So happy I found the one. I recently moved from Southern California and had to break up with my Japanese hairstylist. But now I found K! I was floored by his skills and attention to detail, not only towards my hair but also to my comfort. Making an appointment was easy - just text his number and asked about availability and sent pictures. I drove from South Bay but this was more than worth the hour drive. Plenty of street parking available. Upon arrival at 3:30 pm on a weekday, K greeted me with warmth into his well lit studio. Chic Hair Design is a one man show. I'm not sure about other's preferences, but I appreciate having one expert care for my hair from beginning to end (vs 5 different people passing the baton on different tasks). K inspected my hair thoroughly, made recommendations, and took the extra mile to ensure my shirt stayed clean, that I had something to drink, and kept me laughing with his charming demeanor. He makes it very apparent that he enjoys his career. Color, shampoo, haircut, blow dry, and style took a little less than 3 hours and the result was stunning! K made me feel like a K-drama main character walking out of the salon hahaha. His pricing is competitive - so do tip him generously! Can't wait to come back! read more

Kay is very professional. Loved how he worked with me in every step of the cut! This was to make sure I would be happy with the great haircut and that it would work for what was happening with my thinning hair. I highly recommend Kay, you will NOT be disappointed. read more

I have thick wavey hair and i got layers and curtain bangs and was super happy with how it turned out!!

Everyone has his or her favorite hairdresser. It is like you go to your dentist, your doctor, or as in Europe, your baker. Since I moved to Easy Bay many years ago from the city, I have not been able to find a hairdresser I would go to regularly. So I drove to the city to see my old friend and my formal to go hairdresser. She cuts my hair short and says " see you in a year". But then she retired. On a Sunday walk, I ventured out of my usual path, and my luck struck. I passed by the corner of 44 th / Telegraph and discovered this hair salon. I searched on Yelp and read customers' praise. I called him and set an appointment. It is pandemic time, how does he handle the situation? He wore a mask. He cleaned out the room after the previous customer. He sprayed the room with an air cleanser, then left the door open for few minutes. He then led me in. He handed me an eye shield to cover my eyes which effectively protected me from any possible droplet. He handed me hand sanitizer before I left. He assessed my hair first, then asked how I would like it cut. I showed him a photo. He got right to work. My eye shield fogged up, I could not see how my hair was cut. But I felt very much at ease. Not worried about my haircut at all. After a meticulous and masterful cut, he washed my hair with a gentle scalp massage and a neck massage. This is almost the best part of the experience. Them came the layer by layer blow dry and styling. My hair turned out exactly what I asked him for, only better. K is an experienced hairstylist. He is gentle and patient. He pays attention to detail and style. You also get great music ( jazz) to enjoy and relax. I left there with a great feeling and a better look. I am so glad I found my hairdresser. Payment: he accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, and cash. So it is convenient. The appointment is easy to make. I called him. I read that you can also text him. Stress-free read more

FANTASTIC!! This is the one! You'll miss out if you don't come here and try at least once. I've finally found the best hairstylist, K. To put things into context, my previous Korean hairstylist, whom I regularly go to had left SF for another city in 2021, and I've been in search of a hairstylist who genuinely knows the craft and can suggest an excellent Korean hairstyle that I can pull off ever since. And I have to attest that K did a fantastic job cutting and perming. Additionally, he would offer additional suggestions on how he can cut better and even constructively critique the extremely grotesque hairstyle that was given to me by the previous hairstylist (whom I shall not name) it's from a different hair salon down in LA. And rest assured. He can tailor the haircut to your needs, so you'll have to book a dedicated time slot with him. Lastly, I was really touched when he offered the mix of hot coffee and notes of chocolate bits during the wait for the completion of the perm. (FYI: it was a rainy day and pretty cold too) P.S. My only take is that you should tip him more for him to continue sustaining his business because the service he provides is top-notch and highly affordable. read more

We love Kim! So talented and friendly! Very personable. His new location is very nice - spacious, good lighting, and clean. We highly recommend him. read more

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My husband and I are both now clients of K. My husband started first (over a year ago) and we were so impressed with K's facility, professionalism, attention to detail and his ability to listen carefully and proceed slowly and carefully (in consultation with the client), that I decided to risk trusting him to give me a perm (a success!). His vision (what he thinks will be most appropriate for our particular hair weight, texture and face shape) and his gentleness and kindness are equally appreciated. The environment is calm and pleasing and K is a master. HIGHLY recommend him!! read more

