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Ginger Rubio
Rating Details »
Categories: Hair Salons, Art Galleries [Edit]
Neighborhood: Mission600 Shotwell St
(between 20th St & 21st St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 829-7750
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
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52 reviews for Ginger Rubio
As the "aughts" draw to a close, it's hard to avoid fixating on growth and change, constancy and touchstones. (Maybe easier to avoid if you're not a sentimental sap, or maybe you're a buddhist? Or an alcoholic?)
I have a new hair salon.
No longer the grungy, messy-haired frump who haunted the Haight for much of the decade, jealously guarding dead-ends and tilting at windmills, I am now a grown-up lady with a bike commute, vegetarian cookbooks, and premarital cohabitation in an upstairs flat. The kind of lady with bangs and layers, no visible roots, and a spare bedroom used as an office.
After molting most of the trappings of the unmoored disconnected years, I find only the most solid touchstones remain. The "real" friends, the good habits, the simple whiskey and soda.
And Shelley, the watchful custodian of my bangs and layers, the artiste of my dark-but-in-a-chic-not-morbid-way perfect semipermanent. She does it right, every time, since the first time a half-decade ago I walked into the Shelley and Christopher show* in an upper Haight salon, a recent grad with no sense of self, and she expertly applied some shape and identity to this cabeza. My hair is always realistic and sustainable and right for my face, and I can trust that it won't go horribly wrong, which is a relief and a rare thing if you can find it. Shelley will tell you if what you think you want will lead you astray, and you can trust her to be right, if you know how to trust (it's a hard thing to learn.)
Change is good. I'm into embracing change in a grown-up way, and when you open yourself to change, sometimes you get a bright, airy loft salon with happymaking fenestration and free wine (free wine! get in there!) And, the view of passersby and proximity to a delightful neighborhoody Type 42 establishment make GingerRubio the most salutary after-work destination.
And because they're no longer held down by the Man, Shelley (and Christopher, if you're looking for him) can now cut your hair into the evening hours, at times mutually beneficial. Change = freedom.
*Background for the uninitiated: Shelley and fellow stylist Christopher created a cult following over the last 6 or so years in a little back mezzanine at the upper Haight Pure Beauty store. Characterized by showtunes, gay-phernalia, perverts, pop culture redux and naughty words, their banter made our hairstyling ritual into a smoking patio for the freaks and geeks. Pure Beauty corporate overlords were and continue to be a drag, and if you're looking for them, S & C have made the happy move to this much more attractive Mission salon.
Yelp is amazing! I just moved to SF from Atlanta and was nervous to try out a new salon. I mean, how do you find a decent salon and stylist if you don't know anyone to recommend one to you? Yelp is the answer.
After pouring through Yelp reviews of salons in my area I decided to try Ginger Rubio. I made an appointment with Melody. She refreshed my color and gave me a great cut. It's fun and stylish. I feel like a different person. She even gave me a few tips on how to meet new people in SF. Thanks, Melody :-)
Although Shelley Crowley is a styling goddess, referring to her as my "hairdresser" seems almost demeaning at this stage. I have been a dedicated patron of hers for over four years now. In fact, she was one of my very first successful discoveries off a Yelp talk thread, back when Yelp was a wee yelpie baby. At the time, I was desperately seeking a moderately priced stylist for my waist-length, thick, wavy hair and was directed to Pure Beauty on Haight by the lovely likes of Megan W and Nicole C.
I made the appointment by phone and had Shelley promise that she would stay true to her $50 quote to cut my long ("It's really really long," I insisted) hair. Of course, she let out an audible gasp the day of my appointment when she removed the rubber band off my bun and let the hair drop. Today that anecdote is tucked away in the annals of our hair-cutting history (only to be shared with anyone else who happens to get his/her hair chopped on the same day as mine :) ), but four years, a $15 price hike, and a new salon later, our relationship endures.
I feel like I can always count on Shelley for not only a great cut, but also for honest no-nonsense advice.
RR: I want to keep my hair long but do something dramatically different!
