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Sumi Beauty Salon
Rating Details »
Categories: Hair Removal, Skin Care, Hair Salons [Edit]
1734 W El Camino RealMountain View, CA 94040
(650) 965-8696
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
82 reviews for Sumi Beauty Salon
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
5/10/2009
9/20/2009
10/30/2009
7/16/2009
Updated - 11/10/2009
10/28/2009
8/22/2009
10/19/2009
7/16/2009
Updated - 5/19/2009
7 photos
10/29/2009
10/24/2009
5/23/2009
1 photo
2/11/2009
1/19/2009
10/19/2009
3/4/2009
7/10/2009
Updated - 5/27/2009
8/17/2009
2/12/2009
4/2/2009
4/16/2009
9/4/2009
3/9/2009
7/13/2008
6/11/2009
9/13/2008
11/22/2008
8/20/2008
1/26/2009
7/2/2008
1/10/2008
1/2/2008
5/19/2008
Updated - 6/22/2009
1/13/2009
9/30/2009
8/5/2007
8/19/2008
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
Amazing!! Sumi does such a neat and efficient job. I made an appointment, but it was completely unnecessary because there was no one else there and it took less than 10 minutes. This isn't the place to go to be pampered, but you're essentially getting hair ripped out of your face; I'd take speed over scented candles any day. Plus it was CHEAP - $8 for eyebrows in this area? I will absolutely be back.
One caution for first-timers - it's quite hard to spot. Look for the sign for "Cubby Cuts" (check out one of the photos for the actual sign).
I've been here for eyebrow threading a few times and have always been very pleased with the results. The place is pretty clean and the people are friendly. I read other reviews and decided to ask for Sumi the first time I came in. I haven't gone to anyone else since then.
I've been to many other places for eyebrow threading (including Deepa's), but Sumi's is one of the best. As other reviewers said, she is fast, efficient, and makes the process as painless as possible, and she usually remembers to ask me how I want my eyebrows done (thicker, thinner, etc.). She does a very clean job with the eyebrow grooming. I definitely recommend this place, and for those who felt like it was rushed, I normally go on weekdays during lunch, and there is hardly any rush at that time.
A bit disappointed.
My friend and I called ahead and made appointments for Sumi (we both wanted Sumi since we heard she was the best).
We got there and had to wait 15-20 minutes before they even really paid attention to us. That was annoying to say the least. You can tell that she gives others preferential treatment. There was no apology either.
I asked for my eyebrows to be rounder and it was still relatively arch-y when she finished. I would've asked her to make it rounder, but then it would be too thin. I thought she did an ok job, very "meh". I can tell you she definitely missed a couple hairs, another disappointment.
Threading eyebrows: I thought it didn't hurt that much until I opened my eyes and felt tears involuntarily leaking out. First time I ever did this and liked how efficient it was. Might give it a try someplace else.
Interesting tidbit: I've never had to thread my whole face, but they do offer the service here.
Doubt I'd be back.
Welp girls, I finally got threaded and the experience wasn't as scary as I had imagined.. Walked-in on a Saturday and waited about 15-20 minutes. Sumi's assistant worked on my brows. I told her I liked them clean and archy but not too thin. She went for it and the pain was tolerable. Like getting multiple hairs tweezed at once but in a rhythmic fashion.
I know my fullest brow shape potential and perhaps I am too picky but the end result wasn't a five star shape for me. My brows weren't as archy as I like and she took too much off the top of the brow in my opinion. However, the results weren't horrible, just A-OK.
On the bright side, I usually break out after a wax so ladies with sensitive skin, this is the way to go! My skin was just fine days after my threading session. Another perk is the SUPER CHEAP prices. I mean 8 dollars for brows? What I steal!! I usually pay Christine at the Benefit Brow Bar 20 plus 3 dollar tip. The rest of the threading services are dirt cheap as well. I would definitely go back to get my upper lip done. Waxing and tweezing is just too painful!
