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Notorious For Hair
Rating Details »
Category: Hair Salons [Edit]
Neighborhood: Castro561 Castro St
(between 18th St & 19th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 558-0401
- Hours:
Tue-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
Sponsored Result
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122 reviews for Notorious For Hair
I've had good experiences with Notorious in the past, but did notice the revolving door effect of stylists coming and going. Now that CJ is in the house I feel confident that this 'little hairshop that could' will be expertly managed. She clearly knows her craft and her field.
I've had several deep conditioning treatments with her and a few trims, so I haven't had a chance to see if she can take a blank slate and come up with something fabulous, but her cuts have been good. my latest trim is doing this really nice sleek yet tousled s-curve thing as it flows over my head and shoulders. She is also fabulous and inspiring to talk to. I walk out of there feeling sexy and ready to take on my life, which is quite a bargain for $50!
This is a review for CJ. I've had my hair cut a couple of times by her. The first time I was late to my appointment, and while I don't encourage being late, CJ was very forgiving, props for that! Each time I visit, I'm handed a glass of red wine before I take my seat. Does it get any better? I have a pretty straight-up do, but some how CJ still manages to give my cranium that little extra 'umphh' that stands out clearly from my previous method of hair cutting, which was a self-buzz with a clipper set.
Not only that, but having your hair done by CJ gives you the opportunity to be engaged in some of the best conversation you'll have in a while. This girl knows her trade, cheers to CJ and her shears.
I have tried Notorious over and over hoping that my experience there will get better. It hasnt. Thier prices have gone up and service down. I loved Rodney here but he left to go to another salon. He gave me some Southern girl blow out that I love and tried to recreate. Unsuccessfully. I would not reccomend this place to anyone. With the thousands of hair salons in the city dont waste your time and money coming here.
What's the sign of an excellent stylist? If his clients will follow him wherever he goes. That's what's been happening with me and Christopher for the last 8 or 9 (gasp!) years. NFH is the fourth salon I've followed him to, and I'm still as happy as a clam, especially since I no longer have to trek up to the Marina.
Christopher ROCKS! He's stood by my side through pink-pixie-razor cuts, crazy bobs, long pigtails and everything else my warped mind thought up. We've survived power outages mid-styling, crack whore arrests in front of the shop, a hit-n-run and even the Stepford wives of Union Street. It doesn't get much better than that. Except, it does: he just keeps getting better and better. My last haircut and dye job is a masterpiece of art and the perfect creative execution of my tongue-tied ramblings and drawings on a coffee sleeve.
Seriously, this man does an amazing job, and he's a sweetheart to boot. He can also give you great advice for your love and sex life and makes wonderful, organic soaps and shampoos.
I don't know anything about the other staff at the salon, so I don't know how on or off the low star reviews for that are, but Chris is a gem. And if you say otherwise, I'll cut ya!
The main problem with this place is the management. They don't understand that people don't come for the salon, they come for the stylists that work there. Not a problem for most places, but Notorious seems incapable of keeping good talent for more than a few months.
So, big deal, right? Why write a bad review when there are dozens of hair salons in the Castro? I wouldn't, except these people make a habit of cold-calling their old customers. "We've noticed you haven't had your hair cut for a long time. Would you like to schedule an appointment?" Are you kidding me??? Shameless!
Notorious is about half a block away from my home. And as much as I tried & tried to make the relationship work - I just can't continue on with the charade.
I have been to Notorious 5 times. I have had 4 different stylists. Because everybody keeps quitting, or is apparently fired. And the only time I got a repeat with a stylist - well, we'll get to that gem below...
My first experience was actually pretty good. I liked the haircut I got quite a bit, although the stories about the stylist's crackhead neighbor were a bit overwhelming...and endless. However, like I said - great cut. When I called 2 months later for a trim, I was disappointed to discover she had left for greener pastures.
My second experience was with Sandy, and contrary to what everybody else is saying on here, I thought she was pretty amazing. My hair had been dyed a blackish brown, and she managed to strip the color and turn it into a very natural blonde. Stripping one's hair is pretty harsh, and Sandy was very, very careful. I mean - my hair was a little upset with me, but Sandy did the very best she could. Her cutting skills were also quite solid, and she did a good job of maintaining the hot cut I'd received from the previous girl. Sadly, though, when I called for an appointment a few months later I found out that Sandy had left, as well.