SC: Um, you can't--not unless you want pornstar hair that takes 3 hours to style every day.
RR: I want hair like that! [points to poster]
SC: Um, that's not real.
RR: Will you give me extensions?
SC: You?! No WAY!
RR: I feel like chopping my hair off today.
SC: If you want me to chop it off, go home and think about it. I'm only chopping it off if you come back and still want to!
She not only cuts my hair, she allows me to reserve TWO hours per appointment instead of the typical one since that's how long it takes to blow-dry and straighten my hair. Mind you, I don't get charged an extra cent for this special treatment. Over the last four years my hair has gone from completely blah, excessively long and ratty, with horrible orange stripes, to long-layered, cute bangs-ed, shiny and healthy...all thanks to Shelley.
Moreover, I'm so thrilled to have visited her at Ginger Rubio, her new salon. The space is a lovely two-story loft in a fun, ever up-and-coming area of the mission. The other stylists on hand are awesome (here I have to interject that the other awesome part of getting hair done by Shelley is being party to the ridiculously awesome two-man show of Shelley and her buddy/fellow stylist Christopher who has also come to Ginger Rubio). At the new studio, you get all the awesomeness of Shelley without any of the corporate micromanagement of Pure Beauty. (Not to mention you get all gussied up in Bumble&Bumble products!)
Of course, none of this explains why I'm loathe to call her my hairdresser. For that, I have to invoke tales of Yelp Christmas parties, a plane flight with drunk retards, fake Chinese in drag, a magical wine glass that never ran dry (first time at Ginger Rubio ;) ), and some badass tacos... For all those reasons and many more, I am proud to call Shelley much more than my hairstylist--she is my friend!
I came for a hair appointment with Anthony and he was very late -- I'd say, about 45 minutes. I'm sorry, but I don't care how much partying you did last night, dear. You have a business to run.
And to be fair, I had gone back a second time. Twenty minutes later after our appointment, he arrives all with dark circles around his eyes.
I would like to forgive his prima donna attitude if he did my hair really well. But my haircut was so shitty, I could have gone to Super Cuts.
No, really!!!
Pretty nonchalant about their scheduling. My first appointment there they called the day before to postpone it a day. The second time they called 15 minutes before my appointment to postpone it a half hour and when I got there I waited around for 20 minutes before leaving because they're just too flakey.
Melody is terrific. She is very thoughtful about color choices, and really listens and thinks about it before plunging in. She has tried various shades and colors and highlights on me, all with great results. She isn't afraid to tell me if she thinks a color or cut I want to do won't look good. Her cuts are very professional and last a long time. She's never done me wrong. Ginger Rubio is a fun, casual place to hang out and get your hair done. Highly recommended.
Christopher is absolutely wonderful. I followed him from Pure Beauty to Ginger Rubio, and i always leave him with my hair looking 10x better. I have VERY challenging, thick hair, but Christopher makes it feel light and easy.
The salon is beautiful. The staff offers a beverage on arrival and they also carry a great selection of Bumble and Bumble products. The staff is super friendly and helpful.
gladly followed Shelley from another salon to her new home at Ginger Rubio. parking is great. salon is bright and awesome. products are perfect and folks on the phone are always friendly. don't have to worry about trudging up a bunch of stairs either which is nice. i am happy to drive to SF from the East Bay every 6 weeks. Shelley has colored my hair for about 2 years. great advice, great cuts and she always tells me the truth about my ideas. very creative. i feel safe saying "do something with purple underneath". she always does an awesome job. 5 stars for Shelley and 5 stars for the new salon.
I went here for the first time yesterday and got my hair cut by Shelley. Not only do they use Bumble & Bumble products (which i LOVE), I was offered a glass of wine and the banter between her and fellow stylist Chris was pure entertainment.
I have really fine hair and Shelley textured the line of my hair and the cut is fabulous! The style is one I can completely manage on my own and feels great. I highly recommend this salon.
I love this Salon great hair by great stylists a huge recomendation if you want hot hair that wont quit check out this salon and ask for Anthony :]
Let me be frank in saying that I pay a good deal of money for my beautiful, wavy hair. If you want a professional, smooth, straight or curly look, this is the place.