I want to point out that Sumi seems to be doing less of the actual threading (fewer hours? Taking on more of the complicated procedures?). One time I dropped by and Sumi wasn't even there, so I went with her assistant, thinking it wouldn't be a big deal. BIG MISTAKE. While I never had any problems after going to Sumi for my eyebrows, one session with her assistant left my skin totally red and irritated in a way I'd never experienced before. I have no idea what she did differently, but I guess threading is a subtle art. If you go, INSIST ON SUMI. Now I've learned my lesson and don't even bother getting my eyebrows done unless I can get Sumi to do them.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/2/2008
I've never threaded (or waxed) my eyebrows before, and only rarely pluck, but even still I could… Read more »
I came in here for a walk in appointment and asked to see Sumi. She was very quick, and the threading job was efficient and painless. I was pleased with the shape that Sumi gave me, and I was even more pleased with paying $8 for eyebrow threading. However, I did think it was a bit odd that she held the thread in her mouth, and kept passing it back and forth between her teeth. It was almost like she was flossing, and then using the wet thread on my brows. I don't know if this was to the effect of shaping the brow, but I did find this to be unhygienic and and well, nasty. I was pleased with the eyebrow job but I'm not sure whether I would visit again, as I'd rather not be slobbered on during any threading experience.
I've gone to Sumi's on a few occasions for threading and waxing. Sumi herself is very good at what she does - she is very fast and efficient, the experience is relatively painless, and the results are decent. The problem is that more often than not, it's not Sumi but one of her assistants that ends up working on you. Most of the time, it's totally fine. However, I was looking for a "regular" threader that would know my preferences instead of having to explain them anew and not be sure of the result.
Finally, last time I went, I had a really bad waxing experience with one of her assistants, whose name I now can't recall. The woman did not know how to wax. She couldn't get all the hair on my armpits, so she waxed it over and over and over. Sumi would usually finish the job by threading the stubborn hair - this woman kept waxing. Result: my armpits got inflamed. Thanks but no thanks, I ain't coming back.
I never write reviews unless I am truly compelled and I had never been to anyone else but Sumi before. But after moving to NY and trying a different threading spot I now know how spoiled I was with Sumi's.
Sumi's is quick, painless and will make your eyebrows look amazing. I've had great experiences with her assistance--she's always asked what i was looking for (thick, thin) and will give her honest opinion. My eyebrows looked the best ever in Mountain View.
So, i read the reviews and i was excited bc this would be my first threading experience...
from the Reviews i thought Sumi would know what she's doing.
like everyone suggested i called ahead and she told me to come at 2. i came at 2:05 and waited til 2:15 so that's okay i guess.
(but as i was being threaded another lady came in later and apologized for being late to HER 2 pm appointment o_O go figure)
anyway, because i thought she was *so great* she wouldn't need any preferences. in fact she just began threading right away without really asking me what i wanted.
so... half of my brows were gone with no real arch and the eyebrows were considerably smaller. granted, i didnt do anything to them for about 2 weeks, but this was a pretty dramatic difference that sort of just made my face look like any typical teenybopper with little eyebrows.
needless to say i was a little bummed. i like the little natural arch i used to have...
next time perhaps i could ask her to clean up the stray hairs but leave my brows alone? :-/
pain wise, the first few was sort of whoa! but afterwards i got used to it. sort of like, peeling off a bandaid really fast. mm yeah
when i expressed a little shock she apologetically said i should have told her to do less . ... so, it's my fault i guess because i just assumed that she'd know..
THAT is to SAY: i'm sure she's good.... but make sure you make clear what you want. just for me, she's not my style.
they'll grow back
Went on Tuesday at 2:30pm, wanted Sumi but her assistant Ambret was the only one there. So I would give her a try since the last 2 times Sumi wasn't there, there were some hit and miss reviews on Sumi's assistants. Waited around 15 minutes til she was avail with another customer.
I asked to have my eyebrows cleaned with antiseptic, Ambret got a little defensive stating that she washed her hands. I explained my face is dirty and I break out easily. She washed her hands again and put antiseptic on my eyebrows then powder. She quickly did my brows, had me look in the mirror and I suggested one more line of hairs to thin it out, she agreed but didn't want to do it until I asked her.
So overall pleased with the outcome, Ambret turned out friendlier as the session went on, doesn't take liberties and take too much off unless asked to and only took around 10 minutes to thread and clip. Not as great as Sumi since Sumi was the one I first went to and knew me and my brows but I would go again to Ambret.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/7/2007
5/16/08 update:
I called to check her schedule around 5:30pm for today but didn't want to book since… Read more »
I called this business even though I did not use their service yet and the place was so professional I could not believe they would have anything but 5star ratings. Some of the bad reviews are ridiculous to say the least. I had heard they were professional and I will soon book a few sessions myself. I just need a few minutes off to set up an appointment. My friends go here and are truly satisfied.
Sumi is really great at what she does, she gave my eyebrows a whole new shape and they looked fabulous, I got a lot of compliments. However, the other people that work there are not good. Everytime after I leave I am dissappointed at seeing everything they missed. I stopped going here a few months ago because I kept making an appointment with Sumi and getting passed off to someone else.