My third stylist...and this is where things go from mildly annoying (the revolving door of sylists) to just plain bad.
I asked for a cut, and for my roots to be touched up (Sandy's natural blonde, as mentioned above). I also mentioned to the girl that I wanted to do my ROOTS only, since I didn't want to fry the hell out of my hair (which Sandy had had to strip). Well, straight to the point - I walked out with BROWN hair. No joke. Brunette. A lovely shade of brunette, but NOT AT ALL what I had asked for. And not just my roots - the woman completely ignored my request, and put hair color all over my head. Meaning, my hair was less healthy. As far as the cut goes - it wasn't near as good as the previous two ladies, but it also could've been worse considering the coloring disaster.
As a side note - I am an actor. I cannot up & change my hair color mid-production. I can't be filming for 2 weeks as a blonde, and come in with brown hair. Totally & completely fucked up.
Now, I have never, ever gone back to a sylist and asked for them to repair their work. But there was just no fucking way that I could see going into a salon as a blonde and accidentally coming out as a brunette. I mean - come the fuck on. Especially when I had film producers to answer to. So, my fourth visit was the following weekend - and this is the only reason I saw any single stylist at Notorious for 2 appointments in a row: because I only waited 4 days in between appointments.
So, the same girl did my hair. But now she had to re-color all of my now brunette hair...meaning that the work I'd been trying to do in the previous months of getting my hair healthier had gone to shit in a matter of days (1 dye job & 1 bleach job in 4 days - great.).
Now, when the time came, a few months later for a cut, I decided I would give Notorious one more go. And while I wouldn't have necessarily chosen to go back to this particular stylist, I didn't have to make the choice - because she was, of course, like all of her predecessors, no longer working there.
My fifth - AND FINAL - visit was with a gentleman. He actually did decent enough color (touching up the roots once again)...but he cut my hair lopsided. One side of my head looked like Zac Efron and the other looked like someone from a mid 90's film with a mushroom cut. One side had hair past my ears, and the other was considerably above.
Dude started to take off my smock, and send me on my way - and I was like...ummm - isn't it pretty uneven? He checked, and agreed...and did what he could...which was to take the longer side above the ears...but still leaving it uneven (since one side was layered, and one side was long - real cute). What-the fuck-ever. Done. D-O-N-E.
Now I go to Spencer & Company a little further up the street. No complaints.
In summation, at this point, Notorious is only notorious for one thing in my book: a revolving door of inept stylists who will fuck up your hair and then disappear into the ether. Leaving you with a mess. On your effing head.
I'm a bad bad bad client to Christopher.
I have been somewhat loyal (i.e. following him from Transformer to Blown Away, not to the Marina, but then to Notorious), but do admit to going else where to have another stylist cut my locks. And it wasn't even because of Christopher's skill with hair, more out of randomness and pure experimentation. But when the "other stylist" moved away, I was devastated and unsure of where and whom to get my hair cut by at a price that wouldn't cost me a half months rent.
Surprisingly, I received a personal Yelp message from Christopher himself, informing me of his recent move to Notorious and decided at that moment that he is THE one that I will forever go to for my hair needs.. so long as he stays in the city, of course.
Not only does the man know how to cut and style hair, but he's got great tips on simple homemade hair care products that you can easily emulate yourself. Add a few teaspoons of honey to your shampoo to give it extra shine and luster? For reals?!
Basically, he's awesome and I highly recommend him to all the ladies. Gentlemen, I'm not too sure how he does with your kind, but he's got good lookin' hair, which probably means he can hook you up too.
I will never go behind your back again, Christopher (this is me making a sad face).
P.S.
Parking is a bitch in that area, so be sure to leave a bit early to search for parking, or just public trans it.
P.S.S
$35/cut if you're a newbie, $45 if you're a repeat. Reasonably priced and so worth your money.
P.S.S.S
Free bang trims!
:(
I'm sorry Chris! But I really feel like I have to write this review.
A few months ago I had Sandy cut my hair into an A-line cut, which meant that I still HAD my A-line--long in the front and short in the back.
When I told you I wanted a trim and bangs, the bangs you did wonderfully but you cut my hair into a bob. It's a great bob, I won't lie, but it is quite NOT what I wanted, nor what I had communicated.