I was losing my hair when I went here for the first time. My hair appears fuller and gorgeous now.
I've been a client of Mr. Anthony's for many years and I've ALWAYS had fantastic experiences with him! He is the finest hair stylist I've ever known and I always feel confident in how I look. Not only that, his hair cuts grow out beautifully so you continue looking great as time goes on! You can't do better than Mr. Anthony, and his new salon is a very relaxing, comfortable and fun place to hang out!
I'd had some hair trauma. Specifically, a nice blonde SPOT on the side of my head that resulted from a stylist (at some other salon) who must have been using me as his guinea pig. Clearly he wanted to make me look like one. Enough of that.
I took inventory of my friends and asked the one with the most consistently cool, creative hair to share her stylist. Here's how it went: I gave Melody at Ginger Rubio a call, she took me in within the week, made me feel comfortable with a nice beverage of my choice, was nice and fun to talk to, and best of all, she listened to what I wanted and made my hair look really good.
Fast forward two months. I just got home from my second appointment with Melody and am so happy with my cut & highlight/lowlight that I had to sit down and write a Yelp review. My hair looks way too good to come home straight after class tonight!
Oh yeah and she rides a motorcycle, too ;)
I am updating the below review because I ended up with way too many/ too short layers (think bangs around my whole head). I am going somewhere else now, but still think if you want that "mission look" this is your place.
************************************************** ************************
I highly recommend Melody! She give a kick ass hair cut and is always entertaining. Actually the only thing I ever wish was different when I am here is that I wish I was as cool as everyone else seems to be...
Tad pricey, but I think with the bang trims and knowing that I am not going to look funky when I walk out it is well worth it.
Figured I should update this b/c its been quite some time. Melody is still a genius, no worries on that account! My hair is almost shoulder length now, and we are nearly done with the truly painful part of the growing-out process (i think). She brought me all the way through, from a shaved just about bald head, to a layered almost to the shoulders little bit of bangs...and its looked good the whole frakkin' time. Melody is the genuine article.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/3/2007
Melody is a genius. After chopping off my dreads I had no idea what to do with my hair. I happen… Read more »
I stormed into Ginger Rubio about 15 minutes early to find a pretty small shop. I immediately felt at home there and as if I had walked in and was warmly invited into some great conversation and fun. I sat down with Melody for my first haircut at GR and said, life and love are weird, unemployment is finally over, I'm going on a trip to a fancy theater premiere, I'm going to see lots of ex-boyfriends and college alums there, and I need to feel fabulous. Can you do it? Can you do it with my already pretty short, thin, and 80s-waved hair? Please?!
She was unfazed by this overwhelming task and kept assuring me that when I left, I would without a doubt feel like a million bucks. With little direction, she designed a killer cut, that four weeks later still looks amazing. She was so fun to chat with, the price was fair, the cut was unbeatable, and when I left that salon my chin was held much higher than before.
Kelle is amazing! My hair ALWAYS looks great weeks later. Like, an eternity later.
And her dog is so cute, to boot!
I tagged along with my girlfriend when she got her hair cut and colored with Shelley. I needed a cut badly so while there was a waiting period during the coloring, Shelley cut my hair. She did an awesome job!! I went from a dirty Wookie to a finely groomed man. The environment is very friendly and the location is great! Thanks Shelley, I'll be back!
i must admit, i never made it to the ginger rubio salon. but that is why it's important that i write this review (my second ever only in 5 years of SF living), to state how unprofessional a certain staff member there is. i have been canceled on by a particular stylist there over 3 times now. so i give up. i am not trying to patronize that salon again. good luck to the rest of the ginger rubio staff. and if anyone ever critically needs an appointment, this might not be the place to go.
I have to update and give credit where it's due... they called me and offered me a free cut to make up for my bad experience. I didn't take them up on it, but it was a very classy offer.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/14/2009
What a disappointment!
