Ever since I moved to the Bay Area this past January I have been taking advantage of Yelp to find the best of everything I need in and around Berkeley but I have not written a review of anything until now. I have curly hair (3a?) and had the same hair dresser(loved her) for ten years in Northern Virginia where I previously lived. I was VERY nervous about getting my hair cut but I saw the reviews on Patricia here on Yelp and decided to go for it. I called her the week before Thanksgiving and she squeezed me in two days before the holiday. I was impressed and grateful but still worried. I've had a lot of bad experiences as most curly haired people have. When I was younger no one wanted to cut my hair and many hair stylists didn't even try to hide the fact that they were upset about cutting my hair. The day came for my hair cut and I found her precious hair salon. Patricia has done a beautiful job with making her small salon an inviting and warm space. I told her what I wanted, showed her some pictures and then she told me her philosophy on cutting curly hair. In an hour, no wait time, Patricia cut 6-7 inches off my hair, styled it and used the diffuser. She gave me exactly what I wanted and more. It has now been a week and I have washed, styled and for the first time used a diffuser and I still love it! Thank you, thank you Patricia! I am embracing my wild curls. I will definitely be going back to La Peluqueria. read more

La Peluquería - Embracing the wild curls with a much shorter cut. Thank you Patricia! No Ouidad, no Deva cut, just Patricia's magic hands. - Hair Salons Near Me - Berkeley, California

If you have curly hair, Patricia is the person to see. I was nervous to have someone new cut my hair, but she knows what she is doing and all of the reviews I found online were right on. Loved my haircut and just went back for my second from her today! So thrilled to have found this salon. read more

I have officially found a hair stylist I will forever be faithful to!! I have been looking around for someone that can properly style curly hair, and she works magic!! I've been to a good amount of stylist that Ive paid to ruin my hair. It has been a year and half since my hair has been touched because I've been petrified, but now I have found the angel that made my dreams come true lol!!!! If you have curly hair I 100% recommend this salon. And to make things better, you are greeted at the door by a small well behaved dog that made my experience that much more fabulous!!!! I've fallen back in love with my locks!!!!! read more

Patricia has been cutting my hair for almost four years. I have never received as many compliments for my hair, as I have since coming to see her. I trust Patricia in her ability to cut and color hair that I allow her to use her creative process to style my hair any way she feels would work best for me. I have never been disappointed. If you are the type of person that needs to have control all the time and is not open to new ideas and feedback this may not be the place for you. If you are tired of your same look and want a change and do not know what would look best on you, then Patricia is your person. read more

I just want to thank Patricia for doing such a great job. She really listened and understood what I wanted, and I feel like myself again. I want to have big, wild, and messy hair, and that is exactly what Patricia gave me. She freed my curls from the frizzy mass of hair they were hidden in, and she kept the length which people always say they will but never do. I am so glad I tried Patricia and La Peluqueria, and I look forward to future cuts! read more

Patricia is the only person whom I will allow to cut and style my hair. She is a genius at bringing out my hair's natural wave. Crls are her speciality! I recommend her services whole heartedly. read more

Patricia is an artist. She came recommended through a colleague with curly hair who's been going to her for 7 years. I badly needed a haircut and took a leap of faith. She gave me the best curly haircut I've even had. I bought some of her shampoo and conditioner and those are amazing too. If you've got curly hair, her salon is the only place you should be going to. read more

Patricia is a curly hair Magician! Two days ago she transformed my tresses into a voluminous mass of easy to care for curliness. I will be back! read more

La Peluquería - Patricia is a Curl Whisperer! She can coax the curl back into your hair! - Hair Salons Near Me - Berkeley, California

My visit here was awesome. The place is beautiful and quiet and the owner has an adorable little dog as well. Patricia (I think that is her name) cut my hair beautifully and has an obvious understanding of curly hair and how it should be styled. I will definitely be back and I would refer anyone struggling with their curly hair. read more

