Mary and Margaret are wonderful hair stylists, with over 30 years experience in the field. I began going to Mary Miranda when I was in my 30s, when Twins Hair Salon was located on Solano Avenue in Berkeley, in the Beauty Shop. They have been at this lovely location in the Sola Salons in El Cerrito Plaza for a few years. The salon is warm, bright, and conveniently located. I lived out of state for many years and missed Mary's haircuts! When I returned to the East Bay for good, and needed a haircut, Mary was the first person I called! Now as an older person with slightly thinning hair, it is more important than ever for me to go to someone who I trust implicitly to give me a flattering cut that is just right for my hair type and face shape. Mary's haircuts never disappoint! She is warm, personable, and listens carefully to whatever I need in a cut. The Twins' pricing is very reasonable. I cannot recommend highly enough! read more

Margaret and I were very close-oh about 25 years ago! She was my girl! I loved her more than anything.When I was 18, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I beat it, but was left unable to have kids from the radiation treatment I received. It saved my life. Anyway,Margaret was the nicest woman I ever had a chance to be with. She not her sister ever pissed and moaned about anything. She was the nicest, sweetest, womanI ever met! I cannot believe the 1st review about them, as I knew her and her family intimately. The biggest regret I ever had was getting the fear that my cancer had returned. I am now a 23 year sober and cancer free man. I still have much love for M in my heart and wish I could get together with her, just to explain why I left w/o an explanation. I am going to call in Tuesday, her shop, to see if I can meet with her again-perhaps to see if there is anything left there on her end as there definitely is on my end. I still am in love with her very much. I will post my results of trying to contact her again-M is you read this please try and understand-I still love you very much! read more

This is a great salon, and the twins (Margaret and Mary) are very experienced and do a wonderful job. The salon has a very nice atmosphere, and I am always happy with the way they do my hair. Highly recommend! read more

Mary is nice. It is the only reason that I am giving her 2 stars instead of one. I am a middle aged man who has medium length hair. I like it way over my shirt collar. I had Mary cut my hair for some time. Every time I would come to see her, I would bring in the same picture in. It is of a man with his hair cut so that it completely covers his ears and shirt collar. Very nice cut. Every time I would go in, I would explain that this is how I want my hair to look. Every time she would cut my hair, it was always much too short. I would go home and say to myself "Next time she will understand I want my hair to be longer." I did this over and over and over. I would bring the photo in and she would proceed to do the same thing, paying absolutely no attention to what I have said. I kept giving her chances to cut my hair the way I wanted it, figuring she will get the point eventually. Because of the virus, I hadn't gotten my hair cut for many months. It was down to the middle of my shoulder blades. I actually like the way it looks and just wanted a bit cut off. When I went to see Mary I specifically told her that I wanted to leave it long. What did she do? She gave me the worst haircut that I ever had. She completely ignored what I said. She cut my hair so that every hair is 1/2 of an inch long. Just slightly longer than a crew cut. She cut my hair up to the base of my skull. It looks incredibly awful. She cut about 8" of my hair off despite what I wanted. I use the best shampoos and conditioners and hair brushes and blow dryers. Why bother when the hair stylist just cuts off all your hair off? She works with her sister Margaret. Margaret may be the most bitter and unhappy person I ever met. I would listen to her talking to her sister and just be astonished. I am an avid photographer. I was a member of the Berkeley Photography Club for many years and my photographs have been published in national magazines. I really enjoy it. I go to Big Sur every year for a few days to do photography. Costco has a wonderful photography department (which unfortunately they are closing shortly) and I have had 3 books of my photos of Big Sur done by them. I take 200-300 photos each time. I would go through them with the woman at Costo, picking out the ones I want to put in the book and then deciding how to crop each photo. When I was getting my hair cut I was telling Mary abut this. I even brought in my most recent book, which is just gorgeous. I told Mary that I spent about 4 hours working on the book. please understand that I have never been a customer of Margaret. I have never had a conversation with her. When I told Mary that I spent 4 hours putting the book together her sister Margaret literally laughed out loud at me and then starteded rididucling me for spendng a whole 4 HOURS working on my book. She must have the attention span of a goldfish. Even Mary looked shocked at her verbal abuse of me-all for spending a bit of time on my hobby. Absolutely rude and really classless. Who ridicules a customer in a salon-which is co-owned by her sister, no less. Even if I hadn't had the terrible haircut I received, I wouldn't go back. I went to get my hair cut, not to be laughed at for being a good photographer by someone who has the attention span of a spoon. Absolutely low class. read more

