Up Hair

I’ve got nothing but love for my current hair guru, Brendan Hughes. I can’t take credit for finding him: my boyfriend reminds me of that plenty. But I’m so glad he did, because the fate of my follicles falls squarely in Brendan’s hands, and I love it.
I’ve gone through my fair share of hair styles, particularly in my early 20s. I like to think I have hair-​ADD. In a post-​Pinterest world, I can’t seem to keep the same ‘do for too long so my hair has been every color/​length imaginable. After years of abuse, I fell into a state of simplicity before finding Brendan.
Nowadays, instead of crazy color, I can work with Brendan on finding new styles that suit me. He’s great at both trying new things but adapting them to each client– I probably bring him a new picture every time. The great thing is that he asks questions, like how the last haircut grew out, and changes his work to try and fix things (like the awkward place in the back of my head that feathers out as my hair grows).
I’ve been seeing Brendan for over a year and I’m still stoked with his work. He has such a calm demeanor that it feels like hair therapy. (The scalp massage in the beginning also helps!) If you’re looking for someone who understands hair, Brendan is my current fave.

I’ve been going to Brendan for about a year now and he truly is amazing. Brendan is the best stylist I’ve been to and on top of that he’s a really fun, likable guy. He’s totally willing to listen to what you want done, or if you’re a bit indecisive like me, offer suggestions of his own. I’ve been really happy with every cut and needless to say, I’m going to keep coming back.

i’ve been going to Brendan Hughes for over a year now… Started with him at his previous salon, and followed him over when he moved. He’s honestly the first stylist I’ve been to in SF that I felt compelled to continue seeing. He has a way of making myself and other clients feel comfortable and confident, and his skills with those scissors are amazing! In the past year, I’ve experimented more with my hair than I ever did before, and the results have been fantastic. Can’t rave enough about him, and I always look forward to my next cut.

Bob at Up Hair is amazing. His cuts grow out great. I have thick hair that can puff out if not handled correctly. Bob texturizes and makes my do look good. He listens to what I wants and also provides feedback about what would work best with my hair type. He is fun to talk with and is hilarious. The salon is an oasis on 18^th street.

Brendan Hughes is actual perfection. Just went to Up for the first time and fell in love with my haircut & the hair stylist himself. If you’re in the neighborhood be sure to give him a call, as he is oh-​so popular and books out in advance!

Went to Up Hair for the first time this weekend and I am very happy with the results. Adam is very creative and talented. Very detailed oriented which is a major plus. He cut my hair in a way that has not been done before and the results were excellent. He gives you recommendations and takes note of what has been done for next time. Very client-​oriented. It was a very pleasant time. Would recommend Up Hair to anyone!

Love this place! Frank is fantastic! He cut, colored, styled … Exactly right. He is fun and efficient. Highly recommend to everyone! Very professional and just a great guy!

Brendan is truly Beyond amazing. He’s the best stylist I have ever had, he makes my hair look better than I ever could imagine every time with every new thing I try. He’s great at everything and he’s Awesome.

I am STOKED to have been referred to Brendan Hughes by a friend of mine. He will be the only hair stylist that I go to while living in SF from here on out.
He is so talented at what he does and really listens to what you want; however, he isn’t afraid to share his fun and creative ideas. I felt totally comfortable in the salon and enjoyed talking with him. He is such a sweet guy. My hair is perfect and I will definitely be coming back soon.

Adam Q is my hero! He always knows what I want and makes me look beautiful every time! I have always had a hard time finding a stylist that listens to my needs and what I will and won’t so with my hair. (I.e. I won’t get up at the butt crack of dawn to make sure I have time to do my hair). Adam listens and does a great job every time!

Adam Q has been cutting my hair for over 3 years. My hair is very simple to take care of, however, I am very picky and discriminating in the quality of the cut. The consistency and quality that Adam provides is far superior to any haircut I have ever had. As long as I live here, and Adam is working in the area, I will continue my unending patronage.

I had to find a replacement to the last stylist that cut my hair since he moved away and after going to a high volume barbershop type place… and ending up with a novice right out of barber school, I decided to do a bit more research on Unilocal to get better results.
I found Brendan, and as the other reviews have said, he is in demand, so had to book a couple of weeks in advance to get an appointment at a time I could make.
He is very experienced and excellent at delivering results that make you look your best. The moment of truth for me is asking for a mirror to check out the back once the haircut is over. I have a renegade cowlick that usually defies any hair stylist’s skills to defeat, but Brendan’s work was perfectly blended and looked fantastic. The next day the wind was blowing all kinds of crazy and when I got inside and looked in a mirror, I saw that haircut still looking incredible. Thanks Brendan!

