Paulo is the best! He teaches me about the science of my hair and how I can keep it much more healthy at home on my own. Every haircut he's given me has been perfect. I feel beautiful and sexy every time I leave. About a month and a half ago I came to him to change my hair color. I had golden hair when I was a kid but now my hair is a dull brownish color. I wanted to bring back a little bit of blonde because I had a big event coming up with lots of pictures and I wanted my curly hair to really shine. He colored my hair so amazingly well so that a bit of my blonde was back and it seamlessly blended into my hair. My pictures were amazing because my hair was amazing. Paulo is my favorite hair guru OF ALL TIME!!! read more

After moving up from Orange County, I had an impossible time finding anyone who could truly do a good golden blond. After a high end salon in Palo Alto turned my hair purple/orange and another in Pleasanton left me an ashy dishwater, I was ready to fly back to the OC to salvage my poor locks. Fortunately, a friend (whose family owns a hair salon) referred me to Paulo at Ego! A referral from another hair stylist is always worth a look, so I called the salon and made an appointment to see the creative genius himself. My first appoinment, the normal 30 minute drive from Palo Alto took nearly 1.5 hours due an accident on the lovely 101. I called ahead to let them know and though they have a policy to not start any appointments more than 15 minutes after the scheduled time (which is very understandable), they still fit me in 25 minutes late. Though we didn't have time for a trim, Paulo wanted to fix my color before I headed out of town for my birthday/bachelorette party! First off, the salon is trendy, inspiring, fresh, fun and thoughtful. The mirrors are not full length (so ladies wearing skirts or shorts don't have to worry about sitting awkwardly to avoid exposure), there is abundant natural light and the shampoo chairs....oh my!! Their shampoo chairs are so comfortable and massage you while you are washed! And it's not like the horrible massage chairs at Brookstone, but a soft, relaxing, reclining massage (I have officially fallen asleep in them on every visit). Paulo did an incredible color job, was hilarious, informative and beyond competent in his skill. They include a full size Devine shampoo or conditioner with the treatment (of which the smell is litearlly "De-vine". While the services are on the pricier side, they are in line with good salons in SF, Vegas, LA and Orange County. And I'd rather pay more to have my hair look it's very best and to walk out confident! Upon returning to have my hair cut by Paulo, he blew me away that he isn't just a "color" or "cut" artist, but truly has mastered both. I've found my Bay area salon!! read more

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Super overdue review for Ego Mechanix & Paulo. I've been coming here for almost 10 years. I had my first cut in the summer of 2008 & since then I've been in love with this place. Paulo & his team are very talented. I generally only see Paulo and he's just amazing. Because of him I can rock a faux/Mohawk & still look femme. Even though I've been coming here for so long Paulo always does a consultation first. He really listens and helps me have my hair the way i want & need it to be.. which is short and low maintanace. Every time I leave I'm extremely happy. I've also brought my mom here a couple times and she loves it here. I highly recommend coming here. read more

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Paulo is so amazing - a great artist of the profession. He does great things with color and cut and I completely trust his suggestions. He doesn't treat everyone as a cookie cutter solution but listens to my needs and makes suggestions. Been coming here for 5 or 6 years now and I'd go nowhere else. read more

Paulo is amazing. From my very first cut to today. Go see him! Really, no regrets. Simply the best. read more

Ego Mechanix - Hair Salons Near Me - San Jose, California

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Well it's taken me awhile to actually getting around to writing a review. I moved to San Jose from Out of state a few years back. I had been on the look out for a new stylist of course, being that I am always changing my hair and looking for new fun and exciting ideas. I actually met a few of these ladies at Music in the park, they stood out because I loved their hair! (which is usually a good sign) The next week I made my hair appointment with Keara. At the time I had been growing my hair out for awhile and it had turned into a mullet-esqe type look. I went into the Salon told her my concerns and basically she worked magic on my hair! I have been going there ever since and she always works with me to get the best hair possible! I would recommend Keara to all my friends!!! read more

