Chop Salon

Betty has been cutting my hair for about 4 ½ years and she’s always been great about asking me what I would like to do with my hair before shampooing it and understanding what I like and don’t like about the last cut. Following my lead Betty has made suggestions in the past about how I could change up my hairstyle but hasn’t been pushy. The atmosphere in the salon is nice — I like the music and the art from local artists hanging on the walls. At the end of each appointment I always book my next one because Betty’s calendar gets full fast.

My stylist is Beth and she is my hair savior. I’ve been trying to achieve gray/​silver color and she has been the only stylist out of 4 others I’ve been to that has been able to repair/​save my hair from chemical breakage and let me leave the salon being happy with the way my hair looks. She goes above and beyond including doing research to help me achieve the look and I want and tells what she believes will be the best for my hair. If you want someone to achieve the what want plus while making sure that your hair will be damages as little as possible, Beth is the person you are looking for. Plus, Beth is just fun to be around and I always look forward to appointments because I love her company!

Beth,
My incredible stylist! Super excited to be seeing her in Berkeley! She has totally transformed life in the bay! If you are in need of a stylist for Asian hair and want color– she is incredible! Not only will you have her personal attention and expertise, but she’s super passionate and genuine– with some mad skills!
Love you lady! And you’ve got me for life!

Annie Delgado was recommended to me by a co-​worker when I was looking for a hair stylist for my wedding. I had mentioned I was looking for someone ‘calm and laid-​back’ that would go with the flow and be fun to work with on my wedding day. Annie was exactly that and more. I went in for a trial styling and was swept up in her calm demeanor and incredible ability to listen and help bring to life the up-​do that I wanted to try. I ended up going back in for a hair cut and make-​up trial in the weeks leading up to event, and had complete trust that I was in great hands for the big day.
In the end Annmarie and Beth styled 5 bridesmaids, 1 bride, 6 sets of false eyelashes and varying degrees of make up for everyone. They showed up with a bottle of champagne and were amazing to have with us the morning of the wedding! Thanks so much for making everything perfect for our wedding day!

I’ve been getting my hair cut by Annmarie for a bunch of months now, and I think she’s just terrific. I am always happy with my cut, which she has changed subtly from one time to the next. I am fantastically happy with what she has done with the color. And she is so lovely to talk to. I used to put off having my hair cut because it was hard to talk to the person cutting my hair. Not any more.

A few months ago my girlfriend showed up with the cutest haircut. I loved it and upon asking, she told me that she saw Annemaire at Chop Salon. Last week it was time for a cut of my own, so I made an appointment with Annemarie. I have shortish (chin length) curly ringlet Caucasian hair and Annemaire did a FANTASTIC job. She totally gets curly hair. As a 44 year old mom, I don’t want to look like a soccer mom, but I can’t go all crazy with my style either. Now I feel up to date and fresh but not at all conservative. The proof is that I’ve gotten tons of compliments in the last week from a ton of strangers. I’m not tooting my own horn, this is all props for Annemaire!

My haircuts here have always been prefect. Annemarie is great, and she is really nice. I would definitely recommend this place.

I went for a haircut today by Annemarie. She did a great job and I am very happy with my haircut. I know I am a difficult client because I went in for a haircut saying «keep the the length» which she totally respected! I was wanting a Taylor Swift long bob, with Nicole Richie bangs and Lauren Conrad waves. Price was on par with boutique salons.
The shop is clean and has an edgy vibe. They offer tea, coffee, and water at a self serve station upon arrival, but I could not figure out the Kurig so I got water.
Nice place, would go again. They seem to know a lot about color so I may for that next time.

I don’t write Unilocal reviews very often, but Betty is so good I’m gonna do it!
I’ve been getting my hair cut by Betty (the owner) for years. I’ve had longer cuts, angle cuts, super short pixie cuts, and now I’m letting my natural curls go wild. I’ve never walked away from a cut with Betty less that 100% delighted. Every cut I’ve had is just perfect (no meh, good enough hair cuts here). She is one of those rare hairstylists that just «gets it.»
Word to all you curly girls out there: Betty knows how to cut curly hair! I have big ringlets (i’m jewish and asian) and short shoulder length hair. Betty does a great job shaping and defining the curls. I can trust her to make decisions about what to do and she always talks through the cut with me beforehand to get my approval/​input on the style. I’ve never had her do something to my hair that I didn’t expect.
And of course, plan a few weeks ahead as Betty is usually booked 2 weeks out.

