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Vain A Salon
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
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"This review is for Lan, a senior level stylist. She is FABULOUS and knows how to give a FANTASTIC cut! Because I have thick, long, wavy…" read more »
80 reviews for Vain A Salon
Before I went to Bobby the girls wouldn't even look me in the eye.
And then he cut my hair and made it sexy and now I get laid all the time!
So after waiting a long long time, I finally got an app't with Bobby. I guess my expectations were really high because of the RAVE reviews for this place. Sadly. I was disappointed, so I will still be on my quest for a great hairdresser. I asked for a cut to even out some old layers and was told I should ""wait" till it grows out. So for a tiny trim and color I was charged a boatload of money and was not impressed.
Then I was passed off on his assistant for the blowdry which was not that great either. I thought the salon was really tacky looking too.
Not what I expected at all.
Ok listen up, bitzes. Bobby is one of the best. Period. He creates innovative and modern styles and knows his shit completely. For the folks on here who didn't like their:
-experience
-style
-whatever
...here's what I suggest and I suggest this with NO snark. I'm serious. Make another appointment with Bobby, sit and chat with him, LISTEN to his observations and input; he's really really good. If you ask for something he thinks can't or shouldn't be done, he's got your best interest in mind. He doesn't want you to leave his salon freaking that "oh, crap, I should never have done this; what was I thinking!"
Quite frankly, he doesn't need new clients, and if you become a new client that means that I may have to wait longer to get my next appointment. But I'll sacrifice, lol, so you can get another chance at Bobby-love. He's good. He's great! Take it from me. I've been going to Bobby for a long time and followed him to his new salon. I don't want anybody else to touch my hair.
Go. Make the call. Now.
Personally, I did not like the decor. Most importantly my experience was less than pleasurable. I found that the receptionist (wife, I think?) was rude and unattentive to the customers. She won't look you in the eye, doesn't greet you, and is rather curt. They don't always answer the phone, so sometimes difficult to get a person on the line. There isn't much parking, either. It's a small lot.
The worst part was I was not happy with the service. The color was pretty bad and it was very expensive for a mediocre job. I won't be going back.
Bobby's my hairdo PIMP!!!!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2009
ok boys and girls repeat after me!
Bobby! Bobby!
He's our man!
If he can't do it, no one can!!!!!… Read more »
Still loving Vain! I have gotten so many compliments on my new cut and highlights! Bobby continues to make me look fabulous! Now my whole family looks fabulous because of Vain! Because of Bobby- my man no longer looks like a cholo! Bobby gave his hair some stylo!
Sara U. gave my daughter a funky side swept bang and threw in some highlights, then toned it out to a cool red shade. My daughter is the envy of all her classmates! Sara even managed to get my three year old to sit in her chair without crying! Now he's the heartthrob of all the daycare honeys! Gotta give props to Danielle and Tina for giving killer blow outs and putting up with the hair monster familia. I love Vain!
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/21/2008
Still have like 4 more weeks to go until my next cut and I just got three compliments on my hair… Read more »
Update: Usually us females spend the first quarter of our lives fighting against our hair (i.e., straight perming, curling, flat ironing...etc.). Before there was Bobby there were an endless string of one night stands with random salons whose names I've long forgotten; rarely did I ever go to the same place twice. It was an aimless and lonely existence, I just wanted a hair stylist that could connect to my misunderstood but lovable hair!
Bobby gets my hair, he takes it as it is, he brings out the best in it...*sniffle*...he's the HAIR WHISPERER!! The cuts I get from Bobby are low maintenance without compromising style. I have thick wavy horse hair; I'm just saying, it's thick. His cuts are modern, easy to dress, and I have fallen in LOVE WITH MY HAIR. Gone are the days of traipsing from one salon to another, leaving them wondering if I'll ever call them again. Oh my god I think I'm committed.
By the way, this place runs sans an ego despite its popularity. There's no pretense, no BS, the entire staff is welcoming and genuine. Another side note: the cuts in my pictures are not the work of Bobby. I'll try to dig up a more recent picture to post.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/19/2008
This review is solely on an appointment booking basis:
So in combing through the reviews here, I've… Read more »
I *heart* my new Vain hair! But that's nothing new. Coming here feeds my soul and I get the perfect hairstyle every time. It's one Bobby creates for me and my hair. It's not a copy of someone else's style; especially the overdone and out of style Posh Spice bob, thank god!!!
And now, I have Rock Star status as well it seems. Got my appointments booked out for the entire rest of the year! Take that, bitches! Yes, VAIN rules and their clients know it and love it! The best service, people, styles, atmosphere, prices and stylists are VAIN! I'll be back......
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/10/2007
I went to Bobby about a week ago on recommendation from someone else on Yelp. So now, this is my… Read more »
I haven't made it here yet..but very excited to go this Saturday!!! I'm looking for a new hairdresser so this was recommended by a friend and all yee yelpers out there seem to love it as well. I have Long hair..hoping to go to short if Bobby agrees.
