Tucked into the lively buzz of Union Street, Heads First Salon is truly a cut above the rest. From the moment you sit in the chair, George and his son Christopher prove that great style clearly runs in the family. Between the scissors, stories, and steady stream of laughter, a visit here is more than a haircut--it's a full-on hair-itage experience. George's experience and Christopher's fresh perspective blend together perfectly--like the ultimate shampoo and conditioner combo. Their passion for the craft shows in every detail, leaving you looking sharp and feeling even better. If you're searching for a place where the vibe is warm, the conversation is lively, and the results are shear perfection, Heads First Salon is the place to go. Trust me--you'll walk out looking good enough to make a few heads turn. read more

Was looking for a new barbershop in the city and found this place. Chris cut my hair and the quality and pricing were both great! Gave me the haircut I needed for $50 and he was really knowledgeable about his craft. read more

My husband went here and came back nearly bald. He did not want too much length off and they did not listen to what he wanted. Stay away

DO NOT go here is you have curly hair for a men's haircut. My boyfriend went here and showed a specific photo of what he wanted, and did not want to lose length on the back or the sides. He came back almost BALD. I was appalled and my jaw was on the floor especially knowing the reference picture that was shown. Maybe it's fine if you have straight hair, but clearly they do not know how to cut any type of curly hair. read more

Fantastic men's haircut by Christopher! I have a hard time finding haircuts that look good on me and Christopher did a great job and I had a very good time talking to him. Everyone else at the salon was very kind too. Oh and a huge plus, he washed my hair before leaving. Otherwise I just run home to wash my hair immediately so I don't get hairs everywhere. Will be back! read more

George did an excellent job delivering on my request for color and hair style. I was specifically looking for someone who is skilled in blonde highlights and I am very happy with the results. read more

Amazing Place to get Balayage done with high quality and reasonable prices. My hair was flat and broken and needed help. Not only did my hair look great and full but it felt great after the session. My scalp felt alive again. read more

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If I could add ten stars I would!! I've had the pleasure of working with marine for all of 20 years!! She is one of the best hair stylist I could have ever asked for, she's the only one who is able to work with my thick curly hair without damaging them or causing any issues. she is professional and she is able to listen and understand her clients needs and she is able to add her own spin. I highly recommend going to her to get your hair done. You will not be disappointed! read more

Linnette and George are great! I live in the area and happened to walk by their salon. Checked it out and got an appointment for the following week. My hair was in desperate need for help. It was coarse, dry, and all kinds of issues. Truth was that I didn't like my last stylist very much and had a hard time finding a new one. I'd wait waaaay too long in between appointments and my hair suffered greatly. George has been doing this for decades. I knew I was in good hands. He and Linnette are such warm and welcoming people. They offered tea and coffee. George listens to my needs which is so important. My last stylist didn't. She did what she thought was best for my hair. George is not that. I showed him a few photos of what I wanted. We consulted for about five minutes and he got started right away. I did a coloring and a haircut. I cannot for the life of me to tell you what he did with my coloring but it's nothing short of magic! It looks just like what I wanted! I've had two other stylists within the past few years trying to get to what I wanted and they weren't even close. He got it on his first try! The haircut was great as well! I cannot recommend this place enough. Go see George! Your hair will be so happy!!! read more

BEST VIBES AND ENERGY :) I love getting my hair done here!! You leave feeling relaxed and refreshed. It's clean, bright and tucked away so you feel like your in a secret oasis. The stylist all work varying schedules so often times it's just you and the hair stylist, making it even more intimate. If you besties with your stylist, like me, it's a therapy session and glam-up all in one!! I leave feeling like a damn queen . Go here!!! read more

I went there today to ask some questions because I was interested in their services. I couldn't find their phone number so I decided to visit the salon since I live a couple of blocks away from it. When I got there a lady was INCREDIBLY RUDE to me. She said she didn't have time to answer my questions and that I should call her. When she was giving me the phone number she basically yelled each number at me so I decided to walk away. I felt really offended. Terrible service. read more

Heads First Salon - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

Head First Salon is a great place. It's such a cozy, clean, and welcoming environment. The staff are super friendly, and Marine is an amazing stylist. She pays great attention to what you want and is a fantastic colorist. I have wavy unruly hair, but she gave me an excellent cut that makes it easy to handle. I'm so happy with this service and would highly recommend this place to anyone!! read more