I'm a believer.
Since my arrival in the Bay area, I've been going to Deepa "the Threading Queen" and never quite felt comfortable going to an unlicensed threading outfit masquerading as a video store. Ask Paula Abdul about what unlicensed work will get you. I digress.
I decided to check out Sumi about 3 weeks ago and was so/so on the eyebrow threading I received. I don't know the ladies name who did my first one but it was nothing to write home about.
I went back today and there was another lady there who had just finished some gorgeous henna art when she noticed I'd been waiting a while and did my brows and upper lip.
Holy wow. I'm pretty serious about my eyebrows and haven't had this good of a thread since I left NYC. Quick, nearly painless (cannot say the same about the experience with Deepa, her work brought tears to my eyes) and my brows are *perfect* (see picture and check for yourself).
I'm only giving a 4 star rating because the lady who did my brows didn't give her name when I introduced myself. I wish she would have so I know who to ask for when I go in!
I see Sumi on a weekly basis for all my threading needs. She's fast, cheap and very good at what she does! She knows just how obsessed I am with my eyebrows and always takes the extra time to make sure they are as perfectly aligned as humanly possible!
If you're lookiing for a high end boutique with scented candles and soothing music, this is not the place to go. Sumi's Beauty is an in/out kind of place which is perfect for my "on the go" lifestyle.
This place gets pretty busy so I try to make my appointments as early as possible to try to avoid the rush hour madness that hits at 5:00 p.m.
My first experience with Sumi was last week, January 15. I was tired of plucking my eyebrows and doing all the hard work myself, and one of my co-workers suggested that I go to the NAS Threading and Beauty Salon, but after I read the reviews for them and Sumi I decided to go with Sumi;l not only becuase of the reviews but also becuase she's no less than 7 minutes away from my work.
The Salon is nice and clean, and Sumi was right there ready to get working on my brows. Within 10 minutes (or less I believe) my eyebrows were shaped and cleaned out; Sumi noticed that one of my eyeborws was thicker than the other so she thinned it out a little more and at the end they looked FLAWLESS!! Great work Sumi, Next time I come to her I'll have a caravan of my co-workers with me!
I just moved to the area, and I went to Sumi based on other yelp reviews. I've gotten my eyebrows waxed in a bunch of different places, and this was the first time I've had the leftover hairs threaded (as opposed to tweezing). It was a weird sensation (and sound, actually), but very precise. She really took her time making sure she got the shape precise, and she wasn't afraid to get close even though I had just come from the gym and was smelly. The price was great, and I was pleased with the result, but don't go if you're looking for something super quick because she will really take her time to do a great job!
I didn't have Sumi do my eyebrows, but a friendly woman name Meena did.
I resisted the temptation to pluck for 2 weeks (I actually avoided mirrors so I wouldn't get grossed out) so that the salon could do all the shaping work. Thank God I waited! Yes threading is painful for me EVERYTIME (been doing it for years), but it's so worth it. Meena definitely took her time with me and when she was done she said, "Perfection." And yeah I gotta admit...my brows looked damn good.
This salon will be my regular place to go. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because it costs $8 for threading. *shaking fist* Damn you Bay Area and your high cost of living!
I love this place! Super precise, and so friendly. I got my eyebrows done here, and it was $8. Awesome. But you gotta look out for the place, as it's a little hard to find. I'm coming back fo sho!
Quick, efficient and friendly...all for $8! Waited about 10 minutes before it was my turn since Sumi was already threading someone and nobody else was there. Had some time to flip through the magazines...although all were from winter. Hopefully when I come back there'll be new magazines?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/7/2009
I've heard so many good things about threading so I wanted to try it, but I wanted to make sure I… Read more »
I just moved to California and was worried about finding a good place for eyebrow threading. I found Sumi's place on Yelp and went there right away. I'm so happy I found this place. My eyebrows look awesome!! :):)
Thanks Sumi!
I have gone to Naz-2 threading before and they are good but Sumi's was way better. I had mine done by a girl named Mina. She was sweet, nice, and fast. I might go back here. It's super close to work too.
P.S. Anyone should try a Shanaz facial. Get it here or at Naz-2. It's the best skincare line I have ever had
Oww..... WoW!
I have been waxing my eyebrows forever and was looking on yelp for any new recommended waxers, when I stumbled on Sumi's. After reading a couple of reviews I decided to take a chance and make an appointment to have my eyebrows threaded.