So I was finally able to meet Bobby for my haircut. His personality is really friendly open and honest. I had long hair (see pic) and he had free range to cut my hair short. I think that's every hairstylists wish..to have free range. I showed him pictures of pixie haircuts and bobs. With his professional advice, he said don't go for pixie, go more for a bob length. No problem, I'm not attached to my hair, it'll grow out (as long as the cut makes me look good and worth the $$)
So I came out with a pixie cut in back and bob in front. Do I like it? Yes from the front I love it. From the back not so much. It's way shorter than a bob should be, it' s more of a pixie cut..one-two inches long. So it seems to be two different cuts put together. To me, it's very disconnected. (picture attached) Bobby says this is a graduated bob, but I have friends that have graduated bob and it blended smoothly and looks like a graduated bob.
Remember I came in with HEALTHY LONG HAIR. Never been processed so beautfiul virgin hair to work with.
I had to go get it fixed today as the front wisps that framed my face were thicker on one side than the other. I also had to ask for my bangs to be more blended instead of just a blunt cut.
Bobby was more than willing to fix it. I'm disappointed because my hair was long enough to have a very nice graduated bob. And this will take me MONTHS to grow out into a bob that we talked about.
Though there was a girl next to me who loved her long locks and he just finished coloring it and it looked great and she was really happy.
He would have received 4 stars but the fact that the back was way shorter than a graduated bob should be and that I had to go get it fixed made me give him a two star. Maybe if you like your hair long? You can go to him?
I'm gonna go to my old hairdresser, even though he's double the price. I won't review him because..well he has enough clients and I don't want to have to wait more than three months for an appointment!
Following a catastrophic hair calamity at age 18, I was introduced to a young hair aficionado at a small salon on the East side. This guy completely transformed my mane from shameful to seriously fucking amazing.
Nearly six years later, I'm not at all surprised that Bobby is a popular and successful owner and stylist of this exceptional salon. So often people discuss decent hairdressers that may be good at giving you one particular look, but they're bound by their limitations in imagination, skill, and overall style. Bobby is what every person dreams about in a hair stylist: an artist. Seriously, people! listen to me!--an ARTIST. Aside from being absolutely talented, he's current. No matter how awful, lame, great, o-k, fabulous, ugly, beautiful, whatever your hair is, he knows how to give you the look that is right for YOU and that will make you look and feel like a bajilion dollars. And not in a pushy way. He listens to what his clients want and offers them suggestions based around their deepest inner hair desires.
I have only had my hair cut-- strike that, DESTROYED,-- twice by other "stylists" (aka fools) in the last six years, and I cannot imagine ever letting anyone else touch my hair except for Bobby. I know I'm just one amongst a thousand who feel this way, and take note... there's a reason for that.
In a very selfish way, I feel so proud and grateful to have had the chance to experience Bobby's magic. Thank you to Vain, Bobby, and his amazing team of Sara and Tina for existing! The world would be an ugly place without you.
I am so thrilled that I got an appointment to see Bobby and can now call Vain my new salon. Bobby is amazing and he did a fabulous job on my color and cut. I couldn't be happier with my hair! My family and friends loved it and even better, my sweetie loves it, so what more could a girl ask for?!? The salon is a fun place to be,it is cozy and artfully decorated. They carry Redken hair products which are available for purchase.
Bobby is very thorough in his consultation, he listens well, makes great suggestions and takes time to carefully assess your hair and design a cut that works well with your face shape, type of hair and lifestyle. He also gave me a clear outline of the steps we would need to take over the next couple appointments to get my hair to the desired shape/color and I appreciate the care he has taken to not over process my hair. The consultation was great and hard to find with many stylists.
It can be nerve racking going to a new stylist, but Bobby put me at ease and gave me confidence that he could make my hair awesome! I have a short asymmetrical bob that was way too thick and bushy and Bobby tailored it to a sleek and sexy do that is unique and not copied from a magazine! The color is vibrant, shiny and bright blonde!
Sara and Tina are great assistants. Sara dried and styled my hair and did a wonderful job. She also went over products and how I should be styling my hair at home. I was given a couple samples to take home and try which was a nice touch. It was very easy to recreate how she styled my hair at home and I spent less time styling than I have ever spent, which I love!
Thank you Bobby for the awesome hair! I am so thrilled that I have a space with you and look forward to seeing you again soon!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/7/2008
I called recently to book an appointment with Bobby after reading all the glowing reviews of him.… Read more »
Bobby and his crew are absolutely FABULOUS in every way. Bobby is a great person, and so skilled. And he and his delightful crew [Tina, Danielle, Sara] are all very helpful and fun to talk to. I always enjoy my visits to Vain Salon.