I've been going to La Peluqueria for about three years and always leave happy. Patricia is friendly, efficient and gives me great cuts. In the past, other stylists have talked me into cuts that did not flatter my curls at all, or made disparaging comments about the texture of my hair. With Patricia, I never have to worry about that. She doesn't try to talk me into anything I don't want, and she gives me tips on how to nourish my hair even more. As an added bonus, I love seeing her dog Rosi whenever I go in. Thank you Patricia for helping me look my best! read more

like another reviewer said -- not the worst cut I've gotten, but very basic and not worth the $85 I was charged. what made it especially unpleasant was how bossy and judgmental she was. I know my hair, have tried tons of different products, techniques, strategies etc...I didn't come in for a lecture, just a good cut. I feel like she was more interested in passing judgment than in actually paying attention to the particularities of my hair. With that said, the photos that others have posted look beautiful, so maybe she's just better with certain textures of hair than others. I definitely didn't get the carefully sculpted cut that I was expecting after all the reviews. read more

Patricia is warm, funny, and knows what she's doing! Best haircut since I moved to the bay area a year ago

Patricia is a wonderful stylist/colorist. I came to her after reading the reviews and I finally felt like someone understood my natural, curly-frizzy hair. I had gone natural 2 years ago after and was slowly getting the chemically straightened ends cut from my hair to retain length. 1 year ago I stopped blow drying my hair. I began wearing it naturally curly but still had a hair cut/shape that was for my straight hair style. Patricia gave me a fantastic hair cut that was SO flattering for my curls and my face. After 2 years, I finally felt like I had a real hair style again. She also colored my hair - and again -- warm, flattering color - she's a great colorist too. The last thing she did was use some great products that are now the foundation of what I use to style my hair everyday. The combo keeps my hair so soft and shiny. I love Patricia and totally recommend her! read more

Love this place! Not only did she get me in last minute, she completely transformed my hair! My hair was not only Long overdue for a cut, it had gotten burned last month. In 30min she not only fixesd my hair, the Curls Have Never Looked So Buncy. Thank you, and hope this helps another curled head. read more

My first cut with Patricia changed my life - I walked into La Peluquería with my heart on my sleeve because I had been loosing so much hair that having long hair no longer suited me. Patricia gave me the confidence I needed to go short and gave me a beautiful cut, and she brought out my natural curl too. I never got so many compliments from everyone - they loved it and so did I. Thank you Patricia!! read more

Patricia is incredibly talented! If you have curly hair and live in the Bay Area, please go to La Peluqueria and see her. She too has curly hair and completely understands how to cut it and more importantly, what will look good on you. I've been coming to her for over 3 years and she has never disappointed, I've loved every cut. Thanks Patricia! read more

Patricia really knows curly hair! She really got my cut right on the first try - just the length and style I was going for. I have short 3a/3b hair that plenty of stylists aren't used to working with, but Patricia understood it perfectly. My only complaint is that she can be a bit condescending when it comes to hair - but with so much experience under her belt, I can't really blame her. Would recommend for a great cut in a beautiful salon. read more

Okay, after a certain age hair is gonna turn gray. I am so grateful that I found Patricia to keep my hair youthful-looking with her amazing skills as a colorist. My hair looks so perfectly colored and sun-streaked that even my college-aged nieces think it is natural. Besides color and highlights Patricia excels at understanding and cutting curly (and naturally frizzy) hair. She can make style recommendations after studying your hair and she is such a nice person,too! read more

A friend of mind recommended Patricia to me a while back, but I was reluctant to leave my previous hairdresser. Then I really needed to get my hair done and my hairdresser at the time could not fit me in, so I decided to go ahead and give Patricia a try. She immediately in a kind way told me how my current haircut was not bad but not as good as it could be for my face and hair type. I was skepical, but she was totally correct. She definitely knows how to give you the best style and haircut for you. I am now changing hairdressers and I highly recommend her. If you go, trust her, and let her do her thing and I bet it will be the best haircut you have ever had. read more

