I would not recommend this place for toddlers. It's geared towards older kids / tweens, even though they do offer "junior cuts" for ages 2-5. I took my 2 year old here for a cut, and it seemed as if the woman was not comfortable working with this age group. My son wanted to sit in my lap instead of by himself, and was a little wiggly - as toddlers are - and this got her a bit flustered. In the end the cut turned out fine, but I wish she would have been more animated and engaging with him to comfort him, which could have made the experience much more welcoming. Next time I'll go to a place that's more little-kid-friendly. read more

I brought my daughter here for her first haircut on June 2nd. She was nervous going in, but quickly warmed up to the stylist. Not only did my daughter get a beautiful cut & blowout, but they are great with the little ones (mine is 3.5 years old) too. Clean, bright and happy salon! I highly recommend this place for great kid's cuts. read more

PREP - Snip, snip, snip! - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Brought my 7-year old for her first "real" salon experience and it was fantastic. Mandy did a great job layering the purple and teal highlights throughout her hair. Her cut was really good too. We'll definitely be back! read more

PREP - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

We were excited to get our 2yo son a haircut, but unfortunately things didn't go well. The receptionist was so rude to me that I couldn't believe it. The other people that were waiting, started looking at the floor because it was kind of embarrassing. Then the stylist came and instead of being friendly as we imagined she would be, it felt like she is doing us a favor when she cut my son's hair. Maybe she was stressed, I don't know, but honestly, I don't care. The cut was mediocre and that is a shame because it is not a cheap place. read more

I went here and received the worst hair cut I ever gotten. It was cut way too short and it was not even close to what I asked for. Now I have to wear a beanie until I can get it fixed. I would not recommend it. Never coming back. read more

Kate did an amazing job on my two year old daughter. See photos that I posted on Yelp. We came before for my son and decided to give Kate a try after I read reviews on GGMG. Great with kids and great hair cut too. It is a bit pricey at $35 but I don't plan on getting her hair cut very frequently. read more

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Love love love my daughter's haircut! My 7-year-old wanted a pixie cut, and I knew we needed to find a place where they would do it right. (I have a 6th-grade school photo as evidence of what happens when you don't do it right!) I helped my daughter find photos of the kind of cut she wanted, and we brought those to the appointment. Everyone there was so nice and friendly, and best of all, we walked out with a great cut that works with the texture of my daughter's hair. Awesome work! read more

Kate did such a great job with my 8 yr old son's COVID mop! Checked temps at the door, kept masks on, great safety precautions.

Staff was great! They squeezed us in for a quick trim the same day. My 2 year old was tired and way more sensitive than normal. They were so sweet and good with her. She was all smiles by the end of her cut and even happier when they presented her with a bag of popcorn. read more

PREP - Happy girl with her new cut and fresh popcorn! - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

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So glad to be back! Kate is always amazing, and my son said his cut "is exactly what I wanted!" Can't get much better than that - thank you, thank you. read more

today my 4 yo daughter got her first real haircut at Prep (I've attempted to cut & trim bangs). Mandy did a good job and worked well with my daughter. With her cut she had a shampoo and blow dried her hair so it was pretty darn cute. They have mini ipads but we didn't use it, instead just let her watch what was happening while in the chair. However, my 10 yo nephew was with us and he wanted to use one while he waited so he was a happy camper. The decor and branding at this place is pretty cool. We will definitely be coming back! read more

PREP - before & after... it's her first real haircut! - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

That was the best haircut!! My teen is sooooo happy. So am I. I will bring my other kids here too. We came in from Marin, knowing it's consistently a great place for a haircut. And the price is more than reasonable. Thanks! read more

We love PREP! Our hairstylist, Kate, is fabulous! She has been cutting our daughter's hair since she was a toddler. She has a style of her own, communicates really well with our daughter and us, and has skills to realize what our daughter wants in her hairstyle. PREP has a clean and modern interior. Its high ceiling is great in the time of COVID pandemic. I recommend PREP 100%! read more

My son got a fabulous haircut from Saul. We really liked him, his energy and his haircut. We will definitely return to PREP because of Saul! Thanks so much Saul, we are so happy to have found you~! read more

We had a great experience with Kate at Prep. We were the only ones in the salon, they had an iPad for my daughter to watch a show on and the cut was beautiful. read more

Stylists were friendly and highly skilled. The haircuts (8 yo boy, 5 yo girl, 2 yo boy) all look great!

