Elisha C.

I was here on a Friday when they played their Pandora 80s classics playlist. I was so comfortable and refreshed by my treatment which started off with a complimentary drink. In summary, the Waves Salon has a lovely environment and skillful staff. ----Read the rest for my raving fan review of my cut & dye courtesy of Kayla--- Kayla is knowledgeable and did not take my inspiration photos for face value, but gave me realistic game plan for my hair. Because I wanted to go for a blue-black, but was not ready to bleach my hair she did the base color to accommodate what I was willing to pay for in that day. She was able to communicate her opinions about what I was asking for versus what I was ready for in a non-condescending way. She tactfully asked questions to assess what she was working with before diving into my cut and dye. Though she would have been ready and equipped to do the full foil / bleach for hues that pop, I appreciated that she prioritized understanding what I really wanted rather than just charging me more because I had technically sent her photos of more obvious blues. Though my results are much subtler than what I had sent from Pinterest, I know I've found a stylist I can trust if I want to take the next step. Kayla and I were betting on whether it was too subtle if anyone would notice, but: 1) I got a great response from housemates upon arrival at home. She was right! It pops in the right lights, and apparently looked the blue as I walked through the door with the natural light coming in behind me. 2) Moreover, I had specifically gotten my hair dyed for a trip out of town. When I met my cousin, she almost immediately asked about my hair. Felt great to do something that made me feel myself but edgy without necessarily just jumping into something pretty but too much too quickly. Nothing was compromised, my professional appearance for work, nor my desire to do something different and get my feet wet again for jumping back into the world of non-virgin hair. While my before/after photos probably aren't a Pinterest feature, they are great quality for photos from the day after my appointment and what I expect will be a dye with longevity. Happy with the practicality and the fit to who I am. I should mention, Kayla accommodated to book me though it was a nearly full day, and I called in on Thursday!! Thanks very much!

Francisca H.

I used to get my hair done for many years in downtown San Francisco. After the pandemic my downtown stylist moved and I was on the hunt for a new person. I work in the area and a coworker recommended Gretel a year ago and I've been a loyal client since. Gretel is a true professional at her craft, she is up on trends, and always suggests something cute and new to try. She has the style and technique of any down town San Francisco stylist without the downtown price tag. Gretel only uses the best products like Kerastase and GoldWell. Her price points are reasonable so I come in often for a trim and blow out. My hair has never looked this healthy. I also get a few low maintenance highlights that I always get complements on. With Gretel's warm personality and skills I leave waves looking a feeling my best every time.

I am so frustrated and disappointed that I spent my money here. I read the reviews at Waves and saw some really beautiful photos of balayages and expected that especially if the owner of the salon was going to do my hair that it would be done well. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I had 1 year grown out baby highlights and I wanted to blend my dark brown/almost black root color down into the lengths of the hair but with some deep chocolate brown highlights to add dimension. I wanted to make sure that what I wanted would be possible so I asked for a strand test. Gretel suggested a consultation to see what my hair looked like before the appointment and see what I wanted. I asked for a natural balayage and Gretel agreed we could do chocolate brown for dimension to my almost black roots. I showed her the images for color and cut and she said it would be easy because I'm staying dark. At my appointment, I showed Gretel a picture of the haircut I wanted and she confirmed that we were doing dark chocolate brown. I told her I wanted it to look natural because I can't afford to get my hair dyed often, so I wanted it to look good when it grew out. I didn't realize that she may have been rushing until the very end when she said the toner would sit in my hair for 15 minutes but then seemed to rinse my hair out after 5. I had told Gretel at the consultation that what I didn't like about my previous hair was how light the midlengths and ends were and I wanted the overall look to be darker. As my hair was being dried, she remarked that it was more caramel, which is not what I had asked for. When I got home, I started to notice just how badly bleached and dyed my hair was. The bottom half of my hair where the toner had sat longest looked gray-brown because it looked like the hair hadn't been filled before she took me from bleached blonde to brown. The face framing bits turned out red but the toner hadn't been applied long enough so you could still see the bleached blonde underneath. The top and back of my head was truly awful, with the left side of my head having super chunky light-colored highlights and the back of my head having several streaks that looked like they never had toner applied to it at all. I was really unhappy with my hair but at this point, I wasn't going to ask to fix the chunky bleached streaks because I was nervous about any more bleach being applied to my hair. I just wanted a more even color application. So I messaged Gretel through the Waves Salon website and said my hair was too light and asked for it to be re-toned. Gretel obliged but said she didn't have time for a blow out. I didn't need my hair styled so I said I didn't need a blow out. (In my mind, a blowout is type of style that's done with a blow dryer.) What I did not expect was when I came in to have my hair re-toned, that I would be leaving with sopping wet hair. I think there's a difference between a blow out and a blow dry. I thought my hair would be dry when I left because what hair stylist lets a client leave with sopping wet hair? But apparently I was wrong, and after rinsing out the toner, Gretel said she was going to brush my hair and then I would be done. She sprayed something on my hair, brushed it and then let me out of the chair. I didn't have to pay to have my hair re-toned after the initial bad bleach and toner application, but I don't think it's right to let clients leave with wet hair. But at this point, I was so done that I just walked out. Please save your money and go somewhere where the results are high quality and consistent.

