Famous Design

Can’t say enough good things about Kevin. Finally found someone who understands how to cut my hair!
Let me first start off my saying my hair was really long, down to my butt. I had been growing it out for a couple of years to donate. Finally decided to make the jump and go for a bob! Prior to picking a place, I wanted to do my research. After reading a ton of Unilocal reviews, I decided to go with Famous Design. I actually called on a Sunday late afternoon, hoping to make an appointment for sometime later in the week, but they had an opening that evening.
As soon as I walked in the door, they sat me down and started cutting away. Actually, they made one big cut first, which made me want to cry a little bit, not going to lie. I haven’t had short hair since high school! I think I had a pretty good reason to be nervous. Kevin took the utmost care in cleaning up my bob and making sure there was not a single hair out of place. After he was seemingly done, I swear he went through and started cutting individual strands to make sure it was all good.
He didn’t put too much product in my hair. Although I can never create the same «salon look,» the cut was perfect and easy for me to deal with every morning. I immediately received compliments on my new ‘do, and even now, almost two months later, I’m still getting compliments. I plan on going back to Kevin in the future for touch-​ups and possible future donations.

I’ve been going to Henry for haircuts for three consecutive years between 2010 – 2013. Now, I don’t go to him often because I don’t typically cut my hair as often as I should. Plus, it took a good 45 minute drive in order to get there. I had been living in San Lorenzo at the time so it was a quite a drive to Milpitas to see him. However, I would be happy after every single visit. Henry is simply amazing. I always get the same type of cut, which is layers and he is the master at cutting layers.
I remember one year, I had decided to go to a salon that was close to my house. It was cheaper and closer so it should have been a win/​win situation, right? Well, they royally screwed up my hair. They gave me very distinct layers. They did not blend in at all. So you know what I did? I went back to Henry — crying at that. Henry was just as confused when he looked at my hair. He pretty much said, «What were they doing? How did they cut this?» But it’s okay folks, he ended up fixing my hair and my layers. It looked great afterwards.
You’re probably wondering why I’m writing this review in 2016. Well, I moved away in 2014 and for two years, I haven’t been able to find someone that could cut as well as Henry in the layers department. So during one of my recent trips back to San Francisco to visit some family, I decided to see if Henry was available for a haircut. I called on Sunday morning, made an appointment for after lunch, and it went on from there.
Even after moving away for two years, he still remembered me :) I had him pretty much chop off my hair. I always forget that when he cuts layers, he cuts it with a lot of layers so it always looks shorter than it really is. Whoops! It still looked great and eventually, it will grow out. But as I sat there, I can’t help but to just LOVE his style of cutting.
Most barbers that I have gone to will always do a blunt cut for the very last layer and then start layering hair from there. Henry? Oh no. He starts cutting by cutting it in a layer format. He is very calculated with his cutting. Your hair will be washed, cut in layers, dried and straightened, and then he will go through to make sure everything is layered properly. What I love is that he straightens your hair to make sure everything is good. You can properly see the layering when your hair is straight so if something is wrong — either not layered enough or bad layering, you should be able to see it. I have a lot of hair so I do appreciate that he thins that out as well.
Best part. No shears. Everything is done with cutting. Everything is done with scissors.
Haircuts are typically $ 45 from him. Includes wash, dry, and straightening. I definitely recommend Henry if you are someone who always loves your hair in layers :)

Henry is the best! He’s very good at making layers.
He’s always listening to your idea first, and giving you good suggestions to make you more prettier.
In a word, Henry is the one really knows how.
Highly recommend!

She asked for $ 45 ($ 50 including tips) only for hair cut. It is too high! I will never come again. If I knew this high, I would not come in.

No matter which salon I go to, I always end up coming back to this place. Its on the expensive side, but I never leave unhappy. I got both haircuts and highlights. I always ask for Henry. Sometimes when he is busy, I’m ok with other people too. I had Eddie and two other man cut my hair before. Very nice looking salon. It is very Chinese based salon. Friendly people.

Eva is awesome! She is so approachable and nice hair stylist to work with. I got really bored with my hair style and it’s really flat and thick. anyhow, I am doing purple ombré coloring to my hair! It’s so much work and I am surprise the level of details she needs to put in. She starts it off to breach my hair in the bottom part and pairing with blue and purple color in it. so beautiful!!! Thanks Eva! I got so many compliments from people.
P. s. the process took me 5 hours. I won’t be survive if the salon is nice and Eva Keep me awake by chatting with. Haha…

i asked for a blow dry and a nice hairstyle, they tried to do it but somehow failed. bow dry didn’t last even 15 minutes, they didn’t have the basic knowledge about how to use a curling iron. Blow dry is not shampooing and then using the straightener and curling iron directly after drying. i was so disappointed. Gave 40 $ for stupid looking hair.