Kate has been cutting my kids' hair for almost 5 years now and she always does a great job! I like that she uses scissors on my son's hair to make the cut look more natural but still blended well. So happy to have found a gem in SF! read more

My daughter just turned 3 and it was time to get her first haircut. The stylist we booked with was Kate and she was amazing. We asked for The Bianca which is a cute layered angled bob that was shorter in the back and longer around the face. Kate did this hairstyle perfectly. It has been a month since my daughter's haircut and it's growing out nicely. It's very low maintenance and we never have to fuss with it. She just wakes up and the layers fall into place by itself and all we need to do is put a hairclip on it. What was nice about going to PREP is that it became a whole experience beyond just a haircut for my daughter. She liked hanging out in the waiting room munching on popcorn and drinking hint water while flipping through a magazine or playing a game on the mini iPad. The front desk (I think his name is Ray?) was so nice and was a great host. My daughter was a bit nervous and scared as she's never had a haircut before but Kate was very nice and friendly and introduced herself to my daughter and explained everything she was going to do to make my daughter feel at ease. It was a nice experience for my daughter to go through the works of being in a salon from getting her hair washed with a great-smelling shampoo (they have a thick comfy pillow that they add on the seat so my daughter's head can reach the shampoo sink), putting her hair up in a towel to get to the sylist's chair, having her hair cut and layered as she watched Bubble Guppies on the mini iPad, and getting her hair blow dried and styled. Kate even taught us how to style my daughter's hair for everyday. Definitely a great experience for my daughter from start to finish. As I was researching where to bring my daughter for her haircut, I wished that people posted Before and Afters so I can see what stylists can do. So I am posting some Before and After pictures for reference on what Kate's work looks like. read more

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My son went here for a "trim". He HAD gorgeous blonde streaked hair that was a little long. We told them to just do a little trim off the top and up the sides. She cut at least 4 inches off and gave him a military style hair cut. It is awful. I cringe every time I look at his hair. I would NEVER recommend it. read more

Poor customer service. Kinda rude. Shoddy haircut for my kid. I don't review places, so I guess that's saying something.

We had a real problem with one of the stylists here and it looks like some other reviewers did too. I brought in my 3 year old for a few cuts here. One time we lucked out and the stylist was nice, friendly, and really took the time to engage with my quiet and very nervous daughter. My daughter happily sat trough the whole wash, cut, blow dry procedure and she came out smiling and proud with a cute cut. Which is no easy feat my 3 year old, who has a lot of hair. Unfortunately the other few times we got a woman who I think mostly gets assigned the younger kids for some reason. She acted like she didn't want to be there, she was grumpy and adversarial with my daughter. My daughter picked up on the attitude right away. She seemed reluctant to wash my daughters hair. She grabbed her and was pushing and pulling her down to the sink so much that I had to come calm everyone down, then proceeded to tug and pull at my daughter's hair with a comb, she was shoving her head into the right position. She even yelled at her for not looking down! She's 3 what do you expect that she sit perfectly still? This treatment would make an adult upset much less a nervous 3 year old. By the end, both times, she was in tears with a simple cut, done in only one section, that just looked bad. My daughter now refuses to back to this salon and I have to agree with her on this one. For an expensive haircut place they act like I'm paying them 5 dollars in a basement somewhere. read more

We initially had a bad experience at Prep. I learned after the fact that the stylist we had was not the best and that we were not the only ones who had a problem with her. I believe appropriate steps were taken to remedy this. Prep offered to fix my son's hair, which stylist Rodger did today. I am much happier and will even go back to Richard in the future. He was kind, patient, and really understood my son's difficult hair. Thank you, Prep, for making this right. read more