Melinda P.

I moved here from out of state. Seen this place n walked in asking if she does bleach touch up. She says," bleach n tone"? I so appreciate that she knows her business. Also glad she never twist your arm to have something else done to my hair.

Blayke B.

Gretel is incredible. I have been looking for a stylist to love, and I am so glad to have found her at Waves! She listened to what I wanted, took her time making sure it was just right, and even checked in with me later in the day to make sure I was happy with the cut and color! The salon was spotless and Covid protocol was in place: temperature check, masks on, sanitizer stations available, limited people in the salon. I 100% recommend Gretel and getting your hair styled at Waves! She will take care of you and make your experience comfortable and enjoyable! I will absolutely be back.

Sarah C.

Kayla is seriously the best! Been going to her for a long time and she really knows how to give me what I want. It's more than just the outcome it's experience as well that she is perfect with. She is also the only one that my daughter who trusts as well with her hair. She colored and cut her hair. Did an amazing job! She color corrected my hair and gave me the perfect trim. On multiple occasions. She is always my go to!

Lori R.

I can say so many great thing about this salon!! Gretel was just absolutely amazing. She was friendly and easy to talk to. I was completely lost with my hair and had given up, Gretel was able to help me figure out what we should do in order to get it back healthy again. This salon also carries these amazing products from Kérastase. Gretel put the versatile beautifying oil in my damaged hair and I could already feel the huge difference the oil made, of course I HAD to buy it considering how quickly and easily I saw the results. I am so fortunate to have found this wonderful salon and will continue going here for all my hair care needs. Thanks so much Gretel!!! I also want to add that masks were worn the entire time and sanitizer was readily available for safety measures.

Melanie N.

Omg... words can't describe how much I'm in love with my hair! Gretel knew exactly what I was looking for! Because my hair had grown out really bad from the last time I got it done 2 years, it definitely needed some help and saving. The half highlights definitely brought some light into my dull dark hair. I was kind of afraid when it came to the bottom portion of my hair because it was already dyed but she was able to blend it in a way where it wasn't going to give me really blonde tips.

My hair feels like hair again and the color is even better than I was anticipating! I experienced a hair color hiccup about a month ago. I was in need of color correction and also in dire need of a hair salon. A place that my hair could call home, you know? I am sad to say that the hair salon that I had been going to for quite a while had to close it's doors for good in 2020. Ack! What's a gal to do? 2 weeks after coming home with electric red hair and an itchy, peeling scalp, I was on a mad hunt for a fabulous hairstylist somewhere in the Pacifica area. No need to get into detail on this. I came across Gretel at Waves Salon on Yelp. Read her stellar reviews. Not only that, I noticed how much her clients adored how she listened to their hair needs. Sent Gretel a message on a Sunday, not expecting a reply. Sundays are a hairstylist's holy day off, right? I received a response right away which was a welcomed surprise. Even booked an appointment! After coming home from my appointment yesterday I can say that Gretel is all that the yelp reviews claim: attentive to your hair needs, extremely talented, and a great sense of humor. Did I mention the best shampoo scalp massage you have ever had in your life?? And her salon is extremely clean. Temperature checks, hand sanitizer, the works of course. If my hair could squeal it would. It feels like my hair again. Not abrasive. I have found a new forever salon as long as she will have me. Thank you Gretel! Sara