Tulip Salon

Catherine is nothing short of remarkable. Not only is she incredibly skillful at color and cuts, she values your time. I feel lucky just to get an appointment with this artist. I love my hair. Thank you so much!

I was worried it would be difficult to find a new hairdresser when I moved to San Francisco over a year ago. Thank goodness I found the perfect match in Catherine on my very first try! Aside from Catherine being a natural at what she does, I think perhaps her greatest gift is in listening to and understanding what I want.
A blond since childhood, I have always highlighted my hair as an adult and I pride myself in trying to look as natural as possible. I expected it would take time to ‘train’ a new hairdresser when I switched from the one I’d had for years back home, but Catherine kept my cut and color looking seamless (if not better) from day-​one. Now that I recently passed the ½ century mark, I am transitioning into my more natural color and she knows how to do exactly what I ask.
I look forward to my appointments with Catherine. She’s never taken too much off the length and I’ve always been happy with the result. Even my 23 year old daughter who has thick, long, dark brown hair became a devout client when Catherine gave her the ‘ombré’ look and it turned out better than she even expected.
Her salon is in a prime location and it’s a quiet refuge from life’s normal chaos. Catherine spends the time she needs to make her clients satisfied (and she calls ahead to let you know if she’s running a little late). I am grateful that Tulip was the first place I went to when I began my new hairdresser search. My search began and ended there. I highly recommend giving Tulip Salon a try!

Catherine is very kind, and more importantly: very skilled. She dealt with my acres and acres of pregnancy hair (it’s a well documented phenom that you end up with far thicker, faster growing hair during and sometimes after your pregnancy) with aplomb, and didn’t chastise me or make stupid comments about how I had let it go.
I left feeling like I regained a semblance of my once-​less-​frumpy self, and she even clued me into (and gave me a sample of) a new product to help lift the roots.
I can’t comment on her coloring skills (maybe after a few more months of sleepless new parent nights), but I do think the cut grew out rather nicely, and I’ve been pleased with the new product as well.
I also love the online booking– it makes things much simpler.
[Edit] I just went back for a trim, and am equally happy this second time around.

I’ve gone to Catherine several times, and I think she does a very good job on cuts & color. However, I was very disappointed to have a terrible customer experience the last time I was there.
Catherine had called me about half an hour before my appointment to say she was running late and asked if I could come at 4:30pm instead of 4pm. When I showed up at 4:30pm, she was still in the middle of the previous appointment and didn’t get to me until 5pm. I had just sat down when another girl walked in saying she had a 5pm appointment — apparently, Catherine had forgotten to call her, so she asked her to wait. She applied my color, then did the other girl’s entire wash, cut & blowdry during the time she had me sitting under the heat lamp. I was waiting for at least an extra 15 – 20 minutes with the color in my hair, which can’t be good for you (not to mention frustrating because we were already starting an hour late and I had 5:30pm dinner reservations, which I’d already had to push back).
The color does not come with a blow-​dry, which seems strange and is annoying when you’re paying $ 85+. She lightly dried my hair, but it still looked and felt very wet, and I didn’t want to go outside in the chilly SF air or to dinner with a head of wet hair. I asked if I could just dry it a little more myself with her hairdryer — she said she didn’t want me using it, but she would dry it a little extra. «A little» is all she did, so my hair was still quite wet, but I was ready to give up at that point, and was already very late for dinner.
I had brought back a product that I’d purchased the last time that was unopened and unused, since I didn’t like the feel of it in my hair after I’d left the salon. She said I could return it but she’d have to charge me a 20% restocking fee — which didn’t make much sense since she was still selling the product, and it would be very easy to just stick it back on the shelf, which was all of an arm’s length away from the front desk.
When she went to ring me up, I got the credit for the product less the 20% restocking fee, but my bill was still $ 10 higher than I thought it should have been. I asked about it, and was told that she’d had to use extra color on my hair, so it was $ 95 instead of the typical $ 85. I was surprised because it had always been $ 85 in the past (and my hair has been roughly the same length every time), and she also hadn’t told me when she was doing the color that it would be an extra charge.
I still gave a 15% tip on the full amount, but wished afterward that I hadn’t tipped at all because of the level of service. She took me an hour late, had me sit with color in my hair for an extra 15 – 20 minutes while finishing up the appointment scheduled after mine, and still had the nerve to charge me a 20% restocking fee on an unused product and an extra $ 10 on hair color. I was very disappointed to have an experience like this, after being a good customer, and I would have kept going back for the good job she does, but will now find a different salon that treats customers better.