When you talk to Bobby you get a real sense of how truly knowledgeable and experienced he is. He'll listen and give you what you ask for, but if and when needed will advise you whether it's truly doable and complimentary to your look and hair's condition. Regardless, in the end he beautifies your hair with his expertise - the results speak loudly for themselves.
His cuts always look great out the door, and to my pleasant surprise even during the grow out stage. His eye for color is right on. In September he picked an allover color for my hair, in which I asked him to match my roots as closely as possible. After having a decade of different shades of brown, red, purple, and blond colored hair, I decided I wanted to grow out my natural color. It's been 3 months and I seriously still can't tell where my natural color ends, and my dyed hair begins. He did a flawless job picking the color, and his assistant Tina did a thorough application. I'm very impressed.
I feel happily spoiled to be one of Bobby's clients and hope that he never moves too far. :) To me, the journey in finding a great hair stylist is like finding a great boyfriend - with each passing one you may go through trial and error, learn lessons, make mistakes, and shed tears. And when you finally stumble upon the right one .. you feel like you've found gold.
I'm not sure what I really expected, but I couldn't have been more pleased. You see I never had very good salon hair experiences in the past, due to that and financial reasons, I gave in to trimming it myself, and using the box of miss clairol from the beauty section shelf. But all the while knowing that I wasn't really achieving the best me.
When all of a sudden an opportunity presented itself for me to have a chance to go and see Bobby, and to be morphed away into a whole new world at Vain!
Here is what I discovered, you see Bobby didn't really know me, but what he did for me was a true gift. An amazing one at that, he saw the real me that I wasn't portraying. When I sat in his salon chair, he and his staff created an image of me that was hiding, the real me, an air of confidence me, beauty from within... a bit sassy, and in control and finally letting the world to see. I know I am not the first person they have done this for. As I watched him, and listened to him as he went from client to client, I got to see him work his magic, with his art, his skill, and with the words he chose to speak. In those few hours he and his staff set free in all of us the spark, the zest for striving for more, and creating what is inside to match the outside perceived.
You see he is a visionary, and has an incredible gift, talent like no other, visions of uniqueness and beauty. When I photograph people there is a moment when they let their guard down, and I am given a glimpse of who they are, and it is magic when they do, it is the perfect shot a photographer strives for on a photo shoot, it is emotion evoked... But Bobby and crew have perfected this into a fine art with what they do to people's hair! I watched him assess his clients in his mind's eye, and then I saw him create, and then behold I saw that magic moment, the spark in their eyes, when his client saw their reflections in the mirror, and what they saw was their own perfection , that Bobby and crew brought to life. If I could have secretly taken their photos at that moment it would have been the epitome of a perfect story book ending.
So how does he work on so many at one time? Effortlessly flitting around the room from one to the next? He is magic, I'm convinced he is a hair God! I want to bottle up him and his beautiful wife Sara and his terrific sister Tina, and take them home with me!
I guess the most amazing part was when I saw my own reflection in the looking glass, for that magic moment of surprise was when I saw mine, when I saw the me looking back at me, that I knew was inside!
Thank you Bobby, Sara, Tina and staff for making me look like the best Lisa Ann that I can be!
If you want magic, if you want the fairy tale ending of the perfect salon experience, then there is only one answer! It is Bobby and crew at Vain you must see!
I know, I lag. This review is so long overdue it's embarrassing.
I have been going to Vain for quite some time now and I just have to say I love it.
If Bobby ever goes insane and has to be locked away somewhere, or gets carpal tunnel, I will just be beside myself. I would have to shave my head. No one has ever done the things he has done to my hair nor made me love my hair like I do now. My pilgrimages to Vain are like a treat to me. The decor is ever changing (as is Bobby's own hair) and the Vain family (staff is just a wrong word here, besides they ARE family) always make me feel welcome and relaxed and they are just plain fun and enjoyable to talk to. The prices are very reasonable and the service is above and beyond. Oh yeah the music is always good, too.
I know they are super busy but if you can get in and get an appointment - run like a thief. You will not be disappointed. Bobby is a genius and well worth the wait. The best thing I ever did for my hair was go to Vain.
You've made it past what has been thrown at you on Fear Factor and have approached the "what they call food" round. You're thinking that with all you have accomplished so far, there is no way in hell they will beat you. You'll come out on top...until they wheel over a ten pound plate of horse rectum. You take one whiff; turn a version of green that Martha Stuart wouldn't even use for her bed sheet collection and run; losing out on all of that cash.
You could not pay me to face my fear of finding a stylist. I'd rather shave my head to the scalp than traipse unknowingly into the lions den of a so-called-salon only to walk out looking like I had been in a fight with a fidgety lawnmower, hell bent on making its mark in this world.
