Mai cuts my hair and colors my roots and does a fantastic job. The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy, with enjoyable music playing, which helps me feel at ease while waiting for my hair to be rinsed. read more

See all

Mai gave me beautiful highlights. She took great care of my hair and made sure she did not damage it in the process. The salon is perfectly located in San Antonio shopping center and has a great atmosphere. I highly recommend! read more

Love this place! Was here for the first time in September and they did an outstanding job! I went back yesterday and will continue to come back! Everyone is friendly love the Vibe! read more

Today, the weather just about hit 80 degrees, and that means it's time for my hair to have a refresh! A friend had recently gotten a nice-looking trim here, and when she told me about The Grateful Head's convenient location, I wanted to try it out. I made an appointment on a weekday morning, and there were two other customers there when I arrived. Mai cut my hair and was great about checking in about whether I was happy with the length. I had fun talking with her as well. Not only do I feel lighter, but my hair feels fresher and healthier too. I appreciate that the prices are affordable. Very happy with the haircut -- I'll be back! read more

Conveniently located in San Antonio Center and near Kohl's, Target, Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Safeway. I was very happy with the location, convenience, service, hours, and haircut. My stylist was Tammy and she listened to what I needed and delivered a really great haircut that was soft-edged and looked like it had grown in for a few days already. I like a haircut that looks professional and I am excited to confidently show up to the office without having to worry about shaggy hair. I will definitely be going back here as long as I can. This is a great small business to support. read more

I brought two pictures of how I wanted my hair styled. Instead I was told those cuts would not look good on me and the stylist cut my hair the way she thought would look well. The cut is very, very poor and not a professional cut. I feel ashamed to be seen. read more

Great place for a haircut! They are very attentive to what you want. I pulled up a pic of a nice haircut and they matched it pretty well! Plus the pricing was very reasonable, even after a good tip, make sure you tip!! read more

Haircut from Mai is totally uneven with many stray long hairs. Super disappointed because her haircuts have been good in the past. She barely spent any time on my hair this past session. No wonder it looks terrible. read more

(1) There is no point in calling early to make a reservation. They will tell you to come at a given time and if there is a line you'll have to wait like everybody else. 30min delay for me, was rushed through a hair cut. (2) The hair stylist will not listen to your suggestion or request. I showed a picture and she literally brushed it off by saying she would " do better ". She did not. The only positive thing is that is it very cheap. read more

I'm so glad to have found The Grateful Head salon in my Mountain View neighborhood near the San Antonio center. I walked-in on a quiet Sunday morning and was greeted by the stylist Mai. She was able to sit me down immediately for a haircut. I described my usual hair cut to her, which is layers framing the face and Mai knew exactly what look I was going for. The haircut was very fast. She did not shampoo my hair, but I'm sure if you wanted your hair washed, she would be able to do it. I did ask Mai to style my hair with a straightening iron since my hair is naturally wavy. The entire experience took around 25min. The salon is well-kept and clean which is unexpected for a place that offers such affordable prices. I did leave a generous tip because I want this place to stay open and definitely plan to return in the future for more haircuts! read more

Such a conveniently located spot (plenty of parking available and next to stores like Target, Trader Joe's, many good restaurants). I randomly went in for a trim and was so pleasantly surprised that the price was very reasonable. Mai did a WONDERFUL job with my hair, she revitalized my hair and styled it super nicely. She was quick, made sure that she didn't miss any dead ends, and was very friendly. I highly recommend this place! read more

People are nice but the hair cutting ability is awful. I won't name names but I had a lady who trimmed one side of my head (side burns and hair line) but completely forgot to do the other! On top of that she seemed to have zero strategy or process in where she trimmed the rest of my head. Just randomly skipping away. I'll never return and advise you to not go read more

Have been going to the salon for about 10 years . Stylist Mai is the best. Professional and very upfront about costs and if the style is suitable or not . The salon is very Covid prepared , spotlessly clean , best hygiene standards maintained. Highly recommend this salon, budget friendly too , support small local businesses read more

I've been coming here for nearly two decades (almost since I arrived in Mountain View). I truly hope they recover from the COVID-19 crisis, but if-and-when they reopen, and Mai is still there, I'll absolutely be chipping in for all of the haircuts I missed. Mai's great. She's given me a great haircut for years, and I wouldn't dream of switching. read more

Horrible service. I asked for a specific style and they do not listen to people's preferences. They literally butchered my hair. Will not go back. read more

Terrible hair cut, no better than other strip mall hair places. It doesn't matter what you say they just know only "style".