Catherine was great, she solved my bridal hair emergency! You can trust your bridal hair to her, to help you choose a style that works for you. I was recommended to Catherine through Chris at Makeup Gourmet who was doing my bridal makeup. My usual stylist was clearly unable to do bridal hair after we did 2 attempts, so in a panic I sent out a plea and Chris recommended Catherine. Luckily she was available, 3 weeks before my wedding. I initially wanted to wear my hair down but also didn’t want to fuss all day so Catherine did 2 pre styles to help me find the perfect up do. Day of she did the beautiful style that was up but still showed the elegance and style of my long blonde hair. It held all day through photos, ceremony, reception. She also did lovely styles for others in my wedding party. If you want a great bridal style, go to Catherine at Tulip Salon.

I’m one of those snobby kids who grew up going to the same fancy (overpriced) salon in my entire life. When I moved to San Francisco I truly struggled to find a place where I felt comfortable in and came away loving my hair. After three years I can finally say I’m home (when it comes to my hair stylist).
When I sat in her chair, I told Catherine to cut the dead away but leave a medium length. At most salons when I say this, my hair comes out in an awkward bob that is far shorter than I had wished, but not here. My hair was healthy and shiny, my bangs framed my face perfectly and my length was still in tact.
As we talked, she gave me tips about using a rounded brush and suggestions on better products to shampoo and condition with, but didn’t pressure me to purchase what she had in the salon.
I need to schedule my next appointment ASAP… Oh wait, that’s easy too with her online booking system!

I went to Tulip because it had great reviews and frankly was convenient to my house but I left underwhelmed.
–I’m looking for someone to style my hair that has an opinion and Catherine repeatedly said she’s only here to do what I want. Even when I said no, help me decide, boss me around a little, she was like no that’s not what I’m here for. At least help me decide what length my layers would look best for heavens sake! Have an opinion!
–I appreciate that it’s kind of awkward when you’re cutting hair to not talk, but I felt like she was only making small talk cause she had to and that she wasn’t the least interested in anything I said.
–She announced that I had a long grey hair snd chuckled – NOT ok.
–When I said I used a metal curling iron she tsk’d me and told me about how bad it was but followed it up with «but hey, i’m not here to judge.» Thanks but I think you already did
–Last, I booked my appt online and the site said it would be $ 85 – which is already expensive but I was willing to do it for the promise of a good experience. However, when my hair was done I was told it was $ 95. Not sure where the price came from but it certainly wasn’t what the site led me to believe (or other reviews).
I originally wanted to give four stars Because my hair cut was pretty good and I’m picky, but the rating says I’m a fan, but in the end I’m not. That said, I don’t think I’ll be back, I’d rather spend $ 95 for a less awkward experience, we just didn’t click.

Catherine is the greatest, period.
Tulip is this awesome little hole-​in-​the-​wall salon on Polk Street that has a great vibe, and Catherine makes it all worthwhile. She has a great sense of humor, is charming, has great stories, and most importantly cuts a mean head of hair. She also could be Charlize Theron’s sister, but you can be the judge :)

Just had my first cut & color with Catherine. My hair looks & feels great! Catherine took the time to understand my hair and what I like. Both she and her space are calm & serene. And it doesn’t hurt that she’s only 2 blocks away.

Catherine did a good job on my hair for my wedding. We had a trial day, which went well, but I felt a little rushed by her.
Also, the day of my wedding she rushed through my hair a bit too. I like fast paced people, but it was my wedding and I wanted to make it perfect.
I would go back, but make sure she takes her time.

I am usually hesitant to write reviews for stylist, but given the track record I have had with many bad stylist I think Catherine deserves a review. Not only did Catherine correct the color that was so horribly wrong, she has consistently provided great service and my hair has never looked better. She knows exactly what she is doing. One of the best things about seeing Catherine is that I do not have to sit in her salon for 3 hours to get my hair done. I am in and out in an hour and a half. All these salons double/​triple book their appointments so you sit there forever. If you are looking for a great cut/​color this is a wonderful salon to check out.

Catherine is a COLOR GENIUS! I’ve been a happy client for the whole 5 years she’s been on Polk Street. Most recently, she performed a miracle: she took out the experimental rock star black (!) I had requested months earlier and brought me back to my «natural» auburn in one sitting! I get compliments on my hair color all the time and steered several friends in Catherine’s direction. She’s just awesome with hair!