Fortunately for me I go to Vain, and given their workload it looks like they'll never shut their doors (much to their chagrin, as retirement may never be in the cards!). Bobby, Sara and Tina are fabulous and I adore them all!
I look forward to my appointments at Vain as if they were mini-vacations; which essentially they are for my hair and peace of mind. I love the honesty of this place the most. The dynamic team is composed of highly creative minds and yet they aren't offended if you happen to dislike what they recommend. When I go I generally tell Bobby "you're the expert so just do what you do". I have never left unhappy and have ALWAYS had a wonderful experience at Vain.
Oh how I love Vain. Things to know:
* The seating is comfortable and intelligently placed
* The décor is busy enough to occupy your mind should you chose to not read a magazine (of which they have plenty) yet doesn't leave the lasting impression that someone puked on the walls in an attempt of modern art
* The buzz, chatter and banter is friendly and inviting without making you feel that you must be involved in order to receive the same service
* The abilities of the staff are impressive and awe inspiring
* Are they busy? Does the calendar fill up faster than a participant of a hotdog eating contest? You bet your ass! I'd be worried if a salon had walk-in availability, wouldn't you? I mean get real; this isn't a pedicure we're talking about!
If you are a new client and can't get in, keep trying. One day, if you are really interested, you will finally get that golden ticket and an appointment better and more satisfying than chocolate. As with Google and their IPO - you never know...it's better to get in on the ground floor than lose out to the people that challenged themselves to be different. Be satisfied, be pampered and be Vain. You won't regret it.
I forgot to mention... they are total dog lovers! For the last few visits, I'll bring my dog in (after my hair is done), and he just hangs out for a bit while I pay, chit chat, say good bye, etc. Oh, and he's no toy poodle! He's a good 64 pounder... so they love dogs of all sizes!
PS... as usual, I leave looking and feeling FABULOUS.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2009
Bobby is amazing! Bobby is my Hair God. He totally knew what to do with my uncooperative… Read more »
Frankly, I am shocked that people have reviewed this establishment based upon the fact that it has a substantial wait period, and not for it's actual services. I don't give Fall one star because I have to wait three-quarters of a year for it to come.
Now, for MY review.
Bobby, is the non-murdering version of Sweeny Todd. I've never gotten a shave from the man, but I'm fairly certain that if he gave me one, it'd be the closest I've ever had.
The services I have been offered, with cheerful contempt and welcomed cynicism, have been immaculate. For being a man, I am very, metrosexual, about my hair. I am also very, insubordinate, societally. So being both rebellious and finicky, it is very hard to find a suitable hair stylist that
A.) Is intriguing to talk to, yet doesn't when you don't want to.
B.) Has the skill necessary to pull off dying one's hair pink and purple well.
C.) Will bum you a cigarette.
D.) Makes you feel completely at ease around.
Skill. Personality. Awesomeness.
Vain, in three words.
(It probably goes without saying, but) The decor and cleanliness, are top notch as well. You can search the entire world your entire life for a salon this perfect, and never find it.
THAT is why the wait is three months.
Personally, this place is not as fantastic as people make it out to be...
I made an appointment 2 MONTHS ago just to SEE Bobby. What a joke that was, it literally took 5 minutes for him to tell me he couldn't do what I wanted ( I wanted to dye my hair blond)! I don't understand why he couldn't just fit me in any other day. It was was five minutes, if that! I would think that after my two month wait that he would at least cut my hair or something, but NO, I would have to set another appointment ( another 2 month wait mind you) just to get what I wanted done. Yeah, no thanks, I ended up going to Allan's Salon instead. (Way better in my opinion)
TOTALLY NOT WORTH IT
I still feel super special and privileged because I go to Vain. Seriously people I waited the month to get in my first time and I'm so happy I did. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I'm happy when I walk in and happy when I leave and my hair looks awesome to boot. Bobby and crew are fun and good at what they do, so it's no wonder they can't accept new clients. That means they're doing something right.
Vain is awesome, plain and simple.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/7/2007
Well Vain has a new addition to its fan base :) All you Yelpers are correct and the reviews don't… Read more »
I've been to Vain about 4 times now and honestly, I have literally never had so many compliments on my haircut, ever. It's almost ridiculous. It took about 3 cuts to get it to where I wanted it because it was such a drastic change from long hair and he needed to see how my hair grew and make adjustments. I got an asymmetric bob with long strands in front.
Bobby understands hair; he doesn't just do the same cut on every head. He will make recommendations for products, give suggestions for styling, and he will listen to you if you know what you want, and be honest about giving feedback.
I know it's hard to get appointments, but people should just deal with it, and when you go in just make your appointment for the next one and you'll be fine.
Please Note: This review is based on *appointment setting only* as well...
So... I've attempted to make an appointment here on a few occasions based on all the amazing yelp reviews... BUT every time I've received a call back, they inform me that they are only scheduling TWO months out in advance!!! I have NEVER experienced any salon to be sooo busy, but I can totally understand if there is only ONE hairstylist there.
