Melanie has been cutting my hair for years and I trust her completely. She helped me through my dye/gray transition and continues to give me reliably great cuts. Not only that, she's one of the smartest people I know, which I like in a hair professional. read more

I am a lifelong platinum blonde with fits of self bleaching which has left me with a prism of white to yellowish blonde hair. I have bands and highlights and lowlights and although I am a hair professional- I have a hard time seeking professional help for my hair. Kelly was non judgmental, kind, funny and restored my hair to my most desired uniform platinum hue! She continually communicated what she was doing every step of the way and I feel like I learned a lot about my hair! I can't recommend her enough and I will be back soon for my touch-up!!! read more

Melanie has been doing my hair for years. She knows what I want more than I do. She is excellent with curly hair and I have referred many a happy customer to her. My 16 year old daughter is even happy with the results of her haircuts and that says a lot for a 16 yo! read more

love the atmosphere and they have snacks! Jen Rea Wedgwood really took care of me. Pro-tip: check out all the small details. You'll be delighted with what you fund. read more

See all

Jen Rea has been doing my hair for years and recently moved to Charm School, so naturally I followed her! Not only can she do some serious magic when it comes to my hair but she's also extremely accommodating, friendly, and full of amazing advice on up keep. My hair has never been more healthy! Charm School is such a cute salon and is easy to get to with public transportation. There's always things to snack on as well as teas to sip. LOVE THIS PLACE!!! read more

I have been getting my hair done by Jen Rea for over 10 years and she is amazing!! She's colored my hair so many different ways-even when I wanted a crazy change from red to blue. She always makes sure she's using products that are good for your hair & not damaging. I just went in recently because I wanted to get my hair slightly lightened, but I'm also trying to grow it out from cutting it short-she took care of me so well and I love my hair!! read more

Charm School Salon - Cut & lightening by Jen Rea, styled by me a couple days after getting it done :) - Hair Salons Near Me - Emeryville, California

I followed Kat from her previous salon as she is the best with color and hiding greys. She really can make color look natural which is appreciated. She also does a great long hair cut, never trimming too much. Great conversation, clean environment and good music choices. The decor of Charm School is super cute and unique, highly recommend! read more

Jen Rea is a true artist. For the first time in my life time, I got the hair exactly the way I wanted. She is not only expert on color and cut, but also very good at understanding your expectation. I've seen so many artist, even some of them are skillful, they turned out to be a disappointment because they don't know what you want. I am so glad I found Jen. read more

Charm School Salon - Color and cut by Jen Rea - Hair Salons Near Me - Emeryville, California

After many shabby haircuts, a friend of mine suggested I reach out to Melanie. This friend's hair always looks great, so I figured I would give it a try. I can honestly say this is the best my hair has looked in years! Melanie was super friendly, and took the time to talk to me before she cut my hair - I think it's so important to get a feel for your client, and their lifestyle, and she did just that. My hair is fine AND thick (somehow), and I've been trying to grow it out for years. Melanie was able to trim off all of the dead ends, while keeping most of the length, and somehow made it look much better than it did when I went in. It's so shiny and I can't stop touching it! Also, the salon itself is super cute with lots of awesome details. I will definitely be back in the future. read more

I see Kelly at Charm School and she is awesome! She's a sweet, lovely person who is easy to be around and, oh an awesome stylist, too. She is great at incorporating ideas and input from her clients into a cut that will actually suit their hair. Highly recommended! read more

This place is the barber place you could go if you want your hair dyed than go to Kellie she is the chillest person and funniest person and if you want your hair cut get Danny he super funny I cannot stop listing how many things To say read more

Y'all Kat is basically a color genius. She takes such care and is so meticulous. I get my hair bleached to the blondest of blondes, which is a delicate process and I always leave feeling like a goddamn model. Also, I never used to wear my hair down until Kat started cutting it so I feel like I really lucked out finding her. I'm happy to give her 5 stars. :) read more

Melanie has been cutting my hair for years and I always feel happy and look great when I leave. The salon is adorable, too!