After reading great Yelp reviews I booked an appointment with Melody for a… Read more »
Oh yeah! Mr. Anthony took my hairstyle from boring to va-va-va-Voom!
I went for the "transformation" with cut & color. I wanted something a bit more rock n roll and edgy. I walked away super happy, and felt and looked like a rock star.
Thank you so much my friend, I'll be back for sure.
BEST Haircut I've ever had in my life! Tiffany was my stylist, and I recommend her--sweet and friendly. I liked how she kept telling me what she was doing as she went along. As if the whole experience weren't good enough, customers are all offered a glass of wine. :)
I chopped it all off and went for a short A-line bob. It was quite a job, so the price was on the upper end: $96. I think regular cuts/trims are in the $60s-70s.
I get really stressed out when trying out new salons. I suffer from post-traumatic haircut stress disorder, resulting from horrid experiences with terrible stylists. But I needed something new and refreshing and living in my Mission bubble, I wanted a salon that I can actually see out my window. And also see out the window of my local bar. Cause I am a lazy-ass.
My first and only visit (so far) to Ginger Rubio was beyond pleasant.
Melody is great. I had a cut and I told her to do what she wants cause basically I'm tired of trying to figure out what is best for me. But really, in all honesty I knew exactly what I wanted, but I kind of wanted to test her so I kept that info to myself.
She did exactly what I wanted and I didn't have to ask. She kept the length, layered and textured the hell out of it, served me a glass of wine and provided great conversation.
Three weeks later, I still feel like I have had one of the best cuts of my life. I'm getting compliments from all over the place and I love it STILL. Looking forward to the end of month for my trim and full color with highlights.
Bravo, Melody!
I liked my first experience here a lot. Anthony's a busy hair stylist and called me apologetically to reschedule but don't knock it because he's really good. It's been hard to find someone that has good technique and he clears that bar easily.
The atmosphere is totally social and fun. Lots of friends come by and I can see why. The next haircut I get in the City will be from here!
I just love Ginger Rubio
Joshzilla has been doing my hair for years and i'm so happy he finally found the right place
THE MISSIONS NEW HOT SPOT FOR HAIR
this kid josh is way cool
check him out some time if you wanna change your look or perfect the one you got now
http://www.joshzilla.c...
http://www.myspace.com...
http://www.gingerrubio.../
Joshzilla! for ever!
415-724-1051
what can i say; you get what you pay for. they do awesome work, and they cost an effing fortune (for a guy, anyway). wendy is impressive; she's a great stylist, but she also seems like a great owner. she actually likes interacting with customers, and is obviously deeply personally invested in her work. it pays off.
Kelle was generous enough to re-highlight my hair, and I appreciate that. My highlights are MUCH lighter now, and the funny thing is that I've been getting much more attention from guys. While not exactly blonde now, I wonder if gentlemen really do prefer blondes -- even Asian ones.
Anyway, it's fun to have a new hair color. Would recommend bringing a picture or pointing at sample hair color -- then things should work out fine.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/16/2009
Went here for highlights after reading all of the great reviews! I told them I wanted something… Read more »
I have been going to Kelle for a few years now - she used to be at Vertical Clearance and I followed her to Ginger Rubio. The salon is a super cool space, and Kelle is amazing. She cut my hair when it was long, and those haircuts were the best I had ever had, and when I decided to cut off all my hair (donated 10 inches to locks of love), the style was so amazing that I never looked back. Every haircut I get from Kelle is amazing. I have referred many friends, with different kinds of hair, and she always delivers. You will not be disappointed!
I go to Tiffany here, and she is just Fantastic! I first went to her at Vertical Clearance, and can't ever imagine going to anyone else. I always found my hair...... unmanageable. But the first time I saw her she gave me a cut that completely worked with my hair type as well as looking very updated and adorable. Plus its easy to style in so many ways! I just love it. I've recommended her to my sister as well, who she also did a very cute cut for. (my sister particularly loved her new bangs).
