Melissa is AMAZING! She transformed my hair! She truly cares the overall health of your hair! I found her via my friend and I am so tankful to both! Also her place is really cool as well! I truly enjoy being there! read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Melissa is super talented and will treat you like a queen! She can do anything and is efficient while also making sure she does a very professional job!! I only trust her to cut my hair and have for over 10 years. She uses top quality products, razors, scissors and brushes on my hair. My hair is past my waist and very, VERY thick. read more

I found Melissa at Smokin Aces when was searching for a curly hair specialist who is also a color Master. Melissa is very talented at her craft. She always listens, understands my hair type, gives good advice personalzed to my needs and wants, and makes me look and feel fabulous. I drive 50 minutes each way and look forward to every appointment because the result is exactly what I want and expect from an expert. Highly recommend - 5-stars - and I would give more if I could. read more

I got a haircut today by Melissa and I feel like a brand new person! She listened to what I wanted and made some suggestions based on my hair length and I couldn't be happier! I love the length and style. Will definitely be a returning customer! read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - Layered hair - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

I've been coming to get my hair cut by Melissa for years now. I always come back because she really listens to what I want and tells me exactly what she is going to do before washing my hair. I wanted something different and asked for a balayage for the first time. I had some white hairs on the top of my head which were tricky to cover. However, she knew exactly how to blend the balayage to hide my white hairs. My hair looks so good now! Melissa is so talented! I highly recommend her for all things hair care. read more

I am absolutely IN LOVE with my haircut! Melissa did an amazing job. My hair feels so soft and the layers are impeccable. Her salon is so beautiful and her vibe is so genuine! I loved everything about my experience. I highly highly HIGHLY recommend! Finally found my go to stylist! Thanks again! read more

This is a long overdue review... My first visit to Melissa was in 2013; I was in my freshmen year of College and decided it would be a good idea to "reinvent" myself with a new color - red box dye of all choices! After not being satisfied I attempted to remove it myself - which resulted in three different shades of PEACH. I gave up and found professional help - which is when Melissa entered my life! It was no easy task but she completely transformed my hair. I then went to her EVERY 6 weeks for the next 9 years, until I unfortunately moved to Seattle this last year for work. I had no idea what I was going to do. After trial and error with a hairstylist in Seattle. I gave up and now FLY TO MELISSA every 2 & 1/2 months JUST to have my hair done by her. It's completely worth every penny. If you want to level up & look your best - COME SEE MELISSA. I can't imagine my life without her - it's that serious. I've added some pictures of our looks over the years... read more

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Great service here, great job with my hair cuts as always! I need to book another an apt soon! Old review from my drafts sorry for the late post read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

I love, love, love my hair!!! Melissa knows what she's doing!!! The health of my hair is important to her and I really appreciate that! She has taken care of my fragile hair and it looks better than ever!!!! I love the color, the love the advice she shares. Melissa is just a wonderful human being!!! Thank you!!!!! read more

I have been seeing Melissa for 4 years now and I have been extremely happy with all my services. She is skilled and knows her stuff about hair. I get color, cut and gloss with Melissa. I have switched over to all her hair care products she sells which she uses Davines, because if you are spending money on good color treatments you want to make sure you are taking care of your hair at home. My hair is growing and is healthy. I always walk out feeling good and satisfied with my hair. I always get compliments on my hair color and cut and has referred my friends and family to Melissa. You will not regret seeing Melissa. read more

I got my haircut by Melissa yesterday and I'm so happy with how my hair turned out. It's difficult to find people who cut hair really well, so I'm really happy to have found her. I loved that she took her time with my hair to make sure everything was blended/even, didn't rush at all. She's great! Definitely coming back for all my hair needs. Can't recommend her enough! read more

You want your hair done right by a stylist with knowledge and expertise within the hair industry, Melissa is your girl. She has brought my hair back to life. I trust her with all my color and cuts. She is the best!!! She will give you her honest opinion and won't leave you with damaged hair. She cares about the integrity of your hair! read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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5 stars to the best stylist ever! Seriously! Looking for someone who will take their time on your hair and will do what you want? Come to Melissa! She is amazing! I have been coming to her for awhile now and she has never failed me. I have gone to many different hair stylist and so far I am so happy I came to her. I have really curly hair and I am so picky with who cuts it, but she gave me volume, bounce and my hair looks great! Color queen right here! She had transformed my hair! I am so in love right now! I use to have red and now I'm blonde! Love it! Give her a call you won't regret it! I'm huge on customer service and she is seriously one of the nicest people you will ever meet! read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - All Melissa right here! Thanks girl - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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Started from Level 2, now we here! When I decided I wanted to go grey, I knew there was only one stylist I could trust with the drastic color change, and that's Melissa! Any journey from black to grey (any stylist will tell you) has an undetermined time commitment. Melissa has always been respectfully honest on what we can achieve in our sessions. She truly cares deeply about the integrity of her clients hair. To say it bluntly, I am so impressed with where we landed during my first color correction session. Grateful doesn't even begin to explain my feelings on the gorgeous color she gave me, while keeping my hair healthy. read more

