1. Strands Salon

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    San Mateo, CA

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    Strands Salon

    4.6 (142 reviews)
    Open • 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Services - Strands Salon

    Applying hair extensions

    Bridal hair services

    Strands Salon Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Strands Salon

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    Reviews With Photos

    My hair:)
    Amy C.

    Absolutely love Jeffrey !!!! Been going there for over 9 years . My hair has never been more healthy .

    This plus 8 inches grown to my hips at beginning of cut.

    I am SUPER UPSET AND MORE after looking forward to a haircut for which I grew my hair over 12 years. This morning, my hair was 34 inches long, down to my hips, grown to get the long layered cut I have always wanted. I read Strands for Hair website including their notations of on-going training, coupled with great reviews on other websites. While I don't expect perfection during training, I don't expect a hack job that reduced my hair from 34 inches to a 14 inch mop top that makes me look much older and fatter than when I walked in the salon. I informed the scheduler of the length of my hair when I made an appointment for a long layered hair cut to enable the hair dresser to allow enough time to cut it properly, yet the hairdresser was not aware until I sat in her chair. I immediately showed the hairdresser, Mackenzie, a couple of pictures of what I wanted. I explained to Mackenzie and her trainer Jeffrey, this is my last chance to wear long hair, given my age, and wanted to enjoy it, before I have to get a short, mature haircut. I specifically stated I DO NOT want the plain, straight, flat hair I have worn much of my life. Jeffrey stayed close while repeatedly requesting a donation of my locks. They will accept any type of hair for "Wigs for Kids." I donated 8 inches, after which Jeffery was immediately far less involved. Mackenzie never said anything about not intending to produce the cut I requested from a photograph, and she knowingly left me expecting. Mackenzie then proceeded to give me the exact cut I had described -- emphatically stating I did not want. Mackenzie was to cut my hair to a length near my elbow. Unfortunately, my hair was cut to my shoulders in a mostly straight cut that makes middle aged women look older and everyone look fatter in the face. My hair is now only 14 inches long, straight across the back / looking like a mop head, and too short to get even a slight version of what I requested and believed I would receive this morning. When pulled up into a bun thick strands of hair poke out a couple of inches all over the bun. All along, I discussed interviewing for high level finance jobs, while unemployed. Now I will need to dedicate more time to styling my hair and wear clips as when I was a child, to prepare for job interviews because Mackenzie knowingly deceived me. It is night and I still really HATE the too short, plain, flat, unflattering, FAT ENHANCING" cut I received. Of course, I wasn't able to see Mackenzie's cuts as she hacked my hair. I was told and written on the mirror is that I would get a LONG layered cut, which is in the title of the two photographs I had shown Mackenzie. While my mop top is layered, the layers are ALL at the end of the straight - straight across my back and straight hanging haircut. Mackenzie planned to make this cut knowing it was nothing close to what I was expecting from the 2 pictures I had showed her when I sat in her chair, at the cost of many years growth. Both pictures have v-shaped cuts, but yet I was left with a mop head. My hair is now too short, to attempt to get a little of what I requested and expected, at a different hair salon. I can clip the sides looking as if I'm trying to be a child when I don't need to look down which is barely ever, and make a 1950s Barbie Doll pony tail to keep the mop out of my face. I hope Barbie's 1950s ponytail passes for middle aged womens style now that it's 2020. By the time my hair is long enough to get a short version of the look I wanted, it is likely to be grey, wiry, nasty, and course on top. In addition, a major high school class reunion will have passed with this look that I hate and don't know how to improve without a pixie cut as cold weather sets in. NO ONE APPRECIATES BEING DECEIVED FOR EXPLOITATION, OR WANTS TO LOOK OLDER AND FATTER!!!!! The senior hairdressers who I expected to prevent such a hack job, Jeffrey and Lisa, intervened but way too late. I am super upset with your decision Mackenzie to selfishly deceive me. I am posting your review in public, because you were so cold as to deceive me, followed by your cavalier dismissal of your gross misconduct with your audacious response to Jeffrey, and never apologizing to me. It will be years before I can get the cut for which I had grown my hair out and ALWAYS wanted. By then the top will likely be gray, course... Mackenzie, either get honest with the clients and humble yourself when you make mistakes, delivering what they expect, and accepting them going elsewhere after you state you will provide a different cut, -- or find a new career. You'll never recover from deceiving clients - especially when you leave it too short to get it re-cut into something they can enjoy. Your shop is in a most affluent city near top Universities, so you can expect your clientele to be able to explicitly express themselves well on Social Media.

