Isa’s Salon & Day Spa

I dropped in to ask about booking a massage and was greeted by a very rude reception person who wondered how could I possibly hope to get a same day reservation.
I live in the neighborhood and have always wanted this place to be a spa I would patronize because it’s so conveniently located. However every time I go in (2 times now in 2 years and that’s enough), I end up walking out because the vibe is just bad.
I’m looking forward to this business being replaced by something useful and enjoyable.

I went several times for eyebrow waxing. The aesthetician never remembered me, and went on and on about how horrible the gaps in my eyebrows were, but not to worry, they would grow back. I told her numerous times they wouldn’t grow back because it had already been years, but she was utterly clueless. I really can’t go somewhere for a beauty service where they tell me how flawed I am.

i joined Unilocal JUST so i could give a HORRIBLE rating to this awful salon. DO NOT PATRONIZE THIS PLACE — THEY ROBBED MY FRIEND OF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS!!!
my friend gave me hundreds of dollars worth of coupons to this place as a thank you for producing her wedding and as a gift for my wedding. I usually get paid a minimum of $ 5k/​wedding, but this was a gift to my friend and this group of coupons was unexpected. I was very thankful. gifts included — free haircut, free pedicure, free massage, free waxing, free makeup session and I think something else.
i only was able to use the pedicure b/​c when I went in to get the haircut i was told that my coupons expired and «why didn’t you say on the phone the type of coupons they were b/​c if you had TOLD us that, we would have told you that we don’t take these type of coupons anymore…» This was after the receptionist informed me that I had been told on the phone already that they no longer take the type of coupons i had. Oh, she also offered to give me the cut for ½ off when i said that I was angry that no one informed me over the phone that the coupons were no longer being taken. after i had already driven all the way there? no thanks, douchebag.
Then, after I was informed that the owner was «on vacation…» a manager came out to further alienate their potential return customer.
newsflash stupid, stupid manager: you don’t piss someone off in the front area of your salon, basically accusing them of trying to swindle you, then insinuating they are stupid for not noticing the expiration date on PREPAID COUPONS, then insulting them when they say: «i’m sure you can understand why i’m angy…» by replying: «I don’t GET angry.» like some pompous, judgemental person, THEN AGREEING TO CUT THEIR HAIR FOR FREE. i told her that i was disgusted by their lack of respect and that there was no way I would ever patronize their salon. I don’t need anyone’s pity cut. plus, i agree with Monica S. who said that you get the creeps just walking past the place. MAJOR BAD JUJU.
I will definitely be letting the owner know how horribly i was treated and how poorly managed his salon is from a customer relations point of view.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME — all of this happened at the front of the store in front of the AWFUL workers there who were sitting on their asses and offering their thoughts like the effing peanut gallery. They would probably perform as unprofessionally as they looked reading magazines and popping gum at the front of the store.
gross. if i could give no stars i would.

What a true NIGHTMARE!
I received a massage and I will never, ever, ever come back! While the masseuse was nice, so what! What a random, not soothing experience.
Why it sucked:
1. Massage was held in a closet — literally.
2. No ambiance, no relaxing feel
3. Lack of Customer Service: I was 8 minutes late because parking is terrible here. I had an hour massage paid for and only got 45 minutes! Not cool nor did they give me any money back for the 45 minute massage. Goes to show their inconsideration!
Isa’s — never ever again!

Isa’s has done my hair twice for black-​tie events. I basically likes big curls for these events (not updos). I really liked the way Lori did my hair for an event a few yrs ago and she got exactly the look I was going for and it wasn’t crunchy (from hairspray). I’m going for my third visit this week.

Nope.
Don’t do it, sister (or brother).
Careless, over-​charging, not a welcoming atmosphere, and I don’t want my hair smelling like cigarette smoke. I can do that on my own just fine.
But don’t worry. You’ll get the creeps just walking by this place.