Now I have to wait for my hair to grow back out. Unfortunately I have to add that I part time model--and people are looking for a certain "type" of model, and I highly doubt the 90's cut they'll be able to work with enough to allow me to model for them. There is the possibility that I will lose potential business/income for a while until my hair grows back out, and for that I'm afraid I have to change this to two stars from 5.
I'm really sorry--you're a wonderful, wonderful man but I think we should start seeing other stylists/customers. :(
Rodney, who really was the bright shining gem of Notorious, has left (yes I know where he went if you need to know).
In the few short weeks he has been gone I've met 3 people who have been to Notorious to get their hair done and it has come out not quite right.
Notorious lost one hell of a guy!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/29/2008
Since I am style challenged, I look for a best friend when I look for a hair dresser. I want someone… Read more »
Okay, not happy at all. I knew better--I should have waited for Rodney (with the stellar reviews) but my hair needed some shape and I could get in with Sandy quickly after work.
Big mistake. Just like the other review said--Sandy is rough. She combed my ear, raked her nails through my scalp while tousling my hair, and scratched my forehead with the roundbrush while blowdrying.
All this abuse and you want to guess what *hot* and *cutting-edge* hairstyle she gave me? The RACHEL FROM FRIENDS CIRCA 1995 HAIRCUT!!
Anyone want to act like a spazzy a-hole with me and jump around in a public fountain to the generic, non-threatening, bland, corporate rock sounds of The Rembrants? Because that is the only way I can rock this hair-don't!
I thought it would be okay since we had a long talk about what I don't want (too much cut off, no more layers in the back, or bangs b/c of my natural texture). She did two of those--cut too much length, and gave me layers in the back.
I'm actually terrified to wash my hair because I am scared of the dreaded triangle head syndrome of curly girls like me when their hair is too short. Now if it is bad as I suspect, to avoid the triangle head I am going to heat style my hair every other day and weaken my hair. Not to mention dry it out, which apparently is a big concern, since Sandy interrogated me about what products I was using since my hair was "so dry". She shut her mouth when I told her that I use "Phyto". Yeah, you can't upsell me your salon's products since I already use the organic, French, ridiculously expensive stuff anyway.
I had been going to Notorious for 2 years. In those two years, I went through 4 stylists, 3 of them within the past 6 months. My haircuts were always fabulous, but I got tired of calling to hear, "Oh, sorry, he/she doesn't work here anymore".
When this happened twice within two months, I gave up. To be honest, I started to become suspicious. Why was everyone leaving? Who knows? It's like the disappearance of the honey bees. Swift. Inexplicable. Undeniably. . . .curious.
Anyway, I ended up switching salons. I'd recommend Notorious if you need a good haircut, but if you want to cultivate a relationship with your stylist, this is not the place to go.
A week ago, I was bored at work, thinking about cutting my lifeless boring hair, but didn't want to go to the same boring stylist (see a pattern?) who's been cutting my hair since I was like 12, who also happens to cut/perm my mom's hair..
sooo.. then I was browsing yelp, reading reviews here and there on hair salons, called up Notorious, ended up with an appointment with Rodney, two days later, my hair was 6 inches shorter, I was $80 lighter (cut + hair products that I probably shouldn't have bought, lol) and I've been flooded with compliments ever since.
like all the reviews on here about him, he really is a sweetheart and master with the scissors. when he first came out to see me, he joked and said, "so we're getting a pink mohawk right!?" :D I went in not so sure of what I wanted because I was scared of how it might turn out, but he gave me some ideas, and gave me confidence that it WILL work and look good. and it did! I went from medium/long layers to an A-line bob (see my photos!) the only thing now is I wish I could style it as good as he did that day. even though he showed me how, I just don't have the magic touch.. it still looks cute though :)
Christopher has been cutting my hair for about 7 years, which says a lot, because I am pretty high maintenance when it comes to my locks. It has gotten to the point where I trust him completely - I don't even give him direction anymore. He just cuts/colors my hair and it always looks awesome. A few things in particular that make him special in the hair world:
*His prices are completely reasonable, especially for color. If you don't want to spend a fortune on highlights, he'll happily just do some around the crown and face.
*He is the biggest sweetheart and not at all a prima donna. I do my own color about half the time and he never gives me a hard time like some other stylists I've seen in the past. He's totally willing to work with me.