Today I decided I wanted a completely different look. Amy was able to provide that look for me. I went from long, straight hair to a chic, wavy look. She was quick and efficient and did a great job. I would definitely return if I lived in the area.
I have to edit my review after my sister’s experience. She wanted a balayage (less pronounce than ombré) and was less than satisfied with Henry’s work. Her hair came out brassy and not at all what she wanted. She sat there for 5 hours and didn’t receive what she asked for. She’ll have to find someone else to fix it.

Wasn’t a horrible place but didn’t make me want to go back more. I got a regular buzz cut and was charged pretty high. I guess I’m used to cheaper asian quick and fast cuts.
They do try to make you comfortable for your visit and try to explain to you about how to do your hair afterwards. 3 stars is mostly for their charge on my plain, simple buzz cut.

Famous Design is my new HAIR HAVEN now.
Thanks Eva SO VERY MUCH !!! I’m so glad I found you.
I called for appointment like 15 minutes before coming in. And I didn’t have to wait at all. Eva cut my hair and totally transformed it to a new style that so represents me & my personality now .
My two friends came here afterwards and feel the same way of her AWESOMENESS too.
Fierce!

They do wedding hair designs and basically all kinds of style to your hair!
I do recommend appointments — especially when you’re doing it for a banquet or some sort of special occasion. The hair styles were done very well! They knew how to make short hair look long when tied up!
Don’t fret! They accommodate on no appointment basis as well!

I have been here twice for haircut… Their cuts are pretty good! But I have noticed that they tend to chop off more than what you want… so if you don’t want that to happen make sure u tell them repeatedly how much you want them to cut!
One thing I really want to mention… last time when I was there for my cut the stylist started ironing my hair a) without applying any heat protectant products (I feel it is a must and other places do!!) b) he started ironing my hair while it was still damp!!!(that is a complete No-​No). I iron my hair every week so I do know how to protect it. So I asked if they could dry my hair longer an then start ironing… They obliged but still it was a bit damp… did not feel good about this at all! The cut however came out exactly the way I wanted.
If they can pay little more attention to protect customers’a hair… I will be going back again! After all one pays close to $ 45 including tip for the hair cut…

I’m not too picky about hair, and I have long hair, so I don’t get haircut often enough. But my man is super picky. We live in south San Jose, and every 3 weeks or so he has to come up to Milpitas for haircut. He has tried several places in San Jose and Milpitas (in the same shopping area), but the past 3 – 4 years, he has been coming to Famous Design. Henry is his hair stylist. He likes how Henry uses scissors to trim his hair which requires more skills and attention. Sometimes Henry is on vacation, Eva (who is also the owner of the shop) gives my man the haircut, and he’s also satisfied with Eva. He said both of them have their own ways, but they both know how to cut hair in a different level as compared to other hair stylists in the area.
I’ve had haircut with both Henry and Eva, and I was happy. But again, I’m not too picky, so it’s doesn’t matter.
It’s definitely not cheap here for asian hair shops. $ 25 for men and $ 40 for women. But if you’re really picky about your hairstyles, you should definitely give this place a try. It is not a fancy place. It is just any typical Asian Hair Salon. So the prices are not for the high-​end services because it’s no special services here. There’s not even water or drinks offered like you would get from other «high-​end» salons.
Both Henry and Eva can speak English, but I believe their main language is Cantonese since Henry is originally from Hongkong.

I found this place through Unilocal and because of high number of reviews and ratings, I thought I’ll give it a try. I booked an appointment for 9am without mentioning name of anyone. When I arrived a guy at the salon checked me in and started working on my hair, then another lady came and started shouting at him, saying that she was supposed to work on my hair. I couldn’t quite understand what they were fighting for, because I don’t understand Mandarin, but it was very awkward as they were screaming loudly at each other.
The shampooing process was quite good, specially some head massage that I got in between, but I was not happy with the haircut. My hair is fine and straight, but they cut my hair the way that it suits think straight hair, like Asian hair.
Overall not happy with the service I got or the haircut. I won’t be going back here again.

$ 40 for a cheap-​looking asian haircut.
Based on the reviews, I asked for Eva. Brought in a picture and she ended up giving me the «asian» version of it… too thin, pointy, and super straight… a bit comical, really. I was surprised she charged so much for the cut. Yes, I came in with long hair, but all she did was grabbed it into a pony tail and lopped it off with two strokes. The rest of her techniques were not much more sophisticated (she had a 2007 certificate of completion for a basic cutting course… she hasn’t updated her formal training since and it shows). The worst was when I tied my hair up into a pony tail at home and the flaws really showed – the strands were choppy, uneven, and just all over the place. Ugh.