If you have curly hair they are the Best! If you don't have curly hair....they are still the best! I won't let any one but Mary or Margaret touch my hair, they are beyond amazing. read more

Mary and Margaret are the best! Yes, they are actual identical twins, and yes, they dress the in exactly the same outfits. They are both absolute sweethearts. Located in the rear of Solano Avenue's Beauty Center (and my old neighborhood) they work wonders for hair. Also, if you come early for your appointment, you have plenty of beauty goodies to sample and play with. For $30, you can get a trim, but they will really spend a lot of time on your hair! I got highlights and cut here before also, and it was only $115. What a steal! read more

I have been coming here for many years and think the twins are awesome. Mary(who cuts my hair) always listens carefully to want I want and she delivers! Have recommend them to many friends over the years and now they are loyal customers. read more

I've been going to the Twins Hair Salon on Solano Ave for about 17 years. Mary Miranda has always cut my hair. I cannot speak highly enough of Mary and Margaret. Like most women, I fuss and worry about my hair, and I trust very few people with my haircuts. I went into the Twins Hair Salon initially in the early 90's because I'd heard through the Solano Avenue grapevine that they were wonderful hairstylists, nice people, and that their prices were awesome -- lower than average. I haven't gone anywhere else since to have my hair cut, except for the one period of time I lived out of state -- and I missed Mary's haircuts! Now I worry when the day comes that Mary and Margaret retire and I'll have to go to someone else -- it won't be easy. From the first haircut, I didn't have to say much because Mary understood what I wanted in a cut. I've had mostly the same style all these years, long, mostly layered cuts, which I wear down, parted to the side. My hair is fine and wavy, and I can't wear it too long or too short. I've never been disappointed in any of Mary's cuts. My experience with other hairstylists from prior to going to the Twins Salon was that even when I carefully described how I wanted my hair to look, the average stylist didn't really listen, and wanted to work out their artisitc ideas on my hair, so I often left disappointed or even upset with many of the haircuts I've received. Mary was such a refreshing change from that. She listens to how I describe I want my hair to look, down to whether I want 1/2 inch off on the top layers, 2 inches off on the length, and a touch less on the sides, or something like that. She gives me the exact cut I desire -- that's true professionalism. Both Mary and Margaret are a pleasure to visit and be around. No matter what the weather or whatever may be going on in their lives outside of the salon, they have a cheerful atmosphere in their little salon. (They are tucked in the back of the beauty supply store, so not visible from the store front) They're friendly without being "too chatty" as some stylists can be, and they show a genuine interest in their clients' lives. Their prices are competitively lower than average -- a real godsend in these tough economic times. One thing, because they have such a loyal following, they often can't pick up the phone or return calls same day; but no worries, they can always fit you in. It's best to keep trying, or if you live close by (as I do) drop in to schedule an appointment. I recommend Mary and Margaret to all my friends. read more

I love the Twins and have been going to them for almost 10 years. I like the advice and conversations with their other clients. I like the way that Mary (the one I've always gone to) has always listened (and observed) what I want my hair to "do," and makes it HAPPEN! Lots of my friends and co-workers are also their clients and love `em as I do. If you want to try them, be sure to call ahead, as their clientele keeps them pretty well booked. read more

I so rarely love a haircut from the moment it's done. Thank you, Twins.

I cannot rave enough about how fabulous Mary and Margaret are! Mary has cut my hair for 19 years--seeing me through my punk artistically-shaved, french pixie, vampy 20s movie star, and now mid 30s hipster/rocker mom fazes, all with great style and attention. They also have cut my kids' hair (kids love them because they are identical twins and so fascinating to watch) and regularly cut and dye my sister's hair (many, many colors). I figured 19 years ago that if two young women could cut, highlight, and curl two heads faultlessly identically, then regardless of their style, they were genius. It couldn't be more true. I have always gotten compliments on my hair and travel from San Leandro every month for my apt. Also a fabulous deal at $30 a cut for an hour of time and attention. read more

I moved across the bay some time ago and tried one salon after another but never got the cut I wanted. In fact, a few times my co-workers or friends would ask "what happened??" Then my girlfriend - now my wife :-) - told me about Mary and Margaret, The Twins. She had been going to Margaret for years after searching for someone who could cut her full, wavy hair. From the first cut I was sold and have been going there for almost 8 years now. If you can get an appointment, I highly recommend you make the trip. read more