I got the smart circle card that Isa’s did the marketing with them from my husband’s company. When I first saw the description of their services that offered, I thought it was such great deal. And I really wanted to give them a trial (even though I felt a little bit scared).
A $ 39.99 special package price included:
–Body care: complimentary 30 min customized massage (upgrade to a 60 min for $ 35)
–Skin care: complimentary 60 min classic facial (upgrade to a 90 min for $ 25)
–Nail care: complimentary spa pedicure (upgrade to a spa manicure an spa pedicure for $ 20)
–Hair care: complimentary shampoo, cut, blow-​dry, and style with a complimentary conditioning treatment
–Complimentary 30 minute make-​up application (upgrade to a 60 min make-​up and lesson application for $ 25)
–Complimentary waxing session (upgrade to a lash and brow tint session for $ 25)
I made my first appointment for my hair care, Rema helped me with this. She was very nice and explained to me on every steps that she worked on my hair. I liked that. But unfortunately, my hair was very hard to treat. Only Stas at Metamorphosis salon on Market St can deal with my thick and fuzzy hair. But I love her effort though.
I made my second appointment to go back for my massage and facial. When I called to make appointment, I did upgrade my massage to 60 min for $ 35 more and 90 min facial upgrade for $ 25 more as mentioned on the brochure that smart circle gave us. My body massage was started at 1.30pm — 2.30pm; the therapist was great. She worked very hard on my problem area and paid attention to all detail. I was happy with her. You may wondering why I gave only 1 star for Isa’s…Hold on. the facial was coming!
Like I mentioned at the beginning, I did upgrade all services, my facial appointment was supposed to start at 3pm but she could take me at 2.45pm. For a 90 minute upgrade mentioned on the brochure), I should finished the facial at 4.15pm right? The esthetician asked me how often I did the facial, I told her I did facial once every couple months. She started with cleaning process, and followed with some cream. If you have a lot of facials before like me, you can tell how good she was. The esthetician seems having a lot of experiences as her age. But NO! The way she did just put the layer of cream on my face and glide her finger on my face a little bit. I can do this at home by myself. No special technique on the top of that at all. When she finished with the extraction process, I still have the other white/​black head acne on my face left!!! And you know what? She finished up everything by 3.20. YES…3.20pm. Do I supposed to get a 90 minute facial??? And she tried to sell me the microdermabrasion cream very hard… ummm ‘Thank you, let’ me think about it’
When I checked out at the cashier, I was supposed to be charged $ 60 more for all upgrades. But she charges me $ 70. She said it was misprinted on the brochure; it was $ 35, not $ 25 for facial. I told her I supposed to get a 90 min facial, and I only got like 40 – 45 min facial. And again she said ’ Sorry, it is another misprinting too. The complimentary facial was only 30 min with the upgrade to 60 minute for $ 35 more. I told her even the upgrade price, I did not get the full hour of service. She said let her check with the facial lady, and the facial lady told her she spent time with me full hour! Okay… then!!! You mean I lie to you? Why?
If you guys will misprint on the brochure, you should tell me at the beginning when I first made appointment. I told the cashier to keep the brochure ticket, I didn’t even think to go back to use the rest fo the services that I didn’t use yet. Smart circle is the great program to help small business to attract the new customer. But sorry Isa’s, I will not go back to your salon again. I

I got my hair cut with Isa. I told him how I wanted to cut my hair but instead he cut my hair how he wanted. Overall, I was not happy with my cut. Additionally, one of the front desk gals is really unfriendly. Would not recommend this place.

Went there for lash and brow tint. Rima was pleasant, but was selling me hard on getting my hair done there (I never expressed an interest in having my hair done).
I asked her to use the brow tint to create a peak in my brows, as another aesthetician had done. She said she couldn’t, but she would shape my brows. I don’t generally like having my brows done by others. I almost never end up with what I want. She did an OK job and she didn’t charge me for it, which was nice.
However, when I asked her if she was going to tint more than just the top of my eyelashes, and if she was going to do my bottom lashes as well, the trouble began. She obviously didn’t know what she was doing. When the dye got into my eyes, which it often does, no matter how I try to prevent it, she didn’t know how to deal with it. Luckily, I had saline with me because I’d taken out my contacts. I talked her through how to put it on my eyes.
I have another aesthetician who has saline at the ready, and rinses your eyes to keep them from stinging when the dye gets in (would that she didn’t work in Lafayette). Then Rima asked me how long to leave the tint on my brows. Wow. If you don’t know the answer to that question, perhaps you shouldn’t be providing that service.
I wanted to like it, and wanted it to be a better experience. It just wasn’t. When I paid, the woman behind the counter didn’t even smile or say thank you. That’s just bad customer service.
If their goal was to alienate a potential long-​term client, they succeeded beautifully.

This was my second time getting my hair cut here. and both times i get plenty of compliments. Also when they style your hair they give you easy tips on how to maintain your new style.

I had my haircut and an eyebrow wax done yesterday and just love it, Angelica cut my hair it looks amazing and she was so fun. Terry did my eyebrow shaping and she was great there was no pain and she did a wonderful job. My sister had her hair cut there too Lori did hers and it looks amazing these guys really know their stuff would definitely recommend and will be back.

My good friend just got her hair colored here and she is very unhappy.
The color is not consistent, she has blonde blotches, and she almost looks bald in certain areas of her head! She can’t even wear her hair in certain styles because the color is that bad!
Isa’s please retrain your hair colorists — ASAP! Also, please tell your stylists to NOT sit while they’re actually cutting people’s hair! How lazy and bad does that look? Hair stylists are not supposed to be sitting on chairs while they cut hair, are you kidding me? If you can’t stand the entire time your doing your job go workout or find a desk job buddy. Talk about ghetto…

Update: Joel has left Isa’s to go out on his own. He’s now at Heads Up Hair Care at 1233 Castro St. (415−264−8868! Going to schedule a bang trim this week and check out the new digs… Congratulations Joel!