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I went here based on all the reviews, and was sadly disappointed. I tried to get Joanne, but she was unavailable, so I made an appointment with Kim instead. I had been growing out my thermally reconditioned hair, and was ready to cut off about the remaining 7 inches of permed hair. I just wanted a simple, not-too-layered cut for my wavy hair. Easy, right? So I got to the salon, and was told that Kim was running late. No problem, I said, I'll just wait. So I waited. 5 minutes. 10 minutes. 20 minutes. I wound up waiting for more than 45 minutes before Kim saw me. I explained to her what I wanted, and she seemed to get it, though not before she said "So you want something really basic, right? Not too edgy? Because you don't look like you like edgy stuff -- you look like you're more conservative, right?" WTH? And the shampooing -- golly, she really pulled and pulled at my hair. I don't think I've ever had such a painful shampoo! Normally, it's such a pleasant experience! But she seemed to think that a good shampoo involved pulling hair. And the cut? That was the worst part. Yes, she cut off my permed hair, which was fine. But as I was literally saying to not cut off any layers shorter than my chin (since my wavy hair springs up at weird angles when it's cut short), she was saying "Yes, yes" AS she was holding a section of my hair and cutting it 2 inches away from my scalp. Ugh. So the back part of my hair and the sides were all cut to about 2 - 3 inches long -- which, on wavy hair, looks HORRIBLE. (I should have known that this was her MO -- I saw the girl who got her hair cut by Kim right before me. Her hair was straight and shoulder-length, and looked quite nice -- except for the very back, top sections of her hair: they were cut about an inch from her head. So it was all long, shoulder-length straight hair, and then two thick, fat 1-inch layers at the back. Ugh.) When she finished, she scrunched in so much product into my hair -- at least 3 huge poofs of mousse, several full-head dousings of hairspray, 2 handfuls of gel, and then another 2 sprays of shine spray. All for shoulder-length hair! My hair was so greasy and crunchy that I had to go home and shower it out. All in all, a horrible, way too expensive experience. read more

I went to Joanne based on the reviews I read here. Everyone praised her. Unfortunately, she didn't know my hair. I have very difficult hair, and she texturized it, which made it a lot worse. I actually started getting split ends, and I haven't had split ends in years! So then I went to Paulo, and he understood that my hair needed a very simple cut and wouldn't put up with anything adventurous and that's what he gave me. I'm actually pretty happy with my hair now. I'm not self-conscious about it any more. And he showed me how to curl my frizzy hair. I like Paulo a lot. He really understands hair. Or at least my hair. But still, I hate that they charge for everything, and before you know it, you're $250 in the hole. As for Joanne, not only did she butcher my hair and charge me for it, she wanted to charge me AGAIN for fixing the color in my hair when she hadn't done a good job the first time around. Not only am I not going back, if I hear of anyone going there, I'll warn then. Joanne was not friendly at all. read more

I'm just a guy. I'm not a pretty boy, fancy lad, a dandy, or a metrosexual. So why would I drop big money for a cut? Because I don't know about hair, frankly, I don't care to know more than I do. If I have to spend more than two minutes looking at my mug in the mirror, I'm annoyed. I'd rather get cut well, and be good for three to four weeks, than having to smooth down a cow lick or wear a hat for month. I just went back today. Right afterwards, I had to take my friend over to RadioShack, closest one happened to be at Great Mall. As we were walking back, he tells me that a girl was eyeing me. Had to be the haircut. read more

I LOVE MY HAIR!!!! I've never had long hair before, so I've been growing it out the past 8 months. Do you know what a pain in the ass that is? So, I decided to get extensions. The best (hair) decision I've ever made in my life! So I started researching...and I started looking around. There are A LOT of bad extensions out there. (Just like there are bad haircuts out there). So I started freaking out. But then I met Kim at Egomechanix. She definitely knows what she's talking about and definitely knows what she's doing. And she's super sweet!!! Have you ever gone to a hair stylist that talks your ear off and after the appointment you're just so exhausted you have to take a nap to give your brain a rest? I have. Or have you ever been to a stylist who just sees you as a head of hair and doesn't even try to get to know you? I have. Kim is just perfect...fun and easy to talk to. But knew just when to let me zone out. Hair Heaven! The staff is wonderful. Everyone is super friendly and always making sure I was okay..."would you like another drink?" or "would like something to eat?" So cool...and entertaining! Someone is always telling a story...freakin' hilarious. How cool is this? You sit in a massage chair as you get your hair washed. Again...Hair Heaven. The Price? I think it's comparable to other salons...and well worth it. You're investing in your hair! It's something you have to look at in the mirror every day! So stop bitching and pay up! So, after 4 blissful hours I have beautiful long hair. I went out to Santana Row last night and I got tons of compliments about my new SEXY hair...from both guys and girls. Needless to say, my husband was keeping a close eye on me last night. :) I AM PROUD TO BE A POSTER CHILD FOR EGOMECHANIX! UPDATE: So, one year later...and 3 sets of extensions later...my hair is long, and full, and beautiful! Kim gave me a fantastic cut & I love my hair now. Thank God I didn't have to go through that horrible in between stage. Thanks Kim! read more