I feel so lucky that I came across this hidden gem so close to my house!!! The experience from start to finish was top class. At first it was difficult to spot as it's not very obvious from the street. You enter through a really cute alleyway with a little garden to get inside. Inside the atmosphere is calm and relaxing. I got my hair done on 01/28/23 - some highlights and a cut. The conversation was really flowing and I felt very at ease in her company. My hair was very dry and in not so healthy condition so I asked for a shampoo and conditioner recommendation. She was knowledgeable had some on site which I purchased. This is not something I would usually do but I was eager to see a change in my hair. I was delighted with the result!! My hair has improved greatly with my new shampoo and conditioner and I have been receiving comments about nice my color is. My color was still doing perfect but I really needed a bang trim for a work event and she very kindly worked around me and came in earlier than her hours of work on 03/17/23 to trim my hair and do a wash & blow dry. Could not recommend more!! Thank you Marine!! read more

Heads First Salon - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

I find this salon to have a warm and peaceful atmosphere. I feel a calming energy when I go down the outdoor walkway with the beautiful plants leading me to the front door. When I enter the salon, the stylists and the owner are welcoming and friendly and there is a good vibe throughout. I highly recommend Heads First and my stylist, Marine! read more

What s great place ! With Mostafa is talented Barber ! The most professional that I ever met ! Thank you for the Outstanding attitude and the great cut ;) read more

Great people, clean environment, welcoming !! Love this place and I always come out looking beautiful ! read more

I have been going to George since about 2000 - in fact, I like to joke that George is my longest male relationship! George has seen me through my late 20's and the last of my 30's, through several boyfriends and now a husband and baby, and he has provided me with good advice and great hair the whole way. George is a master of color, and it took us a while to figure mine out because my blond hair tends to get really red & brassy. He perfected the ideal mix for my highlights which includes a lot of blue undertones and combats the brassiness. He will really work with you to make your vision come to life, and he also gets to know you & your hair so he can give you a style that you can maintain after you leave the salon. In addition to being an amazing hairstylist, he's also a delight to spend time with. I can talk to George about anything, and he has given me many words of wisdom over the years. I can't say enough nice things about him, and highly recommend him! read more

Heads First Salon - Washing station + refreshment center - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

George did an amazing job!!! I came in last minute totally randomly and he was able to take me. I cut off quite a bit and it looks great and much fuller. He's also an amazing conversationalist and it was a very enjoyable afternoon!!! read more

Chris is the best hairstylist I've ever been to. Over the last few months he's always been there to give me a haircut and his haircuts never fail me. He is so kind and I love being one of his happy customers! read more

I have been going to Head's First Salon to get my hair done for a little over two years now. It's tucked away down a hallway just off union street. Inside it feels nice and warm and everyone that works here is friendly and welcoming. George (the owner, along with wife, Linette) does my hair and always helps me (an indecisive hair person) make any changes I want to make. He is a high energy person and is always happy to see you. Everytime I am here, it seems the person before or after me has been a client for 20+ years, and in my opinion that says a lot about a business. I always feel good about my cut and color, and often will recieve compliments for weeks afterwards. Recently, George helped me donate my hair and then change the style completely. It feels great! The other thing I really like about going here is that I don't feel like I'm going into a beauty store to get my hair cut, and what I mean by that, is that I don't feel like they are constantly trying to push new product on me. They do carry a few products, but they don't have WALLS of shampoo/conditioner/waxes/gels/treatments/etc. They do hair, plan-and-simple, and thats what I'm there for. read more

Christopher is my new barber. This is the best place I have found in the city to get a men's haircut! Very comfortable interior and great conversation! Felt super at home!!! read more

I was lucky enough to find George to tackle my hair do a couple years back. Heads First Salon is very inviting and comforting and its fun to sit around with the family. I trust George immensely with my hair because he is up to date with whats in, always proffessional, and understands my hair. Opaaaa! read more

I was referred to George at Heads First Salon by a coworker of mine about 6 months ago--it was actually a referral for a friend of mine that was looking for someone who could do a great job on men's hair. After going with my friend and seeing what a great job he did on his hair, I thought I would give George a try myself. I had been a very devoted client to another salon for the past 4 years, so this was a pretty big step for me! George not only gave me a fabulous cut, but did an amazing job with my color as well (I'm a blond, and am extremely picky about my color). His prices are right, he's in a great location and he makes you feel right at home when you're in his salon. Needless to say, I am a total convert and can't see myself going to anyone else for my hair! read more

If you're looking for a great men's haircut, this is the spot. Right off of union st, dont be intimidated by the alley way to get to the front door. Ask for Christopher. read more