I would still love to get my hair did here... but honestly, I have never scheduled 2 months out in advance ANYWHERE... not even at a 5-star salon.... so I probably never will..... I don't even plan for the next week in my schedule, let alone.. 2 freakin' months out.. so I'm pretty bummed.. therefore, I will continue my search for the perfect hair stylist and review my other options........
And be aware that they will give you a courtesy call back the evening prior to your appointment, so if you give them a landline number and fail to check messages, you just might miss your appointment :)
Anyhoo, I wish them well.. and to everyone else, I hope its worth the damn wait :)
Review based on setting up an appointment
I called to make an appointment with Bobby. I left a message (-1 star) and did receive a call back (+2 stars) the same day. Was told that there were appointments June at 4:30 or 5pm. New clients cannot have appointments on the weekend.
I asked for a website they didn't have one (referred to Yelp). I asked for the hours of opperation...and in a snotty voice "it's only 10-3 - so Bobby's making an exception". Minus 5 stars. I don't know how Bobby can have a pleathora of appointments after 3pm and still be "making an exception".
UPDATE: I received a call from Bobby, the owner, who left a voicemail on my cell phone later that day - *after* I made my review here on yelp. He called to confirm the cancellation of my appointment (which I was intending to do, so he saved me a call, but a confirmation usually involves two people. What he was really doing was 'informing' me that he was canceling my appointment). He went on to say that he was providing me an exception and so forth...at that point I'd heard enough and deleted the message.
I'm ammending this review for several reasons:
1) It's not professional to put someone in a confusing situation (offering them 4:30pm / 5pm appointments when your hours are 10-3) and then have a snotty attitude when the customer requests clarification on hours.
2) It's poor professional boundaries to offer an "exception" to someone who has never come to your location nor are you informing them that you are offering it to them up front. In my opinion, hours of 10-3 are a little odd (and I'm not the only person who feels that way) and if a business offers an exception to anyone who calls in, then it's those 'after hours' are not 'exceptions'.
3) A professional would want to smooth things over with the prospective client, not blame and alienate them. Regardless if they became a client or not.
The salon name should be call "A Vain Salon". The "A" is definately in the wrong place.
Good luck to you.
I think i found the hair god, with the goddess assistant!!! :) OK so I finally got in to see Mr. Bobby at his cute salon in Campbell, which is totally easy to find if you have some sort of common sense!! So I have blond hair and I love it PLATINUM!! Bobby was so awesome, he listened very well and gave me suggestions and also the confidence that he could make me fabulous!!!
Let me tell you he did, my hair is just perfect!!! Its Bright Blond and it is full of volume like I love!!I I'm kinda a hair diva i must admit!!
Tina (Bobby's Sister) was an awesome assistant and shampooer!! She is tons of fun to talk to and after just one time being at VAIN, it feels like my second home!!
OK so my final comment is that Bobby is the bomb at styling as well...I love when you can find a good color and cut person, but styling is just as important!!! Next time I have a big event, I am so calling him up for a fierce and fun do!!
Cheers Vain salon....see you in a few months!!
Listen...
I am a guy
and I never really cared about hair cuts until i grew my hair out
and now that its shoulder length i can tell what a good hair cut is
Bobby is a chill guy and easy to talk to
just a interesting person and my hair feels like he just cut it for atleast 2 months afterwards.
Oh Bobby, I miss you. You are as good as it gets. New York is great and all, but my hair kind of sucks these days.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2007
In consulting with Bobby about what to do with my mess of split ends and self-butchered bangs, I… Read more »
vain rules! I should Know, I own it.
*Update *4/14/08
VAIN still rules and I still own it.
Here are a few of my thoughts after a year of living the VAIN life.
This has been a remarkable year for all of us at VAIN, due in large part to the world wide interweb and http://yelp.com.
Me, Sara & tina want to give thanks to all of our clients, yelpers and non yelpers alike, you guys are the absolute best and we love all of you in a mostly non sexual way.
With that said here are a few things many of you who haven't been to see us may or may not know.
#1: We are a small salon. Many reviewers have said this but a lot of people don't seem to realize it. I am the only stylist in the salon, which means we can only see so many people in a given day, which means appointments can be hard to come by without much advanced notice. Sorry, Blame yelp, I do.
#2: We have no receptionist. Thats right, not even a little one, which means unless you find us in one of the rare moments that we don't have our hands in someone's hair your just gonna have to leave a message, we'll call you back, I swear we will. But here's the thing, if we were working on you and kept stopping to answer the phone and deal with making appointments would you really appreciate it? Unfortunately a receptionist is just not an option for such a small salon, many have commented on our reasonable pricing, well I could double that and inconvenience everyone just so we can have someone standing by to deal with the unreasonable expectations of the 0 friend no picture "yelpers" who are all treated so poorly by all of us, but I think I'll keep things just the way they are for now.