I live in Emeryville, and passed by Charm School several times. A friend of mine then recommended Melanie. I went to her for the first time last week, and I couldn't be happier. I'm growing out a pixie cut for about the 147th time in my life, and it was at that awkward stage again (which is actually fitting for my personality, but it's not attractive). Melanie did some serious magic. She made me look like I went and specifically got a super stylish cut, as opposed to asking someone to fix a growing-out-mess. (Those of you who have done this interim haircut know what I mean.) This cut is great. I wash and go - no drama. In addition to being a talented stylist, Melanie is sweet as pie, utterly adorable, a delight to talk with, and genuine. Charm school is a charming, fitting atmosphere for her. I highly recommend you give her a try. read more

Kelly did my updo and all 5 of my bridesmaids's updos and she did a FABULOUS job! I actually did a trial with someone else before and the other person made her own decisions about what would look good. The results were beautiful, but not me. So, I went back to the drawing board and found Kelly. She asked me many questions and spent quite some time getting to know me, the look of the wedding and made a recommendation to me that was really different than what I thought I wanted, and I'm so grateful she was brave enough to do that because what she suggested (a high updo) was exactly right for me. She created variations of low updos (chignons) for the bridesmaids and everyone turned out looking stunning. To top it off, she was sweet and highly professional. I was stressed out on my wedding day and asked her to shift the bun a little higher... she said of course and immediately took it down in order to make it higher. She was so gracious and lovely with all of us. I'll go back to her for sure for any super amazing hairstyles!!! She's so talented and creative. Thanks, Kelly. ps: She did not even ask me to write this and made no mention of Yelp. read more

See all

First time at this salon. I followed Jen Rea here from her previous salon; she is incredibly talented and charming so this new salon is a great fit for her. I really liked the neighborhood and the decor was very cute filled with thoughtful touches a client would love, like snacks and beverages. Can wait for my next appointment! read more

Melanie and her salon are truly charming. I haven't had a haircut or highlights in a year because I grew so frustrated with the mediocre hair cuts I've been receiving. I moved here almost 5 years ago from NY and have tried 4 different stylists who don't know how to or refuse to cut layers in my hair. After my friend walked into work with a great haircut, I demanded she tell me who did it. I made an appointment and this was the first time in a long time that I walked out of the salon feeling beautiful. The highlights are beautiful and the haircut is perfect. It even looked amazing when I woke up with a major hangover. Aside from great service, her salon is absolutely adorable. It's her own place and it seems she doesn't overbook so when you get a haircut you are getting true one on one attention. Thank you Melanie!!! read more

Jen Rea is a Color Master and a Hair Genius. I have been to her, and then strayed (feeling my oats), but no one else is as good as her. Full stop. She listens and gives the shade I want (a silvery pastel blue that every other colorist interpreted as ash blonde ... naw). She also cuts exactly the length you want, and it always grows in gracefully. Always. My son has done everything from hot pink to blonde with fire-colored tips, and asks specifically for her. She is funny and charming and makes the time in her chair fly by. If you don't already know and love her and her expertise, you should. read more

Melanie's salon is fantastic! This was my first time visiting her, but my husband has been a regular client for years (and always looks great.) She gave me a great bang trim and I felt like she was really paying attention to my hair and figuring out how to make it look good. I loved the ambiance of her salon (music, furniture and even scent) and I plan to be back for future cuts and color! read more

I go about once a month to get my beard trimmed by Kelly. We always have great conversations and I appreciate the fact that she responds to criticism and goes out of her way to cut off those little guys that dodge the electric shaver. I've also seen some of her color work and it looks really good. Would definitely and already have recommended! read more

I've been seeing JEN REA for several years now when I finally upgraded to a legit haircut. She is patient with my indecisiveness and always gives me useful advice to consider when I ask her about how different changes would look on me. I've gotten more drastic haircut changes, colored peekaboo highlights, and regular trims from her and have loved them all. She is also super fun to talk with and always has the insider scoop on celeb gossip when I ask. read more