Sumi was quick and obviously skilled, because within 3 mins my eyebrows looked like pure perfection, which has never been achieved before, one always seemed a little thicker than the other...well not anymore!
It definitely hurts a bit more than waxing but as they say, pain is beauty : )
I am now a converted threader, and the price is amazing, only $8...UM I cannot believe that I was previously paying $24 with tip for waxing!!!
Saving $15 and achieving amazing brows is definitely worth the trade off of a little extra pain!
I went to Sumi once and she did a good job. However, I got my brows threaded by another woman. Mistake. Although I asked her to clean it up, she completely reshaped it into a '90s pencil shaped brow. I don't have thick brows to begin but now they're almost gone--- uggh.
so i'm new in town, and my eyebrows needed threadin' like no one's business. so i've been in norcal now for a month and i took my bushy eyebrows to sumi's after careful research. drive by too fast and you'll miss it--sumi's is a nice storefront (um, could be a little cleaner, but not to dirty to stay away) that provides all kinds of salon services. i walked in at 6:45pm and waited a 1/2 hour (!!!) for eyebrow threading. but it was totally worth it (for literally a less-then-5-minute service) and painless! next time, i'll call ahead, but at least they have copies of in-style magazines to peruse while you wait. oh, and my eyebrows look great! not bad for a 30-minute wait and $8!
I've been plucking my eyebrows for as long as I can remember. Shaping my eyebrows has always interested me but I've never wanted to wax since I have sensitive skin. I'd heard good things about threading so I finally resisted the urge to pluck and let my eyebrows grow like big bushy caterpillers for a few weeks.
I am so happy with the quality of my brows. It was quick, inexpensive and she did an amazing job finding the natural shape of my brows. While it did hurt a bit, it was not bad and the redness went away quit quickly. I'd definitely go back!
I heard about threading from my sister. I usually do it the old fashion way with a tweezer. The damn salons places always close at 6 or 7pm. Well I get off of work at those time, so I could never make it.
So, of course I go to yelp and try to find a place that does threading near my work place, and found Sumi. She is locate about 15 mins from work, and she has great reviews, yeah! When I'm not busy at work around mid day, I would leak out and let the receptionist know. I whisper to her I'm going to salon ;-) She giggles ( we are really close).
I figure I might as well get a few things done while I'm here. She does great upper lip threading! I love it.
My eyebrows? Ummm, its alright...it's a little bit too thin for me (which I was not fond of). For my underarms, Sumi gets the wax from the bottom of the shelf and puts it on the table next to me. It seems like she does not wax people often. When she put the wax on, it did not glide on, it felt a little rough. Felt like the wax was old. I like the fact that she threads my under arm after she wax to make sure everything is off.
She is very cheap! $4 upper lip. $8 under arms and $10 for eyebrows.
I decided to be adventurous given the positive Yelp reviews; it was my first time getting my eyebrows threaded. I went on a weekday afternoon and I didn't have to wait. Sumi wasn't there, so Amrit worked on me. She did a nice job; I would return again.
Absolutely wonderful. I never let anyone there but Sumi do my brows, so I really can't vouch for her apprentices.
Sumi is fast, listens to what I want, and never seems to miss a single hair. I LOVE this place!
Tip: go on a weekday if you don't want to wait, and/or call ahead to ask how busy it is.
Sumi is really, really good at what she does.
I went for the first time to get threading done on my eyebrows, and she was done in 5 minutes. And it was the best eyebrow shaping I've ever gotten.
She asked me about my preferences for how I wanted my eyebrows to look, and followed it.
She recommended that I call in before I come, just to make sure they aren't extremely busy. As this seems to be the #1 complaint with Sumi Beauty, I recommend the same. You can even make an appointment. She seems to be considerably less busy on the weekends.
The 4 stars are for Sumi. She is quick, the wait is never too long when I've been there, and she gets my crooked brows (one is higher than the other) closer to even than other threaders or waxers I've been too.
BUT I'm mainly writing this review to warn everyone against her assistant. If you go in and Sumi is not there, DO NOT allow her assistant to do your eyebrows for any reason, even if it is 6:30pm the day before you need to be a part of a wedding.
I ended up with one skinny eyebrow and one fat eyebrow. The fat eyebrow was significantly more arched than the skinny one (which is kind of a feat in itself, since that eyebrow is usually the less arched one). And the skinny eyebrow was way higher than the fat eyebrow.
