The Ultimate Review: From Stranger to Family "For the longest time, this place was just a blur in the background of my daily life. I passed by it constantly, always buried in my phone or rushing to my next commitment, never giving it a second thought. But today was different. Something--call it a gut feeling or a stroke of luck--told me to finally stop, turn around, and go inside. I had reached my breaking point with other shops; everywhere I went, I was met with disappointment. I'd walk in with a specific request, and time after time, they either couldn't do it or gave me something completely different. Today, I decided to give this shop a shot, and it was the best decision I've made in a long time. The moment I opened the door, the atmosphere hit me. Even though the shop was at full capacity and every barber was deep in their work with clients, the energy was incredibly welcoming. They didn't treat me like an interruption; they treated me like a guest they had been waiting for. Looking back, I feel like I wasted so much time at other places. If I had known that a shop existed where you could get this kind of reception, I would have been a loyal regular from day one. But the real magic happened once I got into the chair. I've never experienced anything like it. From the very first 'hello' until the moment I stood up to leave, the conversation was nonstop. It wasn't that awkward, forced small talk you usually get at a barbershop; it was genuine, effortless, and deep. We talked about everything, and the connection was so instant that it felt like I was sitting in my own living room. I didn't just feel like a customer; I felt like I was home. By the end of the session, I realized I hadn't just found a talented professional--I had found a true friend. Honestly, the way we clicked, I know it won't be long before they aren't just a friend, but someone I consider a part of my family. To give this place a 2 or 3-star review would be an absolute lie. I would be doing a disservice to the honesty of this experience. The shop itself is top-tier--immaculately clean, organized, and filled with a team of people who clearly take pride in their craft. You can see the dedication in everyone working there, whether they are focused on a fade or a complex style. This is my first time ever writing a review on Yelp, and I'm doing it because this place earned it. They took my request--the one other places couldn't handle--and executed it perfectly. I walked out of that shop with a fresh look that had me feeling like a K-pop idol ready for the cameras. If you have even a little bit of time, please, do yourself a favor and try this place out. You might go in looking for a haircut, but you'll leave with a boost in confidence and a new sense of belonging. All of the people here are friendly, the results are stunning, and the vibe is unmatched. I came in as a stranger, but I'm leaving as a lifelong customer. Highly, highly recommended! read more

Unfortunately as much as I hate giving any negative reviews to a local small business, especially one in my community, haircuts are very personal and finding a trustworthy hairstylist who listens is really important, especially when bringing your preteen daughters or children for their first stylist haircut. With my sister and niece visiting from out of town, I recommended this salon based on the reviews and friendliness of the owner, Joan (sp?). (The signage is spelled differently than on Yelp.) There's usually a wait on weekends too so it seemed an easy recommendation. Together we all stopped by the salon and asked Joan for an appointment with her next day for my niece. When my sister arrived with my niece, Joan was still busy with another client, so referred them to Sam. Based on all the reviews here and our family's experience having gone to many, many Chinese owned salons, female haircuts include a wash unless otherwise requested in the $20 price. Instead, for $25, my niece received a few sprays from a spray bottle (my sister was never given an option and would have happily paid more) and a cut way too short, despite being shown a photos and her mom twice confirming with Sam to make sure to give her long bangs mid-nose like the photo. He confirmed he knew how to do it and then immediately proceeded to make his very first cut above her eyebrows! The expression of horror on her face was painfully obvious and it was too late to do anything about it. There's no fixing bangs cut too short. For the rest of the cut, my niece tried to keep from bursting into tears while my sister's heart fell into a million pieces. They paid and left and as soon as possible and once inside my door, my niece couldn't stop crying. My heart broke too as they don't have a Chinese salon close to their home and entrusted me to help them make a decision. Living in the area, I love giving them the opportunity to explore Chinatown and our community here whenever they visit. I even told my niece she'd get to experience a great hair wash and head massage, typical for Chinese salons, and they came highly recommended. I now deeply regret the recommendation. I had seen the photos my niece picked out for herself earlier, and the long bangs should have been no problem even for an inexperienced stylist. I went to the salon with my wife and informed Joan of what happened and disappointment as I had requested an appointment with her and my sister confirmed and reconfirmed with the photo for long bangs. My niece was still crying when I left and still upset when I returned. I would have been too. Joan sincerely apologized and said the next appointment would be better. But unfortunately, after this experience and with the many other salons within a few blocks, we won't be back. I truly wanted to give my niece a good first hair salon experience. I gave 3 stars as the overall cut was good and owner is nice and apologized, but it's not at all what she wanted and no wash. My niece rates 1 star. read more

Finally I am writing this long overdue review. I came to this salon based on their color work shown online. I asked for brown, and my hair turned out smurf blue. They are extremely rough with my hair when blowdrying and when applying bleach/color. After it has been roughly bleached and pulled, my hair continues to break off to this day. About 30% of my hair has broken off therefore I now have to wear clip in extensions. Something like this never happened to me they purposely ruined my hair. I should have left and not paid. Don't trust these pictures you see on yelp or Google. Your hair will be so fucked and you'll be traumatized from your hair falling off in chunks. read more

Fast, affordable, and a great cut. I'm glad I stopped in. Sam is the best and knew exactly what I needed when he looked at my hair. read more

Joan Salon - Hair cut - Hair Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

excellent, very affordable and amazing haircut. Very chill hair salon, no long waits. Overall vibe 10/10

I get my hair cut and a straightening perm annually and this salon has been my go to. The price is competitively cheaper compare to others and the quality is still there. I'm completely satisfied with the overall result. Note though that wait times are longer during busy times. I went on Saturday noon and service was slower because customers keep trickling in. Below is a pic of my haircut & perm result! read more

