Genius. This is the only word I can think of when it comes to Kate Narron. I'm notorious for loathing having my hair cut. My hair is curly. But not super curly -- just the kind of curls that like to dreadlock themselves if they have their way, and it's kind of flat on top (wow, does that make me sound like I have a mullet?). Also, I swim a lot. And I've had numerous hair cuts up and down the west coast that have made me seriously consider finding whoever Carrot Top is going to these days because heck, his hair looked better than mine. I digress. Kate is worth every cent. She is extremely knowledgeable about hair, how hair works, types of hair, and hair products. I'm shocked she's not teaching university level courses on hair-cutting because she just knows so much and is so informed and aware. Even better? She's a genius not just when it comes to hair. Our conversations span the state of education, frivolous pop culture, the sociology of image, songs that make us cry and books we love. She can converse on any topic without breaking stride. And she doesn't force conversation if her client (me) isn't feeling chatty. Sometimes I just close my eyes and sit in comfortable silence. Whenever I leave Kate's chair, I feel like I have the best haircut on the planet, and I'm convinced no one could possibly do as good a job as her. And I get the feeling I'm not the only person who feels this way. Curly, long, straight, short -- Kate's got the right stuff. *Review moved from Kate's former salon, Hermosa, which is lovely place. read more

OH, Kate. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: * You've been beautifully doing my hair for jeez, 8+ years. * Your salon used to be approximately 50 steps from my home. * I moved 1000 steps away, yet continued my loyalty. * You moved to the East Bay, I ordered FastTrack. Kate is great!!! She always knows exactly what I need, even if it's just a slight change in my standard cut. She "gets" me and is always a joy to visit. read more

Kate Narron is THE HAIR WHISPERER! Sometimes I'm that scary client that walks in and say's, "I don't know, I just want it different." Kate does not disappoint. She offers gentle suggestions and keeps you from doing anything drastic (think post-natal hair falling out stage.) I love Kate and can't recommend her enough. Great color - great cut - great gal! I've been light and now trying out the dark side. When I went to work after the latest color shift, I got A LOT of "Wow - your hair looks great!" and "Looks perfect with your skin tone." Thanks Kate! See you soon. read more

Kate's on the move to a new salon. I can't wait to go & check it out! Here's my review, because I'm officially a long-timer with her now, y'all. Because I will have to rave about Kate, I have delayed writing this review. I know you yelpers are reading reviews with your appointment-making trigger finger itching on speed dial & you know how territorial a person can feel about her sacred hair appointment & ability to get another one...right? But I found Kate through yelp & I figure, I owe her & the yelpsters; it's a karmic thing. Kate's great. She really is. As a person she's smart, fun, charming--all that stuff others have already gone on so eloquently about. She's been doing my 'do for...at least 3 years now. I've never gotten a bad haircut from her. Really. I have really straight fine hair & it shows every mistaken cut mark. There haven't been any made by Miss Kate. Love her! read more

I'm a stylist's worst nightmare. I have no patience for getting my hair done. I show up every three to six months for an appointment. I want change, but I'm not exactly sure what I want. I fidget and sigh as my hair is cut and colored. Enter stylist, Loretta deBrule. She is consultative, listening to my needs, "I want to look younger, I want to look sexy yet professional, and I don't want to work too hard each morning styling my hair". Loretta distracts me with lively conversation, so I don't notice the time passing as I sit still long enough for her to work her magic. Voila. I look good. Looks good, and is easy to maintain. Love her. Gracias for the miracle. read more

Loretta DeBrule is my woman in shining armor! I like to change my style more frequently than most and she never hesitates to partner with me in creating a dynamic style. I get tons of compliments on my hair and most importantly, I TRUST her and her work! She has an awesome sense of humor too which makes me so excited for my next hair appointment. She simply does great work! Her new location on Piedmont Avenue is perfect too as there is easy street parking, shopping, great bars and restaurants nearby too when you want to show off your new hair to the world. I found Loretta on Yelp! and I will happily promote her skills here too! read more

I emailed Kate on February 8 about getting some colored extensions. She emailed me back and was going to try to work something out with me. So we set the date of February 13 in the evening. Kate sent me an email reminder the night before, but I had completely forgot that I had other plans the day we were suppose to meet. I sent her an email in the morning about it and apologized. I had also tried to work out another time with her, but she never responded. I then sent her another email a week later, and still, no response. There was no need for me to pursue it any more because it was obvious that she didn't want my business. read more

