Urban Roots

I took a leap of faith and got my hair done on a business trip. I love it and Teren’s light hand. She is thorough and well versed on caring for curly hair. She straightened my hair with ease and not a lot of heat which I appreciated. I would definitely come back and recommend others.

Wish there was something I could say about Teren and Lisa that hasn’t been said already. I’ve never gotten more compliments on a haircut. Enough said. The place is magic.

What can I say about Urban Roots? The answer is P to the L to the E to the N to the T to the Y!!! Urban Roots is Da BOMB!
First off to my fellow Unilocalers: you will note that my reviews are few and far between. Why? Because I decline to Unilocal!about that which is mediocre. So if a place is off the freakin” charts excellent, look for my reviews and if it sucks look for my reviews too. I just don’t have time for the mediocre.
Now back to Urban Roots! I have had my hair cut here 3 times by TERAN. She is a master hair cutter and as a black
woman (you know how particular we can be about our hair) this compliment does not come lightly. Teran listens to what you want done. She’s in NO hurry and she wants to please you more than anything else. I haven’t had her do a shampoo blow dry and hot curl but maybe someday soon I will. If you need a precision haircut with no mistakes in a warm comforting environment give Teran a call. She’ll hook you up.

Believe the hype, Teren is amazing! It’s been well over a decade since I’ve been so instantly happy with a hair cut. The whole experience felt super chill and low pressure, I’ll definitely be back!

It has taken me years to get my hair to the point that it is today, so moving from the East Coast was scary and I was afraid I wouldn’t find anyone who knew what to do with my hair. Especially, considering that I am African American with thick, curly hair AND I decided to go natural about 6 months before I made the move to California.
I found Urban Roots and booked an appointment with Teren, and all I can say is that it was fate. She too is from the East coast and I left the salon feeling like a million bucks! She has kept my hair super healthy and encouraged me that the transition to natural hair will be so worth it. Thanks Teren :)

This review is a few weeks in coming, but I wanted to sit with my hair for a while so I could feel good about writing an accurate and reliable review. That said, Teren is FANTASTIC!
I’ll start by saying I have black (ethnicity, not color) curly hair –think Solange Knowles, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Janelle Monea, Sophie Okonedo. I went to her about three weeks ago ready to do a pretty severe cut partially because I was bored with my hair, but mainly because I was so frustrated with it. I hadn’t figured out a good washing/​management routine and all that was happening was that I was putting off washing for as long as possible while wearing my hair in a huge wash-​and-​go/​afo-​tastic mess or in a ponytail in the mean time. I explained, with the help of photos, the direction I was thinking about going in and why, and Teren not only took the time to actually listen, but she made sure that she understood what my concerns actually were and even offered less drastic options. I do mean *offered options* as she never tried to pressure me into anything.
I opted for a less drastic cut, and I love it! The shape is fantastic and she thinned it out a bit in a few places so the overall look was balanced. She advised that I sit with the cut and wash and style it myself at least once and if I still wanted the more drastic cut after a week or so she would take care of me no questions asked (and no additional charge!) No need to take her up on the offer, however, because she knocked it out of the park her first time at bat!
I paid attention to the technique she used to wash and style my hair, and picked up the shampoo she used and the conditioner she suggested at Walgreen’s. I’ve been using them even since with great results. I so appreciate that she uses and suggests natural products that you can find anywhere instead of pushing high priced items that are not as readily available. Side-​note: I realize, and Teren acknowledged, that finding the right product for your hair is a very personal thing, so this is really of a case of me lucking out as opposed to her «proscribing» products for my hair.
I moved from Atlanta recently and paid way more for fancy haircuts at typical hair salons specializing in curly hair and was never as satisfied as I am with Teren/​Urban Roots. The salon is small and very intimate, you are the only client (there *might* be one other client at the same time according to Teren but that is definitely the exception) and you are able to able to have a conversation about the service you’re there to receive and actually make a connection with your stylist. –Imagine that! Also, the price for a curly girl haircut is totally reasonable in my opinion, especially considering the service, environment, and result you get for your money (not to mention that this is San Francisco where a dollar only seems to be worth $ 0.50!)
This review is super long, but I was so happy with my experience with at Urban Roots that I wanted to make sure I sang their praises well! Teren is professional, skilled, warm, and courteous. I definitely plan on returning as soon as I need a trim and would recommend her to any and everyone –particularly curly girls.
Thanks, Teren!

I just want to reiterate my previous review and add that Teren saves lives! She took me on pretty last minute and worked some serious magic with my poor neglected fro. It’s like I went in and got a completely new head of hair!!! Super happy with the service :-)

I had my hair cut by Teren last week and I could not be happier with how it looks. People do not usually go out of their way to tell me I am handsome, but that is exactly what happened on three separate occasions, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last week! Nice work Teren.

Update: I’ve since come back to Teren for another haircut and she worked her magic again! I love the way my hair looks either when I wear it straight or wavy/​curly, and she’s the only one who’s given me a haircut that looks great both ways. I recommended her to one of my close girlfriends and my girlfriend is thrilled. She’s since come back to have her hair cut and highlighted by Teren, and both times it’s come out really well. I’m making my third appointment soon. :-) Teren is a keeper.

I love Urban Roots Salon! I’m half black and have really curly hair so it’s hard for me to find a place that can actually do my hair. I found this salon when I was transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. Teren & Lisa both knew how to cut my hair so it wouldn’t look like an afro (I’ve been relaxed as long as I can remember and wasn’t ready for huge hair yet). I went to Madu Salon and Hair Play in the past, but didn’t like how they styled my kinky curls. After 2 years, I have finally grown out my hair, with the help of Teren, and I am so happy with it. She is very passionate about what she does, and is also young and trendy so I can trust her judgement calls about color, length, product, etc. The décor has a traditional black salon vibe (music, art) with a modern twist (exposed brick, Pandora, Square). I always leave this place happy. I highly recommend it.