Thank god I have long sideswept bangs to cover the uneven-ness until it grows back, because I don't even know how to use an eyebrow pencil.
I have officially axed waxing and only thread now. I found Sumi Beauty Salon on Yelp and it is very convenient for me to get to. I never make an appointment and just walk in. At the most, I usually only have to wait 10 minutes or so. I will agree that Sumi does do a better job, but I'm not opposed to her assistant working on me. You cant beat the price either! I have very sensitive skin and ever since I started threading, I never break out after treatment. Great small little place in Mountain View.
I had some confusion to find the place and after I parked in a parking lot next door and walked in, she told me to move my car since that's their neighbor's parking lot.
So she threaded my eyebrow and left me to move my car (!) and then when I came back she continued her work.
Kinda weird experience!
Her price is cheap but my eyebrows didn't match, one of them has very thin tail!
It's an OK salon, I may come back if I don't have any choice like the other day!
Just came back from seeing Sumi. I LOVE MY EYEBROWS. Hallelujah!!!
I made an appointment this morning. Sumi was very flexible about her availability. She is also sooooo kind and listens really well. I described exactly how I like my eyebrows and showed her a picture. She gave me advice on how to grow them and why one eyebrow seemed to be growing differently than the other. After a few minutes of threading, my eyebrows were wonderfully shaped and clean, clean, clean. She's quick and very thorough.
$8 + $2 tip = $10. And she accepts all major credit cards (including American Express).
Note: I've had my eyebrows threaded by others for the last 6 years so, I don't find it painful. I've never had my eyebrows waxed either, so I can't compare the two methods.
She's great- really friendly, flexible, very available.
I got my eyebrows threaded for the first time here.. let me tell you it hurts more than waxing! It was over fairly quickly though, and I was out of there with none of the red puffiness from waxing I normally get.
Definately would go here again! Especially since it's only $8...
Sumi is amazing!
8 bucks and your brows are to die for!!!! I won't dare pick up a pair of tweezers again.
Okay, minus a couple of stars because the quality of the service has been decreasing over time. When you call for an appt. they don't honor it when you arrive - you wait and wait and wait. They always seem to be in such a hurry! Then if you get Sumi's assistant because of the crowds....the results are terrible....very noticeably uneven brows. I love the threading technique but not at this particular shop. Too bad.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/14/2008
For all my fellow BROW VIRGINS....
It was my virgin run. I'd never in my life had *anything* done to… Read more »
Ouch! but for $5, I had my sideburns(?) threaded in like 30 seconds in this very convenient location in MV! Not a fancy place at all, but the lady (not Sumi) was very nice. The lady behind waiting for Sumi was very rude and spoke very loudly and in a demeaning way to this employee who obviously did not speak English that well. This was totally NOT cool. Be nice to people, please!
The only reason I used to go here to get waxed is because they usually don't require you to make an appointment way in advance. I have often called them when I was driving on El Camino and have been able to walk into the salon within the next 10 minutes. Sumi does a good job on her own, but she is usually busy threading clients. This one time I went there, she was not around and her assistant worked on me. She seemed to be new, was extremely slow and kept dropping blobs of hot wax on my arm! The 3rd time this happened my skin got burned very badly and I was in excruciating pan. I told her to stop immediately and hastily left the salon. The next day a huge painful blister had formed on my arm and I went back to show it to Sumi. She proceeded to finish waxing the rest of my hand (no apology) and then went ahead and charged me for the service! This was several months ago and I still have a pretty bad scar. I will NEVER be going back here.
I'm a eyebrow-threading devotee, and was excited when I was at Cost Plus and Sumi came in and gave out some flyers about her new salon.
I went there yesterday for threading, and because it was my first time with her, she did my eyebrows for free! She took a lot of time to make sure they were perfect, and I must say that it's the best brow job I've had since I moved to the south bay.
If you're obsessed with perfect eyebrows, like I am, definitely give this new place a try, Sumi is great!
UPDATE: I continue to go to Sumi a couple times a month for threading, and have been consistently pleased. I even took my mom, who has never had her eyebrows done in her life. Thanks Sumi!
I am never coming back to this place again. At the end of an extremely rushed five minute session for which I had waited about an hour, I was BLEEDING from two spots above my left eye and on both corners of my lips. I was wondering why the threading was so painful, but the blood I saw when I opened my eyes explained everything.
I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned that Sumi seems to try to squeeze in more appointments than she can handle. It's one thing if everyone has to wait a bit longer, but completely unacceptable if she rushes so much that she ends up tearing up someone's face.