Kate Narron has been cutting my hair for years, ever since she rescued me from a scary set of bangs. Kate really takes the time to understand your hair and give you a cut & color that will look great with your unique hair characteristics. Before Kate, I had many bad cuts because they were totally wrong for my hair, but Kate simply won't let this happen! When I start wandering in that direction, Kate brings me right back, and as a result, every single cut has been perfect since the day I met her! I should also say that my hair is pretty impossible - long and baby fine, and every imperfection shows. Well, when there ARE imperfections...which there ARE NOT with Kate!! Pretty much, she's amazing. Plus, she's adorable and hilarious and an absolute pleasure to chat with while she's doing her thing! Now that I've moved to Seattle, I'll be traveling back for cuts because I simply wouldn't trust anyone else to have the knowledge and skill that Kate does! read more

12 years in Loretta @deBrule keeps my curls soft and smooth and very healthy! Highly recommend Loretta!

Loretta is the first hair stylist in forever who actually believed me when I told her I don't blow dry my hair. So she gave me a terrific haircut that gives my hair volume without fuss. At last a hair cut that fits my life and my style. Loretta really understands your hair and how you want to present yourself and can make you look your best. read more

I love Loretta DeBrule. She is an awesome hair dresser. I inevitably come in rushed and feeling like I look like sh... you get the idea. She makes me look beautiful. She really does. And she is so down to earth and fun to talk to. It took me awhile to find a hair goddess I love.... Loretta is it!!! She is so cool. She just opened her new salon, upstairs at 4153 Piedmont. It's a more fun neighborhood than her last place. When my husband saw me after my last visit with her, he was .... delightfully romantic. read more

Loretta has taken her show and moved it down a few blocks, still on Piedmont Ave. Undoubtedly, one of the most talented and consistent hair care professionals whom I have ever known (after 25 years of color) - her new salon is an oasis! Offset from the street and the hub-bub of Piedmont, her salon is luxurious and welcoming. I have fine, curly hair - she has provided amazing cuts, color and solutions over the years not only to me but my children and husband as well! A top-notch professional, Loretta deBrule is a gifted and talented hair artist, reliable and reasonable, and the only person whom I would trust with my tresses. Run, do not walk, to this salon! read more

If you are cruising Yelp to find a hair stylist for cut and/or color in the east bay -you can stop now. Call Kate Narron at Debrule Studio Salon and make an appointment. You won't be sorry. (True confession-I'm moving this review over from Kate's previous salon- I actually haven't been to Debrule yet -her new location, but Kate has been cutting my hair for five years now and I will be there soon!) I've been gettin' my hairs did (cut and colored) by Kate for five years now. I always walk out of the salon feeling super sassy because of her handy work and lighthearted because we had so much fun chatting about our lives. But I really want to mention what she's helping me with lately. Five months ago I made the decision to let my silver shine. I told Kate that I didn't think I could take looking like a skunk for several months so I wanted her to shave my head so I could just let everything grow in natural. I figured the shock of my bald head would so throw all of those around me that they'd forget what my color had been before I shaved it and the fact that it grew in silverish wouldn't seem weird. Kate in all her stylish wisdom talked me down from the baldy idea and has come up with a beautiful plan to make this transition less traumatic. I'm excited to see my natural hair growing in, but also realizing I'm waaay silverier than I thought. Kate has assured me that it doesn't have to be dye or no dye, once we see how much silver is shining through I can back some of it off with low-lights and make the silver even more sparkly and glamorous with glosses. And here's the really amazing part that I think speaks volumes about Kate's character, for my permanent dye I had to see her every 3 weeks! My hair grows that fast. With the low lights and glosses I see her every 8 weeks. That means she will be getting less work from me. We all know how vanity works, Kate could have convinced me that I was making a mistake to stop dying my hair, that I would regret it, but instead she listened to what I wanted and was encouraging and supportive. She's truly a class act. read more

Loretta is a hair goddess and I have not found another stylist in the Bay Area who is as good as her (and I looked for a long, long time). Color, style, consultation...she scores a perfect 10! She is the type of stylist who you can trust to go with it...and her recommendations are always right on. Over the years she has transitioned me into 5 different colors and about 10 totally different styles and made each work with my coloring, face shape and overall style. I do not know what I would do without her! read more