Best barber shop on the peninsula, Ray "owner" and operating barber is one of the few best trade carriers left in the field, its more of a specialized hair cut for men not just the typical super cut. His new shop is really modern and it also has a spa feature to it with the interior section designed for hair dressing, and nail care. I feel excited about my appointment with Ray all the time and it definitely feels great after... Star Image Barber Shop Rocks. read more

I have been going to Ray at Star Image for my haircuts and beard trims. Ray is not just a barber; he is a skilled craftsman who knows how to work wonders with hair and beards. Every time I visit Ray, I walk out feeling like a million bucks. He pays attention to detail, listens to what I want, and always delivers fantastic results. Ray is very welcoming and professional. I highly recommend Ray to anyone looking for top-notch grooming services. You won't be disappointed! Just remember to carry cash as Ray is old fashioned and doesn't accept credit cards. read more

Best Barbara in town. Been serving the San mateo community for 20+ years. Highly recommend. read more

Star Image - Barbers Near Me - San Mateo, California

Ray is the best barber I've ever experienced. You get a clean up with a straight razor, a massage with a weird device from the 50s... great haircut, great experience. A+ read more

Walking in to my appointment, I was greeted by the pungent smell of manicurism and a near-empty shop. "Can I help you make an appointment?" called out the woman in the back, "I have one." I replied. "Ah, he's in back, he'll be out in a bit." So I sat down and waited. A few minutes later, Ray walks in. "You were supposed to be here at 3:30," Ray says, gesturing at the clock. I apologize and I'm wondering if this whole thing was a mistake. Then Ray starts his work and we get to talking and my entire impression of the affair is upended. "Ray" is actually Rizeq; born in Jordan and of Greek descent, Rizeq learned the craft from his father as the eldest of seven. His shop back in Amman was called "Golden Fingers", which would have been even more awesome than "Star Image" in my perspective. Ray starts with the haircut, slicing and dicing with well-practiced hands, taking about 20 minutes. Then he lifted a lever that swung my chair back, grinned, and pronounced, "Now I will shave you." The shaving was a very highly elaborate procedure, involving applications of several lotions, several hot latherings, hot towels applied to the face, and a two-pass straight blade shave followed by more lotions and hot towels. Then, more. A vigorous face-rub with clay was followed by a head and face massage, then the most delightfully aggressive shampooing I've ever had, a back-of-the-neck straight blade shave, and then - amazingly - he attached a vibrating mechanism to his hand and rubbed my back and head, finishing off by applying gel to my hair and putting it in place. $45 all told; it took a full hour. WOW. The whole experience is more Day Spa for Men than "a place to get your hair cut". Not the closest shave of my life -- a fresh Gillette Mach 3 shaving against the grain with Barbasol is pretty damned tough to beat --- but one of the most fantastic barbering experiences of my life nonetheless. Four stars; I'll definitely go back. Changes that would have taken it to a five star experience: better ventilation (the manicuring smells were intense), accepting credit cards, and booking via Internet or email. But definitely recommended for the whole *experience* of being taken care of in that way. Awesome. read more

I love getting my hair cut from Kim. She listens and does a great job. I drive many miles to get my hair cut. They few people who can cut men's hair with so much detail read more

Currently taking appointments only, and cash or personal check. Very sharp haircut and fine service.

First time I tried threading and "I LOVE IT" Lilliana did an excellent thorough job. My face had a nice clean shine after an hour of threading all that peachy fuzz on one's face. Stuff even the best eye sight can't see, but feel. I felt the tingling sensation like a massage stimulating my face. This is my new addiction. Will be coming back for more once I see how long it takes for the little critter fuzzies to come back. read more

Since moving to the peninsula, I've struggled to find a good barber. I tried Ray after reading positive reviews on yelp. My first cut was very good - a nice "high& tight" with full service: clean taper, straight razor shave, hot towels, even a nose and eyebrow trim! Bingo, I've got a new barber. My second visit was an early morning appointment and my haircut wasn't as good. Ray seemed a little less detail oriented during the cut and after getting home, I noticed several uneven spots and stray hairs. It wasn't a disaster but it wasn't a great cut. I'll give him one more try and hope that my first experience was typical. read more

True barbers are a dying breed. Ray is an old school barber who knows all the tricks of the trade. Unlike other barbers I have reviewed Ray is awesome when it comes to appointments. An 11:30 appointment means you'll be taken at 11:30 and out by noon. Oh and it's appointment only. For the actual haircut. Ray does an excellent and meticulous job. After the cut he'll clean up the back of your neck with a straight blade ( a must for any barber in my book). Instead of using the straight blade to line up the sideburns, he uses thread. Additionally for those of us who need it he will clean up between and around your eyebrows with the thread. Definitely a great cut! read more

After coming back for a while longer, I decided I have to take it down a notch. Basically - minus 1/2 star for no credit cards and minus 1/2 star for visit to visit consistency (sometimes its just not as good) read more

With the rave reviews, the husband called in for a cut. He phoned in wanting to know if they take walk-ins and if so what time he could come in. The man who answered the phone was rude and impatient. He kept saying he was busy and then click! The guy hung up. As if! Look, I understand things get busy and maybe he was having a bad day but there's no reason to treat phone customers like that. read more