My friend recommended I see Catherine, since i love her hair color and it was time for me to redo my highlights and base color. When i came in I made sure to explain why i am not happy with my past colorists. She listened to me and gave me her suggestions as to how to fix my problem. I accepted and i was very impressed. I love how she matched my color and delivered exactly what i was looking for in the first visit.
The only reason why i did not give her 5 stars is because i was a bit taken back by the price not including the blow dry. It went from $ 150 to $ 200 to include the blow dry. So plus tip i shelled out $ 240 for the touch up of base and highlights. I believe her service is worth it, but it be nice to have the blow dry complementary as i have always had in the past w/​my past colorists. Its already pretty expensive for me to make the drive out to SF from Tracy (toll and gas) and pay for parking to have to also pay for the blow out. Other than that i have no negative feedback. Nice lady and good work. =)

Catherine did my hair for my wedding in October plus the hair of my now mother-​in-​law and five of my bridesmaids. I was a little nervous about timing for our 5pm wedding, but my bridesmaids there before my afternoon appointment let me know they were done about half an hour or so earlier than we expected since I’d allowed some extra time.
Catherine was quick and efficient, but did it all while listening carefully and patiently plus coming up with great ideas for some of my bridesmaids who weren’t sure what to do with their hair. She did a trial for me and I was shocked both at the trial and on the day of my wedding how thick and curly she was able to make my thin, straight hair look when I decided that was the style I really wanted despite my worries my hair couldn’t do it. But Catherine made it happen and made it look fantastic!
My bridesmaids and mother-​in-​law were also thrilled with their hairstyles which looked gorgeous and all agreed that Catherine did wonders making their hair look even more full and thick than it was naturally and our hair stayed in great shape throughout the wedding even though the wind didn’t help here and there. The pricing was reasonable for wedding hairdos and as mentioned and I would definitely recommended Tulip Salon for special occasions like this.

Ok this is my long overdue review for the amazing Catherine! I have followed her and basically stalked her for the past ten years for my haircolor. She is absolutely amazing!
I have very difficult to color thick black asian hair. She has always managed to lighten and tone the color to exactly what I want. When I wanted blonde with silver highlights. She was there! When I wanted a slightly lighter brown with a few blended highlights. She completely saved me. There are no orange tones in my hair which usually concludes from lightening dark brown hair. There are no brassy, uneven blotches, there is only shiny, richly colored hair that makes me feel pretty =).
I’m very thankful and lucky to have found her!

This review is long overdue as I got married in May and have been meaning to write about the great job Catherine did in accommodating all of the updo’s and blow outs of my bridal party.
In addition, my hair was done beautifully and lasted an entire day of windy weather, she did such an amazing job.
She graciously worked through a schedule to get everyone done on time and looking beautiful.
I looked at several places on Polk street and she was by far the most accommodating and kind.
Prices are about even to or slightly below the competition, which was helpful in deciding to select Tulip salon.
We all loved the work that she did and would highly recommend her to help with any kind of special event and also great with working with many different hair types.
Thank you Catherine!

This salon is so wonderful. The owner really knows her stuff when it comes to color, cut, the whole schbang! Catherine is always on time and really cares about her clients, to make sure the client is completely satisfied. I have been a faithful client for as long as I can remember and wouldn’t think of ever going anywhere else.
if you want someone who knows her stuff, make it a priority to get yourself into Tulip Salon. Oh, and her jewerly is fastastic too!

I’ve been prancing around my apartment for the past two hours because I wanted my hair to dance in the air and get the attention it deserves!
Yup. Tulip Salon is THAT good. The owner really took her time discussing what I wanted (instead of forcing a look on me like my previous hair colorists) and knew exactly what color looked good on my hair. She explained each step along the way, educating me on hair products, techniques, etc. Just from the way she talks I know that she’s pro. I haven’t visited the Colour Room before but now I know why it was super popular back when she was still around.
If you’re a hair fanatic, this is the place to be.
Oh don’t worry about the one-​hour parking situation around the salon. Just ask her what to do.
Back to prancing…

I’m not one to spend more than $ 20 on getting my hair cut. but I decided to go for it and try a place close to where my fiancé lives. Thankfully the first place I called («Salon») was booked because I was able to get an appointment with Catherine at Tulip. I found Tulip on Unilocal with 5-​star reviews and I made sure to check out the website which was helpful as far as listing out services and pricing. she did a nice job on her site (
).
Catherine accidentally double-​booked me and another customer, but she still managed to get us both in and keep us both happy. I was very pleased with the one-​on-​one feel. One chair – she’s the owner and stylist. I felt comfortable with Catherine. She’s friendly and doesn’t have that expensive salon attitude that some places give off. her salon has a nice feel to it.
I asked her opinion about how my hair should be cut/​styled and I was pleased with the outcome. Overall great experience :) And when I went out that night, even my fiancé’s friends noticed my hair!

Catherine is fabulous! She did my hair on my wedding day and did a great job. I went back to her for cut and color, and I am very happy with the result. The cost was very reasonable as well.
The last time I was in her darling salon, I realized she is a very talented jewelry designer too. I bought the cutest necklace from her, AND she went home and made me a matching one that same night. Priceless…