Kim is a SUPER Man!! He is very nice, Skillful and very thoughtful. His work is a piece of art and we are very pleased with his work. My son and I got a haircut this morning. Kim was on time and great communication. He did more than we could ask for. Thank You Kim we will see you again next month! read more

Chic Hair Design - From This - Hair Stylists Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've been getting my hair styled by K for about 2 years now. I stopped going to Union Square, paying for parking, and spending $140 at fancy salons when I met K. He's super skilled, personable, and I trusted him when I took the plunge and went short. K has flexible hours, and before the lockdown was regularly available on nights and weekends. Making appointments is super easy and you can text him to set one up. He even cut my bestie's hair at 11pm on a Sunday. Because of Covid restrictions, you'll have to wash your own hair but the cut, blow dry, and styling will take place outside (see photos). Wear a mask and K will provide you with an eye shield plus classical music, and humming as he goes to work. It's $55 and SO worth it. read more

Chic Hair Design - Outdoor vestibule - Hair Stylists Near Me - Oakland, California

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Impossible to communicate with over the phone. called few times and I was being asked for the photos of my current hair and the hairstyle that I wanted. Said would call me back regarding the price just because the photo I sent had a long hair and my hair was short. He needed "to do some research to find out the price". I asked to cut my hair not a thesis paper! read more

K was very patient and explained every step of the way on how he was planning to cut and style my hair based on the feedback I gave him. Price was very good for the service provided. He was able to explain how long it would take to achieve the look I was going for. Definitely coming back. read more

My friend introduced this place to me last year. Tried a couple of times! K is a very interesting person. He knows what he is doing. He listens to your needs and always give you his professional suggestions. He always does an excellent job and look instantly better right after the cutting. read more

cool！ nice price and good design taste really worth trying it I would like to come back more times read more

Came here for a Friday night blow out and was happy with the results and service. He would have normally been booked at least a week and half out but I got lucky with a cancelation. I would definitely come back. read more

I don't want to jinx it... but I think I found my go to hair stylist! After a mediocre experience with my last beautician, I decided to look for someone new. I was having dinner with friends that night and passed by this salon on my way there. Curious, I decided to give them a call and book an appointment later that week. K really puts care into his craft. When washing my hair, he started to access it and told me that it was drier than normal - I don't remember what he did exactly; however, in the end, my hair felt silky and smooth without being oily. Wow. He really put a lot of thought throughout the entire cut. He measured everything precisely and always checked his work. As a person who's always working and on the go, I requested a simple U shaped cut with layers. Simple, easy, nothing fancy. Oddly, not a lot of people can get it right but K did! The last test would be to see how it grows out. If it grows out well, I know I found the one. Overall, if you're looking for someone new to put love and care into your cut, he's the guy to go to! Value is great especially for the treatment you receive. read more

K is my go to hairdresser for almost five years now. I trust him enough to let him style my hair in any way because I know he knows his stuff. He is friendly and treat his customers really well. He wash my hair before cutting them and style them after he's done. When COVID happened, I was worried that he would close down but thankfully he didn't! When he first opened, he took careful precautions by using a mask over a face mask, and keep his tools sanitary. I recommend K to all of my friends and five of us regularly go to K for a haircut now. He is that good! His work is neat and his service is amazing. Do yourself a favor and get a haircut from him. read more

The best barber I've had in the Bay hands down except for one thing. It's clear K cares a lot about his work and he goes through numerous lengths to ensure the best product possible. As an Asian dude, most barbers won't bother to really inspect your hair to the extent that K does (i.e. using clips for longer hair). He will also wash your hair in-between (and I'm talking an actual wash) which is extremely rare in the States barring going to a "boutique" that'll charge in excess of $100+ for men. (It's kind of funny because even super cheap barbers in Hong Kong for example will do a full hair wash.) The one minor gripe I have is that I'd make sure to be on the same page as him in the "consultation" phase. I specified one type of hairstyle and he ended up misunderstanding (slight language barrier) which led to a completely different hairstyle that I wasn't aware of until it was too late. It still looks good but it isn't a hairstyle I'd personally go for. Aside from that, I highly, highly recommend and think that the price (now $50 as of writing) is more than fair. EDIT: Also, I guess something might've changed recently since Kim no longer accepts anything but cash even though this page says that he takes alternatives. read more