#3: Our Rude/ Unprofessional phone skills. We may be one but so are you. Guess what, at VAIN we're all family, the staff as well as the clients, ask any of our clients and they'll tell you the same. In that vein, if you call and give us an attitude expect the same right back, if you need your *ss kissed go to los gatos, you belong there.
#4: Some have said I act as if I don't care about new clients. That is 100% untrue, but I do care about our existing clients and if you're impossible and demanding over the phone I bet your not exactly gonna be a treat in person either and I just don't need all the negative energy infecting my salon, we work really hard to keep VAIN a fun & relaxing place to be.
#5: My "Odd" hours. We see NEW clients between 10am & 3pm Tuesday thru Friday. Odd hours I know. But I do have reasoning behind this. We got so booked for evenings and weekends that over the holidays, a time when everybody NEEDS to get in that we had to refer out a lot of out longtime loyal clients to other salons/stylists. That in my opinion is noway to repay client loyalty, luckily for me almost all of those clients returned to me and those who didn't I was fully understanding of, my inability to accommodate people who have stuck with me for years was unacceptable. So unfortunately for new clients I was forced to narrow my availability, my options were that or stop taking new clients all together, I'm sure had I chose the later we'd all have some great reviews about what a big headed snob I am for not seeing new clients. Whatever.
So there you have it, my thoughts on a year of Vanity. I actually like the suggestion of changing the salon name, We really are in LOVE with our salon so I guess that makes us "A VAIN SALON" (must look into that for next year.)
To all of our reviewers great, good, indifferent & whiney, Thanks!
If you read all that and still want to come in, please give us a call (and leave a message) if you read all that and can't believe a business owner could say such things, well then you are just who this was intended for, good luck and great hair to y'all.
It's all LOVE, It's all YELP, and It's definitely all VAIN!
Like other reviewers I used Yelp to direct me to the next chapter in my book of Hair. The reviews for Vain are fantastic and thanks to you Yelpers I have beautiful hair. No, not that yucky hair in the Yelp photo. I assure you it's a billion times better than that.
I'm a terrible client. I never know what I want. I only know what I don't want. And I expect a lot from the person holding the shears - I expect him or her to get me, to understand what will work for my style and my facial features and my skin color and my hair texture and I expect that from ever single cut. So what always happens is this: I have a great "first date" haircut that knocks my socks off and every subsequent experience is sort of a slow downhill coast into regular-loyal-client-ville, a land where each $85 ticket is just a glorified trim and each color is just a root touchup. (Did you hear that James Craig?)
Well I got a haircut from Bobby today and I get this really positive feeling that I'm not on the train to that boring old town anymore. I got a $50 ticket to wherever I wanted to go and I'll bet I can get a new ticket each time I return. Bobby took the time to get to know about my lifestyle and my job and what I'm willing to deal with for hair, including how often I'm willing to get it done. That effort really helped set my expectations. I know he didn't spend that time with me because I'm particularly interesting. He spent that time with me because he does it with all his new clients, I'm sure of that.
So if you're reading these reviews and trying to decide whether to call to make an appointment then read on. I'll tell you what I think you can expect.
1) expect to wait. Vain is a popular spot for more than one reason. Talent and great service is not just a phone call away. It's a calendar month away at the very very least. It's worth the wait. But if you're one of those "I need a haircut today" type people, those people who don't plan their personal care appointments in advance, well then it's not the best salon for you.
2) expect personalized service.
3) expect a great price. I was paying a lot more money for a lot less service in the past at other salons. Vain represents a really great value for the $.
4) expect to share Bobby and Sara with other clients. They're busy and the scheduling appears to be very efficient to make the best use of their time. This is not a bad thing and for a $50 haircut I expect to have to share. If you expect to have a personal servant who acts like you are the only person in the world who exists, well go somewhere else and expect add another digit to the price of the services.
5) expect to book your subsequent appointments in advance.
6) expect a great shampoo. Sara you made my day and I won't forget it.
***EDIT***
ahem, sorry Tina. I owe YOU for that shampoo and not Sara. Sorry Sara. I was going to bring you a gift because I wanted to tip you separately and didn't have cash but it wasn't you. So that gift is gonna have Tina's name on it :p.
Dear Bobby, I'm sorry for inadvertently accusing you of being married to your sister.
I haven't actually been to this salon, but I'm writing this review based solely on the customer service I've received in simply TRYING to make an appt. I've been trying for 2 days to call this salon, at all different hours of the day. I always get a vague recording to leave a message. I have left two messages and nobody has called me back. I was prepared to wait a few weeks for an appt, but not prepared to wait so long to actually talk to somebody on the phone.