Just back back from her coloring my hair (in pink streaks), which she did WONDERFULLY. Such a great look I even got a few "hello gorgeous" remarks not more then 10 minutes after I left! Goes that extra mile too, showing me how to curl my own hair with a straight iron. The whole salon is so relaxed and everyone is very nice. Perfect haircut, Free wine, big open windows with lots of light, and the best trashy magazines, what more could anyone ask for?
Melody and I crack up the whole time she does my hair. We both are FREAKED out by ET, hate when people have skinny knees, and both love blonde hair but cannot commit to maintaining it. I went in there a few weeks ago and asked to fixed my SERIOUSLY mangled color job (did it myself, oops) and she did a bang up job. I also had a BAD mullet growing in, but she made it a HOT mullet! I actually feel like ME again.
The crew here is so entertaining, be ready for a comedy act FREE with your haircut/color.
They also set me up with some shampoo, conditioner and product to poof up my spiffy mullet and it smells so great and makes my hair soft and glamorous.
I love you guys! Count me in as a GR faithful.
I read reviews of hair salons for hours on Yelp and finally decided to book with Melody at Ginger Rubio. I had a great experience and will go back! Its a funky place with a diverse crowd of stylists and customers inside.
I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to hair, and rarely indulge in salons, but so glad I decided to go for it this time. I had long very dark brown hair, with accidentally-growing-out-by-default bangs, and streaking gray up top and I'm only 31! I rarely spend money on cut and color and usually embrace my grays, however I felt like going all brown again with a neatened up cut for the holidays. I got a semi-permanent color of a deep cinnamon brown that is similar to but slightly more striking than my natural color. This will gradually fade, so no roots. We decided to re-cut my bangs, which we both love, and then do some longer layers. I am absolutely happy with it. I did spend $150 + tip, which is crazy, but I feel it is worth it! I had to stop my neighbor on our doorstep to show off my new do. Thanks Melody!
Having Joshzilla do my hair is always a rewarding experience. By reward I mean- the amount of ass I end up getting within the weeks to follow. I have never gotten so many compliments on my haircut before. I always feel totally transformed into a sexier version of myself when I leave the place. When dying my hair, Josh works hard to make sure we are both satisfied with the end product. He also gives me honest opinions, great styling tips, and is a blast to talk to.
My friend Melissa has great hair, and I got the number of her friend who cuts it, Anthony Lymon. So I called him up and made an appointment, and when he asked what I wanted to have done I didn't say the usual (oh, keep the length, more long layers, a general trim), I said, "I want porn star hair!" He sounded excited, "Oh, I'm good at that!"
So I walk into the cute, bright studio space on Shotwell and 20th, and he was finishing up with someone else's hair, but he immediately knew who I was, "Are you my porn star? Would you like a glass of wine?' I mean, what else does a girl want to hear before a fabulous haircut?! He sent me to sit in the loft with a glass of wine and a copy of Dirty Found for a few, and then called me down, "Hey porn star! Are you ready for your close up?" And then he poured me another glass, poured himself another glass, and just played with my hair and complimented me for a while. Purrr... then he washed my hair using those yummy Davina products, which I later spent an exorbitant amount of money on (geesh, like getting me drunk and drowning me in compliments is going to make me NOT buy things?).
Ladies with long, thick, wavy/curly hair: give this man a try, he will not be afraid to give you lots of layers without turning your hair into a mullet, and he will make it all big and sexy without being big and poofy. And he succeeded in keeping the length, actually making it seem longer because he took so much of the weight away. I have porn star hair!
Their grand opening is set for May 17th (or 18th, I forget) and even though they have been open for just six weeks they already had a steady stream of customers. If you have delicate sensibilities and don't want to hear dirty talk from a flamboyant tattooed gay man, this isn't the place for you. Personally, I need the raunchy salon talk to make me feel like I've had the full experience. I don't like the sterile, polite conversation environment so much. The cut was pretty pricey ($70, and I always tip) but he gives free bang trims and my hair looks rockin'.
Update: My hair is SO SEXY! Compliments all week long. A variation on the theme is "70's porn star." It's big hair, what do you expect?