Thank you, Eddie for my hair and makeup on 08÷03÷13.
I brought my bridesmaid dress as I knew I would not have time to go back home to change and because I wanted him to pick colors that would coordinate well w/​my emerald green. Hey, emerald is my birth month gem! Anyway.
He urged me to change into my getup then he observed me a bit before he pulled out his makeup thingy which seems like a gigantic ass caboodle. From a client’s eye, he was well prepared. He was also early because I came early. My appointment was at 10:30am but I came at 10:00am. The manager called and told him I was here so he rushed over… how is that for service?
He did my makeup first. I told him I do not want a dramatic look. I am not one to wear makeup let alone go above and beyond on a usual given day but this is my best friend’s wedding and since I saw on her timeline that the bridal crew has to do a cat walk introduction before the reception, I knew I needed assistance. Eddie applied all these things yet somehow did not weigh my face down like how most makeup applications would. He compared the lashes, even the lipstick to my face before applying them. I hate glitter but I liked the 2 – 3 things of glitter that seemed to make my eyes sparkle…
Next came the hair. I have a round face, not to mention the scar on my forehead so I pleaded him to keep my hair down and my bangs. Whatever else is up to him. He decided to curl my hair. I watched on as he was doing it so I may do it tomorrow just to repeat the feeling of being pretty. When I stood up and walked around to examine myself in all angles, everyone (staff to customers) noticed me. Hell, even me going to my car to get my heels, a passerby noticed me. I loved it.
$ 150 plus tip later, I felt like a new Tram.
On my drive to the hotel to meet the bride and the rest, I realized that I am no beauty queen, regardless of what everyone sees or thinks, my weight issues, my confidence issues, etc., etc… «I just am beautiful me» (Who Says by Selena Gomez). After feeling like crap due to the stomach flu and various other emotional ups and downs, I can say that I am OK w/​things and that improvements and striving for achievements is to come. I am so ready.

I went here for the first time last week and I absolutely love how my hair turned out! I’ve been going to other salons trying to achieve the style they gave me.
Amy did my hair and I wasn’t really sure how I wanted it cause I’m really picky when it gets to hairstyles I like so I just showed her a couple of pictures I was interested in. and told her to «Keep the length and have a lot of layers». And she knew exactly what to do. She knows what looks best with your type of hair, facial structure and would give you tips on how to style it at home.
The place doesn’t feel cheap and I love their bathroom!
Been getting a lot of compliments from my friends and co-​workers too.
Thank you I’ll be coming back here again!

I have to give the lady boss 5 stars!
I went there 2 weeks ago and did my hair. Well, it was my birthday that day and I need to do my hair and I don’t think why should I make an appointment. So, came to this salon by luck and gave a call to see if they have opening. Yes! She asked me to come by in 15 mins. I was so trilled! I went there asap and I don’t have to wait long. I just showed her the picture and told her «just look similar is fine’. But once it’s completed i was so shocked that it look exactly the same as the picture i showed her. Note: I only showed her once and she can do the same. That’s pretty amazing. And she did it in less than 30 mins. I got a lot of compliment all night long. All credit to her. I will for sure gonna look for her again.

My roots needed major touch-​up. When I went to Redken in Saratoga the girl at the front told me that it may be difficult to match, and made it seem like a really big deal. So I went to Famous Design. Eva took a look, just asked, «you want the color to match, right?» and then got to work. 1 hour later, perfectly matched. No hassle.
Haircut isn’t my favorite though not bad at all. So 4 stars! :)

I was referred to Eva by a good friend of mine who always gets her hair done here and although I was definitely skeptical at first I found Eva and Famous Design to be quite promising and will be back soon!
Usually this is how it goes when I get my hair done at an Asian hair salon. I’ll walk in, I’ll explain to the hairdresser what it is I’m looking for and what I want and don’t want, and then I’ll get something that’s completely not what I wanted. Why? Because usually Asian people feel like they know what you want better than you do. That if you say don’t thin my hair you actually mean thin my hair because after all… who likes thick hair? =.=
BUT NOT HERE! Thankfully, Eva adhered to all of my requests and my hair turned out fantastic. I don’t know how she did it but she even made it so that my bangs stopped curling in this weird way for the longest time after the cut which had never happened before with that same style! I really enjoyed going there and it was also QUICK. I do know that some people feel like they’re paying for a service so they drag their time out but 30 – 40 minutes for a haircut is way too long. I really liked that she was able to do everything and quickly! Definitely A+