After Brendan left Bryan Roberts, I was in a bit of a panic. The best hair stylist of my life had just disappeared and I was facing the daunting task of trying to find a new one — but with some nimble googling skills I was able to find his new home at Up Hair.
The new place is pretty rad. The comfy mega-​chair can only be described as a throne or something you’d find on a retro starship. The vibe is totally chill — like you’ve gone over to a friend’s house to get the best haircut of your life from a haircutting zen-​master. This place just fits Brendan better — no more forced up-​selling of product — just good ol fashioned stylisting.
This is definitely one of those reviews which I hesitate writing — only because I know the more people that find out about this guy, the busier he’ll become and the tougher it will be to get a hair appointment — but the guy deserves it. Best stylist in San Francisco, hands down.

Adam Q. is a treasure! I’ve been seeing him for about a year now and I look forward to my appointment every time.
His attention to detail and his fun and creative personality have encouraged me to take chances with my hair that I would not have otherwise.
I have referred my friends (male and female) to him and he has had the same great impression on all of them. I would call him soon because I know his client list is likely filling up fast!
For my first appointment he treated it like a consultation — asking me questions about my personality and my previous style choices and we ended up creating something really fun and different together.
You’d be lucky to have Adam Q. as your stylist– or as I’ve come to call him ‘Hairapist’

Adam Q is my favorite hair guy! I admit I used to go anywhere because hair is hair (so I thought) well I am his client for life and I cannot recommend him enough. I learned about him from my best friend who’s mom and brother have been going for many years. I wondered why they would drive all the way from Santa Cruz to see him well… I moved here 1 ½ years ago and now I can say everything I have heard is completely true! I am very busy and come on my lunch hour Adam has always made my appointments on time. Every single cut and color has been great I feel great, look younger and this is why I love this city! The passion he has for his craft is truly one of a kind.
I would give him 10 stars if I could!

Adam has been my stylist at up hair 4 years now. I went to him on several recommendations and I have to say that I have never been disappointed. He does an impeccable job and has amazing attention for the smallest details. Adam is incredibly down to earth and easy going and doesn’t hesitate to do what’s best for your hair as opposed to just getting you in an out. If you are looking for a stylist that you will keep for life, look no further than Adam Q!

I will drive anywhere to get my hair cut from Brendan. I’ve recruited my boyfriend to coming to him as well. We met him at Bryan Roberts and of course we followed him to Up Hair. I have enjoyed all my looks with Brendan. He has restructured, dyed, permed, highlighted, and of course, cut my hair. I have thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with different looks knowing that Brendan will have me looking great.

My first experience at Up Hair with Brendan was incredible! He created such a wonderful and positive experience and I love how he treated me like a good friend. He was truly interested in what was going on in my life and wanted to get to know me.
My hair is extremely fine and thin, which limits the styles/​colors I can do with my hair. I’ve gone back to Brendan a few times now, and he is a magician! Every time I leave his chair I’m so impressed with the amazing job he’s done, especially on my tricky hair and particular taste of style. He takes it to the next level and beyond!
Up Hair is a comfortable and professional environment that cultivates a wonderful atmosphere for the stylists, and is a place where they can take their talent to it’s fullest expression. I’m incredibly pleased with Up Hair as a salon, and even more so with Brendan. Very talented and the best! Definitely recommend!

One of the most difficult things to find when moving to a new city is a great hair stylist. So, I let fellow Unilocalers guide me and am so thankful that I did. Adam of Up Hair is probably the best stylist I’ve seen (and I’ve been around for a looooong time). He takes his time, listens and acts with complete professionalism. My hair grows in a way that most stylists have found difficult to handle — not Adam! The first cut was great and they’ve simply gotten that much better since he’s become more familiar with my hair. Highly recommended!

I have always had a hard time finding the «right» hair stylist and find myself drifting from one random salon to another or else attempting to color my own hair or other «do it yourself» projects that never turn out quite right. Adam Q has been doing my boyfriend’s hair for years, and when I needed mine done recently (it was an outgrown color disaster!) my BF told me, «We need to go to UpHair and you have to let Adam do your hair…»
So I did.
And from now on, he’s my guy.
He did an AMAZING job — my hair is not easy to work with (super long, super thick, super curly) but Adam was totally cool. He knew exactly what he was doing with the color and managed to transform my 6 different tones of brown/​red/​whatever the hell other colors were in there into the perfect, uniform, even, natural looing dark brown. Like, without even breaking a sweat. He cut my bangs and trimmed up some of the layers. And the result was exactly what I was hoping for. Plus, I mentioned wanting to style my hair a certain way but never getting it right, so he dried and styled it like that for me and showed me exactly what I needed to get that look at home.
He took his time on my hair, made sure everything was in line with what I wanted, and was just really easygoing. Some stylists I’ve been to, I’ve felt like they cannot wait to get me out of there because my hair is such a pain to do and takes so long. Adam was super chill and fun to hang with — the whole time I was there, we just chatted, made me feel at ease. You can tell he genuinely likes what he does.
Anyway, I am loving my new color and very happy to have found the «right» stylist… thanks Adam…