I went to Kelly because I needed to reboot my style, and she aced it better than I could have hoped for. Best for guys like me (with almost zero vocab for aesthetics), I could show up with some photos, have a chat, and she worked her magic. Every. Time. She even did my hair for my three-part wedding extravaganza and I looked damn good. Best hair and style experience I've ever had. Plus, the space is cute and has chocolate? Kelly at Charm School 4Life. read more

Melanie is delightful. She books her own appointments and I texted her a couple of days before the appointment all this nonsense about brown on top and red on the bottom and "cultivating" a grey streak. I felt crazy but when it was all done it was exactly how I envisioned it! The salon's style is cute and airy ands she did all the work herself. She's fun and funny and always has interesting things to talk about. Glad to be going to her again. read more

I saw Melanie for years when I lived in the Bay Area. She has a real talent and respect for making my hair look good for months. She gave great advice and kept me from making several bad decisions that would not fit with my face or my hair. I appreciate that she worked so hard to find the right balance and to make me feel so good when I walked out. So glad to see that she has opened a salon... You won't be disappointed!!! read more

Melanie is a genius and a consummate professional. Her look is an inspiration and pushes me to take my personal style to the next level. She makes me feel amazing every time I see her. The salon is very welcoming, it feels quiet and comfortable and really is utterly charming. Parking is easy and it is on a quiet tree lined street. Melanie greets me and makes me feel like a guest and a friend. She even allows me to bring my dog and always has candy for me. I look forward to my visits more than I do to most social engagements. read more

I got so many compliments on my new Long bob. She made me feel so comfortable going shorter and I'm so happy we did!

I'm so glad I found Melanie. Had my hair cut twice by her and loved the results. She is so good at cutting bangs, even tricky baby bangs. Her salon is also such a pleasant space to be in. It's literally therapeutic to go there and I always come out feeling and looking better. read more

Melanie, owner of the absolutely CHARMING Charm School Salon, has been cutting my hair for years now. I started going to her at her previous salon and I was over the moon that she had the guts to break out on her own and got to create her dream salon. And it sure is dreamy. So retro and stylish, her attention to detail in the decor matches her attention to making sure her clients have the best cut to suit their hair. My hair is super fine and stick straight. And she gives me the sharpest a-line bob with beautiful shiny color. Cannot recommend Melanie and Charm School Salon enough. Do yourself and those who have to look at you a favor and go see Melanie! read more

Followed Jen Rea to Charm School & glad I did! Very nice, clean, organized and convenient location. Jen always knows best when it comes to my hair she always has great advise and ideas to keep me & my hair happy :) read more

I have wavy hair. Not curly, wavy. It waves differently depending on the weather, the humidity, whether I used enough conditioner this morning, what side of my head it's on. I endured a lot of haircutting disasters in my life, inflicted on me by people who didn't understand wavy hair, didn't listen to what I wanted, etc. But not since I started going to Melanie... sometime well before the first Obama administration. Whether I'm thinking of growing my hair out, cutting it shorter, or liking it the way it is, Melanie explains my options and never promotes stuff I don't want. She gives me excellent cuts every time. She patiently, patiently answers my questions about products and techniques to use between visits. All that, plus a pleasant salon soundtrack and counseling on important life questions, like whether I should buy a Miata for my 40th birthday. (Thanks to Melanie's encouragement, I did.) read more

Melanie Shapiro has been cutting and coloring my hair since 2011. She is attentive, authentic and professional and one of my favorite people in the whole world. She makes me look like Elizabeth Taylor (in the '50s). My 21 year old daughter feels the same way. Melanie is very smart and informed about products but will never impose on you to buy hair care items. Her prices are also more than reasonable. Don't miss out on this gem! read more

Melanie treated me like a queen and gave me a great haircut. She talked to me about the texture of my hair and was really clear with me about what she felt would work best for my really thin hair. The salon is small and sweet, tasteful with just enough kitsch to keep it light, with elegant touches. I felt at home...and those chandeliers! I will definitely return. read more