Patricia is the ONLY stylist I have ever been to that truly understands curly hair!!! As she looked at my hair and began cutting, she showed me the way curls should and should not be cut. On my hair she demonstrated how it looks the way it does because of the way in which it was cut, and how she was going to fix it. I walked away from the salon with a bouncy, lush, perfectly curled head of hair that has no signs of frizz, and no weird pyramid, mushroom, block shape -- us curly head people know exactly what I am talking about, and with every curl ending in a perfectly formed S shape. Besides that, she did not try to push product on me, and, in fact, she used only a scant amount of product on my hair after it was cut. But, she DID teach me a better way to care for my curls. Her next client thought my hair looked fantastic too. I think I will actually be spending a lot less on hair products after this visit. I am so excited to have found her. She has curly hair too. She totally gets it. read more

I've had $30 cuts and $150 cuts; fancy Devacuts and crappy mall salon cuts... they were all terrible. Like many curly-headed folks it's rare that someone is able to look at my long, thick South Asian hair and understand how to bring out its best features, compliment my face shape, and set me up for my very low-maintenance life. But Patricia did all of these things, and I'm very happy. It's true that her contact system is a little frustrating when you're used to making online appointments or getting an immediate answer from a receptionist. But she's a one-woman shop, so it's understandable. You text her with pictures of your hair and she'll get back to you when she's free, which isn't always the same day. So I was a little wary at first. But as soon as she started handling my hair, I could tell I was in good hands. I didn't really know what I wanted, just something that had more movement and volume and was easy to maintain (minimal products and heat styling). She showed me about how much she was going to take off to make sure I was comfortable, and explained that she'd put layers in to shape and give me the movement I wanted. Then I took my glasses off and she went to work. Less than half an hour later I put my glasses back on and saw a completely transformed head of hair. I went from a heavy curtain of curls down to the small of my back to a fun yet sophisticated cut that stopped just below my collarbones. She layered my curls almost individually to give them movement and volume like I wanted. I was really pleased with Patricia's work, and also appreciated that she didn't try to sell me on products or frequent trims or high-maintenance styling methods I don't have time for. I've never gone back to the same stylist a second time, but Patricia might be the exception! read more

Patricia ruined my very long hair just because she didn't like my request of a simple trim. She literally ignored what I asked and did whatever she wanted with my hair and my money. I took me years to grow my hair... I felt SO disrespected as a person. I regret going there so much. read more

I lived in Berkeley for almost five years and had such a hard time finding a great hairdresser. I was thrilled when I met Patricia. She helped me rediscover the beauty- and ease- of wearing my hair naturally wavy. She listened to what I was looking for and she gave me suggestions based on my hair type and face structure. She's great! read more

I'm very picky about who cuts my curly hair and I'm so glad to have found Patricia! I've had 3 cuts with her now and they have all looked great and grown out beautifully (no triangle head). It's well worth the drive from San Francisco. I highly recommend this salon to anyone with curly hair in the Bay Area read more

I have been doing my hair with Patricia for over 10 years. I have curly hair and have not put many treatments but I did wanted a change and decided to do COLOR. Patricia is an expert. I have been tempted to color it at home but the reality is the product she uses and her expertise are worth it! I would not let anybody else change the color of my hair, she knows what she is doing, new ideas and what looks good on me. Mariedda read more

Went here because I was in town and other places were booked and needed a trim. The haircut is ok, but I found a few things irksome - in order of occurrence: - It seemed like I had been double booked with someone else. So I arrived, had my hair washed after about ten minutes of waiting, and then sat there with wet hair for twenty minutes while she worked on someone else who had arrived after me and I presume was a double-booking. - The environment was a bit too casual-friendly with friends and family coming and going, so as someone who had never been here before, I felt somewhat awkward and alienated, as though I was an unwanted guest. - Half an hour after the time I'd booked, when I was finally attended to, I stated that I wanted a trim. There seemed to be a communication issue here because she responded somewhat confused so I reworded that I wanted my current hair cut and length, just a tiny bit shorter because it's gotten messy. A clean up so I can continue to grow my hair out. Well...she gave me a hair CUT, not a trim. And it's a decent cut, but I want to grow my hair out and now a good 2 months or so of hair growing out is gone. Plus, she charged me the $70 price for a haircut even though 1) I didn't want a haircut, I explicitly said I wanted a trim. And 2) After she made me wait for half an hour, the haircut itself only took about thirty minutes. Conclusion ---- PROS (?): Good haircut, I guess. I can't really judge since it's not what I wanted at all. CONS: Felt unprofessional and alienating, waited half an hour after my appointment time before I was received, did not feel like I was treated with the respect salons typically afford their clients, I asked for a trim but was given a haircut and charged for a haircut at a rate that was overpriced for this type of treatment. There are other places I'd recommend to a friend before this place. read more

