Issam is amazing! Flexible with scheduling and always gives a great cut. Place is convenient with easy parking. Highly recommended!!!

I have to give a shout-out to my fabulous hairdresser, Issam at Marin Essentials Salon in San Rafael! I've only been to him twice, but both times he has exceeded my expectations. He has a great eye and takes the initiative to give me a fresh, flattering cut--and my blonde is FINALLY blonde, not brassy! His prices are very reasonable, and on top of being talented and professional, he's funny, warm and genuinely hospitable. I actually enjoy my time in his chair, and most importantly, I leave feeling beautiful. Highly recommend Issam if you're looking for a great stylist in Marin! read more

The guy in charge here, Bashar, has no idea what he is doing. Worst shampoo and blow I've ever had. His hairdressers are a little better. Did a terrible job on 4 of us who went for wedding clean up. Not one of us were happy. We went based on yelp reviews. We can only speculate, but imagine the good reviews were from friends and family. There are plenty of hairdressers in area, choose anyplace but here. read more

Issam is the absolute best!!! He knows exactly what it is you want when trying to explain the kind of look / cut you're after! He also is so personable! I always leave loving my hair cut, and wishing I had more time to chat and put the world to rights with this smart funny guy!!! read more

I went Friday without knowing what to expect. A super hair dresser who's name do know remember but starts with I and is from Lebanon did an amazing job, he was welcoming and fair in price. If I lived there, i would go every moth I recommend this place because everyone is nice and professional. read more

Fro me, finding a new hair stylist or barber is among the most arduous tasks in life. I suppose it's like finding a Dr. or a teacher or a mechanic that you like and trust. I'll read yelp reviews, poke my head into barber shops and even a few salons occasionally and 95% of the time I'm not satisfied just from the look of things. So after going 2 if not 3 months past the expiration date of my last haircut (which I was somewhat satisfied with) I poked my head into Marin Essential Salon. And liked what I saw. The ambiance I had been looking for was there. A relaxed atmosphere, a calming open interior, and a nice man that turned his head as I was peeking inside and said, "come in, have a seat. We can take care of you". I was instantly a fan. I could see this pleasant man looking at me and then my birds nest of hair and could almost tell that he was sizing up how to help me look better with his craft. Unfortunately I didn't have any money at the time so I had to pass on his offer. But I kept it in my mind that as soon as I had the funds I would return to his shop and trust him with my vanity. Nearly a month passed before I had the ability to walk into his shop once again, this time with an appointment. And this man did not disappoint. From his good character and attitude to his skill with the scissors, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. 10/10 - and if I have to drive an hour to get here for his quality of service, I'm willing to do so. This place has an average of 5 stars with good reason. I hope to be a customer of his for a long , long time. read more

Everyone was so welcoming, and I felt right at home! I got a very good haircut from them, and I will definitely be back for my next one! (Highly recommended!) read more

I have been going to Issam for over 4 years for both cut and color and he is the absolute best! I have also referred over 10 friends to him who are now loyal happy customers! He is always prompt and has become like family! I cannot recommend him and the salon enough! read more

I came across Marin Essential Salon a few years ago when I was in desperate need of a haircut in the pandemic and have been getting my haircut here for a few years now. It's so easy to make an appointment and every time I walk it I get a warm welcome from the friendly staff. Issam and the rest of the crew are very talented and offer variety of services for men and women. I have recommended the place to a few friends and they all have been very satisfied as well. I highly recommend Marin Essentials. Five Star all the way! read more

Issam is great! I fly cross country from Washington DC every four months just to have Issam do his magic to my hair! The saloon always feels like home! Nazy read more

I come to Issam for all my hair needs! He is a skilled stylist who always executes on my vision. He promotes a comfortable environment and provides excellent customer service. He is always available on time for my appointments and accommodating when I'm running behind. I highly recommend Issam and the Marin Essential Salon! read more

I drive 4 hours to get my haircut and perm from Issam, I have been doing this for 3 years now and will continue to come to this place because the haircut I get gets me compliments everyday. Issam will always work with me on a new hairstyle for myself or a new look to keep it fresh. The atmosphere with him and the ladies is unmatched, its welcoming and I love spending my time here to where it doesn't feel like a haircut appointment, it feels like im coming to visit a friend every time, that's how welcoming it is. I will be coming here for years to come and so will every single one of my future sons. read more

I have been going to Issam for many years now to get haircuts, color my roots, and receive keratin hair treatments. I make the drive all the way from Santa Rosa to San Rafael because he is the only one I can fully trust with my hair. Not only does Issam always do an excellent job, but he's also very personable and makes an effort to get to know his customers. Issam's free-spirited, approachable, and cheerful demeanor makes me feel so comfortable and relaxed in his presence. The salon itself is cute, and I find the whole experience pleasurable. I will continue to visit Issam for all my hair needs, and I am grateful for his consistent care and professionalism. Thank you, Issam, for always taking such good care of me. 5 Stars! read more