I made a morning appointment and went in for my first visit, and I was very impressed by the quick work he made of salvaging my terrible at-home attempt at a cut. I had a particular cut in mind, so I brought a reference photo. By the time he was done, it didn't look quite like the reference (wasn't going to be possible since I'd cut my hair too short before the visit) but he clearly knew what he was doing since my hair looks incredibly spot on now after a few weeks ! The whole experience was nice and calm since he works solo, one client at a time, in contrast to the bustle of salons with multiple hairdressers. In many cases for haircuts when you lower your budget you need to also lower some expectations, but with K you can expect an amazing cut without compromises at a low cost. Highly, highly recommended. read more

I had a great experience with my hair dye and cut with K today! A really convenient location and lots of parking around. K helped me find the right color for my hair since I have planned a photoshoot the next day. He was very attuned to how the hair would look in sunlight. Throughout the dye process, he was very detailed and made sure that the color looked natural from the root to the end. My hair is very dark and I was incredibly satisfied with how it turned out in the end! His haircut is always on point- very clean, modern and korean style :) Thanks K! Can't wait for the photoshoot! read more

I don't normally give bad ratings but this experience overall made me not want to go back here ever again. Pros: When I first scheduled the haircut the owner said that they were booked 2 weeks out but called me back saying that a 6:30pm slot was available for the weekend if I wanted to get my haircut earlier. Cons: When we arrived at 6:30pm, the owner was by himself and was waiting for us...I could sense that he wanted to get out for the day and when I asked if we should start with a wash he said that was unnecessary. When he asked for what I wanted I gave him very clear directions, but he immediately began cutting the sides really high and tight. I pulled back asking him if he wasn't going too high- to which he claimed that the person who cut my hair last had cut my hair wrong and he had to do cut my hair this way to fix everything. His fingers also smelled extremely bad of cigarette smoke which he was running through my hair the entire time. He kept dismissing what I had asked for and cutting the hair the way he wanted while blaming the person who had cut the hair last for the reason he had to cut my hair a certain way. Honestly I had gotten my hair cut last in Koreatown LA and was cut by someone who was extremely courteous and careful which was the complete opposite. He finished within 15 minutes which I guess being fast was good? read more

K has done an outstanding job of cutting my hair this past year. It is a one person shop and I felt very taken care of throughout the entire process. K is very reasonably priced and I highly recommend having your hair cut by K. read more

As an asian who is struggle to find the barber that understand asian's hair, I just have the best hair cut in my life!!! I don't know he set my hair but I don't even want to wash my hair that night! 5 stars and i will go back for sure :) read more

K is a true hair stylist and knows what the client wants. I showed K a couple celebrity photos and he was able to rework my hair to perfection. Natural or purposefully styled. I asked K to dye my hair and instead of pushing to get the dye he suggested I try dye shampoo because it's less harmful to the body and hair. K is amazing and highly recommend his Solon for anyone looking to get a makeover or a consistent hair stylist. Thank you K!! read more

Mr. K is amazing! My hunt for a hair stylist is finally over! Ever since I have been getting my haircuts with him I have not had a bad cut at all. I appreciate his ability to take into consideration what I want and give his honest feedback. I can not wait for him to open back up because I desperately need a haircut. I have yet to check if he is open, but I should. Mr. K, thanks for always allowing me to leave as a happy customer. read more

I don't really trust any other salon in the Bay Area except K. I went to Chi Hair Design three times and I wasn't disappointed at all. If you are an Asian that is picky with how your haircuts, then I believe coming here is a good fit. Also you are looking into trying a two block cut, then K does it well! read more

Yeah this guy is good, like an artist at work helped walk me through some bits and the final product was awesome. Kinda feel like i didn't tip enough. Highly recommend read more

Spend the extra money and get a proper hair cut. I am so glad I found K as all of the other salon/barber shops near berkeley are honestly not that good. You straight up show him a picture of the hairstyle you want and he will deliver. Super cool guy and will keep you companied. read more