*He always makes me feel special by giving me little "upgrades". At Christmas he gave me some free samples. On my birthday he surprised me but putting a little toner on my eyebrows. I feel like he's really put his heart into making me look great and I always walk out of the salon feeling like a million bucks.
In any event, this is the third salon that Christopher has worked at since he's been doing my hair (Transformer closed and there was too much drama at Blown Away). Notorious is the best of the bunch that he's worked at, but I would follow Christopher anywhere!! :)
When I used to have short hair, my biggest fear was walking out of the salon with a soccer mom bob. Now that I'm growing out my hair, my biggest fear is walking out of the salon with an Asian mullet.
I made this pretty clear to Kat the first time I came here, along with my desire to grow my hair out to have long romantic locks at least once in my lifetime. She was able to give me a fresh new look while still keeping my length, so that's why I decided to come back.
My most recent visit I used three words to describe what I wanted. Choppy, messy, and volume. Lots of it. She definitely delivered. After a night of partying, waking up crashed on my friend's floor, feeling totally gross and hungover, my hair still looked fabulous. It had a sexy bed head look, not a disgusting one. That means my new haircut withstands extreme low maintenance, which is how I define a good haircut.
It is a strange thing to have someone tell you, while referring to your head, that people have reported "hair sightings". I am not quite sure who these people are because the people in question, who apparently all know me, don't come up to me and say hi. Nope, they just report a "really cool hair sighting" to other people I know. Creepy, but in a feel good sort of way.
I don't think just anyone could inspire a hair sighting, oh, no. You have to be pretty damn amazing to inspire that sort of reaction. Well, very simply put, Rodney is. He is amazing enough that I will stray, if only slightly, from what I have in mind for my hair and let him do crazy stuff like cut it asymmetrically and spend nearly 5 hours turning half of it purple from jet black when I thought I was going in for a few streaks of color.
I will do it because, even though I am stubborn and stick to what I want most of the time, he knows better than I do what my hair wants. The man even serves me wine when I come in, and everyone who knows me knows that a gay mans way to my heart is through booze and gossip.... which he also provides by dishing about our lives or throwing me under a dryer with the latest trashy Hollywood magazine.
Trust me when I say Rodney is amazing. The proof is in the hair sightings.
ALL HAIL RODNEY.
I have to admit, I was slightly gunshy going in, having had a less-than-optimum experience letting someone new cut my hair last fall. My usual woman, Reina at ZipZap, is awesome but is just too unavailable these days (good for her! that means other things are going well!) so I Yelped and took a chance on Rodney. And I'm so psyched.
I went in and gave him only a few guidelines and generous artistic license. He said he'd bring up the volume in the back, swoop the bangs a bit, and cut some layers to empahsize my cheekbones (he noticed one of my better features). So then he went to work, pleasantly chatting away to me the whole time about all manner of things - we rapped about the human condition, small towns, cancer, hair products, etc. I asked him why salon products are better than over the counter and got a clear, erudite reply and absolutely no pressure to purchase anything (though I did, of my own accord, because that mousse he used smelled like CANDY!). He was charming, thorough, and made me very comfortable.
And my cut? AWESOME. My hair hasn't looked this good in over year. We did take a lot of length off (6"), which for a mane-identified girl like me is a big deal, but it needed to done - I was sporting some trailer-park split ends that screamed Schlitz and Virginia Slims. I walked out with shiny, silky, chic tresses that even my crusty, critical ex-boyfriend was all, "Wow, your hair looks really good," and I was all, "You HAD your chance, Slim!!!" So if that isn't a five-star, two-snaps-up recommendation, then I don't know what is, Sister.
After 6 years of having girlfriends cut my hair (they offered!), I went to a stylist that was kinda okay, but even after showing him a photo of what I needed, he cut it wrong. I have a simple dude's haircut that's a little mod and slightly asymmetrical, but it's not tough to cut if my girlfriends could do it.
After switching to Joey Stevenson based on a referral from a female friend with short hair, she cut it perfectly and I was out the door in like 25 minutes. A++++ WILL VISIT AGIAN
I've been following Christopher, stylist at N.F.H. for 5 years now. He is always attentive, kind, current, and I always walk out of his salon feeling beautiful. From short crops to long locks, he does everything with flair and excellence. He'll also give you great advice on all sorts of general cosmetology, from skin, hair, to makeup. He even does updo's....and to put it in one word he is F A B U L O U S. I'm proud to call Christopher my personal stylist and friend.