Thank you Yelp! After 2 failed attempts, I finally got the super short haircut I wanted! I told Paulo, "I don't want to look like a soccer mom, but I can't be all punked out either." And when I mentioned Mia Farrow from Rosemary's Baby, he knew exactly what I was talking about. He gave me a sexy cut that takes almost no time to wash, rinse or style but is still fem enough for my hubby. He totally listened to my loooong list of what I did and didn't want ... unlike previous stylists. As an engineer, I appreciated how he explained his techniques as he was working. Oh! I can't forget, great wash/head massage, I didn't want it to end ;-) Now I docked one star because of the bill (triple digits after tip and a product) and the wait. They did call to say he was running 10 minutes late, but it ended up being 40 minutes, and the magazines sucked. Anyhoo, worth the wait. Lesson: don't be afraid to try something new. Under the tattoos and nose rings, the guys and gals at Ego Mechanix are just like you and me ... except they can make you look REALLY good! read more

I want to reiterate what Fruity Pineapple says...this place is super-hip to the point that any normal person may feel a bit uncomfortable. All the stylists have extremely funky hair, reflecting on the atmosphere of the place. Their brand of choice is Rusk, which I thought had been discontinued, but I guess not. Also, have fun trying to find parking downtown, for you will have to walk to the salon. I don't have much else to say, except that the salon is totally not for me. No robes, no beverages, no extra luxuries for prices, so no me. Here's a curiosity--you can partially view someone else's condo/loft while getting your shampoo. read more

After reading several 5-star reviews I thought that I found the perfect hair salon. I secretly believed that I would get the most amazing, extraordinary haircut from this place and that I would find my perfect hairstylist. But, I found this place to be much like any other trendy hair salon. The atmosphere and vibe was trendy and cool. Everyone who worked there seemed cool and fun. Personality-wise, the people were great! However, I suppose I wasn't too specific about what I had in mind in hairstyle (or maybe my description was not the enough for the stylist) because in the end, I was given a mullet-like Fresh-Off-the-Boat haircut that didn't look good with my facial features and it was totally not what I had envisioned. The haircut was really quick. Snip, snip, snip, done. It was totally different from what I'm used to. In truth, I believe this hair salon is just like any other hip hair salon. read more

After Joanne gave my friend a super sexy cut, I just had to try her out. My hair is very tricky, to say the least. I have untameable natural curls and have spent my entire life covering it up. I have had pretty much every cut possible, have gone to everyone and anyone who claims they know how to cut my hair, and have even spent a lot of time and money doing the Japanese hair straightening thing... but who has time to sit at a salon for 6 hours at a time??? The last couple of months, I have been too busy to care about my hair, and it pretty much was half curly, and half straight as I was trying to grow out the old straightened part... so even in a pony tail, my hair was in a funk. It was pretty bad considering that I am in the beauty industry as well.... And when you are in that slump, the clothes get sloppy, the makeup doesn't get put on... you know what I mean. Yesterday, I finally went to see Joanne and let me tell you... today my hair and makeup are done, and damn! I look good!!! The confidence is back, baby! She took her time consulting me first and finding out about my lifestyle and what look I wanted. At the same time she also wanted to be realistic about how much time I would have to style my hair on a regular basis. With my 60+ hour a week work schedule and 2 little kids, there is no way I can take the time to style my hair... and she also took into account that even though I want sexy and fun, I still had to stay somewhat conservative for my job. It literally took her 15 mins to cut my hair.... Stylists are usually baffled with my hair and takes them an hour! After that, she told me she is going to try to keep it curly to show me how easy and cute it would be... I had my doubts since I have tried that before... but VIOLA! When I looked in the mirror... I looked hot! And all it took was a curling cream and her hands... no flat iron, curling iron, hair dryer... The ultimate test came this morning when I had to do the style myself... we all know any good stylist can make you look good, but can you duplicate it at home? Well, the cut was really amazing and in no time at all, I was able to reproduce the hairstyle at home! I can't wait to try out other styles this weekend. She gave me a cut that looks good natural, but can also look good with a flat iron or a blow dryer! Best of all, everyone has complimented me on my new look! Joanne is a true artist!!! read more