I went in for what should be the easiest trim ever for any hairdresser- just a 1/2" trim straight across to get rid of the dead ends- nothing else. Straight. Across. Even. And I stated I'm trying to grow my hair out. I ended up with uneven curved back, random short by the ears that didn't match the front or back- and super short in front. I was very unhappy and so they tried over and over to fix it- and just cut my hair shorter and shorter until I pretty much ended up with a dork haircut. read more

My hair was damaged after the whole hair colored and highlighted. They overcooked my hair in doing the high lights. I said big chunk of highlights . She made it so thin and very near with each other the highlights . The hairdresser thought the nightlights should be colored white to be ready. The white hair highlights indicates danger overcooked will snap out hair easily . This causes split ends and it sure did ALL OVER MY healthy, thick HAIR.. I had No choice but to CUT my hair from collar bone level to my ear level. The hair is being ready for a photo shoot and I need it long. I am so pist and fuming from week 1 to present . They did Not get the right color even with the photo book of their own . They even asked me if that was my first experience to have nightlights and hair colored !???? I am 64 plus and in America for 4 decades and a NURSE . read more

The staff is super nice and accommodating, came in after work around 6pm and was able to get a haircut and eyebrow wax. They were super nice and able to provide the type of style i wanted just by showing them a photo. 10/10!! read more

I have been going to this place since I was in Middle School. I am in my 30s now. Mai has always been my stylist. And If she is busy even Li would do my hair. These are very kind, sweet and good people who always do a good job on my hair and my parents. When I want to try a new style Mai would help me out. She is always upfront if the color or style will not work. Prices are reasonable and you always look like a million bucks when you come out. I recently moved to the East Coast and it will be hard to find another hairstylist and place that I feel comfortable with and trust. We already miss everyone at Grateful Head in Mtin View. read more

At the risk of lack of subtlety I have to say Mai is the best stylist in the world. I let the other stylists cut my kids hair and they are top notch. read more

Great affordable haircut. Got layers and curtain bangs and I am very happy with my hair. My mom also enjoys coming here.

Awe....hails to the NO! No no no. Came here for the first time a little over a week ago. Loved the name, "the grateful head" had me chuckling, so I thought what the heck? Let's try them out. My hair had been shoulder length for several years, and I had finally grown tired of the "same 'ole same 'ole" hairdo. I looked online and found a nice short haircut, so I printed out the picture as it seems the majority of hair salons in the bay area are NOT run by native speakers. I don't care about that, as long as they can actually cut hair....well, you won't find that here. They are about as bad as it gets. Let's look at my experience shall we? First thing I do when I sit down is pull out the picture of the cute short haircut. "This is what I want", I said. The lady giggles "Oh that is SHORT" she says. "Yes" I say, "I am looking to do something different." She pulls out the electric thing used to cut mens hair short and she starts that on the back of my head. This with dry hair? So far I have all this long hair going on in the front and in the back it's a full on boy cut. Ok. I wait to see what happens with the front, which needs to be layered and combed back in a cute feathered cut like the picture. Again, no water anywhere. I remember reading somewhere that if the hairdresser does not wet your hair before cutting it, they don't know what they're doing. So I ask, " are you going to wet my hair or cut it dry?" More giggling..."oh you want I wet it?" out comes the bottle and sprays me here and there haphazardly. Half wet half dry. Then I see she is just trying to cut my hair in a totally different cut. It looks nothing like the picture. She pulls out the blowdryer...."wait a minute", I said, "are you done?" Yes, I style now". "But it looks nothing like the picture, you've left all my hair long in the front? This is not what I asked for" In fact it looked beyond horrible. Long chin length hair in the front and sides, super short in the back. Over comes the older lady, who was cutting someone else's hair, holding a pair of thinning shears aiming it right at my head...I leaned back...."No thinning shears! Cut my hair like the picture, its a layered short haircut!" For the love of God! She argues with me for several minutes about the thinning shears. I keep telling her I like my hair to look thick and full, do not thin my hair out, why would I need to argue about that? She flat out refused to do the hair like the picture, saying she was going to do it "better". Her way turns out to be a messy looking, overgrown front part, super sheared in the back, nothing like the picture. When you read people saying they won't give you the cut you want... believe them. This place is a hazard to everyone who wants to look good. Unless you want to end up looking like the bride of Frankenstein, run, run far far away from this place. read more