After having my share of mishaps with my mop, I had been scared away from over artistic hairstylists, dramatic salons and people with "visions" for my head that never really turned out as planned.
Id been doing the home salon method happily for about 6 months when I realized that I could really no longer see out of one of my eyes due to the bang overhangage and my regular beauty school trainee had moved away. So sad.
So appon the suggestion of my housemate/BFF I called up KAT at notorious and set up my appointment.
The salon itself was small, but cute, they didnt have any of the usual pretentious vibe flaoting around and no one was asking if I wanted wine,juice tea or a mimosa. But hey I felt comfortable, it looked clean and everyone in there had excellent hair. Which for me is a deal breaker.
Im of the thought that if the people working there have fugged up looking hair I probably dont want them touching my head.
Kat was an excellent conversationalist and took my direction really well. I can honestly say I think I scared her with the shear amount of hair I had let pile up before my cut and she did a great job. Thining trimming and allowing me to once again use both of my eyes to see where Im going. She didnt miss a beat when I asked for my bangs even shorter and expertly snipped them up and away.
I have found a new salon and stylist and walked away feeling like the hot sexy hair person I should be.
Rodney is a god. Simple as that.
I am very picky about my hair and now that I'm rockin' the shorter-sassy 'do I have had to change my "I only get my hair cut twice a year" habits, suck it up and find a stylist in San Francisco, otherwise I'd end up looking like Cousin It.
This scurred me, I've had some bad haircuts in my time and I hate trying to find a new stylist.
Again: Rodney is a god.
He listened very carefully to what I wanted, took his time to look at my hair and then explained to me what he wanted to do.
Not only this, but he blew out my new cut into the sassiest, come-f me hair I'd ever seen... it saddened me that I was on my way to dinner with my family, that hair should have been used for a secret rendezvous!
I should have known that he would be superior in skill, given that three of my favorite people who have AMAZING hair recommended him to me.
I am a convert to the Cult of Rodney!
It's Wednesday and I just made an appointment to get an up-do on Saturday morning. 5 stars for that!
Pros:
Up-do: Turned out great! I loved my hair. I got many compliments all night :)
Cost: $50- perfect!
Stylist: Cat was sweet and good to talk with while she was doing my hair. She was very accommodating and wanted to do everything I asked her to. She gave me a fabulous hair style which was just what I wanted!
Cons:
When I made the appointment I told them I had a time constraint- the wedding i was going to was in Napa, so I had to be out of there by 12pm. They told me no problem, but I wasn't out of there until 12:40pm, so I had to rush home and get all of my stuff ready for the wedding. Luckily I made it to the resort with 20 minutes left to get ready.
Up-do: A few pieces of my hair fell out of the bobby pins. Luckily there was a hair/make-up person at my friend's wedding and she had some bobby-pins for me :)
Notes:
That could have happened with any up-do, done at any salon.
Lessons learned: make an earlier appointment, with more time to spare, and always bring a few extra bobby pins, just-in-case.
I would totally go back to Notorious for a hair cut or up-do in the future !
How could I have forgotten to rate Notorious!
This used to be my goto place for a great cut at a great price with great people. There is a Japanese place I go to now that is just too excellent to pass up, but if I can't get in there, or if I happen to be by Notorious, then Notorious it is and I'm always a happy customer. Rock on big N!
I'm one of those horrible people who says I'm not picky, but is never completely satisfied with a haircut- at least for a few days after. I'm finicky about length, layers, my bangs. I want someone who will listen.
I'm so glad to have found CJ at Notorious. She's the new manager and a former educator at Aveda. Girl knows her shit.
Trust me, I don't trust people. I trust CJ.
I love this place!
My sister went here...and she recommended it to my best friend. They both had good experiences here.
I went here for the first time on Sunday, and I love my hair. Kat is the best! She is super cute, friendly, and knows her stuff about hair! My hair was cut the way I wanted, and without having a lot of it hacked off! She spent plenty of time cutting it properly, and making sure it was all even and nice-looking. Plus she recommended a few styling products from RedKen for my annoying half-straight, half-wavy super thick hair.
I loved the chit-chat between Kat and Rodney though... everyone is so friendly and just super nice!
The prices are moderate, but they do offer quality services! (Unlike Supercuts, who have butchered my hair more times than I'd like to admit to........)