Joanne rocks!!! She is the most professional and skilled stylist I have ever had my hair did by. I would recommend her to everyone. She is not only extremely talented but passionate too. My only regret is that I didn't know her when I got married so she could have used her magic touch on me then. two thumbs up, five stars and a big muah muah from a very happy client ;-)!! read more

I'm a first time customer of Ego Mechanix and I had no idea about this salon until after I had done a bit of looking around on Yelp. I was impressed by Joanne's work after looking at her portfolio on myspace (linked above), comments she's received there as well as on her own myspace account, and also from the reviews here on Yelp. I don't know anyone from that salon personally except after having my hair done there. After this experience, I was very happy. I came in, unsure whether I'd ever come back to a salon, but I was happy with what was done and had a very enjoyable & pleasant experience. Joanne was very nice & kept me comfortable. My first time at a salon, has changed me! I LOVE my new look! Joanne made me feel PURDY! :) I'll definitely be back.. and not occasionally, but regularly!! For someone like me who is extremely cheap about things, that really means something!! XD read more

Maybe, I shouldn't let people know this. But hey, why not. My mind has been changed, by someone at this salon, which makes me much, much less annoyed, and definitely respect this salon. I got an email explaining, even apologizing, for the situation surrounding my hair cut. The two people who cut my hair (the times I went in) are no longer there, which makes my review of egomechanix moot. A review, bad or good, of a salon based on people who no longer work there doesn't reflect correctly. Not getting the hair-cut you want can be a bit traumatic, but my words were meant for, and created by people who no longer cut there. We are all accountable for our actions and words, and that is why I am now changing my review of this place, and taking back my previous harshness... As a customer, it means a lot when people respond, and listen. Just the act of getting an email makes a difference. I am definitely going to go back to give them another try now... I will write a new and fresh review of this salon after a new cut and experience. As of now, clean slate. read more

I'm such a reality show whore! I had been a fan of Bravo's Shear Genius, but never anticipated basing my hair salon choice on the manufactured glamor of television. However when I yelped "best salon for curly hair", my fellow yelpers pointed me toward Ego Mechanix. So I made an appointment with Paulo. The salon was a little hard to find while driving but when traveling on foot, as the Native Americans did, I had no problem. The salon was clean, and modern with high loft ceilings. I was cheerfully greeted immediately by a gal behind the reception desk, who offered me a beverage, and asked me to have a seat. A few short minutes later Paulo came out and exclaimed my name as if I were the reality show celebrity! He greeted me with open arms, and being caught off guard by his extreme warm welcome I put out my right hand for a shake instead of a hug. Oops my bad. Completely unfazed by my faux pas, Paulo escorted me to his station. There, he chatted with me and put me at ease immediately. As we talked he played with my thick hair, keenly sizing up my difficult curly headed needs. Paulo then disappeared to do something fabulous, I imagine. I was led to the shampoo station by his assistant, and had my hair washed. At the shampoo station I was pleasantly surprised to be sitting in a massage chair. I returned to Paulo's station and received the best haircut I've ever had. It's works well curly and also looks super cute when I straighten it with my flat iron. I left the salon feeling so sexy. All in all: The downtown location is convenient. The Staff has a hip and edgy style with none of the pretension so often found at other salons. Ego Mechanix is not cheap, and is not just a hair cut, Ego Mechanix is wonderfully divine salon experience. read more

Keara is great!! I called for a last minute appointment on the recommendation of a friend. Keara spent time figuring out what I wanted and making some great suggestions. She cut my hair meticulously all while making jokes and keeping a smile on my face. Before I knew it, I'd been there an hour and a half and came out looking, and feeling, great! After all, that's the mark of a good stylist - You leave feeling attractive and amazing, better than before you arrived. Keara nailed it and she's a GREAT stylist. read more

Now there are ok hair cuts (which we have all had), and then there are the hair cuts that instantly improve your posture (you find yourself standing up straighter) and infuse your stride with a little more attitude (read: you do your supermodel runway walk as you strut out the salon door; come on, you know you do it too, ha). The latter cut is what I received from Joanne at Egomechanix yesterday. She's awesome! During my consult, she asked me clarifying questions about the style I was looking for rather than just assuming what I wanted (as other stylists have done in the past -- which more often than not just leads to disaster -- but then maybe it's my fault for being too trustworthy). She's totally friendly and real (as are the other stylists in the salon), and she had me cracking up as I sat in her chair. The best part about my cut is that I woke up this morning, took a shower, and was able to replicate the style simply with a dryer, a brush, and a bit of product (trust me, I suck at doing even my own hair) -- good as new (with volume too)! The other thing that I loved about the salon: the people altogether are just a great bunch. Everyone's super-friendly and even though I'd never met any of them prior to yesterday's visit, they all made me feel more like I was a friend and not just a customer. As another reviewer mentioned, this is not the typical foo-foo, pretentious, "we're-too-good-for-you" salon, which is nice; I am so over salons like that, and unfortunately, there are way too many around that are like that. I will recommend this salon to everyone I come across, even though it might come at the expense of me not being able to book an appointment as quickly (apparantly they're a pretty popular salon as it is); they deserve it. =) read more

