greeted by Sonia, but by who I assumed to be Shonda. Mimi, another stylist, then informed Sonia I was there and she reluctantly turned to greet me with an awkward, "Hey." I sat down and immediately felt uncomfortable once I noticed she had someone in her chair, another person with hair done hair and my appointment was supposed to start in 10 minutes. In hindsight, I should have just left but I stayed because I knew she did great work based on her instagram images. 15 minutes into my appointment time, she called me over and sat me in her chair, kicking the other two people off to the side. Then she asked me to show her the style I wanted. I showed her the image and her only question was do you want a part on the left or right side. I said left and then went to work. There was no other consultation about my hair care, she didn't ask if it was washed, permed, conditioned, etc.I had to stop her and ask her to wash my hair. She then washed, conditioned and set me under the dryer; giving her the opportunity to work on those other two people. Enter Mimi, who was asked to blow dry, braid and prepare my hair so Sonia could have a food break and work on her other clients. This review has gone on pretty long, so I'm just going to get to it. This experience was HORRIBLE, from the muscical chairs game played by Sonia, to the lack of detail in the overall care of my hair and uncomfortable environment with her taking SEVERAL phone calls and even having friends visit while she was doing my hair. I was so unhappy with my hair, that I had a friend fix it for me. Obviously, I'm never going there again and the lack of professionalism is such a shame from someone who has the skills to go very far but will sadly get in her on way. I hope she figures things out before she hits a wall where her talent is outshined by her unprofessionalism. Good luck Sonia. read more

Word to the wise, If you are a distributor, be careful doing business with this shop. They have stiffed an acquaintance of mine, for services rendered. They would not be in business without this persons assistance, yet they refuse to pay there dept. This is not ethical or good business practice. This one was taken down from another lady who wasn't happy with you...... Had an appointment scheduled on a Sunday with Sonia at Essential Beauty Lounge who is one of the young owners there. Yes I was told that her assistant will be TEXTING me to confirm my appointment on that Sunday. I was so excited I waited three weeks for this appointment, I told and showed my co-workers, friends, and family Sonia Instagram, I was so bragging about her work I was so excited to be getting my hair done. Anyways I never received a text from anyone, but I didnt trip I figured I have an appointment with a PROFESSIONAL shop/person she'll be there or at least make sure she will try to contact me. I went to the shop early around 10 my appt was at 10:15am, (I waited in my car o wait I texted her told her I was going to the ATM first to get her money, no text back) I waited it was like 1030, I decided to call her and YES I did blow her phone up, like (SHE TOLD ME WITH ATTITUDE I RECEIVED ALL 50 OF YOUR CALLS AND TEXT THAT DAY.) I FINALLY did get one text back stating I didnt reply to her assistant text so I am a NO SHOW. I responded informing her I dont understand I never received a text, a phone call, or a voice message, but I am here right now at your shop because I have an appointment with you. I NEVER AT ALL GOT A CALL OR A TEXT BACK FROM HER. Imagine that excited about getting your hair done bragging about her for three weeks telling people to go to her and how good she was o yea I really did think she was a sweet young lady when I met her, but yea cant judge a book until you read it, just aliitle of it. So yea still no call no text no nothing from Sonia, and YEP i still was calling her up until late that afternoon. NO CALL AT ALL!!!! So Monday come around yep HAIR STILL NOT DONE!!! waiting on her to call to say something like my bad, I do apologizeyou didnt received the text but... NOPE NOTHING.. I had to call herMonday and say Hi Sonia I had an appointment with you on Sunday and she say with an I DONT GIVE A FUCK ATTITUDE "My assistant text you you never responded so you are a NO SHOW (but I was at the shop you was a no show) I informed her that I never received a text from your assistant, did she try calling me, or leaving me a message. Still with an ATTITUDE she say she texted you and you never responded, I told her I was CALLING YOU AND TEXTING YOU ALL MORNING. SHE SAY " YEA I RECEIVED ALL 50 OF YOUR CALLS AND TEXT" OF COURSE WITH ATTITUDE. Professionally she would have answered me that morning and informed me of something instead of just ignoring my calls right? AS A REAL GROWN UP PROFESSIONAL WOMEN WHO HAS HER OWN BUSINESS SHOULD KNOW THIS. Sonia didnt APOLOGIZE she didnt show no EMPATHY NO SYMPATHY no nothing she staright just acted like she didnt care, all she was still saying with ATTITUDE call my assistant back to reschedule. I just said ok and then we hung up. I felt sad and hurt just because of the way she talked like she didnt care, which taught me how to show more empathy to my members at workdue toi the fact on how she treated me and made me feel, NO one should ever make you feel like they dont care especially when you are giving them your business and as a PROFESSIONAL you should always make your clients feel like you care. Anyways after all of that I was asked on Monday what happen I thought you was getting your hair done, and if I tell you like 3 or 4 different people told me she has attitude and only does her friends hair in a reall good way only, Damn now yall tell me. I did text her and said thank you for apologizing her respond was "APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT" !!!! The texting was going back and forth so I decided to apologize for texting her and to please forgive (BIGGER PERSON) and decided to bring it here on YELP. I did get my hair done INDIEISHE who is also the bomb I love my full sewn in weave, I was there at 1 out at 3 very professional, young lady that I am excited to go back to for other styles and her hair care. Book an appointment on line pay partial in advanced, so she will be there rather you come or not, nbot need to have someone else TEXT your customer. So I am happy that Sonia wasnt PROFESSIONAL with me and had an ATTITUDE with me because I got exactly what I wanted in a timely manner in a very peaceful, comfortable environment. Its too many people out there who do real good hair so why deal with a person who is YOUNG WITH ATTITUDE THEY GONE LEARN read more

Outstanding service. LaShondra is a skilled and patient stylist. Great atmosphere, professional, clean and an amazing experience.