Parking is not easy around here, but the Muni is quite accessible here!
Coming here is a real ego-booster...you could come in looking like a bum, and leave looking like a rockstar! :-D
They're open six days a week, and closed on Mondays.
They're by appointment mostly...but just call and ask.
Rodney is amazing, and has now left this place. I have followed him to the John Brody Salon (16th and Noe near Market).
Please check out my review of Hair Jesus on the John Brody Salon Yelp page!
Edit: Kat has since moved to a different salon and I've been too cheap to pay for a haircut recently so I don't know if my review is still accurate. Since this review is accurate for when it was first written, I'll leave it be. (9.05.08)
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FYI: I saw a sign stating that they're increasing their prices to $35 for a first-timer and $45 to returning customers (5/16/08).
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I had my hair cut yesterday and love it! I usually walk out of a haircut feeling vaguely disappointed, but not this time. My hair is coarse and can get frizzy. I warned a hair stylist one time that my hair gets bigger as it dried and he didn't believe me. He was going "omg" as he dried my increasingly bigger hair.
KAT did my hair. I told her I didn't care what she did as long as she worked with the waves in my hair and did something different from my usual long with layers. I ended up with an A-line cut and it looks great. I've never loved a haircut so much in my life. I also liked how there was no sales pressure. She only told me about the products when I asked about them. I'm definitely going back .
(Of course, she didn't change my natural hair. After the styling washed out, my hair is still big and frizzy. But it looks cooler now. Very 1920's.)
The only downside (and I knew it from the other reviews) is I had to wait 20 minutes past my appointment time. But that's because the stylists actually care and aren't trying to rush people out the door with a bad haircut. I don't mind waiting if my hair ends up looking this good.
Rodney is my go-to guy for hair. I have POUNDS of thick curly hair and he is the only stylist who hasn't a) tried to charge me extra for my fro
b) hasn't complained extensively about blow drying my mop
Now that he is leaving, Notorious will have a LOT to live up to. The place is a bit run-down and Cate is the only other stylist I would recommend.
My advice.. Hold off on this place until they get re-staffed and find someone as good as Rodney.
Rodney is awesome. Totally took control of my inability to know what to do with my hair. Fabulous cut, nothing special. I'm quite boring with my hair these days.
HOWEVER, N4H will do whatever your heart desires... to your hair. And they're good at it. We talked colors. I would go back there to complete my witness protection program identity change.
And, the music is awesome depending on who's working and who's iPod. They only get radio reception for 92.7. Nothing wrong with that.... but not everyone will dig it for more than the time it takes to cut one's hair.
Let's not joke around here people - your hair is essential to living. No, I'm not shallow or vain. It's a fact of life...your hair is something that you have with you no matter what (sorry to the balding folks). You can mix and match your clothes and accessories, but your hair...you better like it or you are screwed.
That said, I lost my dear hair dresser to being fired by the corporate american company known as Carlton Hair. (Side note, THEY SUCK!) So, when trying to find another place, the first place I checked was on Yelp.
In all honesty, Notorious for Hair was the only place that would take me that day, but I'm glad for the weird twist of fate.
I was lucky enough to get Heather and her magical fingers working on me. Yes, Heather has the most awesome hot pink hair I've ever seen. We talked about what I would love for my hair, and what I wanted, and she talked me through each step explaining what she was doing, which products she was using on me, and the reason behind it.
Plus, the girl is a great talker. Our conversation went from growing up in the Bay Area, ADHD, our families, and German gay porn. What, it was HER that brought that up!
Anyways, I came out spending about 65 dollars - 28 for the cut (totally cheap!), 17 for the product she sold me on (a great pasty product that I can't get enough of) and 20 for the tip. Most people said I over tipped, but you don't mess with someone that is taking care of you.
DEFINITELY check the place out if you are new in town or have been burned by an old stylist (or even are like me and lost yours from the evil Carlton Hair).
Rodney, you are my savior. I know I've been gone for a while and I am about a month or two overdue for a visit, but I will be back.
I'm easy folks. I don't know what I want, I just know I want it to look good. You give me the cut, I'll rock it out, but I'm not going to tell you what to do. I pay a stylist to do my hair because they are experts - not me.