Am in love with Keara. She wasn't the first hairstylist that I come across when I was looking to replace my extensions. And while I'm sure the first hairstylist that I did go to was probably just as capable, said stylist's bitchiness when it comes to bagging the salon where I did my first extensions on was just not very cool. Seriously, what's up with that? So I found myself canceling on that smug-a$$ individual who was too pleased with herself and replacing her with Keara, who proves that a stylist can be capable AND non-bitchy at the same time. Putting hair extensions on is a serious business. It's a 4-hour ordeal that cost more than a laptop, and for the first few days you are sleep-deprived because, well, it does take a lot of getting used to. Keara was so sweet it felt like I was visiting a very talented friend instead of sitting through 4 hours of torture. We talked about the most random things from the new Fresh and Easy at Willow Glen and pet dogs to pillow fights and snowboarding. At some point the other stylists and patrons sitting nearby also chimed in and the conversation got from interesting to very interesting. Then of course other patrons (not sitting nearby) couldn't help but gawk at me, perhaps looking like a freak with these metal clasps near my scalp. it was an experience that warrants this long-overdue review. While I was rather upset at myself for waiting this long to write about this thing that happened a month ago, I am happy to report that a month later, the extensions still look amazing. So no, I'm not one of those people who immediately post a 5-star review of a hair salon just because they hair look shiny, neat and bouncy two hour after the cut and blow dry. Why do you think most hair salons are averaging at 4.5 (and car dealerships 2.5)? Keara would have my business. And my friends, if I can help it. It's worth spending close to $20 on gas (thank you, my gas-guzzling SUV) just to make that trip from SF to see her work her magic on my hair. read more

Ego Mechanix - Hair Salons Near Me - San Jose, California

GUYS!! This is not a girls only salon! No this place doesn't shove feminine up you a$$ and make you feel girly for being there. So don't be afraid to hit up a nice salon like Egomechanix if you want to look nice. I mean come'on you spend thousands to make your car sound like a meat grinder why not spend a few bucks to make 70% of your head look nice? Joanne kicked a$$ and made me feel as comfortable as a straight man can be knowing its my 1st time in their salon. We communicated well for meeting the 1st time and she was able to do something I liked considering all that. I made a mistake of bring in a pic and kind of confined her to copy that. She did a good job regardless and next time I'm sure it'll be better because I'm just gonna let her lose! Oh yeah listen to Anne about the parking. I parked in the 4 story building right across the street, and it does not accept their parking validation. read more

The only reason I went to Ego Mechanix is because my longtime stylist moved to this location. My review will be mainly about Mona. I love Mona. I've been with Mona for 5 years now and I even had her do my wedding hair. I met her when I went to PlumSpa and she was a stylist there. She's so easygoing and fun to talk to. She listens to your ideas and won't push her agenda but isn't afraid to provide her opinion. The price is not cheap but I'm used to it. I've learned the hard way that if you go cheap you most likely will get cheap. As for the salon I don't have too strong of an opinion of it (neg. or pos.) It is trendy-like and the employees reflect that. I am used to PlumSpa but I wouldn't want to compare it to Ego because they're not the same. PlumSpa is also a day spa so the atmosphere will be a bit different from Ego, which is JUST a salon. For the person who was whiny about not getting her slippers and robe must've thought this place was a dayspa. Every "just only" salon I've been in the past have never given me a robe and slippers because you're only there to get your hair done! I would like to know where this person goes to where you get a robe and slippers while getting highlights! read more