Issam is amazing and has a true gift! I've been going to Issam for over a year now and I will follow him wherever he goes. My husband is now a customer as well and he is super picky about his hair. I love Issam because he listens to what I want in a haircut/color, he offer suggestions, and he makes my hair look spectacular! It also looks good weeks after my haircut! He is also reasonably priced which is a win! Go see Issam, your hair will thank you! read more

I got my first haircut from Issam at Marin Essential Salon in San Rafael yesterday, and I couldn't be happier with the result. Issam is a very experienced, skillful and talented stylist as well as a pleasure to talk to. He told me he started cutting hair when he was fifteen and loves his work. I highly recommend Issam to anyone looking for an affordable, flattering, top-notch haircut. read more

Hairstyle was terrific. I am very pleased. I Will definitely go back. Very good service and price was great. First time there so I was very apprehensive. She made me feel comfortable which made me feel like she cared. She told me upfront she didn't feel too good about updo which I wanted but I was extremely pleased onstyle she and i decided on. read more

I walked into Marin Essential Salon without an appointment, crossed my fingers and asked if anyone could color and trim my hair. I haven't done anything with my hair since before COVID so my 'natural' color was gray, blonde and lots of dark brown in the back. I asked Issam to give me all gray hair. Well, he did an amazing job and my hair looks great again. In the sun it looks blonde but if you take a closer look it is actually gray with only a few blonde streaks and it looks natural. If I get a little more adventurous I may add some silver streaks and know who I will go to for help! I appreciate you squeezing me into your busy day and making me feel like family, Issam! Thank you!!! read more

I don't typically post on Yelp unless something really good, or really bad happens when I have bought and paid for services. This was going to be a good review--but as a result of a bad (January 10, 2024) review I just read about Issam (the owner of Marin Essential Salon), I am going to expand my comments, because for four years, I have consistently had nothing but excellent service, and great haircuts. Thus, the following story... My hair grows like a weed, requiring it be cut and treated twice a month. Professionally I buy and sell medical companies on behalf of clients, so I am in front of CEO's, Bankers, Attorneys, Doctors and Scientists on a regular basis. When the pandemic hit four years ago, businesses closed their doors, and like everyone else, my meetings moved from "live" to Zoom, but I still had to look professional. Unfortunately, my usual hair stylist shut down for good; my hair quicky grew out of control, and I was anxious to get a haircut. So, I advertised on Craig's List to find a replacement. Within an hour, I was sitting in a chair in Issam's garage getting groomed and camera ready. My hair is coarse and curly so not easy to cut, and he nailed it the first time, and every time since... As a result, for the last four years I have gone to see him every two weeks, often at the last minute, and almost always running late. He is always gracious, accommodating, fun and professional to me and to all of his patrons and colleagues. I mention this, because although I was not there on that January day mentioned in the bad review--I have seen him in action about 100 different times, and it was either an aberration or an exaggeration by the previous reviewer. This is not who Issam is--this is not how he rolls. And oh yeah, my original reason for writing a review on this date was to acknowledge four years and 100 haircuts with amazingly consistent results. Nobody can tell I have had a haircut (which is the way I want it), and I thought it was both timely and appropriate to acknowledge a significant achievement. Thank you, Issam! read more

LOVE this place and the owner is fabulous! My daughter/I come here frequently.... We love the service and how comfortable they make you feel, not to mention the outcome of our hair.. read more

Best Haircut ever! I just had my hair cut by Issaim at Essential Salon in San Rafael. Such a good experience! He asked what I wanted & then suggested something better. He gave me a beautiful cut- a little shorter than I had planned- but he was so right. Also, very reasonable price. read more

Issam is absolutely wonderful!! He is totally proficient in cut, color and styling! I've been his client for about two years and I have recommended him to all my friends and family! We are all super happy with his work, his always pleasant attitude, his skill and availability! The salon is always clean and inviting! His prices are extremely reasonable! Issam is a pleasure to be around, he works fast and efficiently! He's a total gem!!! read more

I went in expecting these folks knew how to cut beards. Not. I came all the ways from SF big disappointment. Issam started to cut my hair at appointed time, then said excuse me for a minute and disappeared for ten minutes in the back (hair washing) with another customer while I sat in the chair. Going on 15 minutes I went back and said something. Seemed like he was hoping I wouldn't mind and he could service two customers at once. I get it. $. I told him that probably in future it would be best to finish with one customer and then take another rather than trying to juggle two. Then he started to argue with me about it, and then told me also not to talk while he was cutting my hair. But he would then ask me questions so I had to talk. Finally, they advertise $20 beard trim on wall but charged me $25. Ugh. read more