Josh has done my hair 4 or 5 times now, and every time I get compliments on my hair.. I basically just say short , long, etc... and he works his scissors.. and boom.. rad haircut. he also shows me exacyttly how to style it..step by step Anyway, besides being my favorite stylist in SF, he also just an interesting and funny guy who i'd share BudLite with. he's a bro.
My girl Tiffany just moved from Vertical Clearance over here so I followed her. I kind of like the feel of VC better.. this place was a little too open for me (esp. b/c of all the windows.. if my students walked by they could see me getting my hair did!) I do love Tiffany though, so maybe I'll stick around. The other staff seem pretty cool too, like to talk.
Awesome space - the corner hair salon sports windows all the way around with 4 chairs and a kitchen in the downstairs. The upstairs is a fun lounge with comfy couches and big sparkling paintings.
The stylists came from Glamarama and they only use Davines Italian products. Fancy and it smells sooooooo good.
It's a bit pricier than what I had hoped for but the service is amazing and my cut was fantastic. Gotta save up before I come back next time!
Many's the time I've seen Liz R. emerge from a recent cut, touch-up, or blowout at Ginger Rubio looking damn fabulous. Recently, the time came for me to face my fear and cut my hair short after 13 years of long hair. After much pondering, anxiety, and stylist judgment, I went to Anthony. I joined Liz R. on an appointment and watched him work. He gave me a free consultation and I showed him several reference pics. He seemed to understand my anxiety and it put me at ease.
A few weeks later, I went back for "the procedure." Liz R. watched and took pictures as he masterfully retouched my highlights (previously done at home) and a good foot of my hair was chopped to chin-length. When he asked how I liked the highlights, I said I wanted them whiter and he complied without blinking an eye. He also mentioned several times that if I didn't quite like it or wanted to change anything about it, I could wait and see how I liked it and then come back to get it touched up.
He took great care with how I felt about the whole process and in the end it seemed I'd spent years working myself up about this short hair thing for nothing. I *love* my cut! It looks amazing when I blow it out myself (as in, "Wow, did you do that yourself?") It looks great with a hat and super cute if I let it dry under a hat. It's even cute/acceptable if I just let it dry on its own...a little crazy, but acceptable (par for the course with my mixed/frizzy hair.) I'm so happy I went to him. Huge change for me with no stress. I totally thought I would cry and didn't!
Wine, music (he's also a DJ so the tunes are fun,) gabbing, wonderful attention to detail, and such a sweetheart!
I have been styled by Mr. Anthony for almost 3 years now. When GingerRubio was born, I most definitely followed him there! Now featuring complimentary wine, sexy coworkers and a welcoming, open space, my hair-defying experiences are THAT MUCH better!
My appointments are about style, gossip and therapy, and as soon as I step out on the town w/ my new 'do, people demand to know who worked that shit out. Mr. Anthony, always Mr. Anthony...
I followed Christina from Glamarama to her new digs, so I guess the five stars is really for her -- though the salon is a great setting! Airy and open, big windows and funky art. But it's all about Christina. I have wavy, thick, kind of evil hair and she's the only person I've found (even among all the "curly/wavy specialists) who gives me great cuts. She's creative, precise, and thorough. Her cuts aren't cheap, but I've paid more for crummy cuts from cranky hipsters who spent half as much time on me and gave me the "I'm not cool enough" vibe. She always takes the whole hour, and gives me the cutest little 30s/40s-era bobs. She's friendly, totally unpretentious, smart and gives excellent cuts. Apparently I'm not the only one to have figured it out because you have to call a couple of weeks ahead if you want a Saturday apt.
I haven't had her color my hair, so can't say about that. I think she's cash/check only though, so plan ahead.
I have followed Melody around to a few salons but I think she has found the place for her at Ginger Rubio and her cuts keep getting better and better. I have tried so many places and I always walk out traumatized. Not with Melody, girl handles it! Most recently she gave me an awesome cut that has grown out to be even more awesome. She also dyed my hair a beautiful brown, not a red brown or a blue brown, just brown and I love it. I highly recommend Melody for a fierce new look or a just a touch up of an already fabulous look!