Let me start by saying I have had some terrible haircuts. And when I say terrible I mean terrible. I have had the cut all your hair off cut, the horrible razor your hair to an inch of your life cut-oh and my personal favorite the mullet, So I haven't had a "real" hair cut in about two years-with the exception of bang trims. So I will say I was scared to go somewhere and let my hair be subject to someone who could in all reality bring back the mullet on my head, Paulo is the freaking best. He asked me what I wanted and I gave him a big list of what I didn't want. I didn't really have a clear picture on what I wanted. But holy crap he did what I wanted even though I didn't even know. He cut my hair beautifully. And honestly I didn't even notice how much he cut off-he is that good. Oh and the really best part-numerous compliments and when I washed and dried it. Yeah it looked the same!! The man knows his stuff and he is damn good at it. I can't say how happy and excited I am to have found him. And he is funny as hell. Oh and his assistant Stephanie rocks!! In fact everyone there was super nice. I saw some of the negative reviews and I have to say that coming from someone who is in the "industry" I think some people have un realistic expectations on what their hair can do and when they don't get that exact hairstyle they complain. And as far as this place being edgy-it's edgy but not elitist. Just my two cents. read more

A hairstylist is someone who is and artist, someone who knows what looks good on you or not, who listens but at the same time gives you some ideas of what would look great on you, and someone who knows their products inside and out... I find that Joanne is all of these and BEYOND! She is great and I'm glad I finally had overcame my fear of switching hairdressers! Not only is Joanne great so are the other hairstylists! They are super friendly and greet you...which is bit of a change because I used to go to Faux Salon and the Owner there was kind of scary, and the other stylists look stuck up, but I do still love my old hair dresser don't get me wrong about that. Well back to Joanne, she has a great personality and was very easy to talk to..You can just tell my looking at her that she'd always have great unique ideas. If you're like me who changes her hair color/style every month she is the person to go to...I will definitely be coming back here for touch ups and haircuts. read more

This is how impressed I was BEFORE even making the appointment.... I have been with my stylist for over FIVE years.... then I went to see Joanne... She did a stylish, beautiful job with my hair (she is very stylish and beautiful herself). Plus the salon was so friendly and hip, I felt right at home... and they sent me home with a very nice bottle of Phytomer (good hair product) shampoo in a present, packaged bag. love stuff like that! I cut 4-5 inches off my hair and look a zillion times better, thanks to Joanne, plus I made a cute, hip, and new friend who I will be visiting again!!! For the caliber of the salon (ultra hip and skilled Joanne, validated parking, upscale decor and product, and young genuine hair goodness) it was also priced very well!!! around $150 and that is good for an awesome hair cut and color that took well over 2 hours! There are a lot of guys here too in addition to the pretty girls you see at salons on weekday afternoons. I would def. rec to guys too! THanks Joanne, you are an awesome blossom! read more

Man, was I disappointed in the cut I got here. Maybe dudes shouldn't go there. I jumped on Yelp looking for something similar to my cutter in SF, and this place seemed like the ticket. I'd give it 1.5 stars if I could only because I actually thought about going back go have them fix what they did to my hair! At the same time, the building is cool, the decor chic (almost too chic: massage chairs at the wash stations !?) and the young woman who cut my hair was really sweet (and fully punked out too, which gave me hope she'd understand my hair). She misunderstood how I like my scruffy, bleached hair covering my ears and took like two inches off and carved it out over my ears. Then she pulled out the trimmers and shaved the sides! There was a "ledge" between the long hair on top and the short on the side. What, is this 1985? I asked her if she could smooth it out, and she just made it worse. It was like she didn't understand what I was asking or very experienced at all. It's a shame, since she seemed very nice and chatting was very pleasant. read more

So Joanne is the BEST EVER!!!....i used to work at Aldo at Valley Fair and Joanne was a faithful customer. Ever since then she has been one of the greatest people in my life...hhaha...she always told me to come over her salon and get my hair done and I finally did after she said that she needed some hair models and that I would get the cut for free. My hair was at the middle of my back and when I got it cut, it was cut very very short....and i instanly fell in love. Ever since then I would go to NO ONE ELSE BUT JOANNE!!! Our hair relationship started in 2004 and is still holding strong until now.... I moved back to the city not too long after and I drive all the way to san jose to see Joanne. I've been so faithful to her that I followed her to every salon she was working at. (and she's moved salons, like 3 times...ahaha) I love Joanne because she listens to what I want and she pays attention so much that she already knows what I want before i tell her what to do with my hair. She's freakin awesome. Not only is she great with my hair but she's become my friend. I ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH HER.... don't take my word for it but go and check her out for yourself!!!....go to egomechanix and ask for the little, crazy, freakin awesome, joanne!!!! read more