I usually don't believe people when they recommend a hair stylist who 'understands curly hair' since I rarely find that it is true. Patricia, however, is that person; she understands the curl; she embraces the curl. Extremely happy with my cut and style. Highly recommended. read more

Sloppy about appointments. and sometimes gets it wrong. Runs chronically late as well. Can't waste any more time with this.

My first haircut with Patricia was the best I've ever had. Followup cuts have been just as amazing. I highly recommend her for anyone with curly hair! read more

I let a friend "trim" my hair while having a fun time with girlfriends which was a hugh mistake. A razor was used during the cut and it took all of the curl out of my hair. I was unable to do anything with the hair....it was awful. I saw Patricia and once again she performed a miracle with my curly hair. We made a plan as to how to rectify the big mistake and already it looks so much better. Memo to self for the future....Don't let anyone else but Patricia cut your curly hair!! Thank you Patricia! read more

Patricia reminds me of my aunties in my big Latina family. She is sassy, smart, kind and a little bossy! I liked her attitude and pizzazz so much and she gave me a wonderful haircut. I have type 3b curly hair and I've had hundreds of terrible haircuts in my life. My previous hairdresser moved from Berkeley to LA last year and so I found myself without a stylist for about 6 months. I went to Patricia after reading some reviews on naturallycurly.com and here on yelp. She really did a great job. My hair feels and looks fantastic and I've had a bunch of complements. She charges $60 for a wash, cut and fantastic hair dry. I was in her salon about an hour and felt so at home and safe. She's also curly-haired herself which got her great trust points from me. I'd send anyone to Patricia and I hope that she continues to cut hair in Berkeley. Also major props to a woman of color who owns a fantastic upscale salon! xoxo read more

I went to Patricia after reading great yelp reviews for curly hair. I tried to tell her about the specific issues with my hair. She basically paid no attention and now I have months of a bad haircut to deal with. Sadly have to keep trying. read more

Patricia gives me fantastic cuts for my 2a/2b wavy hair. A lot of people are surprised to learn that my hair is naturally wavy, because they think I must have styled my hair. As someone who spent years hating their hair, that is a huge complement! I previously went to several highly rated salons in the bay area, including getting a Deva cut, but I am most satisfied with Patricia. I highly recommend Patricia for wavy hair! read more

Patricia is amazing! She is very knowledgeable and experienced and it shows in her work. She's super dependable and just a sweetheart. She also gives wonderful advice about haircare, so you leave having learned something and looking good! read more

La Peluquería is the best salon! Patricia is a excellent stylist and expert working with curly her. I particularly don't have a curly her but I love the vibe of the salon and the professionalism that Patricia work with all her claims. read more

Patricia does a fantastic job on curly hair for a very reasonable price. I've been getting expensive but bad haircuts for years.

Patricia worked magic on my hair... I've never loved a haircut as much as I do the one Patricia gave me!

Patricia gave me a perfect short haircut. I have course, slightly wavy hair and was trying to grow it out. It was hard for me to style. She found a hair style that frames my face nicely and is low maintenance. Just put some hair gel in and it's good to go. She also recommended the right hair color. I was dying my hair too dark and she showed me a "warm" color that complements my skin tone. I definitely recommend going here. read more

Definitely recommend trying this place, looking for a decent hair cut I've tried other hair salons and I think this one its best out of all of them, very friendly great place i loved it, my husband loved my new hair cut. thanks patricia read more

I walked in frizzy and uneven and walked out bouncy, curly and renewed. Thank you Patricia!