Balisimo MedSpa

*****MYONG LEE***** is now at Vogue Salon, located RIGHT behind the old Balisimo’s !!!
It’s a great new salon that is buzzing with happy clients all day long.
Bright and cheery inside, super clean and lots of sunshine steaming though the building. And you can tell how happy the stylists are there… working for the enthusiastic, positive Owner!
When I went in to book my next appointment with Myong at Balisimo’s, as I always do… I was so disappointed when the owner would not help me out by letting me know how to get in touch with Myong. She just rudely told me…“Just Google her.” She knew Myong was working just a few steps away at Vogue Salon, 199 First Street #1…650−948−8263.
After all the years of supporting Balisimo’s …it was very disheartening to be treated so coldly when attempting to just follow the BEST stylist I have ever had.
MYONG LEE***
Vogue Salon 650−948−8263****

Myong let me just drop by for a «baby trim». Wouldn’t take any $.
Still think she gives the best cut! I have great hair, but it can look wonky if not cut properly. Love Myong and my hairdo?
AND NOW SHES MOVED TO VOGUE! Followed right on her heels.
Love this woman and her cuts! Esther

Jamie Frette is one of the best hair stylists at Balisimo — she also really tells you the truth and knows what will work for your hair and face. And she works after-​hours so the 9 – 5 time frame posted on Unilocal does not apply to her. Not sure why they even bother putting those inaccurate hours on this page since many of their stylists are in the shop waaaay past 5.

If you’re seeking talented caretakers of your hair, this is THE place to be! I have had color, high-​lighting, low-​lighting, cuts/​styles done here for the past ten years. Charlotte
is my «go-​to gal» on a regular basis; Bianca did her «due diligence» for many years; Myong «fills in» frequently. How great is it to have several super-​stylists able to meet your every whim… you’re covered in any/​all circumstances! ALL personnel are warm, friendly, and talented. Salon is very clean and inviting; top quality products are available, but not «pushed». Other services are also available (manicures/​pedicures/​facials/​waxing/​etc.). I highly recommend this «full-​service» salon, and all of its talented personnel! I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Irena is so thorough with her mani pedis you’ll never want to go anywhere else again. She also does foot reflexology which feels amazing & gives me more energy thrust the day. She is amazing!

Gina is seriously an amazing person and stylist. I had my hair done by a different salon and they had completely ruined my hair by giving me tacky highlights, not even close to what I asked for. I called Gina for help and she had me come in right away. She examined my hair and said she could fix it for me in 20 minutes, and that she did! I had went from tears to all smiles after Gina fixed my hair. Not only did she fix my hair but she sent me home with samples of top shelf shampoos and conditioners. I am now going to go to Gina regularly for any hair appointments in the future.

This isn’t a review for having had any hair styling done– wasn’t able to even book an appointment the time I went in. It was a weekday morning, so not your typical weekend rush. I walked in the door and there was no one at the reception counter (but multiple stylists doing hair at their stations). I stood at the counter for a few minutes and not a single person came up to greet me, although I’d made eye contact with 2 of the hair stylists and one walking by when I’d walked in earlier… they’d clearly seen me. (Which is beside the point-​they need someone at the reception desk either way.)
Needless to say, I finally just sat down in the front chairs, closest to the door… in plain view of everyone working and still not a single person came to ask me if I was waiting for anyone/​thing. I sat there for 15 minutes. Finally I just got up and walked out.

The color, cut & style team of Michael Chen & Jon Jay are as good as it gets in the Bay Area. These guys keep my color fresh and natural looking, my style easy to maintain and contemporary and they are very generous in accommodating the typical rush & hustle lifestyle. Their combination of artistry, style, humor and efficiency make them my favorite hair team strands down.
I do a lot of media for my day job and my personal work protecting kids’ safety online and these guys keep me camera ready, age appropropriate and on schedule. What’s not to love? Call them directly at 650−888−8577 for best connection.

I LOVE Jon Jay and Michael! Thorough professionals, they are always accommodative of my schedule and ensure that the 2+ hours I spend in the salon are relaxing. I like that they want to try new things but keep it a conversation — neither of them forces suggestions or tells me they know better (even though they do!). Michael didn’t talk much initially but I think we’ve broken the ice now :) And Jon’s just such a charmer. They’ve always done a stellar job with my color and cut and never fail to make me feel like a queen. I’d be loathe going anywhere else for my hair care.

I’ve been coming here off and on for quite some time. Jon and Michael are the best! They always manage to work me into their schedule, even when it’s last minute. Jon usually does my color, and Michael cuts and styles my hair. They make me feel like a welcomed friend, not just some paying customer. They leave me feeling rejuvenated and beautiful!
Call directly 650−888−8577

I will never return to this studio. Diane, the owner is rude and I find it hard to imagine she has any repeat customers if this is how she behaves professionally. I cannot say much about the stylists as I only received one pretty great haircut.
I recently purchased a shampoo on the recommendation of one of the stylists at the studio. It is horrible for my hair and I cannot use it at all. I tried to exchange the hardly used shampoo and the owner Diane, refused exchange it without my receipt. She was very unpleasant to speak with and not helpful at all. She took no responsibility for the lovely salons in the area who treat their customers with respect.

If you need a haircut, Gina is the person for you. She starts with a wash and she takes her time with you. She is also an excellent conversationalist, deep knowledge on all things, including the one and only SF Giants. Gina is a big fan of the Giants (ask her to show you the pics)! One of the best parts about her style of cutting is that it is always consistent from one appointment to another and she listens to what you want.
I would definitely recommend her. Enjoy!