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    17 days ago

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    5 months ago

    Really terrible service, ruined my hair. There's a weird smell in the shop and the owner was very rude.

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    Lisa M.

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    6 years ago

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    Lisa L.

    Lucy, the entire staff at Strands Salon, thanks you

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    6 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Strands Salon

    Does anyone at Strands know how to color hair well?

    Yes - all do color well and are educated regularly!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Strands Salon

    “I get compliments on my hair all the time and I make sure to send whomever needs a new hairdresser to Denae.”

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Gel Lab Nail & Body Care

    The Gel Lab Nail & Body Care

    4.4(121 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    •$$
    Certified professionals
    Women-owned & operated

    Obsessed with the Gel Lab! I feel so spoiled every time I come here! A friend of mine always has…read morethe cutest nails, and she told me this is the spot! I didn't realize that my normal spot was not taking good care of my nails, until I came here. Klaire (the owner) explained how and why my nail gel was lifting, she cleaned and filed everything like brand new, she was very gentle and she's funny She cares a lot about the type of equipment and chemicals they use, and she's critical about technique; so every tech is an expert. I've been booking with Ivy lately and she's beyond amazing. I can show her inspo pics and she knows exactly what to do. Yea it's on the pricier end, but I'm telling you it's worth it. You have to remember to book out in advance, esp weekends, cause they're very popular. But their online booking is really easy. The location has plenty of parking, the seats are comfy, the decor is cute and they always offer refreshments :)

    I've been coming here for about a year now, and I've had my nails done by almost everyone on the…read moreteam. Every experience has been wonderful! It's always quick and easy to book an appointment, whether by phone or through their website. Sometimes I get extensions, but most of the time I come in for gel polish. No matter what service I choose, they always take their time with my manicure and regularly check in to make sure I'm happy with how everything looks. I also really appreciate how clean and well-maintained the salon is every time I visit--it always feels welcoming and comfortable. Another thing I love is how talented the nail artists are. Whenever I bring in an inspiration photo, they do an amazing job matching the design and bringing it to life. Their attention to detail and dedication to making sure you leave happy really stands out. If you're looking for a new nail salon, I highly recommend giving this place a try. It has become my go-to salon, and even if I move to another city someday, I know I'll keep coming back!

    Photos
    The Gel Lab Nail & Body Care
    The Gel Lab Nail & Body Care
    The Gel Lab Nail & Body Care

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    La Bella Spa Salon - Gel x by Cindy

    La Bella Spa Salon

    3.5(156 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    •$$

    I take my elderly mom to get her nails done occasionally and we have always gone to La Bella spa in…read moreFoster City. Well, I tried to go there last week and they had apparently closed or moved. So I looked them up on Yelp and it turns out they moved right near my mom's house and I was so happy about that. We walked in no appointment needed. Got her a manicure and pedicure and they treated her wonderfully. I love Vivian and the whole team.

    I came in for a spa pedicure and added a callous remover ($45+$15). I tipped $4 at the end of my…read moreservice. The staff are professional. Greeted with smiles and appreciative of their easiness to be seated. The rating reflects on the finished pedicure. The woman who completed my pedicure shared that she had to do the callous remover twice. IMO, if I'm investing a premium amount to add on a callous remover, I would hope the service would be fully complete. And because it wasn't as thorough as the first time, I appreciated her efforts a second time (she did it without me having to ask her to do it again). Another odd factor, was the shape of the pedicured toes. Some are half square rounded and others are half rounded on random toes. Finally, I had to request to take out the nail polish that was left behind on my skin so it was clean. Overall, I think the quality is not what I was expecting for $60 but I haven't tried other services. So I'm hoping my case was a one off. The salon also has hair cutting services and facial services.