This place RUINED my hair… I have been color-​correcting my hair for 2 years now as a result of what was done here… this is one instance where I wish I negative stars were possible.
I was supposed to be seen by someone who was an ‘expert’ in blonde highlights, but the day of my appointment I was told she couldn’t come in and that I was going to be seen by someone just as good. they claimed she ‘taught for years on how to highlight’
I was VERY clear and specific that I would be on-​camera the next week for the tv station I worked for, and that there is NO room for error. The pompous lady assured me my hair would be perfect.
What I asked for:
— a base lift on my roots
— natural looking highlights
— NO ORANGE
Result:
— no base lift (I don’t even think she knew what that was)
— zebra striped highlights (gasp!)
— ORANGE
— $ 380 bill
I cried. I seriously cried. The incompetent lady who did my hair assured me the orange was from the LIGHTING, and that my hair was fine. I didn’t want to cause more of a scene (although mind you– the place was empty so I am surprised how anyone else has rated this poor-​excuse for a salon), so I calmed myself down and figured it couldn’t be that bad.
I went home and it only took a few hours before every girlfriend I ran into told me to go back and get my hair fixed.
So I called and asked for my money back, and that I was going to go somewhere else to fix it. The lady told me to come in and she would fix it right away. Because they REFUSED to refund me, I felt I could at least accept the chance for them to fix it. Same lady, so as you can imagine, the results looked like I did my own hair with cheap dye out of a box.
I have spent so much time and money getting my hair back to how it was… some of the professionals who worked on my hair afterwards were shocked by what was done. I feel like I am still recovering from this horrific incident to this day, but thank goodness I have found some amazing people to help recover my hair (see my reviews of other salons).
Your hair is WAY too precious to risk something like this happening… so I feel it is my duty to the Unilocal community to share this story.

i sent my man here, and finally someone got his hair right. it is worth every penny– and he doesnt look like he walked out of super cuts anymore. there is actual style and texture to his hair.
why do straight men think they have to skimp on cuts or look like they walked out dad’s barber shop? put a little effort into yourself (we do).
you know your ladies love it when you look good!
thank you isa’s!

I have been getting my hair cut by Isa for over 10 years now. In fact, I panic whenever he goes on vacation and I have to wait for a cut!
The salon, as well as the other stylists (Laurie, Tony, Joel, Kathy,…) are friendly professionals, and I always feel at home there. I am totally comfortable at Isa’s Salon, and consider Isa a personal friend.
And Hey! — they are certainly not afraid to suggest changes and style improvements — I appreciate that. I remember getting a ton of compliments when I abandoned my ’90’s cut’ a few years ago for a new, shorter cut…

I’ve been to this place twice now — both times without an appointment, just a walk-​in. The service was great and they worked me into their schedule.
First time was a haircut with Lori and I loved it! Second time I didn’t get so lucky and Lori was busy — the haircut I got was barely OK (don’t remember the name of the woman that did it)
I’m definitely going there again.

I discovered this place when I was looking for a hair salon to get my complimentary haircut and donate it to Locks of love 3 years ago.
I was very unsure when I first walked in, but after getting some tea (complimentary) and my hair washed and massaged I forgot I was nervous!
They did an awesome job! I LOVED my haircut!
I went back the year after, but this time I was told that they were no longer participating in the charity, so I had to shell out $ 65! Ouch.
I hadn’t gone back since.
They did a great job, but it is rather pricey for just a haircut, nothing fancy.

I went there to get a lash tint and a brow tint a half dozen times. The rooms are kinda small for me, I am 5’11″ and the thing you lay down on didn’t give me enough room the way they had it against the wall one time.
I remember one time they put on this super chill music and I felt so relaxed I melted away and almost fell asleep.
They always did a good job with lash tints and brow tints. Nice employees, they serve you tea while you wait if you even have to wait. parking in the area is so-so…i would go on a slow day so you have better parking options. I always park a block or two away where I don’t have to worry about parking meters and tickets.
The bathroom is so crazy at this place. You should check it out if you go. Craziest bathroom I ever saw… in a good way. It wasn’t fancy just decorated really creatively… made me laugh.

I’ve actually been getting my hair cut by Isa for almost 20 years now — I used to live close to Noe Valley — and as long as I’m in the Bay Area I’ll keep going to him, as he’s one of the few hairstylists I’ve ever found who does a very good job on guys. Isa actually owns the place and is now independently wealthy as a landlord — not sure I’d rent an apartment from him, but that’s a different story — so when he comes in to cut hair he’s doing it for fun and socialization nowadays.
I can’t vouch for his individual stylists, but I know that he’s pretty picky about what he’ll let them do — I’ve seen them turn away people when they wanted stuff that would be destructive, like bad color jobs or relaxants. If you look at the wall behind the counter, Isa’s won awards at various hair trade shows for teaching other stylists in seminars, so maybe he rubbed off on them — or maybe they were just good on their own. It’s expensive, but worth it.