I really WANT to like this place. Its super convenient to our home and super cute. My son got a terrible cut from the first girl who cut his hair (who btw had the same attitude described below--ie annoyed to be cutting a 3 year old's hair). I did go back and when Kate fixed it, she was MUCH nicer. But she basically made his hair look like her hair. Which would have been fine if that's what he was looking for. It was a fine cut, just not what I was looking for. So if you want to give this place a try, maybe her style would work for you. To the owner - let me know if you hire some new stylists. And maybe post pictures of the stylists and their specialties in the About Us page. I noticed in all your other responses that you wanted people to contact you first. I didn't do that because I'd already tried everyone there between my 2 kids. There are a few reviews referencing the attitude with preschoolers and you can: A) either raise the minimum age; or B) only allow the stylists who want to cut preschoolers take those appointments. If you answered a review saying "hey guess what - we heard you and hired someone who is really patient with preschoolers, I might be back." read more

Kate did a quick, simple haircut on my 4-year-old and then offered to send her home with French braids, which was an unexpected bonus and made my daughter feel like a princess. read more

Brought my 2 year old last week for a haircut and Kate was absolutely amazing! She was patient with him, listened to what I wanted/didn't want and gave him a great haircut! Also, the iPad was a great distraction. Highly recommend PREP read more

I agree with some other recent reviewers that this spot is probably better for elementary, middle and high-school kids than for the pre-K and K set. It's a nice spot and the cuts are good, but I have not found the stylists or receptionists to be particularly friendly or patient with little kids. (For instance, when she's watching the iPad, my daughter sometimes forgets to keep her chin up as the stylist needs her to. On more than one visit, the stylists have seemed really exasperated and huffy when reminding her. I get that this is annoying, and as the parent I do my best to help prompt my little girl, but I was surprised the stylists were not more understanding/creative in dealing with this challenge.) I still take my kids here for haircuts, because I haven't found a ton of other options in the city, but as other reviewers have written, I had expected more. read more

Our stylist Kate was cold to the point of being hostile. Both me and my husband were kind of shocked by it. Ironically our 2 year old was actually being really good, quiet and happy. There were 2 other kids in there and they were being totally quiet too. I get that it is not fun to give kids haircuts, but maybe just not do that for a living then?! Rather than being mean?! The whole place had a cold prissy vibe to it so maybe it's just the culture there. We won't be back, I'll just take her to my stylist next time, she's actually friendly. read more

I've brought my daughter to this salon 5 times now. The first was with Mandy, and she did an EXCELLENT job. Then Mandy left and we had 3 separate experiences with 3 different hairdressers, all which were very poor. One woman spoke little english so there was a language barrier, and she actually didn't seem to have too much experience cutting hair. Another woman was very serious and cold, and my daughter felt uncomfortable (as did I). And the third woman was too rough with my daughter's hair, and she began crying. Not good! However, I just learned that Mandy is back, and we saw her this past weekend for a cut, and all is good again! She's gentle, kind, professional and really knows how to give a great hair style. I would ONLY go back if I knew I was seeing Mandy! read more

Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience at Prep. I took my 25 month old there for his first haircut -- he has (had) beautiful long, curly hair past his shoulders, and while I'd given him many "bang" trims myself, it was getting in his eyes and face and I thought he needed his first real haircut. I was reticent to spend so much for a toddler haircut, but given how beautiful his hair is and the fact he is so little, I decided to invest in a salon that specializes in young kids. The scheduling process was easy - 1 star for that. I was glad to be able to book online. However, that's where the positive experience ended. We were in the neighborhood about 45 minutes before his appointment, so I decided to call to see if they had availability before then. The reception said, "Oh, it's good you called. We actually can't see you at your scheduled time anyway and needed to reschedule or cancel." What? When were they going to call me? In any case, he said if we could come in then, they could cut his hair, and while I was surprised at the lack of communication, I racked it up to the receptionist having an off day. We arrived and were greeted by the receptionist, who was nice and said the stylist would get us shortly. The stylist came soon and with not so much as a nod or hello to our child, waved us back to her station (it's for this reason I don't even know her name -- Kelly or something, maybe?). She waved an ipad with some cartoon on in his face and said, "watch this" before asking me what I wanted to do. I showed her several photos of haircuts that I was thinking about. I said I wanted to get the hair out of his face but that I wanted to keep the length. I also said that this was his first haircut and that I was sad and a little emotional. My son was understandably excited -- in a new environment, etc - so while he sat in the chair, he was wriggling a bit, and the stylist said, "I can't do it if he's going to move around." So I sat down myself and had him sit on my lap. She had him face towards me, so the back of his head was away from me, and then immediately started cutting a portion of his hair. When I turned to look I saw that she had cut off ALL of his hair! Probably about 5-6 inches, leaving only about an inch or so on his head. I was shocked and stunned, and should have said something right away, but she had already done the damage so (for better or worse) I just burst into tears. She brushed me off with an "It's okay" and then, when my son started wriggling again, said exasperatedly, "Listen, if you can't keep him still, I'm going to cut myself or him. I can't keep going if he keeps moving." Again, I was totally shocked and just sat there silently trying to keep my son calm so she wouldn't cut him. The whole cut was over in less than 10 minutes, and by the time I had gotten myself and my son out of the chair and brushed the hair off him, she was already with another customer without another word to us. I was shocked and still in tears, and we headed out. To the receptionist's credit, when I went to pay and he saw that I was upset, he didn't let me pay, but the damage had been done. I would happily pay twice what I would have paid for that haircut to have just avoided the experience entirely. As a note, not only was the end result not at ALL what I asked for, it was also completely shoddy. There were places all over his head where the cut was uneven, and she didn't touch the hair in front at all, so it still hangs completely over his eyes, which was the whole point of the haircut in the first place. I know it's just hair and it'll grow back, but 4 days later, I'm still completely disgusted and sad about the whole experience. Please think twice before coming to this salon. read more

This place is hit and miss. I've taken my kid there 4 times because I keep thinking one of these times he's bound to get a decent haircut. I'm done giving this place a chance after his last haircut. Not sure where the hairdressers come from but just because it's a kid you shouldn't give the kid a bad haircut. And as a previous reviewer said, the guy at the front desk is a downer. Can't say we didn't try to like this place, but we are done making our kid look like we cut his hair at home (that may look better, who knows). read more

Kate was awesome!! My 4 year old son has weird textured hair. It No one has ever been able to give him a good cut. Kate gave us exactly what we wanted. She was kind, patient, and just awesome! It was a salon cut for a kid price. I Highly recommend Kate and Prep! read more

There is always that one customer service experience that makes you finally join Yelp so you can write a review. The guy who works the front desk at Prep ruins the place. He's preoccupied, unfriendly, aloof and must either be a short termer or the owner. If he's a shirt termer, please fire him and save your business reputation. If he(you) are the owner then either swallow the lemon you are and work the front desk with a smile or have someone else do it. The woman cutting hair was great and theshop is what you expect. Super expensive kids cuts. No complaints , they do that part right but with that should come a person vs a crab at the front desk. For what it's worth, the other woman waiting in back made the first negative comment abut the guy and said she almost wrote on Yelp last time she came. I volunteered to do it for all concerned. read more

I brought both my sons in for a haircut. They saw two different stylists with dramatically different results. My youngest son's haircut was so uneven and lopsided that I had to take him somewhere else to get his hair fixed (think 1980's Flock of Seagulls)! They do provide ipads, but I think they should ask the parents if it's o.k. without making the assumption to automatically stick an ipad in front of your child. My sons do well without the distraction of electronics and I prefer that they learn how to sit still and be patient while they get their haircut (They always do well without the ipad when they get a haircut. It seems like more of a distraction when they have to be told repeatedly by the stylist to peel their eyes away from the screen and look up). My eldest son's haircut is really cute and his stylist was very sweet although, I'm not sure if I'll be back. read more