Best haircut I've had in the Bay Area!!! She knows hair and gave me exactly what I envisioned. Loved our conversation too! So lucky to have found this gem!!! read more

A hidden hair salon gem in Castro Valley. This beautifully decorated and modern salon is impeccable. I greatly appreciate the young lady who took her time in educating me about Davines products. Definitely will be coming back to support my local salon whom carry a variety of beauty conscious award winning Davines products. read more

Love love Melissa so much , she's been doing my hair for the pass 4 years , my hair has never looked as healty & nice as it does now :) I have lots of hair , its really crazy how much hair I have , & really long , I'm never scared she's going to cut to much or mess it up , I leave happy & feeling awesome everytime I see her :):):):) I also love the fact that she's so honest , fun , and a great person all around . Theirs never any akward silence when I'm sitting at her salon getting my hair did :):):):) Also I love the fact that I always get so many compliments on how my hair looks so healty & nice & I'm always so happy to pull out one of Melissa's cards I keep in my wallet & give it to them ...... I will never again go to anyone else imma be a FAITHFUL client for life ...... Ps.... She makes my hair happy :-) I get my hair trimed every 3 months & colored a dip brown every 6 months :-) read more

My hair has not been colored in over 3+ years so it was "virgin hair" I was ready for a new look. So like giving an artist an empty canvas I told her she could do what she wanted and what she thought looked good. I am beyond happy with what she did!! I came down with bells palsy (half facial paralysis) the week before Christmas. So for once I was able to focus on something else besides that = ) She is awesome and does make-up also! So ladies looking for hair and make-up for events look no further. She is creative and can do something you already have in your head or even have the guts to leave the decision to her. I honestly cant show how happy I am with the end results! Thanks Melissa!!! Before and after pictures are attached read more

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Mailbox is full when you call first thing in the morning to want to get a same day appointment to me that's bad business.

Melissa is my girl ! She does such a good job taking care of my hair, keeping it healthy and not over treating it when I'm being stubborn and want to do crazy things to it LoL she's also a very cool person and I admire her Thanks for getting me back on track read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - Healthy hair! - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Bad experience, yellow roots, berated over not being Christian even though I'm a college graduate that took 8 non required religion courses and spent 15 years studying the world's religions by going to each place whether it be a Temple, Kingdom Hall, Catholic Church, etc... She's much younger than me and I don't need a high and mighty uneducated person trying to tell me about religion, I expect a comfortable experience when I get my hair done, not the bizarre universe I was in. The place smells old, a bit like stale alcohol or yeast, it's in a basement with no windows. The walls look like a child painted them, there is no 3D look, they are grey and it looks like garbage in my opinion. But I painted my house's interior years ago and did some very creative design so I am biased. Although every salon I've been to since I began going at the age of 12 has had a nice feel, a relaxed environment and wasn't in a dingy dark grey-walled basement. There is only one other person that works there and she is an apprentice. This woman is treated like crap by Melissa from what I saw. She was demeaned, berated and made to feel stupid in front of me and the customer she was working on. They also took a nice long break to eat sandwiches while my hair was being done and I was repeatedly asked if I would cut my hair. I explained my hair has been to my waist my entire life minus the past 7 years that I've been sick and have gone bald 3 times. I'm keeping my hair as long as it is staying put in my follicles. jeez. Everyone always wants to put their two cents in as if they know my hair and my hair history, it's practically virgin as it just grew back in 2014. Back to the apprentice, I would never do that to someone I am training and I have trained A LOT of people after working 22 years in a professional office environment. I would have been fired me if I had the attitude this woman has. When I asked about ordering more of my hair extensions the quote was literally 3 times what I pay. I laughed out loud at the amount! I re-ordered extensions from my usual stylist for the actual customer price and have someone much better and thorough styling my hair now. Never going back. No one like that deserves my $$ ever. read more

So this was my first time going to Melissa and let me just say she's freaking amazing!! I hadn't gotten a hair cut in over a year and has some really ugly orange/brown at the ends from previous hair dying. It was very dead and dry at the ends. Told Melissa I want to keep my length as much as possible because I have a wedding to attend soon. She did wonders to my hair. Tapered it down and gave it a lot more structure. She added some soft layers and basically saved my hair lol and all while still keeping my length. I wish I had taken a before picture but I'm adding the after picture. Thanks Melissa!! You are very talented. P.S already booked my next appointment! read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - The after pictures! - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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Melissa is an awesome hairdresser. She got me right in and was very professional and hospitable. I would totally recommend Melissa. I'm looking forward to my next appointment read more