Love Taren!!!

I don’t go to a hair salon very often, so I might not be the greatest connoisseur when it comes to this, but I must say that I was very satisfied with the result. Teren is very professional and skillful, as well as polite as considered (you don’t get this all the time these days). She made sure she spent the necessary time until the result was the desired one.
I could have found cheaper hair services somewhere else, but the quality I got was exceptional. I will be back.
Recommended.

Teren is AWSOME. No awkwardness, she listens to what you want, and pays attention to details.
After 3 years of being afraid of trusting my hair to anyone due to a bad stylist, I’m stoked to know I just found my new stylist!

I found Urban Roots when I was at my wits’ end. Decided to cut a Japanese straightening perm out of my hair after a fairly bad job done by someone new. Oh, and I cut it out myself. No bueno.
I walk into Urban Roots looking like a caricature of a pickaninny and Teren made me look like a urban young woman again. I liked that she was able to relate to my hair issues (apparently we both have similar 3C hair). She was able to fix my TWA and shape it into a more feminine style and help me come up with a game plan to grow it out.
I liked that she understands texture – she understands straight hair and curly hair. I don’t find that many stylists really understand curly hair at all.
I used a Unilocal discount which was well worth it. Personally, I don’t care if she ups her price or moves to the East Coast; she is now my go-​to person for haircuts.

I happened upon Urban Roots after nearly a year of trying to find a stylist in San Francisco. After so many bad experiences around the city, I was pretty sceptical but open to giving yet another stylist a chance to try and give me a decent hair salon experience.
Well… I am only sad that I didn’t find them sooner. I have had the pleasure of having my hair worked on by both Lisa and Teren. Both of them are AMAZING — warm, friendly and true professionals. On each occasion, my appointment began at the scheduled time, and I had a full consultation about the state of my hair, what I wanted, how I usually wear my hair etc before each appointment began. I have never been happier! Both girls are true professionals and are obviously passionate about what they do.
I have finally found MY salon in San Francisco…

I am very particular about my hair. African American hair comes in many textures and forms; just because someone has a license doesn’t mean they understand what they’re doing when they put their hands on black hair. Teren was open to input and even had me go through my regular styles. I have shaved sides all around and a LONG mohawk on top. Although Im not fiercely attached to my hair, I still want to get a great cut if I’m paying (otherwise Id just cut it myself). I
could tell immediately that Teren wanted to understand what I wanted and we had a ten minute conversation about what I had in mind and more importantly what I didn’t. She believes very deeply in the power of the check-​in and it makes all the difference in the outcome of the cut. She asked me if it was okay to cut more and when she felt the need to assert her knowledge as the one experienced hairstylist in the room, she still gave a very detailed reason why, as in, «Im going to leave these hairs in the back long so that it can grow out this way…» She didn’t cut without consideration.
She is also really pleasant and fun to chat with. Super laid back and funny while being totally professional and customer focused. When I arrived at 10:50am, she was letting herself in and we introduced ourselves at the door. She apologized for being «late» for our 11 am, which I loved; someone who considers themselves 10 minutes late when they’re not 15 minutes early is my kind of person. She also sealed the deal by offering to correct my cut should I get a case of the «day afters». All in all, a great professional cut that falls perfectly, serene environment, friendly and inviting customer service. I will be back.

I was searching for a local place to get a fabulous haircut and I ran into this jem! I have long, thick hair and am rarely happy with hair cuts in the city. I usually drive to San Jose to get my hair cut by the only trusted stylist I know. I finally decided the drive to the south bay was too far and to take a gamble. A very wise choice! I scored the jackpot!
I got my hair cut by an amazing stylist by the name of Teren Jordan. I could not be happier with the work she did! She has created a really cool, unique & serene atmosphere at Urban Roots. Teren is a true artist and gave me my best haircut to date!
I highly recommend her for cut and styling!

I went here a few months ago for a relaxer. Maybe I’m used to getting it done a certain way, but the way they did it here was awful! At first everything seemed normal — she put in the chemicals and left it in for a bit. I noticed she missed a small spot but I let it go. Then when she went to wash it out, she barely scrubbed at all! My old hair stylist would always shampoo twice and scrub really well, then condition. This lady shampooed once and didn’t even get all the chemicals out. Then she went to start blow drying and flat ironing. She did the worst flat ironing job I’ve ever had… I luckily was going straight home after that… My hair not only looked horrible, but it felt really gross, like greasy and weird.
2 days later I had an appointment somewhere else to get a haircut. My hairstylist there went to wash my hair with a mild shampoo (since I had just gotten the relaxer — I also told her I was going to wash it that day anyway because it felt so gross). She noticed a really strong ammonia smell and got worried. A few hours after my appointment with her, she called me up saying she had talked to someone and that I need to get a special shampoo and conditioning mask right away and wash my hair. Apparently there was still relaxer in my hair, and it could’ve started breaking off! So I have to say this was the worst relaxer I have ever had and won’t be going back. I expected a lot more with all these good reviews, but I was severely disappointed.

Hair stylist April Casinial now has a new space! It’s at Sola Studios — 660 Market St., Ste 220, San Francisco– 415.613.6262. it’s right next to AAU main campus so I’m defiantly getting my hair done after class. Yippy Yippy Yay!

Soooooo recently went back to Lisa, so she could do my «big chop.» This means, she cut off the rest of my relaxed ends for me-​now I’m fully natural!
My friend joined me, and we made a big production out of it. We had a blast, lol. Lisa is still amazing! :-)