Great experience with LYN! I took my 2yr old son to PREP for a haircut. When I had called to make an appointment I stressed the embarrassing fact that he has not done well in the past with getting in his haircut. They were more accommodating to us! LYN cut my sons hair in a private room which made me feel so much more comfortable. And his haircut looks great! She listened, had patience, and was welcoming to us. This will be the place I take my son to from now on and LYN is who he will see. So impressed with this salon and their customer service :) read more

Brought our son in to PREP for a new look. He has had longer hair for all of his 16 years and was wanting to do something different. We booked an evening/ last-of-the-day appointment. Rosa was very pleasant, gentle, and extremely patient with his not knowing exactly what he really wanted. She took the time to present options and listened to his concerns and wishes. The end result was a nicely styled cut that is easy to manage and still enough of a change to satisfy the desire for a fresh image. We were impressed that Rosa remained cool and understanding even as we discussed and fussed over the haircut - and changed things on her at least three times. This was at the very end of the workday, yet we did not feel rushed or pressured. It was a very positive experience. read more

Was turned away today after being 12 minutes late! Never mind I've been a customer for 5+ years and have waited longer than 12 minutes for the stylist! Front desk is rude and this place being over priced anyway with too many other options around, isn't that unique or great to have poor customer service! read more

Took the girls I used to nanny for a blow out. It was the fifth graders first dance. That deserves a little pampering, right? They were taken in 5 minutes before our appointment, awesome. Took about 20 minutes for a wash and blow out. They have short hair so 20 mins sounds about right - their hair looked great after. I didn't pay but $30 for a kids simple blow out feels like too much. I'd feel comfortable with $25, especially given that it took 20 mins. We gave each lady a $5 tip. They had a 10% discount offer going if you follow their Instagram account - rad - don't mind if I do. The receptionist so graciously added that to our bill even tho it said "next visit". Same thing anyway, right? Girls were happy. They watched videos/played on the iPad's provided throughout the blow out. Would give 5 stars but hairstylists weren't really friendly - they weren't rude at all either - just not much going on there. read more

My 5yo daughter got her first professional haircut here, and we were both happy with the experience and the outcome.

An overall unpleasant experience and an okay, expensive haircut. The stylist was unbelievably rude and unfriendly to me and especially my daughter. She would straighten her head with an angry motion and too much force, and grimace when my daughter (twice) moved in her chair, as kids do, and this is a kids salon. If she likes children as clients, you'd never guess that from how she interacts with them. Marie didn't seem happy to be there at all, but the two other stylists were engaging and consulted with the kids and parents. The stars are for them and the friendly scheduling and front desk staff. read more

We recently moved to the Bay Area from Atlanta, Ga and I could not find one single kids salon. I finally found Prep on yelp one day and had to try it out. My daughter is 5 and had very long, thick, straight hair. So long she couldn't brush it herself and with summer officially here it was a good time for a hair cut. I called the salon on a Saturday 6/21/2014 and I was able to get her an appointment at the time I wanted. I loved the look of the salon, it's like a hip kids salon. They have real salon seats designed for kids, no cars or buses for the kids seats, my daughter thought it was pretty fancy. We did not have to wait to be taken back. I wish I could remember the stylists name that was working with my daughter, but she was younger with long dark hair and purple highlights. My daughter hopped right in her chair and was given a smock to wear. The stylist asked me what I wanted to do with her hair and I explained we wanted to chop about 4 or 5 inches with some layers. She took my daughter back and washed her hair and brought her back to the chair. The salon also has mini iPads for the kids to watch a movie. The stylist chatted with me and gave me a lot of helpful tips about the area we are living in and was really sweet to my daughter. Not to mention she gave her a great haircut and even dried/styled her hair. My daughter loves her hair cut, we found our new kids salon! read more

PREP - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

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