    Photos
    La Bella Spa Salon - Acrylic  by Cindy

    Acrylic by Cindy

    La Bella Spa Salon - Looks like a 5 year old did my nails !

    Looks like a 5 year old did my nails !

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    Acrylic full set by Cindy

    Soleil Luna Nail Spa

    Soleil Luna Nail Spa

    4.3(482 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    •$$

    Needed an early Sunday morning nail spot as a meeting point for my friends. We come from Oakland,…read moreSan Jose, and Castro Valley. We all agreed to meet in San Mateo. This was a get together to get our nails done for some TLC and to strategically get our friend to get her nails done before her engagement !!! The quality of the nails in photos looked great and the inside looked comfy and fitting enough for us to catch up and yap. Kudos to the team bc originally my friend was not gonna get her nails done and only wanted a pedi !!! We finally convince her but then she didn't want gel !! I spoke with my nail tech in secret and had them convince her to get gel. It was a success and without them it would've been mission fail. Our nails looked super cute, great quality, price, & service. Would recommend again. And now our friend is a fianceee with a beautiful rock and with stunning photos !!

    Moving back to the Bay Area from Utah meant I had to leave behind my nail girl of 4 years so…read morefinding someone new for my Gel X era honestly gave me anxiety lol. I found Linda on Yelp, loved her work, called the salon, and she just happened to be available that same day -- which already felt like fate. And of COURSE... before driving there, I tried swatting a fly on my porch (don't ask ) and somehow broke my thumbnail literally in half. By the time I arrived, I was anxious, embarrassed, and fully preparing myself for pain and disappointment. But Linda immediately made me feel comfortable. If you're someone who gets nervous walking into a new establishment -- whether it's a salon, restaurant, or even a medical office -- you know how important energy and kindness are. Linda greeted me so warmly, reassured me instantly, and handled my broken nail SO carefully that I barely felt discomfort. I genuinely thought my nail was doomed, but she saved it beautifully. The whole appointment honestly felt like hanging out with a friend while getting your nails done. We spent the visit talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. She shared stories about her salon and her team, and you can genuinely tell these are hardworking, humble people who truly care about what they do. That part especially stuck with me. I've always been a neutral nail girlie, but Linda started showing me different styles and ideas that actually got me excited to branch out and try new things again. That's the kind of nail tech you want -- someone who not only does beautiful work, but inspires confidence and makes the experience feel fun and safe. Finding a new nail tech after years with the same person can honestly feel weirdly emotional lol, but I left feeling SO relieved and happy that I found her. Safe to say... I found my Bay Area nail girl

    Photos
    Soleil Luna Nail Spa - You can breathe easy knowing we use a hospital-grade AUTOCLAVE sterilizer and disinfectant sanitation products to keep YOU safe.

    You can breathe easy knowing we use a hospital-grade AUTOCLAVE sterilizer and disinfectant sanitation products to keep YOU safe.

    Soleil Luna Nail Spa
    Soleil Luna Nail Spa - BIO SEAWEED GEL. Choose HEALTHIER nails!  BIG-5 FREE. Zero Dehydration, Staining and Weakening.

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    BIO SEAWEED GEL. Choose HEALTHIER nails! BIG-5 FREE. Zero Dehydration, Staining and Weakening.