Balisimo Salon has several things going for it. Each time I’ve called, the reception staff has been accommodating and easy to work with. The salon is easy to find. They obviously have a loyal following, of which I used to be one.
I was a client of Jon and Michael. They work together, and do a fabulous job on styling my hair. Jon’s erudite with conversation, as well, while he’s giving you a great scalp massage during your shampoo. You know the usual rule to never talk politics? You absolutely can with Jon, which I appreciate. I like Jon quite a bit. He makes you feel beautiful, the entire time. You are his focus, and you can tell.
Michael, however, I can take or leave. He does a great job on styling my hair, sure, but he has appalling customer service skills. He doesn’t actually listen to me, he’s brusque and pushy, he’s got no problems talking over me when I speak and has a nasty habit of trying to inform me of what I want.
When I asked for specific colors in my hair, he gave me something completely different. When I told him I never wanted my hair teased, he told me that I must be wrong, and then did it anyway. When I just called to make an emergency appointment, he actually yelled at me for calling the main desk instead of his personal number.
I’m willing to put up with a great deal. I’m not one of those people who instinctively understands how to make her hair look gorgeous every day. I don’t even own a curling iron. So when someone can make my blowout last for a while, I’ll keep going back. But I have my limits. Being screamed at over the phone is one of them.
Michael doesn’t seem to understand that he’s in a customer service industry. That means that we have a symbiotic relationship. I pay him money he needs to survive, he treats me with the respect owing a client. That has failed to occur on several separate occasions, and I am finished. I’m looking for another stylist.

Still loving my Yuko treatment! Just had it retouched a couple months ago and my hair is still nice and straight. Another great job by Jon Jay and Michael Chen! I really appreciate how detail oriented these guys are. They will talk with me about my hair concerns for as long as I want and will recommend the latest products that they think I will benefit from using. I also really like that when discussing my haircuts, they offer their opinions on what is best for my hair type. Not everyone can pull off certain cuts/​styles and they make sure you wont have unreasonable expectations for the result. Im a happy girl!

Needed an undo, called and was told they are open on Sunday. Was in a wedding and John says he can do it. I show up and he is in the back asking a coworker if shell take me– she says no, she’s off and came in for her client. He comes out, not knowing I heard and says we need to go to another shop, walk 2 blocks to a nail salon where he curled my hair and was at a loss what to do! Everything I suggested, he just couldn’t do– I could have done better! Thankfully he knew he messed up and didn’t charge me. Ruined my day! My daughter fixed my hair better than he did– don’t see John! He’s not a stylist or professional

Myong is incredible. Great service, excellent cut and style. Exactly what I asked for. Highly recommended!
Her availability is slightly better these days, since with the down economy, people are spacing out their haircuts more.
I first got her as a walk in, and have been back twice. I really love my cut.

Michael and Jon Jay have been taking care of my hair for about 16 months. They are gracious guys and are very customer oriented. They kind of tag team the shampoo, color, cut and style and together do a stylish job. They keep meticulous records and have come up with a gorgeous mahogany color for my hair.
I first came to them for a Yuko treatment to straighten my hair and have stayed with them. I highly recommend the Yuko hair straightening treatment; it left my hair very soft and flat for almost 12 months. As it grows out, my hair is slowly getting coarse and frizzy again, and so I plan to get a repeat Yuko treatment when it gets to the point of needing to be ironed everyday.

I just got my hair cut today and I told Sunnie that I wanted thick, sultry, and sexy layers.
And that is exactly what I got.
When I caressed my fingers through my hair, I thought it felt a little thick on the top, and asked Sunnie to texture it out a little more even when I was about ready to leave and she was more than happy to do touch up on whatever I wasn’t satisfied with. I didn’t feel like I was nagging her because she was a very cheerful helper :)
The atmosphere was very pleasant, dim lighting except for infront of the mirrors, exciting location — right off downtown Los Altos strip, and kind service. Walk-​ins are welcome as are appointments that you make just 30 minutes before you get there (I think I was lucky today :)!)
I found this place because I was specifically looking for Sunnie who used to work at Hair International in Stanford Shopping Center. I’m usually scared of letting people try to make my hair look good, but Sunnie is my hair’s charm. Because I have very long and thick Asian hair, she knows what to do. Also, she makes me feel so great about myself and has such a positive attitude about everything. I recommend this place — and ask Sunnie for coloring treatments! That’s actually her specialty.

I really cannot comment on the quality or abilities of the stylists at Balisimo because after two tries I have not been able to get by the incredible attitude and rudeness of the reception or scheduling staff. Super friendly? Try Super Snotty! Each time I stood and waited to make an appointment the staff was more concerned with their lunch order than taking care of a potential client. Wow.
Los Altos has about a million (okay I exaggerate) salons and really I do not need the aggrivation, attitude or lack of interest that Balisimo puts out at the outset to try and find out if their abilities are worth it… and from what I saw in the chairs while I waited for my appointments was NOT impressive. one or two steps above Super Cuts… maybe.

Liked:
Super friendly staff that make you feel like the Queen that you are.
Updated clean & spacious facilities, supposedly Tuscan style.
Feels like you’re Spa-​ing: relaxing tunes are played.
Bumble & Bumble products used at the back bar.
No product pushing here.
Walk-​ins are TRULY welcomed.
Cuts range b/​t $ 70 – 75, of course, I was charged $ 75. Ha! *bitter laugh*
FREE bang trims.
Disliked:
My stylist didn’t seem to have much knowledge of Asian hair or styling bangs.
I’ll have to update when my hair is more settled, but so far, so good.