Ok, so it isn’t that I received a «bad» haircut, I mean it’s fine, but lemme explain.
I walked in with what had been an asymmetrical pixie bob cut…6 months ago. On top of it I still had about an inch of old old old pink/​white at the bottom of the long side.
I asked the «apprentice» stylist to please:
1) even out the asymmetry
2) Cut off any remaining pink/​white
3) chop off that silly outgrown pixie mullet in the back!
She consulted her boss lady and they had a conversation on the other side of the shop. Like playing Telephone.
The stylist «started» by cutting the back of my hair. And then that was the end… didn’t even trim up my layers. At some point she commented on how she liked the pink/​white. But wait… I asked you to cut that.
So I ask again if she can cut the pink/​white off, she hesitates, goes to ask the supervisor and they both basically conclude that «That would be a totally different cut» and that I’ll have to wait until my next cut.
Well…I guess that’s the point. I wanted and asked for a totally different cut. My hair is STILL asymmetrical, with old color overgrowth, and after a month my «mullet» is back though at least the back is overall more even with the rest of my hair.
Maybe the supervisor should consult with the apprentice AND client next time? Or possibly repeat back what the client has said so everyone knows they’re on the same page?
Who knows, maybe it was an off day, but I’ll probably spend my money somewhere else next time.

What a lovely place! The gals were sweet as pie, Beth was my stylist, the shop was clean and totally adorable, and my color and cut look amazing! I moved to Oakland about a year ago and have been looking for a new hair place, and I have definitely found it! I have been growing out my hair for a few months and been coloring it on my own, so it was lifeless and faded. When I walked out after an amazing experience my hair was so smooth, happy, and the prettiest shade of red. I came in not knowing what I wanted and just a few pictures that I liked, Beth looked at them and made suggestions that would look best and not damage my hair more, and the outcome was great! Beth was such a delight, I brought my besties with me and we all had a great time chatting together. I definitely have found my new place and can’t wait to go back for my next look!

Love it here. Annmarie is my goto. Couldn’t be happier. She cuts my sons hair as well and we both can’t keep the ladies off us. Besides being a scissor ninja she is super cute and a joy to talk with.
I recommend this place to all.

Annmarie is a god send !
I recently chopped off my waist length hair for the first time in my life and just wasn’t really feeling it. The stylist who did the chop didn’t want to do the cut I wanted because she wanted it to be more «chic», so I let her go for whatever she wanted and hoped it would turn out okay. I looked like a five year old boy trying to be a Beatle, which has the potential to be adorable but wasn’t what I was looking for.
One morning I woke up and couldn’t take it anymore, so I called the closest place to me. Chop got me in right away. Super cozy place, nice people, great vibes.
I showed Annmarie a few pictures of what I originally wanted and she was game. She offered her input, told me what would go well with my bone structure, and gave me a luxurious shampoo/​head massage. Did I say she was a god send yet?
She’s awesome to talk to and really listens to what you’re saying. She followed my requests to the T (actually– she kind of telepathically did what I wanted before I had to chime in– yeah, she may be a hair psychic).
NEVER before have I been like «whoa, I like this» as the cut is happening
…and then been like «whoa, I like this» once it’s over
…and then been like «whoa, I LOVE this» when I got home to investigate
…and then been like «omg I still love this and people are STILL complimenting me on the street» a month later.
I could continue on talking about Annmarie’s skill for a few more pages, but then I’d feel bad that you were still sitting here reading this with your same old boring haircut, wasting your time instead of making an appointment at Chop.
Just go do it.