Rodney gave me a remarkable cut that has grown into a beautiful style. I'm still pleased after a long few months. My instructions: "Not too short, easy to manage, and make me look amazing".
Thank you, thank you, thank you Rodney.
Other than Rodney: Very well priced, cool staff, great environment. I recommend it for everyone. First cut was $28 when I went.
I have had consistantly good experiences at Notorious as a random walk-in or making apptments with random stylists. I think that everyone who works here must be excellent.
These days, though, my loyalty is with Joey Stevenson. She is the first hairdresser I've made my own in years (generally I just hack at my own hair and call a random stylist when I need something drastic done). I walked in one-day with my husband, who had an appointment (with Lisa, who he adores) and asked, "is there anyone else available to give a cut now?". Joey peeked her adorable head out and said, "I can take you!" She was on her way home, but stayed a bit longer to give me a cut and it's been true love ever since.
She's mad good with the coloring, knows what styles will suit your head and face, and can copy a photograph of a hairstyle like it's nobody's business. And aside from that, she's sweet, fun, funny and interesting to chat with, so no awkward small talk. And she gives the best shampoos (ahhhh how i love a good head massage).
And have I mentioned how insanely reasonable the prices are? My cuts are only $38 bucks! THIRTY EIGHT BUCKS!?!?! For a good haircut! In the Castro!
Call Notorious. Call Joey.
The end.
Lisa - awesome colorist. Haven't got a cut from her yet but she seems skilled and confident.
Yes, it's expensive as all fuck. Just kidding. But it will cost you a lil sumthin sumthin.
When I first came to the city, I was lost when it came to salons, especially considering I am a guy. Having paid $25 at cut at a place in Palo Alto for years, I rationalized going to Hair of the Gods here in Hayes Valley and spending $80 (oh my god) on a cut that looked the same and took 20% more time. Then I found Notorious fell into Kat's expert hands. She knows exactly what I mean when I say I want a bouffant fauxhawk with a professional edge (just because I work downtown doesn't mean I have to have Donald Trump hair!). Best of all, it's like $40, meaning I can spend the remaining $40 on imported volumizing hairspray.
I've always been able to get an appointment two days or less in advance. On the other hand, I have had to wait over 10 minutes for the previous client to be finished a few times, which was annoying. But I consider how fun the staff is, the price, and the reliability of my haircut, and go on reading that US Magazine until my name is called.
I'd been searching Yelp for a few days trying to find a place that would give me a great cut on a budget. Not just any cut--the one that would have me walking out and feeling like a rockstar.
I called there at 12:30 and they told me that Rodney could see me at 2:30. I knew I'd heard Rodney's name on here so I felt good about making the appointment. I walked in a bit early but he said he could take me right away. I filled out a questionare (that he actually read!) about what I liked/disliked about my hair and how much time/effort I'm willing to put into it. My answers: I hate my thin hair, I want it to look gorgeous, and I don't want to spend any time on it. And so began the task...
Shampoo included a relaxing neck massage. His Kentucky accent made me feel at home. I got an education as we talked about Folsom Street Fair (I'll try to make it Sunday!) and as we listened to Heather's conversation in the back. Furries. Slaves. Oddities. "The things that southerners do behind closed doors, at night, with the shades drawn" that SF does in broad daylight. I had so much fun! Racy, not raunchy--but not your mama's salon!
My hair was cut exclusively (and expertly) with a razor. The texture made my short hair lighter and gave me the volume I craved. Even wet, no product, I knew I loved it. He showed me how I could start with a style right from there, hair wet as though out of the shower. Then the blowdryer came and he showed me a few more styles, sans product. Then one layer, then the next, then the whole she-bang. No tools, just fingers (I'd mentioned how uncoordinated I am). I loved how he showed me that I could really do this at home. I didn't walk out with a full blowout that I can never reproduce.
I walked out with a fabulous cut, the $35 (inc. tip) that Yelp promised. Great conversation, fun atmosphere, and a stylist who truly listened. Rodney, I'm so happy!
Oh yea, and I loved the little doggie wandering around in the back. Any place that has a dog, has my vote!
Thank you Yelp, Notorious, and Rodney!
I *heart* Lisa. (and Heather, but for other reasons). And Rose is awesome too!
