Mantra Salon and Spa

Hairdresser in Pacifica — see my Paul Strom review — threw up all over this haircut. I have fine thin hair which was inappropriately layered. No wonder it didn’t hang right the day after. Now it has to grow for six months. Arrgh.

Just got a GREAT cut from Kurt! Seriously, he made me look good, and that isn’t easy :)

Man, someone needs to update the hours for this place (guess I will do it myself, if I can.)
They’re really only open till 8:00 pm on the nights they have listed as 9pm. I tried going in to get my brows waxed just now (it’s 8:02pm) and their website, Google, & Unilocal all state 9pm closure on Thurs. A browwax takes maybe 10 – 15 min to do tops, and perhaps 5 – 10 for cleanup, if I had to guess — (avg approximations based on gettin ‘em done since middle school… what can I say? I’m a hairy fucker. Thanks, DNA!)
I literally live 2 minutes away. Could prolly even walk, if I was fast. Which I am not. So I’d drive. Yeah. My work schedule has been crazy lately so I figured «why not?» I call them up just to see if there’s a person around who could still do them. The phone rang and rang for a good minute or so; was about to hang up when someone answered. OK cool, so they’re open. I told them I could be there in literally 2 minutes maybe less if I sped down 5^th street and knocked over some grannies en route.
She hmmed and hawwed and basically was like «ohh we’re uhh closing in 30 mins.» So wouldn’t that be enough time to get my brows done? Jeez. I’m not asking for the world here. Explained my work schedule has been busy as fuck (basically the reason why I have dropped off the face of Unilocal lately) thus hard to give exact times when I am free due to last minute work things poppin up and not really having a normal schedule, ever. Not to mention being plagued with random illness lately (oh it has been a joy!) Yeah, you don’t exactly want to go outside when your colon is ripping you apart from the inside because you ate some chives on your pasta. Grrr. But I digress…
If they had just said «sorry we had a long day & just want to close up shop and go home» that would have been TOTALLY FINE with me. I get it! I had a long-​ass day too, which is why I only just now have time to get my shit taken care of. Meh! But they didn’t say that.
The other thing that bugs me about this place? You have to literally BEG them to rip your hair off. Every. Single. Time. I have come here for a wax, they’ve always been, «but we can’t take off tooo muuuch cause then yer brows will be, like, totally spaarse!» Um. Isn’t that the point of a brow wax? My brows grow at an overwhelming rate. Like, I really want to do a graphic/​chart for you ppl to give you an idea about how fucking insane of a rate of regrowth I have. But I am tired from a re-​fucking-​diculous day, and no need to waste anymore keystrokes.
tl;dr — I am no business major but this I know — if your customer pays you for X, and you don’t want to give them X, then why in the hell are you waxing brows, dammit? If you list your hours are till 9pm, and you don’t feel like being open for business until 9pm, then change your hours. Don’t even advertise it if you don’t wanna do it, shit.
I’ve even told them I’d sign a waiver in case they rip off more than anticipated! Isn’t this the reason brow pencils were invented? I have enough brow pencils that I could probably give one to every homeless drag queen in the country! Fuck. It’s not a big deal! My great-​grandma lost both of her eyebrows in a freak stove explosion accident. You know what she did? She fucking penciled them back on, like a boss. Yeah, she was poor asf and living in the Great Depression era, but guess what? She didn’t GAF and managed to find a brow pencil despite all that. God rest her soul.
Have told them many times to make them as thin as possible. Finally, one time (right before the con), I thank Zeus that the manager or someone of authority was in there as the one girl was doing brows and was arguing with me that «thick brows are in style now» and I wanted to be like «hey, I am looking for a fuck to give about what you just said right now, but I cannot seem to find one!» — but I didn’t say that because I’m not really as much of an ass as this review makes me sound. Lmao! But shit. I was thinking it.
Finally the manager responds to the gal doing my brows and tells her, «so-​and-​so, I think she really wants them thin. Just make them thin. That is what she wants.» FINALLY. A shred of sense! If only I could specifically ask for the manager/​whomever it was who imparted this insightful grain of knowledge to wax mine brows each and every time henceforth!
Alas!
I used to be a regular customer, but not so much anymore. I don’t know. Maybe I will feel differently about it in a day or two, but I think for now, I will go to the other salon on Main street a few doors down, or maybe just fucking custom cuts, because at least they won’t argue with me about removing my own damn hair. Or fuck it. *grabs tweezers* … *rips out all hair* THERE.
I have nothing more to say other than I am disappoint. Yes, disappoint. And also here is a photograph of Kate Moss rocking thin eyebrows.
THIN EYEBROWS FO LYFE, BETCHES!!!1111

I highly recommend Mantra. I was a client there when it was Metro. My stylist moved on, so I found another. Now, he is at Mantra. I know the owner and know first hand that should you have a complaint she will make it right for you. If you come across rudeness or a bad cut please let her know. (It really is easier than getting a resentment and bad mouthing the entire establishment!)
I’m grateful for Mantra; the professional way in which the business is run and the fabulous way my hair looks! I’m worth the extra bucks.

Very pleased with my recent color, provided by Rachel. This was the first time I have used Rachel’s services, and she took the time to find out exactly what I wanted for my color/​overall effect. It turned out perfectly.
I also appreciate their late week night hours. Very easy to still get appointments after work.

I have had my hair styled here by most of the stylists. They are all very nice and easy to talk too. The Spa is GREAT! If you need to relax they will take care of you better than some higher priced businesses and you will get great service and not feel rushed like a chain spa. GOOD WORK everyone keep it up!!!

Another great experience at Mantra!
Had a massage with Cherie She knew exactly what areas I needed work on by my gait. Cherie explained everything before we started, So I knew what to expect. Let’s just say I love Cranial Sacral Therapy. Very relaxting and I feel like a new woman.
I also had a facial (I know spoiled, right?) with Melissa. She was gentle and calming. What more can I say. Wonderful.

Great atmosphere. Beautiful décor. Love my hair and all my new products! Recently had a facial in the spa and LOVED it!

Was in town for daughter’s sports team competition weekend and several moms decided we wanted to have some pampering while they practiced. Mantra was super helpful in scheduling eight of us for different appointments at adjacent times so we all could get in. They even took two women as walk-in’s.
I had a massage (with Stephanie) which was fantastic. One of the best I’ve gotten, and the aromatherapy was great too. This is an Aveda spa, but they were not pushy with product and were very welcoming and relaxed, while having an adorable ambiance.
Also got a great «Carribbean» manicure — which was a Greg way to extend the relaxation.
My girlfriends got various manicures, facials and massages and each one of us was very happy, and especially so since we all booked last minute.
When we’re back for this competition again, I’ll be back!

I’ve been going to Mantra (formerly Metro) for about a year. I absolutely love the staff. They go out of their way to make you feel special each and every visit and are genuinely concerned that you leave happy with your service. I can’t say enough good things about them.
Clean — YUP
Cute — YUP
Relaxing — YUP
Talented — YUP YUP!
I almost don’t want to tell everyone how good they are so that I don’t end up unable to get an appointment!

Mantra Salon and Spa formally Metro the Salon and Spa. Aveda Hair Salon services include hair color, hair cuts, conditioning treatments, and straightening. Aveda Spa services include massage, couples massage, hot stone massage facials, cranial scral therapy, reiki, waxing, manicures and pedicures. You can get everything in one spot.