Saw a great Groupon deal for a 3 Brazilian bundle and thought I'd bite the bullet and try my first Brazilian with it! Didn't know what to expect but I had an amazing experience! I went after work which would've conflicted with the salon's hours but Shanda was totally fine with it. She made my first time totally comfortable. Even though I've only got two more on my deal, I'm definitely gonna keep coming back afterwards :) read more

Had a wax here and the lady doing it didn't do any of the steps you are supposed to do with waxing in a salon. She did not clean the area before. She used the same pot from the previous client and used the same spatula to apply the wax with and re-dipped it the whole time. THE SAME STICK FOR THE WHOLE WAX! Back into the pot that she was usually for the client before and I'm sure the client after me. She missed several areas and wasn't thorough at all! She didn't pluck any of the hairs she missed and also left wax on me and didn't give me anything to clean myself with. I ended up getting wax all over my pants since she got wax all up and down my legs. Super unprofessional and unsanitary. Will be reporting to the BBB this week since I am not sure that "waxer" even has a license. read more

I had an amazing experience when I came in for a Wax. Shonda was very professional and so far the best waxer I've ever come across. She really was patient throughout the process and did everything she could to accommodate any type of concerns I have, along with helpful suggestions on my skin. I highly recommend her :) Definitely coming back!! read more

Love the staff. Friendly atmosphere. Professional behavior and skilled stylist! They can get busy so be on time & confirm your appointment. Shaunda is very accommodating and easy to talk to. read more

This review is ONLY re the Braider Patrice. "Patrice is UNPROFESSIONAL when she makes a mistake !! I text 1day after she braided my hair to show that the back wasn't full like the last time she did it & she agreed to put a few more braids in that Tue. I txt Mon to ask the time b/c I hadn't heard from her & she'd already blocked me! Meantime my sister got serviced & her braids started slipping after 2days & when contacted and pictures sent, she blocked her! Clearly she thinks she's above criticism . I don't care how many heads you've done!! Poor work is poor work! She even admitted that she wasn't in the right frame of mind due to a family members passing. Of which I was VERY understanding. Proper thing would have been to NOT do any hair!! Clearly she wasn't too stressed when she took a trip to Mexico right after! I paid the same amount the 2nd time as the 1st. I've recommended her to several people, and none of that is merited. She's a neat, fast braider who happened to have a situation but that does not excuse treating your paying clients as if you can never do wrong! Disrespect is intolerable and will be handled. read more

I come to Essential beauty lounge for my waxing and hair styling. The salon itself is clean and has a homey vibe to it. Shanda has been doing my hair and waxing for as long as I can remember and one thing I appreciate the most about her work is her professionalism and eagerness to make sure I leave with a smile on my face. She takes her time with me and I never feel rushed. Thank you Shanda Mayfield for always squeezing me in on short notices and making my Brazilian waxes feel super comfortable because you empathize with the client in a somewhat "awkward" situation. I trust your work and recommend Shanda to all my friends. read more

If you want your hair to be slayed than honey this is THE place you need to be! Sonia has been doing my hair for almost 2 years now and I love her work!! She truly has them miracle hands. When I first came to Sonia my hair was pretty damaged and uneven. Since I've been sitting in her chair my hair has grown significantly, full,healthy, and strong. She is a really sweet, cool, down to earth young woman as well as the other owner. The establishment itself is very beautiful and gives you a warm welcoming feeling soon as you walk through the door! read more

I came to this salon to get a wax and the environment was nice & the decor was excellent and the owner made me feel like I was at home a must visit place read more

Essential Beauty Lounge - Hair Stylists Near Me - San Francisco, California

I highly recommend this beauty salon for hair and wax. Shanda was my hair stylist and I booked my appointment with her online; she called and confirmed, asked me several questions about my hair. Day of appt. she was on time, so friendly, the salon is so modern felt like I was a fashion show. :).. She washed, dyed, trimmed and flat-ironed my hair and gave me Brazilian wax (which I got good deal from groupon). I will definitely be back, its always hard finding a good beautician, but she specializes in natural hair care, even though she was finishing up a really bomb sew-in bob.. I'll have to try that next time. . read more

I've been a loyal customer since Shanda was working for European Wax Center. She was the only one I would allow to wax me then and now! I'm so glad she has her own shop! The experience is even better. I went to Shanda for a Brazilian Wax and Full Set of eyelashes. She has great customer service especially during the waxes because lets face it, it doesn't get better with time! But her technique does make it a smoother experience. I would recommend Essential Beauty Lounge for all your needs from hair styling to waxing to lashes! Thanks ladies for a great, clean and friendly experience! read more