Ray is the best barber around. Period. He is old style barber, and mostly cuts hair to men only (although sometimes there are other stylists in his shop that cut hair to women). Depending on his mood, he may start with the trimer using successively different sizes of combs and then finish with scissors,s or just do everything with scissors - in any case he does it right perfectly rounded. he is amazingly good with the scissors, by the way. As final touch he may also trim down your beard and give you a short massage on the neck and shoulders with the old style hand massager. I recommend him completely, and I tried several barbers before. I only wish he would be more available on saturdays, but the fact that he is always busy should mean something, right? read more

Classic old school barber. Master of the straight razor shave. Ray is detailed, thorough, always on time, and a very nice guy. I highly recommend this barber shop. read more

So when I discovered that my usual stylist was on vacation for a month. I threw myself on the mercy of yelp and gave Ray a call. A note - He lost his lease at 19 37th Street and is now across the street at 52 37th street in someone else's salon until he moves to his new location on 43rd. I called on a Friday afternoon and was able to get an appointment for 11am on Saturday. So far so good. The one disappointment I had was that I was looking forward to the full day spa treatment another poster had described. I did not get a shampoo or a full shave (he did clean up my mustache beard and soul patch though). Everything else including the shoulder massage did happen. He is also a really sweet guy that makes a point of keeping the conversation going. He only charged me $18 - that isn't much more than Supercuts charges! I tipped him nicely, and will certainly be back. read more

Threading with Lilyana at Star Image!!!!! I will never wax my eyebrows again! Even though i am light & blonde, I get lots of peach fuzz & Lilyana always does my brows to perfection!!! She is lovely, professional, & detail focused. It's obvious that she has extensive experience. I feel so beautiful after a visit with her; my brows are well shaped & perfect! And i no longer get painful irritation & a breakout like after waxing. The friends I have encouraged to visit her also have been thrilled with her work! Super highly recommend Lilyana for any threading/hair removal needs!!! read more

The shop is conveniently located and easy to find. It is always clean and organized despite a steady flow of clients. Ray is an experienced barber who has mastered his trade. He is very welcoming and tries to accommodate client's availability despite his busy schedule. The service is what one would expect from a high-end barbershop. read more

Ray's great! I saw the other reviews, made an appointment and went to see what he could do. I walked-in a little more than five minutes early for my scheduled appointment. So, Ray took me a little early. He has a nice, clean shop with a comfortable chair. He cuts hair really well, very precise and I guess he has that old school barber service: shaving side burns and back of the neck. He even pulled-out this huge chrome plated wrist strapped massager and finished the cut off with a upper back massage (a little awkward when he pulled it out since I'm not a massage guy). He then slaps some aftershave/cologne on you and you're done. The price was good too and he's a pretty nice guy. I'll keep going back. read more

Mai, the manicurist is fantastic. I started going to her when she worked at another salon close by. I was sad when I found out she no longer worked there but happened to walk by this place and seen her working here :) Needless to say I've been coming here ever since. She does an awesome job on nails & eyebrows. Highly recommended =) read more

Ray is an excellent style innovato who knows his stuff. He took his time to carefully cut my hair, gave me the classic razor shave around the hairline, followed by a cleanup with a hot towel, quick shoulder massage, applied some cologne and gave me a few styling ideas. I will definitely be returning. read more

I wish I could give him 10 stars. Ray is the man. Takes appointments and never has you waiting. Takes his time on your hair and make you look good. He will bust out all the old school barber techniques; straight razor, steam cloth, eyebrow cleanup, nasal clip, and ends it all with a quick shoulder massage. Charges are very reasonable and I always give him a nice tip. Keep up the good work Ray! read more

Ray is the best. 5 Stars all the way! He will make you look sharp and feel like a star.

I've been cutting my hair here for a year now, and I love the old-fashioned barber experience here. Ray uses blades to line you up and even gives you a massage and hot towel service. Haircuts are great but don't expect him to be a hair-stylist--he's just a barber and a damn fine one at that. He's also a very reasonable guy. Being absent minded as I am, I forgot to bring my wallet and couldn't pay. I told him I'd drive back and get the money, however, he said not to and that I could just pay it back the next time I see him! Great, anyone else would have had a bad attitude about it. From what I understand, Star image will be relocating at the end of July. Appointment only, and if you actually do schedule one, be on time! read more

*Update* Star Image has moved across the street temporarily until Ray opens up his new location less than 4 blocks away. Ray is still cutting hair and can be reached at 650 341-4647. read more

Ray is the Picasso of hair and the Aristotle of the lost art of Barbering. Ray is a true craftsman - an Artist of the coiffure. He is the BEST when it comes to finding a Barber who loves his craft and takes pride and ownership in the end result. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I recommend RAY 100%! Cash only. read more

Need a manicure, pedicure, gels, waxing???? Mai is who to ask for! She is the best! I have been going to Mai for years. She was at another local salon close by but moved to Star Image and I'm so happy! It was suggested to me by Mai to see Daniel for a hair cut and color. I took her advice and he was great! Did a wonderful job and was a pleasure to talk to. It's a small shop but I get the feeling of family when I'm there and everyone is so friendly. The owner is a lovely man and from what I have seen an old school barber. As you can see from the other comments, he is highly recommended. So remember....Mai for Nails, waxing, and Daniel for hair. They are my top picks but it seems everyone is loved in this shop! read more