Elixir Salon

Sometimes life delivers the unexpected. You enter an establishment for a salon service and exit feeling like you have seen the best of humanity. I first went to Elixir Salon because of positive reviews seen here on Unilocal,and the proximity to my neighborhood. On my first visit, I got a great cut, and amazing color. I had my gray roots covered and my peek-​a-​boo navy slice refreshed. The next visit was just as good with a second stylist (I would have booked again with the first, but she was on her honeymoon!). My third visit was to have all the gorgeous work they had done shaved off. I was diagnosed with cancer in October and my hair had started falling out by the handful. Rather that watching it happen that way, I decided to take control and on a whim one Saturday in early December, walked back into Elixir. A third stylist helped me that day. That man was Noël. I told him what I wanted and he sweetly went about taking me from sad, thin bob with bangs to bad ass close shaved Charlize Theron ala Max Max. He kept a constant monologue going distracting me from a major life event, not expecting me to respond. I left feeling better about myself, and great about the whole establishment. Oh, and they refused to let me pay. There’s that.
So, a few months had gone by since then and I have collected a variety of wigs in Katy Perry colors and really wanted to start rocking them, but they needed tweaking. I made an appointment with Noël to trim the bangs on 3 wigs (Violet, Hot Pink and Cotton Candy Pink), and to have my sad chick fuzz taken back off. They got me in on a Saturday and I was back in Noël’s capable hands. He remembered me, asked all about how things were going with my treatment and my daughter etc. My wigs all have a slightly different bang look now, and I can’t wait to wear the first one tonight. But here’s the thing. I went to pay. Fully expecting some sort of typical hair cut fee… I went from the changing room to the reception desk, and Noël stopped me. Just shaking his head and holding up his hand. I started to insist on paying and he just hugged me. I hugged back and walked out trying to hold myself together. I wanted to do something to thank him, and everyone at the salon who was amazing from receptionist, to Noël’s fellow stylists who were all incredible. I went from the salon to the nearest Girl Scout table and bought 2 of everything she had. I walked back in and lined them up on the reception desk, turned around and came straight here to tell the world about them. I would recommend this place to anyone, with or without hair.

I got great, natural looking highlights by Alex! She is very knowledgable, experienced and passionate about hair. I enjoyed collaborating with her as I felt my requests were heard. Overall I appreciated her care and left very satisfied with my color.

I’ve been coming here about 2 years, and everytime I see Julia, and must say not only is Julia very kind, she knows how to be creative. She can assess what style complements your face shape; this includes hair color, and hair type (i.e fine, thick, and curly). I’m always happy with the outcome :)) Julia you da bomb!

Noël is the best colorist! We’ve been transitioning my hair from short pink and purple to shoulder length blue, turquoise, green, and violet. My hair is almost bob-​length now so it is finally long enough to do some fun color melting with two colors per strand. Noël isn’t afraid to be daring and he is super creative with color placement. This is my best hair yet!

Becca has been doing my hair for a while now and I love it every single time! She is easy to talk to and I don’t feel awkward saying what I don’t like in front of her. She gives great input and is up on all the latest trends too! Her product knowledge is also incredibly helpful as I have curly but fine hair and its challenging to find the right products that don’t leave my hair crunchy or dirty!
Becca is the best!

I can’t be in support of a business that doesn’t have the consideration to…
1) answer their phone during business hours, even though their voice message clearly states they have receptionist coverage during business hours. Makes it sound like the answering machine picking up would be the exception not the «normal»
2) when a person does pick up 1x out of 8 calls and takes a message for the owner (Alex) to call back, well then the owner should call the client back… right? not at Elixier
3) When you leave a message on their message machine because that’s all you can talk to you would expect someone to call you back… right? not at Elixier
There was ample time for someone to call me back as this was over a 2 week period of trying to reach someone on the phone not a couple of days.
Can’t believe an Aveda Concept Salon would have such poor business practices. My take is that they don’t need any new clients because they are so busy.
Don’t waste your time trying to reach someone. Call another Aveda Salon!

Alex really brings the awesomeness! She is a master of color and super creative. She is always respectful of my goals, but I trust her to add her fun ideas to the look. Alex has great staff and the salon is a great place to spend time while getting pretty.

200 dollars down the drain. My hair has never been so frizzy after a hair appointment. I wanted my hair to be evened out. I wanted some dimension to my dark hair. Nope. I got thick 90’s highlights. Nothing came out like I wanted. Save you hair and your money and go elsewhere!

I hate that the first Unilocal rating I am making is a negative one but I feel it is necessary. This place is not cheap… if you pay good money to supposedly experienced professionals the results should be satisfactory. This was a great disappointment.
How does an Aveda Hair Salon turn a client’s hair GREEN without it being requested???
The most traumatizing hair experience of my life!
If I could select a Negative Star rating I would. I am so disappointed.
To make a long story short, Rebecca claimed she can do a sombre (tone down version of an ombré). I showed her a picture of the exact tone: dark brown roots to ash blonde ends. I made it clear to her that I did NOT want it in an Orange tone. She claimed to understand. A little less than 2 hours later, my hair was an orange brassy tone. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, give it a few days. It will tone down. IT DIDN’T!
I went back in for her to fix the orange/​golden brassy tone. After her attempt, the hair color was sunflower yellow! She did not know what to do. She said my hair wouldn’t take because it was too dark… umm Hello? Why didn’t you tell me that in the consultation? Why now?
She experimented a toner that would dull the color but we were unsure of how it would look. It turned out toned down but still not a sombre. Not what I asked for.
3 days later, my hair was golden/​brassy orange again. I spoke with the owner Alex. She agreed with me that my hair was not a sombre and it was golden. She said she could fix it. I told her ok, just take out the golden color. I still wanted a sombre. I went in again for the 3^rd time! This time… she dyed my hair dark with golden highlights??? I didn’t want it darker and never did I ask for highlights! I started to cry! I was so frustrated. She wanted to give me my money back but I was just so upset I wanted to leave.
Washed my hair today (the day after), it is GREEN! Green and golden highlights with dark brown base? So wrong! I went in to get my money back. My frustration is, this is my hair, it is not a dress that I can put on and take off. I now have to find a solution to this ugly green tone! Let’s not even mention the condition of my hair!

