Maria is wonderful! She fit in a cut for me even though I'm a new client. Then she took time with me. Listened to what I asked for. I love my haircut!!! read more

Viveur Salon is a fabulous salon and a well kept secret. I first went there to recover from a terrible haircut. I chose Viveur salon because all the clients looked terrific after their appointments and I also wanted that look. Maria really knows hair, cut and color. I now live a 45 minute drive away but I still go to Viveur salon because Maria does such a great job every time. read more

I've been going to Maria for almost a year or more. I completely agree with the person with the curly hair's review above. She is so easily distracted. She professes to be a master at color and she did change my color. I also think my hair cut is dowdy. Previous to going to Maria I would get compliments on my hair, especially the curls. People would stop me and say you have great hair. But I have to say since going to Maria that I no longer get any compliments on my hair. It just reinforces that the cut does not enhance my hair and the color is all wrong for my skin tone. I have been trying to give her the benefit of the doubt but she continually shows no imagination or talent in cutting my hair. If I ask about doing anything different she immediately tells me I don't know what I'm talking about. She doesn't care what I think. If her hair cuts were fabulous I'd have no leg to stand on. Also, because she is so distracted, the appt runs about 3 hrs and it's not time spent with the customer. She's constantly blathering away. Her know it all attitude regarding any possible subject has become so tedious I can't stand it any longer either. She's a character alright but not that talented or gifted as an artist to warrant the time and all that money. The last nail in the coffin for me is that she's so unreliable in returning phone calls for appts. Don't hold your breath. read more

Maria, the owner and sole stylist, is hands-down AMAZING! I have been going to her for many years and can't imagine ever going anywhere else. She doesn't just cut/style hair, she is a teacher. She explains the science of what she's doing and shows you what you can do to maintain healthy hair and color (if you dye your hair). Over the years, I've gotten a wide range of styles from her, from conservative, going-in-for-an-interview type cuts to funky, punky cuts with bold colors (pink, purple, blue--you name it), and have been impressed by her range and versatility. No idea is too out there or off limits for her, which I love, because I like to have fun with my hair. She is also really good at assessing what hairstyles will work with your face and hair type, so I've never left with something that looks good on a model in a magazine but doesn't actually work for me just so she can make money on a haircut. She also spends a lot of time making sure your hair is just right and my hair always grows out really well weeks and months after the appointment. It has been five weeks since I last got my hair cut and about four months since I got my color done and I *still* get compliments on my hair. I appreciate that Viveur is not a crazy, packed salon with a million stations and people running around so you get a relaxing experience and a lot of personal attention. I always have fun at my appointments because Maria is really interesting and funny, and I feel like I'm having a spa day with a fun girlfriend. read more

Maria is awesome. Listens to what you want, will give you honest feedback on whether it will work or not. Have been going to her for seven years, since she repaired the haircut I received before I got married. She is a craftsman with hair. read more

Maria is seriously the best air stylist I have ever been to -- before finding her, I was constantly unhappy with my hair, pulling it into ponytails, balking at photos. Tried every cut from a razor-short pixie to bangs to layers half-way down my back. Despite having easy-to-manage, basically straight hair, I never felt like I was having a "good hair day". She has an obvious passion for what she does, pays attention to many, many details when working (what does your face look like with various cuts? how long do you leave it between appointments? how much work are you willing to put into this?), and adjusts her work accordingly. Those might seem like "normal" questions for a hair stylist to ask, but she is the only person I've met who actually seems to change what she's doing based on what you say. I have spent the last year enjoying a "good hair day" Every. Single. Day. and that is entirely down to Maria's enviable skill. I only lament that I just moved out of the area and can no longer go here - two haircuts at a new salon later and I'm back where I always was, totally self-conscious of how my head looks at all times. Thank you!!! read more

Maria is wonderful - she cuts and colors my hair, and I get so many compliments! I switched from a well-regarded salon where the stylists did cuts that might have been cute on someone else, but didn't take into account my own features (ie, generic "cute" or "trendy" cuts). Maria takes a lot of time and care working with you to find a color and style that is yours. Plus she's a great person, fun to talk to, and I always learn a lot from her - she's incredibly knowledgeable and a gifted stylist. read more

Since writing my previous review on 3/22/12, Maria has now posted her prices. I was always confused as the price of the haircut because the prices fluctuated from visit to visit. I was very upset to learn the base price (finally now that the prices are posted!). She overcharged me many times saying her base price has recently increased when I asked my the price was higher than before. Do not trust this lady. read more

maria has been doing my hair since i was 7, and i won't let anyone else touch it. she is a genius with color and knows a lot about what styles will fit your face. she is hella real and honest. and i love her :) she books up really fast, so you have to call for an appt well in advance, but is well worth the wait. read more

Maria gave me the worst haircut ever. She never stopped talking while she was cutting my hair. She even stopped cutting in order to talk ,so I know she wasn't concentrating on the cut and it came out very uneven. When I pointed this out to her she got defensive and said "Your hair is more curly on one side than the other". She had just blow-dried my hair so if it was more curly that is the way she dried it. She then took a scissors and cut off a little piece without measuring or checking it against the other side. It wasn't only that little snippet that is uneven!!! The entire cut is so dowdy, and old- fashioned, I don't think she has looked in a hair magazine or taken a class in years. When I called to ask her to correct it she refused to see me for two weeks. This is really poor customer service, I guess she doesn't care about keeping customers. I certainly won't be back nor will I bring my granddaughters, so she just lost 3 clients. read more

I am Black and Chinese from Hawaii and Maria was referred to me over 21 years ago by another mixed race friend who understood how hard it was to find a stylist who understands our hair. My previous extraordinary stylist whom I followed from the first chair in the I. Magnin's Salon in Union Square through retirement for 15 years was a true gem and I feared it would be impossible to find another stylist of his genius. No one else has touched my hair since I found Maria in North Berkeley, even when I went through rough times financially and couldn't afford to see her for almost 3 years! I would rather clip my own hair than go through the pain of suffering through someone else's attempts to style my hair, regardless of the length. I CANNOT recommend her more highly. She is much more than a hair stylist: She is a health educator like my dentist. She will ask how you've been and what's been happening in your life, but she can tell by just touching and looking at my hair after I first sit down in her chair in that elegant little salon on Shattuck Avenue. What a marvel! She also is a Personal Stylist in make-up and overall personal presentation. Those who are fortunate enough to know their gifts are successful in their professions because they recognize it early on. Maria was born with these kinds of gifts and she utilizes them to gift her clients with improved self-image, health care education, and a confidence about aging appropriately and gracefully. Before she was recommended to me, I tried supposed high-profile, ridiculous "hair wizards" but Maria is really one of the finest and could have made a gold mine if she chose to go that route. But, thankfully for those of us who refuse to let anyone else handle our tresses, regardless of race or socioeconomics, are delighted that she remains accessible. She has never encouraged me to try anything because she would make more money, ever. Therefore,if she chose to go more 'high profile," I would follow her there, too. Some things, we women will sacrifice for and hair care is absolutely one of those personal choices. read more