    Bliss & Blade Salon

    Bliss & Blade Salon

    4.4(42 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    •$$
    Speaks Spanish
    Certified professionals

    Deciding last minute to get a pedicure on a weekday, I messaged Bliss & Blade Salon on Yelp and…read morereceived a response within 30 mins. I was happy that they were able to accommodate me for a pedicure later that afternoon. Things I loved about them: 1) Quick response and scheduling 2) Transparent pricing on their site - be aware there is a card fee if you use your credit card 3) Friendly welcome 4) On-time service: I arrived on the dot for my service and was promptly directed to the nails area for my pedicure 5) Helen did a wonderful job with the pedicure, she even helped me pick out the color! The salon is located in a plaza with plenty of complimentary parking. Located along the waterways of Foster City with plenty of natural light, the vibe is relaxing and pleasant. I'll be back!

    Just left the salon with a disappointing experience…read more I originally scheduled my appointment to be on a Saturday at 215PM with a specific stylist and on Thursday, Bliss & Blade called me to inform that he was busy at that time and I asked if anyone else was available at the time to accommodate. They said yes no problem, and even sent a confirmation email to me on Friday with who I'd be seeing. Great, no problem. I arrive minutes before 215PM and they informed me that it'll be just a few minutes until I get seated. This is a 3 day weekend on a Saturday so I knew it was going to be already busy. Again, no problem. 15 minutes passes by, still waiting as my stylist is busy with another client, no problem. 30 minutes passes, still waiting. During this time, I do get asked was "please show us a picture of what highlights you'd like to get". Keep in mind that this is the only acknowledgement I get during while waiting, nothing like "thank you for waiting, appreciate your patience". As 45 minutes passes by, I can see that my stylist is still working on his client and probably won't be done for god knows how long at this point. so I thought it is not worth it and just asked the front desk to reschedule my appointment. It is only then I get an apology. Needless to say, this was a very disappointing experience, given the amount of great service I have received here numerous times previously and just cancelled when I got hime. I'm not so sure if I want to return.

    Photos
    Bliss & Blade Salon
    Bliss & Blade Salon
    Bliss & Blade Salon

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    Tranquil Nail Spa

    Tranquil Nail Spa

    4.2(467 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    •$$

    We had the best experience at Tranquil Nail Salon! Ryan, Heidi, Ann, and the entire team took such…read moreamazing care of us while we were getting pampered for my cousin's wedding. There were four of us--my sister, aunt, mom, and me--and their team of eight made the whole experience feel so relaxing and special. Everyone was incredibly friendly, hospitable, and accommodating. The massages were so relaxing, and we never felt rushed. You could really tell they wanted us to enjoy ourselves and have a great experience. Toward the end of our appointment, my son was dropped off, and they were so sweet and welcoming to him. They let him hang out and wait for us while we finished up, which I really appreciated! We left feeling relaxed, pampered, and so happy with how everything turned out. Such a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Thank you Ryan, Heidi, Ann, and the whole Tranquil team for taking such great care of us! We will definitely be back! We had the best experience at Tranquil Nail Salon! Ryan, Heidi, Ann, and the entire team took such amazing care of us while we were getting pampered for my cousin's wedding. There were four of us--my sister, aunt, mom, and me--and their team of eight made the whole experience feel so relaxing and special. Everyone was incredibly friendly, hospitable, and accommodating. The massages were so relaxing, and we never felt rushed. You could really tell they wanted us to enjoy ourselves and have a great experience. Toward the end of our appointment, my son was dropped off, and they were so sweet and welcoming to him. They let him hang out and wait for us while we finished up, which I really appreciated! We left feeling relaxed, pampered, and so happy with how everything turned out. Such a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Thank you Ryan, Heidi, Ann, and the whole Tranquil team for taking such great care of us! We will definitely be back!

    I recently had an appointment for a gel manicure and regular pedicure. I have to say, the salon was…read morevery clean, quiet and even offered drinks/snacks to their clients. The quality of the pedicure was nice- I specifically got the addition of hot stones and massage. The basic gel manicure is overall good- pretty basic clean up, paint and small massage at the end.

    Photos
    Tranquil Nail Spa
    Tranquil Nail Spa
    Tranquil Nail Spa

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    Strands Salon - skincare - Updated October 2026

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