I’d been going to another salon in Berkeley and always just had sorta so-​so service… The old place was always running late, it was swirling with chaos and honestly just not that clean. So I was on the hunt for something better and lucky for me, Annmarie and Chop Salon were perfect.
My appointment started right on time and I was greeted right away, even though the receptionist was finishing with another customer. The salon was spotless, there was coffee and tea offered, good tunes playing and a generally warm and easy atmosphere.
I got a great wash and head massage combo and Annmarie listened to my cut desires and my normal routine. Annmarie got to work and did a wonderful job — she was quick but didn’t seem rushed at all. My cut came out perfect, we talked about my color ambition for next time, and I will definitely be back.

I’ve been going to the same salon in Berkeley for the last two years and just feeling «meh» about it. The cuts and colors have been good but the salon always looks like a tornado has just blown through and the staff feels rushed and is always at least a half hour behind on appointments…
So I ventured out to Chop in search for better — and found it! Chop was clean, inviting (was greeted right away even though the receptionist was busy with another customer), well decorated and bright. I was offered water, coffee or tea and lead over to the station.
Annmarie was warm and professional and clearly loves what she’s doing. I described what I wanted and my normal routine and she described what she would do and then did exactly that. Even though my wash, cut and style was pretty straight forward Annmarie never seemed rushed.
This was the salon experience I’ve been looking for — which was so refreshing!
And, I’ll be back next month for color.

So I get my hair cut VERY rarely, mostly because I just feel like its too much work and effort to make the appointment, get there and then make small talk while risking being completely unhappy.
I am thrilled to say that Annmarie, has changed my mind about that. She listen to my concerns about my hair cut, (have really long hair, below my butt and wanted to go with LONG layers not taking too much off) and also put in her professional opinion, which was great!
Not only did Annmarie do a fantastic job, with the haircut, she was a pleasure to chat with.
I recommend Annmarie without hesitation! She was great!

I had a horrid experience.
Long story short.
–I didn’t get what I wanted so I got a twenty dollar off the total. I tipped the girl 20%
— she told me to come back Tuesday to get it fix, if I wasn’t into it. So I did
— when I called to book it, I wasn’t told I’d be paying full price for fixing the stylist error
— oh and AND my blond is turning green!
— when I first got my hair done I saw the manager and I thought that she was a beautiful woman, unfortunately she was unkind and dismissed the fact that my hair was turning green and did not look like the picture (s) at all!
So sad it was not the best experience ever.
It wasn’t the money, they missed the principal of great costumer service

I got my hair cut with Annmarie (boy — I hope I spelled that right) today, and it is honestly one of the best haricuts walking-​out-​of-​the-​shop, that I’ve had in a long while. I have coarse, slightly-​wavy hair that I’m told is not easy to cut, but Annmarie really nailed it. She was familiar with my hair type and I could tell from her recommendations that she knew exactly what she was doing (first time someone knew not to use thinning shears on me).
The best part is that the haircut passed the post-​bike-​ride and post-​shower tests: the cut still looked great after the 15 minute bike ride home; and after I took a shower and towel-​dried (to wash away the black-​magic of the post-​cut styling).
Very happy with the cut — will be coming back for my next one.

Best. Salon. Ever.
and Rebecca? Best. Stylist. Ever.
She took me from really long to really short and is now taking me back to long (er). She works with your hair texture, your commitment to product and styling, and gives you a cut that works for you. Have I mentioned she is the best stylist? Ever?

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Chop Salon. I’ve been getting my hair cut and styled by Betty for many years and she never ever disappoints.
In terms of hairstyling, I’m a no frills kind of girl. I don’t dye it, I don’t style it in intricate ways, and I keep it long. However, I’m very picky about the cut because I usually come in only one to three times a year and how the style looks grown out is incredibly important. Betty is a master of her art and the only person I’ll let touch my tresses. Months after a cut, my hair is still healthy, vibrant, and maintains shape. She pays attention to detail and takes her time. I’ve never had to bring in a picture or even describe what I want in depth, she just knows what’s best.
The vibration of the place is upbeat and friendly. It’s very clean, well maintained, and has lots of natural light with edgy local artists work up on the walls. It’s evident that they have lots of other loyal and satisfied customers. They offer all kinds of services including vintage/​pinup hairstyles, which look so classy and fun. The rates are affordable and well worth the high quality of the final results.
Last tip, come early for your appointment if you’ll need to find parking. It can be a little tricky, particularly on weekends.