Grooming Place

I would highly recommend this place for a Japanese straightening. My hair is curly and thick (Caucasian/​Italian hair so not too coarse) I’ve been going here for 3 years and my hair comes out straight and healthy every time! It takes about 3 hours for the straightening and the price is less /​very reasonable compared to other places near downtown San Francisco. There are places that do charge less, but with Reiko, I know I am getting the proper care and expertise for a Japanese straightening and I am sure that my hair won’t get damaged. Reiko is properly trained in Japanese straightening and really knows hair. She also does great cuts!
I would recommend this place for a straightening or a cut!

I like having my hair done by Reiko. I only have haircut and color, even though she has a reputation in hair straightening, because my hair is naturally straight. I recommend her even only for haircut or color, because she can tell what hair style and color looks good on you. I’ve never met a hair stylist who gives me as good advice as Reiko. Price is reasonable. Not to mention her great technique!

I waited 2 weeks before posting a review after getting thermal reconditioning with Reiko so I could have 100% confirmation that my hair would be straight right out of the shower — and Reiko absolutely delivered! She is so meticulous and professional, and reasonably priced as a bonus. I did a lot of research before selecting Reiko for this process, and was not disappointed. She warned me that my hair would be difficult and used different formulations depending on the texture and damage-​level of my hair. When we finished, she told me I might have some wavy areas but she was being overly cautious — my hair is straight out of the shower for the first time in my life, and I don’t have to plan my weekly schedule around a 5 hour washing, drying, and ironing ordeal. Truly life changing… Even my dad, who hates flat lifeless hair and frizzy hair equally complimented me without knowing I’d had this done.
Absolutely recommend — I will be back to Reiko every time I’m in town and in need of a touch up. She is so fantastic!

Reiko san is the best in the city. Great service and hair style :) The best Japanese super straight EVER!

I’ve been going to Reiko for the past 6 years or so and I thought that it was time to spread the good word to everyone! Recently she moved to the new location, Hair on Hyde. She gives me a great haircut every time and her highlight skills are amazing. Needless to say, I get a lot of compliments.
And the best thing is that her rates are so reasonable. $ 45 for an expert cut with shampoo and finish. Can’t beat that. Her expertise is in Japanese Hair Straightening — I have stick straight hair, so no need for that for me, but I’ve recommended her services to my friends with wavy hair. She did a wonderful job and again, her rates are so reasonable!
I found my stylist and will continue going to her.

This is only one place to use Hena for hair color.
Since she take of hair, my hair improve so much healthy. I am so glad to find this place, and price is so reasonable.

I went to Reiko the first time on 28^th May 2009. This was after reading all the positive feedbacks on Unilocal.thank you everyone.
She did a wonderful job. I have done straightening before with Yuko and IStraight. Both were ok. But I think Liscio as a product worked better on my hair. And Reiko really does a good job. And the price is reasonable. I highly recommend her.

Reiko is amazing! The best haircut ever! I’m so excited to have found her. She really is the best there is. Talented… kind…and no drama. Loved getting my haircut there and I finally have a great haircut.

I’ve been going to this place over six years. I live in South Bay, so it takes one hour to go there. But this is the only place that satisfies me in terms of quality and price.
I have tried Japanese hair straightening, hair cut, coloring, massage, and facial, and they were all great! Particularly, she does an excellent job on hair straitening. She gets the job done in half the time for half the price, compared to other places (3~4 hours for about $ 300 –depending on the length of your hair). My hair is not wavy but very coarse. If you have hard-​to-​manage hair, even it is not curly or wavy, it is worth to try this. My hair stays shinny for long time and best of all I don’t need to do anything after shampooing my hair! It may sound expensive but I do this only once a year.
I highly recommend this salon!

Finding Reiko has changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic but if you have had to deal with difficult hair your whole life, and then, suddenly, it is carefree and beautiful, that is a whole other life.
I have wavy hair and tried a hair straightening treatment at a place in the Marina years ago. It was a nightmare as it was done improperly and did enormous damage to my hair, including a lot of breaking. So, needless to say, I stayed away from hair straightening treatments and went to the ceramic flat iron. That helped but was slowly drying my hair which is dry to begin with.
In 2007 my boss, who is half Japanese, recommended Reiko and her Japanese hair straightening treatment. I said, thanks but no thanks. After a bit of research and convincing I gave it a try and have never looked back.
Reiko is amazing…
— She really cares about what she does, does it well, and will not treat your hair if she thinks it can’t handle it.
— Her place is clean and tip-​top and has a relaxing and professional atmosphere.
— You are the only client. (I’ve heard you are one of many on an assembly line at other salons.)
— Her rate if VERY reasonable compared to other salons that offer the Japanese hair straightening treatment.
— She uses only the highest quality products for the treatment. (Do the research if you like :)
After a year and a half of getting the Japanese hair straitening treatment by Reiko every three to four months, my hair still looks the best it has ever looked. It’s healthy and straight and looks amazing. I get up in the morning and go and that is sooo liberating!
Practical info… if it’s your first time, keep in mind that there is a middle step in the process that makes your hair look out of control… Also, she has some instructions for the first 24 hours after… Plan ahead since, for me, the first few days my hair is very flat… She has magazines but you may want to bring your own (I am a nerd and read architectural, travel or science stuff)… The process is over two hours so leave ample time to figure out the parking before your appointment time. I finally just decided to give myself the treat and park with the valet at the hospital half a block past the salon. (You have to pick it up at the parking garage though around the corner.) The rates are not as bad as the Union Square area… I make my next appointment before I leave so I don’t have to worry about getting the time slot I need ;-)
Okay, happy carefree hair to you!

Reiko’s been cutting my hair for a few years now. First it was just a hair cut. I need an easy-​to-​take-​care-​of cut and she delivers every time. Then she suggested some hi-​lights… and to my pleasant surprise, I really liked them. A few years pass and now I want to color my hair. Reiko picked just the right color for me. When I asked for hi-​lights as well, she refused to do them, telling me I’d damage my hair, wait a couple weeks she suggested. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of trying a few of Reiko’s facials. It is exceptionaly relaxing and very professionally done, and I appreciate the quality of the Japanese products she uses.
Overall, I think the The Grooming Place is one of the best kept secrets in San Francisco. Reiko offers a superbly pampering experience in her clutter-​free salon. Her head massages, if you get your hair washed is included, are so relaxing. But most importantly, you will find a talented and caring stylist and beautician at this salon.