Although I don't doubt that ths guy does great hair, the lack of proper customer service for new clientele has been a great turn-off for me. If I'm already annoyed and irritated just TRYING to make an appt. at this place, I am thinking it's not for me. The lack of acknowledgement of my call seems a little more pretentious than I'd like a salon to be.
The quoted prices on the website were pretty high, when compared to other similar services, but I was willing to pay a little more for good service. Now, I'm not willing to pay a dime. See you Vain, you've already lost me as a customer without even having to walk through the door.
OH MY GAWD...WOW...
Was the reaction I got at work today after I went to see Bobby yesterday. It was my first time there, and I specifically chose to visit Bobby thanks to all of you Yelpers!
Before seeing Bobby, my hair was highlighted and started to get brassy and just didn't look that flattering in photos. I wanted something fresh. I went in for a consultation (anyone who is interested in going to Bobby should schedule one because he will take the time to go through what will look good) and left with some homework.
I wanted bangs, so I had to find pictures of bangs. In the meantime I also found a hair color that I liked so I brought all of those pictures in...and VIOLA! 4 hours later, I had a head full of hair that is very to my natural hair color, but better! It was glossy, bouncy, and I felt as good as I looked. I'm going to take super care of it so it'll last until my next appointment with Bobby.
VAIN's pricing is reasonable, and I love it! Otherwise, corporate slaves like myself would just look like plain janes with our flat ugly hair because our salaried 80 hour work weeks reduced us down to getting paid minimum wage. Now I'm a head turning corporate slave =P Thanks VAIN, Thanks Bobby!!!
Ok...It's been months that I should have written a review for my haircut with Bobby. Shame on me. 1st off I would like to say Bobby you should go on Shear Genius. You may hate that show but I think you should be on there. Bobby made my hair look like Pussy cat dolls meets Wall Street. Professional yet sexy. His work is realistic and amazing.
My next appointment is next month and I am looking forward to coloring it. NOT BLOND, like some Asian girls. Bobby is REALISTIC!!His work will be out there for people to see.
Vain is worth the wait.
I've been going to the same stylist for over 20 years and needed a change. I looked towards yelp and found one. Bobby at Vain. I went during my lunch and told him to do anything he wanted to. Bobby asked several questions so he would get to know you/your style. I know you might think it's crazy that he had free reign, but I wanted to try something new and since Bobby got rave reviews I didn't think he would screw up on my hair. He cut my hair short - above the nape.
I went back to work and people noticed. I NEVER received so many compliments on my hair before - at least 15 to 20. Even the guys at my work, who likes long hair, complimented the style. There's this one female at my work who NEVER compliments other women on anything. She told me that she liked my hairstyle and that was a keeper. I was totally shocked. One of my coworkers loved my hair so much she asked for Bobby's number and made an appointment immediately.
Bobby is the Bomb!!!
Getting your hair cut by someone you've never been to is terrifying, especially when you have curly hair.
It was in that spirit of abject fear that I selected Vain after reading a lot of reviews on Yelp and vacillating for the better part of five months about whether it was worth it to go back to Arizona for a haircut.
Bobby was fabulous. No, seriously, amazing. He asked me questions, not just about how I wanted my hair to look but actually about my hair itself, and I felt like he was really seeing me and *my* hair, not just another random head.
So long story short... I'm happier now than ever with my hair and feel completely confident that I can walk in there in six weeks and say "Do whatever you think I'll like today" and actually get a cut I love.
Decades ago, I had long, thick, fine textured, wavy/curly gorgeous hair, and took it for granted. Now that I am 56, my hair has gotten thinner, and the grey hair has gotten coarser, and I felt deep despair that it's beautiful days were over. Hair stylists blew my hair straight , to give me a cut that I hated from the next morning. Bobby somehow magically transformed my hair from an asymetrical grey straw mop bob to healthy looking beautifully layered waves and curls, without even taking the length off. He exclaimed 'I love curly hair' while he was cutting mine, and I hadn't even realized it was curly, I had thought it's wavy days were over. I now have mostly brown Botticelli type curls from just a cut, no perm, no dye. He fulfilled my decades long dream of going to Jose Eber, as he is the Jose Eber of Campbell, and it is an honor to have gone to him.
The salon is relaxing and comfortable as well, in it's classic hip and funky retro way, and serves as a perfect backdrop for his stunning artistry. Wow! what a great find!!
**UPDATE** Aug 15, 2007
Just came back from my reshape with Bobby, who kindly offered to fix my cut after reading my 3 star review of Liz, and I am ecstatic! It couldn't have been better! It is EXACTLY what I was looking for.
So 5 stars, for great customer service and making sure I was 100% satisfied, and 5 stars for the great wedding advice on dresses from him and his sister for this bride to be! I will definitely be coming back to Bobby to make sure my hair is in good shape for my wedding!!