Ive been coming to Issam for 2 years and he has always been accommodating, gave me the perfect haircut that i ask for, and overall the shop itself has a welcoming energy. I moved all the way to Chico california and drive 2 and a half hours just to get an actually quality haircut that hasn't been matched by any other barber i've had in the past. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Issam was able to color correct and give me a keratin treatment to fix my hair and I could not be happier. Love this Salon! He feels like family now. read more

I went to Marin Essentials for the first time this week based on Yelp reviews -- and wow! I called Issam on Monday and he was able to take me on Tuesday. I was a bit nervous about it and very precise about what I wanted. Issam was warm and very patient with my "directing," given he is very experienced and a skilled artist. I was asking for something basic and he gave me just what I asked for, but somehow the whole thing was elevated to a real style. His skill and artistry became especially evident when I got home, slept on it, and woke up the next morning with my hair still looking great because the cut made it fall right back into place -- I've never had that happen before. His cost was more than reasonable, he was fun to talk to and is a clear community builder. The whole salon had great energy -- relaxed, unpretentious, warm and highly professional. Thank you Issam, for creating this gem of a place. I will be back for more of your magic! read more

I got keratin hair treatment with Isaam and it was such a great experience. Both for my hair and for me with great conversations! Thanks so much! Sara read more

I am at Marin Essentials Hair Salon in San Rafael, i cant say enough great things about Issam. He is by far one of the most experienced hair dressers in the area!! Best highlights color and cut I have had in decades!! Safety is paramount here during Covid. He books quickly, so call ahead 415-150-8047 read more

What a pleasure going to a open salon, staff was amazing, , safe environment,, friendly for kids . I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a cut and color for a Fantastic experience. I'm bringing my kids here next week! read more

I live in San Mateo and drive all the way to Marin to get my color. I have tried so many salons in the Bay Area over the years and Marin Essential is by far the best for color. Not only is Issam is an expert colorist, but his cuts are amazing too. The salon is immaculate and they follow all Covid safely practices. Great location - can easily spend the day here... read more

I brought both my kids in for a much needed mid-pandemic haircut. My daughter had super long hair and we were going for a bob. I was so pleased with the haircut, it looked amazing!! The price was also perfect; I'll be bringing them here for now on. read more

I found this place through Yelp. I normally would never drive all the way to Marin from SF for a hair appointment but this place is so amazing it truly drew me in. First of all, the convenience of being able to text for an appointment and the response was literally sent in seconds. I was able to get an appointment the SAME day for a balayage, keratin treatment, and a hair cut. The place was beautifully set up with tons of space. I was greeted by the owner and from the second I stepped foot in the salon until the second I left, I was not left alone, made the most comfortable I've ever been at a salon before, offered multiple drinks and snacks (including red wine) to sip on while the owner was working on my hair. The results were also beyond amazing. This place is AWESOME. They care about providing quality services at extremely reasonable prices and the customer service is out of this world. I'm glad I found this salon that everyone should try out. I will be making trips to Marin just for this place to get my hair done. Thank you again, Isaam and Marin Essential Salon!!!! read more

See all

for many years i lived in SF marina / cow hollow...had top of the line haircuts at various salons...however, I needed a trim promptly one day and walked over to Issam's shop and instantly became a stylin' customer for life. now I live in San Rafael and see Issam at Marin Essential. Good lookin' haircuts. read more

Prompt. On time. Great service and beautiful highlights. Always welcome and would recommend

Good people and great service. I go to Colin for a great haircut and my wife gets her hair done by Issam.

I am so picky about how i want my hair cut and done,Issam, embodies master craftmanship, artistry with a hospitable, patient and generous demeanour.He listens to what i want and executes it perfectly!I will not allow anyone else to touch my hair, as Issam has generated so much trust within me.I highly recommend him! read more

incredible quality cut and color and really lovely people! they helped my mom and aunt look their best for my wedding.

Issam is an excellent hair stylist Andi highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great cut. That isn't the only reason why I am giving Issam 5 stars. When you start frequenting Issam you quickly realize how much the man cares for his customers and community. He counts it a blessing to know you and when that is done with such sincerity it is easily reciprocated. So many interactions we have in life are transactional but with Issam it's just different. He is a true professional in his skills and I can't speak more highly to the warmth of his spirit. read more

We make the drive from Lafayette across the Bay to see Issam...he's worth the drive! This is the best hair salon in Marin for men and women. read more

Yesterday I had the pleasure of having my hair and makeup done by Alexandra. This girl knows what she is doing and is very talented. My event had a roaring 20's theme and Alexandra nailed my look. I will be back....again and again. Thank you, Alexandra! read more

Thanks to Issam at Marin Essentials- my hair has NEVER LOOKED BETTER! I highly recommend Marin Essentials!