Joan Salon - Hair Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

This review is way over due, I've been coming here for the past 10 years. Sam gives the best haircut, I can't imagine going to anyone else! He does the best A-line Bob. Affordable and fast, love it! read more

It's the very best hair salon I've ever been to here in the Bay Area. I have tried and looked for a styler that is not only good but affordable. Believe me, before I found this place I used to spend hundreds of dollars for a single man's haircut. Now, I pay for the best haircut at Joan Salon. They are experts with straight hair like mine. I love it here. Recommend 100%. PS. Show them any style you want on a photo and they will do it. read more

Joan Salon - Haircut from Lily - Hair Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

Sam is awesome. He's been doing my hair for about 3yrs. When I first came I asked for him if he could cut me some bangs( I was worried because we had a little language barrier) but Google translate helps lol and my bangs came out perfect...needless to say 3 yrs later I'm still coming. The prices are perfect...he gets me in and out always. Wash, dry and flat iron $20. The parking can be ruff...this is China town but there is a parking lot around corner close to Wells Fargo. read more

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Omg, such talent at this salon. They really know what they are doing. I'm so happy I went.

Im here once a week. Sam is the best always gets me in and out in timely fashion. Parking can be crazy but theres a parking garage around corner on franklin $1.50 hr. Hair cut ,wash, flat iron $18 my weekly wash and flat iron $10 you really cant beat it. read more

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I recently got my hair cut by Sam. He is very patient and experienced. He cut my hair exactly how i want it and it looks good even after I wash it at home. I definitely recommend this salon! read more

They gave me a great hair wash + head massage, then directed me to pick a style out of a book. I liked this, because I don't always know how to describe what I'm going for. Little confusing because stylists kept switching off between customers, but it all worked out, and I'm happy with my cut. Only $20 for wash, cut, and style! (Cash only.) Note: If you're germaphobic this place isn't for you, because they re-use brushes and scissors for multiple customers. read more

This will be my new go-to salon. They were so quick, courteous, and did an amazing job on my unruly hair. It is inexpensive and high quality products are used- unlike some other nearby salons. I will be back very soon. read more

Good haircut place.Small,but a good job from Andy.Recommend you go there.They do a good job.Wait time is not that long.

super quick and really cheap. They are one of the more perfessional salons around the area, but the waits are long.

Got the worst hair cut for my son by the man named Andy? ( as I've seen on the wall that he had so many award???). Don't ever think he is just a little boy & gave him a crappy haircut like in this pic. 5 min haircut & 2 sides above his ears are not even, 1 high, 1 not even & ughly. I demanded him to fix it, & this is how he fixed already. As we waited for our turn, I also notice he uses the same cutting capes for my son (that he just recently used for someone else). No cleaning between customers, that's really nasty. I won't ever Come back. read more

Joan Salon - Worst haircut, poor my baby! - Hair Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

an amazing job from sam ! he is best, he is wonderful, friendly , he does a great job with making me feel comfortable and like he knows what he is doing . today i did strenght perm only $100 . The prices are also very reasonable! happy with the job he did! Highly recommend this place! read more

Andy did my hair, and I absolutely loved it. This was one of the two amazing haircuts I've ever had. I have a lot of hair and by a lot of hair I mean I am like a sheep. You can tell whether or not someone is a good stylist just by the way they handle people with loads a hair. Im always disappointed every time I get a hair cut. If you are planning on coloring your hair, definitely go either when they first open or the last two-three hours. Love this guy. read more

Really enjoyed my experience here. Very reasonable prices and very thorough job by Andy. I have curly hair and it looks great. I will definitely come back. read more

I walked in today and one of the barbers (not Andy) was making a very poor attempt at a fade. You could definitely tell that he made a mistake and instead of trying to fix it, he was brushing the hair off the mans head as if he was finished. Making my mind up not to get my hair cut by that man, I decided to wait on Andy. I waited for 10 minutes and during that span two woman came in asking how long the wait was. Instead of asking the people waiting in line to sit down, he sat down the two woman before without an explanation. Advise: It's 10 bucks for a haircut. Spend the extra 10 and get a decent hair cut with better customer service! read more

Andy butchered my hair and tried to pass it off as fine. He cut the hair noticably uneven and tried to cover up his major layering mistakes by cutting the outer hair longer. He never handed me a mirror to look at it so I didn't notice how awful the back looked until I got home. When I told him it was too short during the hair cut, he tried to placate me and say I will get use to it. People have asked if I tried to cut my hair myself because it looks like a hack job. No sense going back to tell him he did an awful job and asking him fix it because he wouldn't be skilled enough to redeem himself. Worst hair cut I have ever gotten in my life. read more

If they would wash the comb and brush between customers, or even pretend to get a fresh one I would have given 5 stars! Great haircut though! Andy, vyou are very skilled hair stylist please just soap wash comb and scissors between customers! Please please please. I want to keep going back to you read more

Don't come here if you're expecting a good mens haircut. I showed the hairdresser a picture of what i wanted and she didnt even look at it. She just said okay. short top short bottom. Then she butchered it like crazy. read more

I went in for a simple haircut, however Sam wowed me with an excellent new cut! I went pretty short and it looks GOOD!!! Sam was very nice and patient. He seems to have a lot of experience and did a great job! I would definitely recommend to my friends and coworkers. FIVE STARTS! read more

Well clearly I didn't get Sam. Some random dude cut my hair and if I had to guess I'd say it was his first time. He didn't even cut anything on the back of my head at all until I pointed out that he had neglected the whole area. Not sure what to say, this place is terrible, at $8 you don't even get what you pay for.. read more

just had my hair cut here today from sam! liked my new hair cut.i really recommend sam!