I have been going here for 4 years, including the haircut I got before my wedding. I went today and noticed that they were finally opened, I talked to Mai and told her I'm glad they're finally open and that I didn't get a haircut for 5 months since I last visited them before COVID. She told me to come back in 30 minutes. I came back exactly as she told me to find out she gave my spot to another person and that I will need to wait longer. When I told her I was on a time crunch, she told me to "just go then." After being a loyal customer for 4 years, it seemed like it didn't mean a thing to her. I told her that I should look for a new barber then. Never going back again. read more

As a woman, I appreciate a shop that does a good haircut quickly and cheaply. Last week I was just running errands and needed my split ends gone. I was in and out in 30 minutes and she actually gave me decent layering! $18 but I left a biggish tip cause I was so happy about being back on schedule. read more

My haircuts from Mai have always been great. She's very straight forward and no nonsense. Safety n efficiency are both important during covid & her shop continues to operate with these factors at the forefront. read more

New in town, needed a haircut in short notice. They took me in with short notice, and I was in and out the door fast with a great cut. Really a gem read more

Been going here for years. Even after moving across the country, whenever I visit Mountain View and need a haircut I visit Mai. She's great! Quick haircuts just how I want them read more

I can add to the outstanding reviews of Mai and the Grateful Head. I went there once in the last couple of months. She is at least equal to the stylist I've been seen by in Las Vegas. It's just not sustainable that I keep running down there for a haircut when I live up here. I thought I found the best in that guy, but Mai is delightedly just as good. I'm thrilled. And grateful! read more

Very bad experience. I am mixed and my son is mixed too with 4 types of texture. The lady was too arrogant to admit she did not know how to do hid hair. She was rude to me even though I am his mother (probable because I present as black and female neither of which is treated with respect over my sons white make appearance. Do not go to this salon unless you are white or Asian and have straight hair. The older Asian ladies confirm the stereotype that older Asian women do not hide their racism. read more

Checked this place out because I needed a quick haircut and this salon was open earliest and nearby. I had a good experience- I did not need anything too fancy, my hair is easy to work with. Mai was great, she asked a lot of questions and for feedback on what I wanted. Great value given the expertise and low cost, I'll probably stop by again. read more

I came here with my 92 year old friend who is legally blind. It is a big deal for her to get out of her home, she is also handicapped. I signed in and waited 30 minutes before they took my friend. I understood that you have to wait a while with a no-appointment system. However, my friend had not been seated more than 5 minutes before ,what was obviously a regular customer came in, and though he expected to be seen right away, signed the waiting list. He told the stylist with the initials LZ that he needed to leave in 10 minutes and would come back tomorrow. But you could tell by the way he said it, he was fishing that they would fit him in some how. So LZ insisted he not leave, and she immediately finished cutting my friend's hair and hurried her out of the chair, (asked Mai to help her move,) so LZ could get Mr. Impatient into the chair. My friend clearly was not satisfied with the haircut and Mai came to our rescue. She treated my friend as you would want your grandmother or elderly friend treated. She finished the cut, blew it dry and add some product to it. My friend looked nice, her hair had some style to it. If it hadn't been for Mai, my friend would have been cast aside for some rude man, who clearly thought he was more important than this elderly, blind woman. And LZ encouraged him. He was still happily hammering with LZ when we left, later than the 10 minutes he supposedly had before he needed to leave. What a sham! If we do come back it will only be because of Mai. I hope the owner reads this to realize what is happening in the shop. read more

I don't get my haircut often, I usually just cut it myself, I've had some traumatic hair dresser experiences. For some reason every time I go to a hair dresser I always find one who is too cheap to hire someone to answer phones and one of the hair dressers just answers it herself... WHILE CUTTING MY HAIR! I've had experiences like a hair dresser having the phone on her shoulder, head tilted to the phone, cutting my hair and casually conversing on the phone, EVERYTIME a phone is involved my hair gets cut uneven. So in the rare occasion that I do get my hair cut at a hair salon I only ask for one thing... DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE WHILE CUTTING MY HAIR, PLEASE HIRE SOMEONE TO DO THAT JOB. Well based on the yelp reviews, I was happy to hear the person cutting my hair was Mai. Everything was going well, she was putting the finishing touches on each side, she was on the right side... and then the phone rang. She puts everything down, leaves me, answers the phone, comes back, phone rings AGAIN, goes back... By the time she came back to my hair interruption free she must have forgotten where she was with my hair because she completely neglected the other side of my hair! When I got home I had to play hair dresser ONCE AGAIN and cut my own hair :/ (well one side of it at least.) People give the world a hard enough time by driving and talking on the phone we don't need haircutting and talking on the phone too. read more

