I have been with Donna for almost 20 years. I am not loyal to Donna because of time. I am loyal to…read moreDonna because she is good! Donna has special skills in coloring and cuts. She is an expert on ethnic hair design, but has extensive experience with all types of hair. Her salon is clean and well maintained. Donna provides custom consultations to find you a youthful or classic look that fits your lifestyle.

Location: Lily is in the castro, with good access from the castro, mission and noe valley. She is…read morenext to some bread shop (thumbs down, baked items are not so great) and Samovar Teal Lounge (thumbs up, but pricey). If you're a text message person, it might interest you that I make my appointments by texting her. We'll set it up and then she'll text me the morning of to remind me. Ambiance: Hair Ole is generally a quieter salon. Lily rents out a chair, but generally it's just her when I'm there. She pipes in an eclectic mix of easy to listen to world music, and the general atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. The salon is always clean. Personality: I've never seen Lily except in a good, smiling mood. She's a happy camper and is always good with her clients. There are a lot of regulars and she knows them all by name, spouses, etc, so she has real relationships with her clientele. Lily is good for both talkers and non-talkers alike. Generally I talk to her about food. The Cut: The cut starts with a double wash (I don't remember why she does this, but she told me once) and a scalp massage. Again, it's her way of creating the atmosphere of a salon as opposed to just getting a haircut. About the cut, Lily is a bit of a perfectionist, which I like. Stylists with an approach to the way they cut hair is important to me, because I know it turns out the exact same way every time. I've been going there for 2 years and I can absolutely tell you what she is going to do next. There are no signs of the tell-tale "buzz trimmers" you'll find at other salons. Ask Lily why and she'll tell you,"that's for people who have no skill." This translates into a couple things. First, a slightly longer amount of time, but also careful precision to the cut. Cuts end with another rinse and sitting back down to make sure everything is in place. For what you get, the pricing is actually a bit low IMO. Lily is great and the product is equally great. Note: If you are Asian like me, you know how hard it is to find someone who can cut Asian hair. Lily, being Shanghai Chinese not only does Asian hair, but is the only person in SF that I trust. Most of her clientele is not Asian however.

I walked by one day and saw Lily giving a haircut to the cutest little boy while "Dad" looked on…read more... it was a sight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. I later found out it was the little fellow's first haircut ;) I live nearby so I called Lily later to ask how much highlights were for a man's short length hair ... very reasonable so I went in the same day. Not only did I enjoy chatting with her and the sightseeing on busy 18th Street, but Lily spent considerable time to make sure the highlights were evenly spaced. When finished, I was amazed at how natural the highlights looked. Other salons in the 'hood have sent me home looking like a skunk or the Great Pumpkin. For a leather community guy, I got a ton of compliments on my hair and always refer people to Lily. She has the best prices in the Castro and takes time to ask what look you are going for. I hear her partner at the salon is a great stylist but haven't tried him yet; Lily seems to be an expert with color and also does cuts. My highlights lasted through THREE haircuts and still looked natural and not damaged. Amazing. If new to the city or just wanting to experiment with a new salon, you should give them a try at Hair Ole. They are a welcome addition to the neighorhood.

Until Sarah started cutting my hair around 5 years ago, I had always thought that having curly hair…read moremeant that a new haircut would mean a new identity -- sometimes I'd come out looking like Albert Einstein, sometimes a poodle, sometimes a '60s love child... it gets old. And then I met Sarah. She knows exactly what to do with my curly mop, and it looks great now, pretty much all the time (except when it's nearly time for a haircut again). She's always "on", gets it right every time... and besides, she's just as consistently one of the sweetest and most joyful people you'll ever meet. I adore Sarah, and she does a great job on my hair. Six stars?

Jill has mad skills when it comes to cutting hair, I constantly get compliments! I will follow her…read moreanywhere. Jill is the most amazing hIr stylist ever! I have been coming to Jill for 9+ years.

I don't leave reviews often but felt this establishment and Robyn deserved a stellar review…read more Amazing service, clean, neat space and timely. She can do everything and provides a great ambiance while doing so!

This stylist is amazing. I have been going to Yvette for over 15 years. She really tailors her…read moreresources and services to meet each clients individual needs. I get a shampoo and twists and sometimes color. I travel all over the United States for work and every where I go someone is complimenting me on my hair color or style. Yvette makes sure that her service is not just a beautiful style but also what she needs to do to enhance and maintain the texture and vibrancy of my hair. Her energy is so positive and almost magical in how she approaches each client's beauty needs.

Amy Silva was the most incredible hairstylist on my wedding day! I went through two different hair…read moresalons and three wedding hair trials before working with Amy. My cousin who got her prom hair and wedding hair done by Amy suggested that I have a hair trial with her. I shared my Pinterest photos with Amy and within minutes she captured my wedding hair vision and quickly put together different hairstyles. Amy also created flawless hairstyles for all six of my bridesmaids and they were each impressed by her beautiful work. I was told from previous hair salons that for a large party of bridesmaids I needed two hairstylists, but Amy did everyone's hair perfectly and finished early! Our hairstyles also stayed together throughout the entire wedding day and night. Amy also permed my mother's hair the wedding and my mother was thrilled to find that after 20+ years of perms, this was the best perm she has ever had. I am forever grateful to look back in my wedding pictures and see Amy's amazing work.

Kathy is one of the best of the best when it comes to hair! She is one of the kindest and best…read morehairdressers I know and she is the only person I let touch my hair.

Caroline is the best!! She has been cutting my hair for more than 2 decades (omg - I actually think…read moreit is even longer!!). Point being, I would never go to anyone else. If I ever move out of the area, I will just have to come back to get my hair cut. I have short hair, but I only get it cut every two months, and it never gets to a weird place. She is so skilled, it always looks great,right after the cut, and weeks later. (I am writing this during shelter in place, so we will see how long it takes for the cut to get crazy - I am overdue by 4 weeks, and so far I can still live with myself:) And, Caroline is a great, warm, wonderful person. Make your appointment (when we can make appointments again...)! You will be glad you did!!

I have very long, frizzy and thick hair. Usually a nightmare for anyone that attempts to tame it,…read morenot so much for Caroline. She has transformed my hair around, it is now silky and has a beautiful style. The color is gorgeous, she paints my hair, beautiful technique...pretty cool to watch. Detailed, funny and talented makes one amazing hairdresser. Make an appt this is the salon and hairdresser you have been looking for.