I LOVE EGOMECHANIX SALON! It's like a hidden little piece of heaven! haha you dont really know it's there until you go up the stairs. and BAM! there should be angel music and cherubs descending on you as you walk in! Anyways, Egomechanix has a great urban modern feel. JoJo at the front desk is so sweet! and all the other people I got a chance to speak to were very nice also. They have their own makeup station where they can custom blend any foundation or lipstick to your skin tone. I havn't tried it yet but the next time I'm coming in im making an appointment for my foundation! The waxing and facial rooms looked really chic and full-serviced. JOANNE VALDIZNO is my lovely stylist! She is awesome! I know she wants to lop off my hair, but she gave me a fabulous cut while still keeping my hair long! Lot's of volume and texture is not a common thing among us long hair-ed chicks, but Joanne did it! read more

This is the edgiest salon in San Jose with great customer service not to mention their professionalism. read more

Ego Mechanix - Ego Mechanix Elevator [BOMBTWINZ] - Hair Salons Near Me - San Jose, California

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an update (9/5/06): they updated their "policies" about 2 months ago and now they only accept tips in cash, you can no longer put a tip amount to your credit cards, this I think is f'ked up. I asked why and was told the merchant processing company charged more fees when you put in tip amounts. I think the cheapest haircut is like $50 there, so how much can CC processing commission be? and does that really cut into their "profits"? If their merchant account fee structure sucks then they should sign up with a better processing company!! :) The employees or owners can fill us in to exactly why this is justified... I usually don't carry cash with me so this is a huge inconvenience to me... And this is on top of the fact that being a "salon" and doesn't accept AMEX... The haircut by Joanne is decent so I will probably continue to go there until I find another place... But the tipping only with cash thing really bothers me... read more

Ego Mecahnix kicks ass. Joanne is AWESOME and makes you feel at ease right as soon as you walk through the door. I've been going to her for about a year now and she's the only hair stylist I've stuck with for this long. (yes, I am picky about my hair but what girl isn't?) Granted this place can be a bit pricey but you get what you pay for. She knows her stuff and I always feel like a rockstar when I walk out of there. Praise the Lord for Joanne! Can I get a amen! read more

Very very very disappointed especially after all these great reviews on Yelp... I ended up with the most boring bob style I've ever had in my adult life... I even showed several pictures (of myself) from different angles to show her how I wanted it. So, my search for a good hair stylist in the area continues... (I usually get a great haircut in Tokyo, but I only go back once a year). I was sooooo disappointed and sad about my haircut that it actually took me 2 months to finally come to review this place. (I couldn't bring myself to re-live my salon experience by writing a review until now- I guess I'm finally healed....) read more

Paulo is a hair GOD. This is his shop, after all, and he runs it well. Everyone who works here is a great conversationalist, or they're just as happy to let you sit in the chair and read while they work away. The massage chairs are a very nice touch when getting your hair washed. Also, they make some darn good espresso! But that's not the point. The point is what Paulo did to my hair. My hair was in a horrible state from when I used to dye it pink. Half of it was weirdly bleached out and faded from when I dyed it back brown, the other half was dull as dishwater. I hadn't had my hair touched in over a year (trying to grow it out) and it was becoming impossible to take care of because my split ends were so bad. He worked his MAGIC, I tell you! I didn't get it colored, but he gave me what he called "Porn Star Layers". It was brilliant, because he managed to keep all of the length I'd been working so hard for yet took off all of the dead stuff. On top of that, his layers are so good that it has brought out the natural wave in my hair and turned it into perfect natural curls. I don't need to style my hair AT ALL after I wash it; it's perfect on its very own. Now, such great hair does come at a price. The cut alone was $75 and he sold me some product that cost me an extra $70 on its own ($40 for the super awesome conditioner, $30 for the curling shampoo). I will say though that the curling shampoo he sold me was TOTALLY worth it because I have perfect curls now without any of the frizz I had before. I also really like the conditioner he sold me. So, it's expensive, but it's so so very worth it!!! I can't wait to get my hair colored next time! read more

If my hair could talk, it would thank me for Paulo, the owner of Ego Mechanix. I planned my California wedding as a graduate student in Michigan. I started my online search for a hair stylist a month before. Apparently these things are booked 6 months ahead of time, so I quickly realized I might be out of luck on the big day. I jumped on Yelp and called the two highest rated salons in the SJ area. Both were completely booked, but I decided to keep trying and stopped into Ego Mechanix when I arrived into town. By the grace of the hair gods, there was a cancellation and I was able to book with Paulo. With less than two weeks left, we decided to skip the full trial. I met with Paulo and chatted a bit about some styles I liked. He's fun and honest. I was a tad nervous without a trial, but trusted the Yelp reviews. The day of, I arrived with Paulo waiting, latte in hand. He and his assistant were friendly, easy to talk to and took their time. He had me at ease and cracking up during my appt. My hair was fabulous and it lasted all day. I found out the day of, Paulo will be a contestant on Bravo's upcoming season of Sheer Genius! Be sure to check him out. read more

