After I moved to Berkeley there were a lot of referrals from friends – I checked out La Tour and Elixir. Both were nice places with friendly people and had hefty prices to match. AND I never walked out completely satisfied but just nodded and smiled because I knew it wasn’t their fault – my hair was just hopeless.

THEN I walked into Sole and met Abby who I’ve been going to for the past 2 years. Even though her prices went up immediately after my first appointment I’m too hooked to even consider going anywhere else. Every time I leave the salon I look in the mirror and love love my haircut/color. Even if I feel a little iffy leaving the place I’m always a believer again after I shower the next morning and my hair is doing some other great thing. I went in for a bang trim one time and in just 5 minutes and $15 Abby revitalized my cut and now it’s good to go for another 2 months!!

Thanks to Abby I get compliments about my cut and color and I’ve already referred a whole Sole group following. Though I’ve since moved across the bay to San Francisco I’m a Sole loyal through and through and I continue to trek across the bay to see her because, well, she’s just that worth it.

Submitted by Christina L.

I will make this as brief as possible namely because most of my posts turn into a james joyce style stream of consciousness review that contain way to much detail and not nearly enough content… ok, stop.

I am cheap when it comes to my haircuts, or at least I used to be. I was always the type of guy who went to the local *Cuts and paid $15 to have my hair chopped up haphazardly for20 minutes with completely variable results. I decided that I was tired of rolling the dice and I decided to give Sole a try.

Well, I went on Tuesday so I could get the discount cut. I have no problem spending money when I feel like I am getting my money’s worth and good god, I totally did. I had never been to a salon before and Abby made my experience wonderful. I got a scalp massage, shampoo, condition, cut and styling; totally worth it. Now that I know what the experience is like and how pampered and relaxed I feel during the whole process, I have no problem shelling out the additional money for a cut any other day of the week. Instead of a haircut of varying quality, I know that I am paying for the assurance that I will have an awesome haircut and experience. Abby was totally fantastic and yes, yes, I have already re-booked an appointment a month from now.

Also, I thought it was incredibly interesting to overhear the jargon in the conversation that took place between Tony and Abby. I’m a CS guy so I am used to confusing people with my jargon, and not used to being on the receiving end. Okok, I am trailing off again, I just mean it was pretty neat to hear them talk about transitions and other nomenclature for haircuttery and the like.

Also, I don’t care that I am one of the few guy reviewers for this place, it is totally awesome and I have found a new place to get sexified*.

Damn, this wasn’t brief at all!

*sexified: the process of making one look sexy**.
**had to add the footnote to clarify that this is not THAT kind of place.

Submitted by Steve H.

This is a very classy and high quality salon. They give you tea, shampoo and massage you and do a very careful and technical haircut. As a guy, most 12 dollar places I would go to before would just get the electric razor after cutting some hair off and buzz me all over when I told them to cut my hair short.

The staff is very friendly and I got the best haircut I’ve ever gotten from Abby. I wish I could come here more often, but it is a bit expensive for a male college student. The price is worth it, however, just to see the difference between a crappy haircut and a proper one, even if you are a guy with short hair. I don’t even really like getting my haircut at all, and before I found this place, for a very good reason.

Submitted by Coleman M.

I was recently given a gift certificate to Aveda and after searching their salon locations, chose Sole Salon. Before making an appointment, I dropped in first to check out the salon. It was very clean, very pleasantly laid out with the retail section out front, the hair salon in the middle, and the facial rooms at the back and had a very nice ambiance. I saw happy women having their hair styled, chatting nonstop with their stylists (always a good sign) and when I decided to make my appointment, a full appointment calendar (another good sign). I checked to make sure my gift card was redeemable at Sole (it was) and then decided upon their brightening facial.

My appointment was with Leslie, a wonderful, gentle lady who instantly made me feel at ease and comfortable when I walked in. She brought me tea and sat with me for a few minutes to get to know me and ask about which service I had decided on. Leslie also asked about my expectations, something I don’t know any other salon had considered asking. It was a kindness I appreciated, as I hadn’t had a facial in several years and didn’t know how Sole worked. She explained all about the service: hot, relaxing licorice tea, a nice foot rub using Aveda product, then the facial, finished by a nice head-neck-shoulder massage. Leslie then escorted me back to the room for my facial.

It was an hour of bliss. My awareness of what was going on faded and I floated, enjoying the pampering. When I went to make payment on the service, I had a delicious surprise! Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are discount days and I found my gift card would give me TWO session because of it. I was so happy! I just used my second session yesterday and feel so cared for and pampered.

If you want a relaxing, calm environment with special care taken of you, I suggest you make an appointment with Leslie at Sole Salon. You won’t be disappointed.

Submitted by Aubrey O.

Abby has been cutting and coloring my hair for a few years now, I think – has it really been that long?! I always look forward to seeing her.

I started going there when my hair was just shorter than shoulder-length. It was blah and needed sprucing up because I had previously had my fair share of a few bad cuts in a row. I was desperately looking for someone I could go back to repeatedly without having to worry about whether or not it would be a nice cut/color.

Back then Abby did a great job on my shorter hairstyles, and nowadays my hair much longer (almost down to bra-strap) – she does a great job with that too. I’ve also been pleased with the coloring I’ve had done with her. Oh, Abby also did my hair for my wedding, and I loved it.

The staff are friendly, I love the appointment reminder-texts. The only product I’ve purchased there is the volumizing tonic and I LOVE IT. Highly recommended salon, overall.

Submitted by Amy H.

I am a fan of the salon in general and … of Abby R in particular.

I have been a client for almost 2 years and she is one terrific stylist and all around great person. If you are looking for a new stylist – give Abby R a try!

Submitted by BH