I was in desperate need for a haircut and color and after reading all the reviews on this place I decided to give it a chance. I couldn't schedule an appointment with Bobby, since he was booked for the next 3 weeks, and the receptionist suggested Liz, so I said sure. Overall, I must say she did a good job. She got the color I was definitely looking for, but as for the cut, it was ok. It just seemed a little basic. For the price, I paid, I think I might try some other salons....! She is definitely a sweet person and we had a great conversation....but, I think I would love to have Bobby have a go at my hair next time....
Bobby rocked my world. Most gorgeous color I have ever had. He exceeded all my expectations.
My first visit to Vain was 3 weeks before my wedding. The last lady to cut my hair, though she was awesome, decided to leave the country and not call her clients to let them know. Bobby and his sister spent 4 hours on my cut, color, and highlights. As the minutes ticked by, I started to get worried that 4 hours in the salon was going to turn into a bankruptcy experience. But the price was surprisingly reasonable. And when I got home, my honey tried to jump me upon seeing my newly acquired hotness.
Thank you Bobby! You rock!
EDIT #2 10/13/07: I have the greatest hair ever, AGAIN, by bobby. he always empowers me to reinvent myself. like madonna, only sassier.
EDIT: Whoever gives vain less than 5 stars needs to be shot.
So I have curly, unmanageable hair. I've been cursed with it my entire life. Two years ago, on a whim, I decided to try out a salon in Campbell called Rage. The receptionist reffered me to Bobby. I AM SO LUCKY!!
It is kismet. I have followed him to his new salon. I have never been more happy with my hair in my entire life. He will be very truthful with you as to what you can and can't do with your hair. And his wife and sister rock. And I always look forward to coming to see him because they are genuinely nice people who are great at what they do.
I have also reccomended him to 2 other people, they like him a lot too and have given him repeat business as well.
Better book an appointment now, because he is very popular. :)
BOBBY = THE BEST.
I started coming here in April '08 after reading all of Bobby's Yelp reviews and it was the best decision I made for my hair!
Bobby and his staff are so easy to get along with...they are not pretentious like those other high-end snooty salons. Bobby fixed all the mistakes the last stylist I went to had made (color, cut) . He told me what kind of cut fit my face shape and even encouraged me to get bangs, which I LOVED (though they are growing out now...but I will have him cut them again). I once made the mistake of trimming my bangs w/ someone else since I didn't have time to drive down to his salon. BIG MISTAKE. I went to Bobby and he was like, "So who cut your bangs?" I couldn't hide it. He recognized the flaws right away! Even though his salon is 45 mins away from my house, I will make the trip to get my hair cut. Plus he doesn't charge an arm and a leg...totally reasonable. Oh and plus he is super funny...and totally famous...you should only be so lucky to have your hair touched by his magical hands.
Being a client of his makes you feel like you are part of an elite club. It's not everyday he takes new clients.
P.S. Sara and Tina are also fabulous!
I think this review is way, way, way overdue. I've been going here since October (every 3 weeks!) and Bobbo (or his real name Bobby) has always been awesome. His team (okay family) at the salon is very laid back and friendly, they take real pride in their work and are very professional!
I'd consider myself a very picky guy, and he makes the cut by far! Awesome place, and have recommended it to many friends who've asked about my hair.
If you're looking around in the area for a new stylist or to try something different, don't hesitate.
One word sums up my experience at Vain - "wow"
Bobby is an amazing hair stylist and I always walk away feeling gorgeous. His sister and wife also work in his shop (assisting Bobby) and they along with Bobby are super nice and friendly. The first time I went they made me feel right at home.
I have a patch of hair on my head that I have always had problems with and Bobby was the first hairstylist I have been to who has been able to help me tame it!
Bobby books up quickly but make an appointment - it is definitely worth the wait! :)
Based on all these positive reviews, I went in for a haircut with Bobby. I had let my short haircut grow out for way too long! It was bordering a little too close to mullet for my liking... so, I brought in a few pictures of what I did and didn't like and Bobby spent a good amount of time talking with me about my options. Then, a quick shampoo and we were off!
He was really good at gradually going shorter and letting me check it so that I was comfortable with the length. As it turns out - I like it short! I really liked it upon leaving and was very happy with the cut. Also, the overall experience was pleasant - good music and a casual and friendly atmosphere.
After about 2 weeks, I wasn't completely happy with how my hair was behaving. So, I called and asked if I could come in to talk with Bobby just to see if it was something about the cut or my lack of styling abilities. Bobby sat me down and he suggested a bit more texture on the top and sides so that my fine and straight hair wouldn't behave quite so fine and straight. So, he chopped away for a little bit, then applied a little dab of product, and I'm walking out the door - very pleased with my haircut!
I really appreciated the willingness to work with me after the initial cut - AND squeezing me in between customers. I will definitely be back and hopefully before the mullet returns! :)