Where do I begin, Melissa did an absolutely fantastic haircut. She is a great listener and really takes her time to ensure each client is taken care of (I witness her excellent customer service with other clients). She did exactly what I envisioned. Thank you Melissa! You are a true magician!! read more

I'm a new customer and Melissa is so great! She fixed the problem of my hair from being so dry to looking healthy, soft and silky. I am going back for my hair color and hair cut. What we did was a treatment. I'll be seeing more of her in the future!!! read more

Ok. I feel like the worst person doing this and only giving her 3 stars, but Melissa was recommended to me by a girlfriend of mine. I was looking for a new place since the last place I was going to the pricing just got out of control. I made my first app and by all means super great chick. I was going in for just touch ups and color on highlight's but ended up walking out with an Ombre. I was very specific about my hair cut. I understood I had some split ends and by all means was due for a trim. But the fact my hair was a decent length i did not want it shorter since it takes for ever to grow. First time was not bad at all the hair cut was shorter than what I wanted but I was able to live with it, the color was ok as well. I actually felft like nothing had been done to my hair. I actually texted her to let her know next time I went in I wanted something more drastic and we agreed on a 2nd visit. For a minute I thought I had found my new stylist made a 2nd app for a touch up. You have to remember that I had just gotten a hair cut about 6 weeks ago. As per the consultation we would trim the hair at least every six weeks so it would grow faster. The trim as per the first consultation was also not going to cost me full price. But here goes the story. I walk in for a touch up. My ends are highlighted blonder since I wanted something a bit more drastic. I was going with the intentions of just feathering off my ends. I walked out of there with over 3" off my hair. Huge deal. I got home almost had a panic attack. The worst part is that my layers were cut so short especially the top one that it almost looks like I am rocken a mullet. I had a wedding that weekend. Lesson learned for sure never get a hair cut or color your hair the week off. I was the ugly bridesmaid!!!!!!!!! Pricing wise I didn't save much she still charged me the full $50 for a hair cut although apparently i had just gotten one 6 weeks ago and all i needed was a trim which i thought was ridiculous.. Will I go back? Probably not....... I left my last salon because my stylist was charging me close to $200 but I would get mimosas and fancy drinks and the salon was beautiful. Here I only saved $25 and there were no mimosas. It was also interesting how some of the first conversations were all about what I did for a living. I'm curious to know if everyone with as thin hair as i do gets charged $175 or it varies....... I have decided to go back to my original overpriced stylist...... read more

I have curly hair. I mean kinky curly hair. So, I've had some difficulty finding someone who knows how to work with it. I actually resorted to cutting it myself for years. I found Melissa on Yelp originally for my mom. She wanted something fresh and edgy, and Melissa went above and beyond with her: giving her great advice on getting the Keratin treatment and some useful coloring tips and advice. My mom loves her cut and styling. I ended up getting an A-line cut and I absolutely love it! I told her that I wear my hair curly, so she worked with me and ended up giving me a cute and carefree look that I can put together easily. I will be back and I look forward to getting something much more edgy and A-symmetrical. I know Melissa will hook it up with a cool look. read more

Started coming back to Melissa after a hiatus. Man I've missed her. She is THE BEST. she's so personable and talented. I'm happy every time I leave there. So glad I found her and I will recommend her to everyone. read more

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Some people are born to do hair and make up and Melissa Tilton is one of them! I have always been reluctant when it comes to choosing a stylist because having thick, unruly, curly hair seems to scare some people and after a few bad experiences in the past, I had lost hope. Lucky for them Yelp didn't exisit. :-) But then I met a savvy, yet sassy little Missy...who exuded such confidence and passion about her styling and color expertise. She seemed genuinely excited to do my hair and I immediately felt comfortable with her knowledge and recommendations. She continues to educate herself with new trends, styles and products and takes the time needed to help me decide what's best for my hair at that time. From the shampoo massage, to the "ombre" color technique, to the precise trim and last, but not least, the amazing blow out...Melissa is a pro...with personality! Melissa is also an amazing make up artist. My company hired her for an event and she impressed all the women and will most likely receive referrals for weddings and other events to come! read more

Melissa is an amazing hair stylist. I would highly recommend her if you are searching for someone new to do your hair. She is very thoughtful when it comes to the health of your hair and makes sure you like the final out come. I will definitely be coming back soon. read more