Anna Mae who has been doing my hair for over 10 years now has just moved to this salon. I have always followed her no matter where she ends up! even in the garage of her house!! However I love this new salon she is now in, really warm and lovely ambience. Love the colors, and absolutely love the little back patio. Many very nice touches - and I do like that it is on Union Streeet, always fun to go there. But as I stated I would follow Anna Mae anywhere! she does cut and highlights for me and without fail everytime it is perfect. I get more compliments and positive feedback on my look every time!! I highly recommend her. Thanks for reading read more

After reading reviews on Yelp, I had my hair cut and highlighted with George. He is amazing! It's always nerve racking to go to a new hair dresser, but with George I was immediately at ease. He was friendly, fun and obviously knew what he was doing. I have very straight, very thick hair and he was able to give me volume that I've never had before. The coloring was great too and being in his salon is an all around enjoyable experience. A little on the pricey side- but it's Union St and I'm a firm believer you get what you pay for. I'll definitely be going back! read more

This is an amazing salon on Union Street. So much culture and history is found at Head's First Salon. I love coming here and getting my hair done. The owners are so vibrant and fun. The greet you with smiles and fit you into busy schedules. Book your appointment today! You won't be dissapointed. I will have to say that every time I'm there for an apointment, I see clients leave the salon looking like a million bucks! Such a great Salon! read more

20+ years. Why do I keep coming back? Terrific technique, knowledge, and a perfect cut that last 6 weeks until the next cut. Add a great attitude and a fun time (getting a. Haircut?? Yeah!) You cannot go wrong w George! read more

Marine has been doing my hair (290.3010) for over 6 years, and she is AMAZING! Her color and cuts are terrific and very very reasonable. Definitely call her and set an appt. I used to go to a chic and tres expensive salon by Union Square..she blows them out of the water. The other stylists are wonderful..bring quarters, she is on Union Street! read more

Oh my gosh!!! Where do I begin? George Watson has been my one and only hair god since I moved to San Francisco, exactly 10 years ago. His salon was on the corner of Octavia and Filbert at the time and I lived down the street. Waking down the street one day, as I passed by the salon windows, he popped his head out and asked, directly yet quite sweetly, "Who in God's name did that to your hair???". I had long, curly, what I thought was well highlighted blonde hair at the time. Apparently my previous colorist loved Zebras and was playing a little joke on me! George not only got the color just right, but he has maintained my color and cut all these years. He is absolutely the best! For color, don't even bother with anyone else. His salon is now located just a block away down a little alcove off of Union Street, where the atmosphere, prices, and quality of everything is superb. His beautiful wife Linnette is a delightful hostess. And this owner couple is definitely a powerhouse in the neighborhood. I'm recommending this salon not only as a treat you deserve, but a way to meet 2 incredible people you will call your friends within minutes! :):):) read more

George Watson has been cutting and highlighting my hair for many years because he is talented, fabulous, professional, fun and always gives me a great salon experience. I trust him to try new things because he knows every hair on my head and how to style them! He is an expert with hair color so you don't have that awkward moment after you get it done and run into a friend to have them say, "Oh your hair looks..... um interesting........" I can't have anyone else do my hair because George is so good. And I can't forget to mention Lynette, George's wife and partner in the salon. She is friendly, fun and is the business manager. The salon is roomy, comfortable and inviting. read more

i have received the best haircuts for the last 15 years by george. he and his family are very professional at what they do and make me feel very at home and cared for. i always look forward to getting my hair cut at their salon! read more

This George guy knows how to cut hair. I'm sure Linette's great too but I haven't met her. George accommodated me on a walk-in one afternoon a while ago and gave me one of the best hair cuts I've ever gotten. It was a little on the pricey side, and not the easiest place for me to get to, but considering all the places in SF where I've ended up paying more for the "ambiance" than the actual quality of the haircut, the commute and the extra few bucks is worth it. The ambiance is more effortlessly pleasant at Head's First anyway. It has a homey feel, like you're visiting a friend who just happens to be exceptionally good at cutting hair. I have thick, straight, silky-textured hair which a lot of stylists seem to think will look fabulous if they just hack a lot of layers into it and call it "structure." It doesn't. George gets this. I didn't even need to explain it to him. I started, but he already knew what I was going to say. "A week or two later it gets all puffy and flippy and weird, right?" Exactly. I just got a jacked up cut from some cheaper - yet still overpriced - place a couple blocks from my home and will have to truck all the way over to Head's First on the other end of town to get this mess fixed. Lesson learned. read more

Great place to get your hair styled. Miguel has cut my hair for years and recently moved to Head's First. I wouldn't know what to do without him! read more