Mr. K is an amazing hairstylist and owner and I would highly recommend him if you're looking for a quality haircut! He's my go to hairstylist for Asian/Korean hair and it's clear he knows what he's doing He washes and massages your hair, measures it out, and does his thing! I've also had a male perm with him and it turned out fantastic :) Pricing wise, it's well priced given everything he does and the overall quality. I think my haircut was around $40? Totally worth the cost and I'll definitely be coming back in the future! read more

I came here for my first time and I had a great experience! The stylist himself was very honest and straight forward which I loved. He tells you what your hair can take. I am definitely going back and told him I'll be back to get my hair colored! Thank you again for a great experience and I will see you soon :) read more

Chic Hair Design - Hair Stylists Near Me - Oakland, California

Awesome hair cut! Finally found a professional at a good price for men's hair cuts. Kay was skilled, and fast, plus a good conversationalist. I asked for recommendations.. and his suggestions were excellent. Honest and skillful! Def worth a try! read more

Stay the fuck away because my mans be cutting hair TOO DAMN WELL. Never have I ever had a barber this amazing, from his care to level of detail and taste, when you walk outta here you KNOW you'll look good. You tryna look like Jimin? No problem. Tryna look like (other generic kpop star)?? NO PROBLEM. I was looking for someone to fucks with my "asian hair" and I gotta say, I'm done with all these fucking white mans making me look like a got damn porcupine. Get rid of that hair stress, upgrade your love life, do yourself a favor and set up an appointment,') read more

Great service! I got a magic perm and it turned out amazing. The stylist is very expierienced and had my damaged hair turn out great. He definitely knows what he is doing, very professional. Will be coming back! read more

K is awesome. I have been going here for a while now and his haircut is perfect and knows my hair. It is a plus that he also styles your hair after the cut. I recommended him to several of my friends and they all love him! Highly recommend this place! read more

Wow! I really recommend this place, K the stylist did my haircut beautifully and exactly how I wanted. He was kind and attentive to the needs of my hair. He also was very efficient and haircut and blow dry on long hair took only one hour and was not expensive. What a wonderful salon! Thank you read more

K is truly a professional who has unique skill in his craft. Would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a style tailored to their liking and preferences! read more

FINALLY. I have found my safe space. It was the subtle things...maybe it was the gentle scalp and neck massage during the towel dry of my hair; or the light essence applied before cutting; or the exact understanding of what i wanted, knew the style name, formal and colloquial; or the meticulous styling of my hair - i mean each layer laid perfectly...i was well-coiffed, people...well-coiffed. read more

After 4 months of searching I can finally say I found someone that I trust to not only cut my hair but make me look good! As an asian male, finding a place competent enough to cut my hair was met with nothing more than disappointment after disappointment. The reason most salons cannot properly style/cut asian hair is that (for most asians) it is coarse and sticks straight out opposed to being texturally fine and laying flat. K is a great stylist and he is easy to talk to. I am absolutely returning. Highly recommend!! read more

Best hair cut ive ever gotten. as an asian male, it is hard to find someone who knows how to cut it to look as you should. ive been to many places and you just dont get the same professionalism or the satisfaction there afterwards. with a haircut for 35$ you get the full treatment. I have been here twice and anytime you call, he will answer calling you by name. I am still amazed at how he takes his time making sure the style fits my head shape and face. the only problem is my travel from sf to oakland anytime i need a cut =/ read more

Mr.K has been cutting my hair for several years now after a number of years spent wandering the desert for a go-to stylist. I'm a middle-aged with an office job, so my hairstyle isn't anything groundbreaking, but Mr.K manages to bring a different nuance to it each time. And, understanding that I can't get it cut but every couple of months, he always cuts it to grow in well. Super personable and professional, Mr.K is my hair lord and savior. read more

I have many love/hate places and this is one of them. I love having K do my hair because he always colors good and my hair cuts always grow out nicely. The hate part comes because it's all the way freakin' Oakland when I live in south bay. I originally went to K when he used to work at a salon in Santa Clara. However, I got used to him doing my hair, I had no choice to follow him to Oakland. The unique characteristic about K is that he is super ANAL with how he handles your hair. He's really particular about how your hair color turns out and how it is cut. He takes his time to do your hair to ensure it turns out right. Sometimes, I can't make it to the salon as often as I'd like. However, it's always a comfort knowing that your hair grows out nicely and you can withstand until the next time you can make it to Oakland. read more