Best hair Salon I have ever been too! You know how you always double guess if you should go to the hair salon , worried if the stylist will cutt too shortt or scared to leave with unsatisfied haircut. This is not the case. I will always go to her on my returning breaks from the military to get my layered hair cut, with out question! She framed my hair sooo well! Let me tell y'all... girllssss Im looking good after my visit read more

Melissa is an amazing colorist! I have been wanting a blue and teal ombre for the longest time. My sister stumbled upon Melissa's yelp page, and whaddya know, one of her clients had the exact hair color that I wanted! So I contacted Melissa, she gave me an estimate, and I made my appointment right away. I was mind blown by her attention to detail. She is extremely meticulous when coloring hair. My hair came out perfect! Just the way I had wanted. I come in every so often to touch up my hair and it comes out amazing each time! I totally recommend Melissa for your coloring needs! read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - black, blue, teal ombre! - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

I enjoy my visit to Melissa's chair station at High Fashion Studios. Every time I go, I am pleased with her mad awesome skills to create beautiful hair styles. I never leave unhappy! I leave with a smile on my face and happy I found a place that truly knows hair to the fullest! Melissa's hands are Mad Hatter hands; which means to go crazy with sisssors and end result madness skills of pure beauty haircuts & color! (^_^) read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - Before had no front layers & no bangs...After hair cut, I wanted bangs and she gave me bang-awesomeness! (^_^) - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

I just moved to Hayward and was nervous about finding a new hair stylist. I went on yelp and looked at some places and decided to try Melissa, I couldn't be happier. Her availablilty was nice, I didn't have to wait weeks to see her. She is very knowledgeable and makes you feel comfortable. She knows what she is talking about and actually teaches classes on Bubble and Bubble. She listened to what I wanted for my hair and gave me good suggestions on how to achieve that look. She really made me feel very comfortable. I had a late appointment so there wasn't anyone there for most of the time. We talked, and even ate a little while my hair processed. It was a very good expierence and she really knows what she is talking about. I really suggest Melissa, she did an amazing job. I found my new hair dresser! :) read more

Every time when I go to hair salon to get my hair done, I was never satisfied with my results so I always searched for the right hair stylist who can pull out hair style that I want. Then I found Melissa on yelp and liked her work looking at the pictures so decided to go to get my ombre done. I got black and teal ombre done and it came out the way I wanted. Melissa did a good job and I'm very happy with my hair. She was friendly and had great customer service and makes her customers feel comfortable, at least i was. It was a good experience. I would definitely go back for touch up in few weeks and changing color in the future. She's gone be my go to hair stylist for sure. read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - black and teal ombre i love my hair - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

When I moved to this area I was dreading having to find a new stylist, but I am so grateful to have found Melissa! I have very thick hair that has been damaged by two years of bleaching it, and usually getting my hair layered/cut is a poofy nightmare and nobody before has ever really gotten it right. Melissa did an absolutely beautiful job of layering my hair and helping to take some weight off to remove the more damaged ends. It was seriously the best haircut I've ever had! My hair is now so easy to style and take care of, which has never ever been the case for me. I'll be going back as long as I live in the area to see her! Also, her price was fabulous and she was kind enough to accommodate my schedule even though I get off work late each day. read more

I tried this place out because of all the great Yelp reviews but was really disappointed. I don't like posting negative reviews especially because Melissa seems like a sweet girl but I have to be honest. The location is in a basement with horrible lighting. It doesn't make sense how anyone can perform a color service under those conditions. My consultation literally took 45 min. I wasn't asking for a major color correction. In the end, I wanted to leave so we did a single process color to cover my grey, not the ombré I had originally booked for. The color cost $150. Maybe in the city you can you get away with those prices at a union square salon but not a basement in CV. read more

Melissa is the best. She explains the whole process and is very professional. I love her work and very happy with my hair. Thanks girl you are the best! read more

It's hard to find someone who really cares about the health of your hair; which is why I am fortunate to have found Melissa. You can tell she truly loves what she does because she always talks you through the process of all her services, what you can expect and what you should do to keep your hair healthy. She is super accommodating and the mini coffee bar is a plus. read more

Smokin’ Aces Salon - Hair painting, slowly but surely going lighter, extensions are next :) - Hair Stylists Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Currently sitting waiting for my appointment with her. She's amazing! I've been coming here for a few months, followed her to her new salon, and love it. As a licensed cosmetologist myself, I am very picky about the beauty professionals I see. Melissa is a true professional, she's very knowledgeable about hair and she takes classes to stay on top of trends and techniques, she's very friendly and willing to listen to you and work with you to get what you want and what's best for your hair and lifestyle. She's incredibly patient and funny and amazing! Highly highly recommended! read more