So about a month after I got my hair cut, people have started to notice that it looks different, and have been complimenting it a lot! Mind you, I’ve had to straighten it when my goal was to be able to keep it low maintenance, but nonetheless, I’ve updated my rating given how great it looks straight.
Moral of the story: Wait a month before writing a review, and make sure to come here for a cut at least 1 month before you want it to look good.

Deborah is a magician. Gave me the exact choppy/​messy/​mullety haircut I wanted and it feels so much lighter, not so heavy. See the photo I posted that shows the color she did to me (left) and the color I asked for (right). Pretty darn close. It’s a bit deeper than expected but that may have been my fault in leading her astray with the comment that ‘I want copper, but not too blonde’. But after rinsing she asked me what I thought since it was slightly different but I liked it and I still do, so I’m happy. She was really great with communicating with me the entire time about what she was doing and we were completely on the same page. With this being my first haircut since recently moving to the Bay Area I feel great and will definitely be going back to see Deborah at Elixir.

I highly recommend getting your hairs cut by Rebecca. She always does exactly what I ask and makes my hair look better than I thought it could. Her cuts are amazing and whenever she styles my hair it lasts for days. I’m obsessed!
Additionally, Rebecca is just fun to talk with. And the entire staff is super friendly. I also love Aveda products so the fact that I walk out smelling divine is a plus. Elixir has stolen my heart.

I recently started coming here when my hair stylist Rebecca joined the salon. Dude, this girl is so awesome. I used to go to her salon two blocks from my apartment in San Francisco, and now I drive across the bridge and go see her in Berkeley because she’s that rad.
First, the hair, then, a story.
I have long, thick, dark wavy hair. I love my hair and I need someone to treat it right! Rebecca gave me a couple of haircuts where she did the long layers and texturing (aka thinning out for other thick haired girls) just perfectly. She really listens. If you tell her you want your shortest layer till –here – , –here– is where your shortest layer will be. With cuts like that you’re good for a few months, the grow-​out phase looks great.
But THEN. A summer heartbreak in (what hair stylist story is complete without talking about one’s love life?), I went to her and said give me bangs. I want to be dark and moody and mad and sad and weird and antisocial and hide behind some big fat bangs. She laughed and said let’s do it but let’s think Jackie O with the attitude and sunglasses and the hair. She snipped away and there I was, with the most gorgeous set of thick ass blunt bangs. She changed my life. In that subtle everything else is the same but you’re rocking a seriously cool new ‘do and enjoying the heck out of it sort of way. I’ve gone back for a couple of bang trims now, and we tweak things each time. Each time I walk out feeling like a million bucks. People call me Sassy Bangs now. Thank you Rebecca! You made my hair year!

Thank you Starr!
You care so deeply about the service you provide. I have never had a Salon Professional take the time necessary to do what I would call a PERFECT job each and every time on my brows.
Yes, I am picky. I have gone to Starr for at least 4+ years and would probably travel many miles if she ever were to relocate.
Thank you for being a truly fine human being as well. I trust you.

Good lord I have never been so relaxed in my whole life, like not even during a full body massage. My facial with Starr was out of this world! It was the most incredible experience that left my skin outrageously soft and smooth. Starr is amazingly knowledgable about not only the great aveda products she uses but also skin in general. She really knows her stuff! She is thorough, gentle, and incredibly caring. I can’t wait for my next appointment!
Starr also did a brow wax, at a separate appointment, that was incredible! I’m not sure how she makes it so painless, but it really was! She spent a good amount of time perfecting my brows and was incredibly meticulous. I don’t typically let people trim my brows but I felt like I could totally trust her and they look great! The conversation was great too, Starr knows a lot about the bay and gave me tons of tips for places to eat and things to do as I’m new to the area.
Go see Starr for facials, waxing, and everything in between… you won’t be sorry!

There’s nothing better than the feeling of getting my hair done at Elixir. After an amazing cut and color, I always have to go out and celebrate.
I’ve been here several times and always leave happy. Whether it’s red, light brown or a little darker, the color is always vibrant and fits my look. Alex uses really good products and hair tints that actually leave my hair smelling aromatic and herbal (instead of like chemicals).
The shampoo is one of the best parts of the entire process, complete with a nice massage and really great aromatherapy type Aveda shampoos and conditioner. I ended up huffing my hair for hours after I left.
My hair cuts are never too flamboyant, not too short or long, but have several layers and add a lightness to my hair. My hair cut actually helps me get ready faster since it takes less to style.
It’s also a very relaxing shop, so I can sit back, drink tea and read a magazine while she cuts, dries and styles my hair.
This last time, she added in some highlights to my brown hair that were subtle and gave my hair a little shimmer when styled. I love the warm color that this color adds with different hues.
I always recommend Elixir because it’s where I go. I know that when I refer my friends and family, they also get great service as well, because there is nothing better than feeling your best.