I walked in for the first time into this hair salon and I got the best haircut. My hair wast cut in approximately 10 minutes. I walked out quite happy and I will come back as soon as my hair grows back again. I received a lot complements the for almost a week at my workplace. Thank you read more

When I first moved to Mountain View, I tried out around half a dozen different haircut places before I finally settled on The Grateful Head as my go-to hair salon. You don't get the full hair salon treatment that you get at some places (hair washing, scalp massage, etc.), but they cut your hair decently and it doesn't cost a lot ($16 for men). I don't think any of the haircuts that I've received at The Grateful Head (I've had Mai and a couple of other stylists) stack up against some of the other, more expensive haircuts I've ever received in downtown Mountain View, but I like the fact that it's 1.) cheap, 2.) decent (i.e. I don't have to go back with a mirror and a pair of scissors afterwards and fix things myself--like I've had to do after some ill-advised trips to Great Clips) and 3.) doesn't require an appointment. I'm usually not very good at planning ahead, haircut-wise, so I like that I can just walk in whenever and get my hair cut right away. In fact, they don't take appointments here; you just sign in when you come in and they call you when they're ready. One thing I have noticed, though: the hair cuts I've gotten here have gotten better the more times I come. I think they definitely remember who their repeat customers are and spend their time accordingly. read more

There was only one person in this establishment who could cut my hair to my liking. Now she's gone. Everyone else who works here can't seem to cut hair! They're like newly licensed hair stylists w/o very much experience. I've tried out about 4 different hairstylists. They all seem to waste your precious time pretending to cut your hair. It doesn't take half an hour to cut hair. And it's not that hard to cut my hair. Keep the style; just shorten it. Sadly, they can't seem to do that. Now I'm off to find a hair stylist. read more

This place was great. Aki was my haircutter and she was very friendly. She was very good at asking me what I wanted and did exactly that! It only took, around 15 minutes (no wash - which I hate getting done anyways). I love my haircut, it was quick and cheap! just $14! She's the first haircutter that I've ever had that has cut my bangs the way I like too, not what they think is best. (below is my typical experience at other places) I usually went to $50-60 haircut places but always left a bit upset at how much I spent for a few snips of the scissors. They were also usually places that didn't speak English which was quite frustrating to explain what I wanted. And, in the majority of the time the people would try to cut my hair the way THEY wanted versus what I wanted! I'd end up with bangs that could dual as a cap or such thick bangs that my forehead would never get to see the light of day (not my style). So, I won't go back to those 50-60 places again, Kai at Grateful Head does the same thing, or even better, for $14! read more

Outstanding haircuts for the price. I come here all the time and have always been treated with care and politeness. They know how to cut hair and I doubt you can get a better haircut for 16 bucks. Mai deserves special mention, as she is always positive and gives great haircuts. She is an employee that should be greatly valued. read more

Please read before getting your hair highlighted by Lee. I went in at 3 and came out at 8:30. To start off I would like to say that Mai, the manager was helpful during this unfortunate mess I went through. She has cut my hair before and highlighted my mom's hair and we were both pleased with her results. Lee was my stylist. Unfortunately, I did not get the same results as I did with Mai. What makes the situation worse was her response to the results. She was not admitting she damaged my hair and that there was nothing wrong with my highlights and color. Clearly from the pictures this was not the case. She kept telling me my hair was dry and this happens all the time when one gets highlights. A good hair stylist knows what to put in your hair so it doesn't get to that point. I do want to make a side note, I came in with Virgin hair...At the end of her shift she knew what she did to my hair was wrong and apologized... Mai toke over and ended up giving me something completely different and gave me a couple of deep treatments and trims here and there. At the end I was just exhausted and pleased that the hair was not as badly damaged as it was when at the beginning. read more

See all

One star for the friendly nature of the woman who cut my hair. One star for the clean, professional look of the place. But I can't give anymore stars to a place that interprets "long on top" as "one step above a military buzz" Good thing my hair grows quickly! read more