I have what's considered "long" hair (past my shoulders) and what I like requires lots of bleaching and two highly staining hair colors, not to mention it's uneven lengths all over. In total, I spend about three and a half long hours jumping between the salon chair, the dryer and the sink. All the times I have gone there, Lisa has been funny, energetic and consistent. I've never heard her heave a big sigh or complain about how long it was taking (I would!). Three and a half hours of f*cking with my hair to have stiff, water-wrinkled fingers colored with red and black hair dye? the woman is a saint.
I have several other friends that come to this salon and their hair always looked fabulous- this was before I came here and had other people mess my hair up- for more money. I decided to check Lisa out.
She listened to me, figured out what I wanted and type of maintenance level I was able to acheive (little to none since I can't be tied to a regimen other than my stomach) and based off of talking to her for about five minutes, I came out of the salon several hours later with my hair looking awesome and alive.
I have gone back to her many times now and each time she produces consistent results. My hair, even with the bleaching-after-bleaching session (it's hard to get bright red to show on my naturally stubborn black hair) still feels great and not like straw because Lisa knows what the heck she's doing. Actually, all the folks in the salon know what they're doing.
This salon is the only place that'll drop my money on, they give you wine while you're chillin' out getting stuff done, they play great music, and the staff is just great- they're all interesting people and they treat you very well.
Update- As of 11/07 Lisa and Heather are no longer with Notorious. Please check my reviews in April for a review of their new place!
UPDATE:
Rodney has moved to the John Brody salon, along with Kat! Without them, I'm afraid Notorious may only become notorious for their dirty floors!
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MY PREVIOUS REVIEW:
I'm sure that the most ancient name for the god of hair must be "Rodney" because there simply is no other explanation for his genius.
I look smokin' hot right now as I rock the best cut and color of my life, hands-down. Jesus, it still looks fabulous after being slept on, subjected to San Francisco winds, played with, and chewed on a bit because I do that sometimes when I'm not paying attention. And this fiery, fiery color...! I've been to a good number of professional stylists over the years, but I am now converted and I will never again sit in another stylist's chair.
If you want to book an appointment with Rodney, you'll have to wait in line because I call dibs times infinity. So there!
Joey rocks. She knows curly hair and does an awesome job. She explains why she cuts the way she does and checks in to make sure it's ok with you.
The cost of the cut is completely reasonable and I've paid much more at "curly hair salons" and left angry. Her highlighting fees are higher, but she does a great job and even goes to coloring clinics to stay up on her skills.
Plus, she's great to talk to about movies.
For the longest time I was one of those picky people who was unable to find a hairstylist that I liked enough to stick with. This one was too expensive, that one wasn't very good...I had a hard time finding one that was juuust right. Well, my problem was solved when I went to Joey Stevenson at Notorious for Hair.
Joey always keeps an open dialogue about exactly what you want, explains what she is doing, and makes sure you like what she's doing. She also keeps good records so that she remembers your last haircut. She does highlights and color and always does a great job, although I imagine she's even better now because she recently went to a colorist workshop at Redken in NYC to further hone her skills. Joey's prices are very reasonable ($38 for a cut) and her work is excellent. I often receive compliments on my hair for weeks after I see Joey.
The salon itself is also worth the visit. It is in the heart of the Castro and the clientele, neighborhood, and other stylists are colorful, diverse, and great fun to be around.
Not sure how Notorious is now, but like the hair-challenged puppy I am, after nearly 2 years, I followed Rodney to Brody Salon. He's the only reason I was there to begin with anyways....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/6/2007
I just went to Notorious for the second time and love it. The first gal I went to about 8 months ago… Read more »
I miss Noel. So do my other friends who used to come here just for Noel. And granted Noel only cut my hair a couple of times, but he saved me from the mullet I got in Taiwan, and it only cost me $38!
Other than Noel, the rest of the hairdressers are good too. But I can't rate their perming or highlighting abilities - I'm a frizzy and solid-colored hair kind of a girl.
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Update October 11, 2007:
Because of Yelp reviewers, I decided to go see Joey for a big cut. My hair went from very long and layered to short and professional but still cute. I love it! And Joey was absolutely fantastic. She's so nice and friendly, and really listens to your opinions to make sure she does your hair how you want it. Even though I've moved out of the city, she's definitely worth making the trip up.
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Update December 27, 2007:
Came here and saw Kate because Joey was all booked up, but Kate was great! I now have a cute layered bob that everyone has been complimenting (hopefully they're being honest!).