First off, I don't even live in San Jose and I've been here twice to have Mona cut my hair! She's that great! I first met Mona about 2.5 years ago when she did my hair for my cousin's wedding. My cousin had been going to Mona forever and had her do all of our hair for the wedding. I absolutely loved the hair style that I ended up with! Anyways, I find myself in need of a haircut and just so happened to be back in the area visiting my cousin, so what the heck, we made an appointment. Loved it so much that the next time I came back for another wedding, I made sure to get my haircut with Mona. Aside from the fact that I have yet to find a stylist I like in my own neighborhood, I really liked how Mona listened to what I wanted, even though they were not quite concrete ideas, talked me through it and gave suggestions of what would work and what would work. At no point did I feel pressured to go with any of her suggestions. She's definitely not pushy! She's really friendly, highly professionally, skilled, and fun to be around! read more

If you're a dude, Joanne V. (she posted below) can do the 'do (doo be doo be doooooo...). I'm 110% satisfied with the quality of her cuts, and on those times when I notice shit that's a little off (cuz I'm a picky bitch), she'll oblige me no problem. Plus she's a cool chick, and how many hair stylists can you truly say that about? :-) Only reason the salon doesn't get all 5 stars is the parking situation, but that's not really their fault. Plus if you've achieved perfection already, what would you have to strive for? ;-) read more

So I'm a guy, and have been doing my hair the same exact way for years & years and am VERY stubborn with my routine. I somehow got a last minute in with Stephanie due to Altier's snooty tactics - & not only did she give me a cut that was so different than I've been annoyingly getting it cut for years w the same stylist - she also styled it w pomade/grooming cream, which I NEVER let them do (hated anything but hairspray, which was ruining my hair). I always do it myself at the salon... Without going on forever here, all I can say is that my new style is nothing short of great - I can actually manage my cowlicks all day long. This is my new place, and she is my new stylist. Recommend ego/Stephanie to anyone!! read more

Paulo is THE BEST! HANDS DOWN! I walked in last year and said, "I have an interview, make me look good" and he cut my hair so it was short and sleek. Of course, I'm one of those people who have a hard time seeing themselves differently so I saw it originally and thought, "oh crap, I can't believe that Paulo gave me a crappy haircut, he's normally awesome." But when I walked into work the next day EVERYONE said how FANTASTIC my hair looked and how I looked much more professional. It just showed me that I can trust Paulo explicitly - he's never given me a bad haircut and when he's given carte blanch, he can make me look better than I thought I could look. read more

Typically I have found my hair stylists by word of mouth from friends, co-workers, cousins, etc. Even after all of this promisquous chair jumping I still was never left completely satisfied by any of these meaningless hair affairs. I needed to find a stylist and a salon that fit my personality, style, and of course my wallet. I took my search on to the web and discovered this hidden gem on YELP! I was in there yesterday and got hooked up by the infamous JOANNE and I was extremely satisfied with my hair and I felt like it was "me". I must have checked out my new do 20 times in the rear view on my way home. Usually when I get hair cuts I need to get used and mess with my hair because the cut just wasn't really what I originally envisioned for myself. This time I left the salon and had no desire to change a single strand. Joanne is not only a kick ass hair stylist but she is a super spunky young woman who keeps you engaged throughout the whole haircut. There was no need to peruse the typical salon gossip rags cause time flew by as we conversed about hair and beyond. The best part is that she made me feel totally in control of the process, rather than force her own ideas on me. It seemed as though she truly wanted me to be happy with my hair. As for the salon, it definitely has an urban contemporary ambiance. It is in a 2nd floor space overlooking 1st street right where it hits Post St. The decor is minimalistic and makes for such a relaxing Zen like experience. The little things like the beverages they serve and the massage chairs during the shampoo set this salon apart from the many South Bay salons I have dabbled in. Yes, you do get what you pay for so this place is definitely not cheap. But, I would say it reasonable and comparable to other high end salons in the area. Those of you still debating whether to try it out, have no fear they will take care of you over there! read more