Elite Salon

I don't like to give negative reviews, but my hair is severely damaged after getting highlights here. My hair gets all matted when I wet it prior to shampooing - I can't even run my fingers through my hair. My hair is dry, brittle and breaking. Plus the color just didn't come out the way I wanted. After giving them three chances to get the color right, I've decided to go elsewhere. I gave them two stars because they do give good haircuts and the prices are reasonable.

Candy is fantastic! I had long hair for about 6 years and came here (after much apprehension) to cut it short again. Candy was very considerate and helped me decide on a length I was comfortable with. She left it a little longer than I wanted because it was such a big change and said that I could come back and she could take a little more off if I wanted. I ended up wanting to cut a little more off, so I went back the next day and Candy cut my hair again for FREE. She was so patient and understanding. I will definitely be going back to Candy for my next haircuts!

Got a keratin treatment with Candy a few weeks ago and my hair has never felt it looked better! I have wavy but usually manageable hair. About a year and a half ago my hair became more frizzy and I tried everything from expensive shampoo/conditioners, hydrating masks, vitamins, anything you can think of. I finally tried a keratin treatment and it's changed my life. I can wash my hair, let it air dry, and it looks like I'm ready for a hair product commercial (commence hair flip here). I've washed it three times so far and it feels great. Anyways, if you need to get your hair healthy

This is my favorite salon in SF. I am from nyc so I have somewhat high standards in the beauty dept :)

The space is causal clean and comfortable. The hospitality incredible - you really get a focused personalized experience.

I get blond highlights and blow outs here and love they way it comes out.

Highly recommend!

I found this place on Yelp. Scheduled an appointment for a blow out. I was five minutes late and Ruben called. I can tell he was a stickler for time. But I got a lot of compliments on my hair. I honestly thought my ends were too dried but it still looked good.

After 7 months i was glad to see salons reopen. i booked a haircut with ruben at elite. when he rode up on a bike he wasn't wearing a mask or gloves. i should have bailed right then. he put on a mask but only very reluctantly wore gloves when i insisted. i didn't know where his hands had been. again i should have bailed right then. he trimmed a little and asked if i wanted more. i said i wanted a haircut. he trimmed both sides, then brushed off my lap and the haircut was finished. he never showed me the back with a mirror, which all stylists usually do. when i got home i realized the

Ruben is great, highly recommended!
Does what you ask him to do when you have a defined view, will recommend things and be creative when you don't. Highly recommended

I rarely get my hair done, so when I decide to go in I GO IN. Fully. Ruben takes the time to use his artists' eye to match coloring and your look perfectly. I just said "I want it to pop, and my hair falls flat because it's so fine". Boom. Problem(s) solved and I've never felt so alive. The man has talents.

I chose this place based on the Yelp reviews, and could not be happier with my experience! Candy is really talented, professional, efficient, and pleasant. She gave me a great hair cut, checked in frequently about the style and length, and was lovely to talk to. I definitely recommend it!

I've been coming to Elite salon for about two years now and love having my haircut by Candy! She does a great job cutting and styling and she is so warm and welcoming always. I enjoy coming to see her. She always makes my hair look healthy and listens to what I want in a haircut. Would recommend Candy to anyone!

FINALLY. Since moving to SF two years ago, I've been looking for a place to get my hair cut (just simple, medium to long layers). All I wanted was to get my hair cut 2-3 times a year and not have to do anything in between other than wash it. I tried a bunch of salons near Japantown and while my hair looked great styled when I left their salon, not so much without the styling and/or it grew out funny. Candy was great about asking exactly what you wanted and checking in with you during the process.

Will update this review in a few months after my hair grows out but so far I love it and think

Candy is the best! I have been getting my hair cut by her for two years now and I'm so glad I found her. The salon is an adorable little place right off Polk street, very easy to get to. They have two chairs, plenty of magazines, and typically can get an appointment within two weeks! Evening appointments go fast but you can book online as well!

I have long brunette hair and we've done a few different things since I first started seeing her! She always checks with me, gives her idea and I've always been happy with the results! I've also gotten highlights from her as well that

I've been coming to Candy, the owner, for haircuts ever since I moved to the Bay Area several months ago and now I won't go anywhere else. I have a lob that I'm trying to grow out and she's made the process so much better.

Candy is precise and meticulous and takes her time to make sure everything looks perfect. An appointment usually takes up the full hour and she never rushes. From booking online to the awesome wash and scalp massage to the actual cut, the experience is seamless.

As everyone knows, it's so hard to find a hair stylist that you trust completely. With Candy

I would avoid doing the Japanese Hair Straightening treatment here. The results are terrible! My hair is not straight, especially the roots stayed very curly, and my hair became so dry so that can barley brush it. It looks burnt!
I'm giving 2 stars instead of one only because Candy offered to try fixing it. But I would not go there again because I'm afraid the products she uses are not good, and would ruin my hair even more.

Full disclaimer: I've known Ruben for over a decade, and he's a close family friend. Why this should only add to your confidence: Ruben has been cutting my mom's hair for that entire decade (and mine in high school) despite my family's many, many relocations, and I'm THRILLED that he's in San Francisco so I can finally have my hair the way I want it to be!

When I was a little punk, he kept my mohawk tight and colorful, and then he nursed my hair through the most awkward growing pains ever. I completely trust that he will never let me walk out with less than a great

Just went to Elite Salon for the firs time based on Yelp reviews.

Booked an appointment with Ruben and he was so great. He listened to what I wanted to do with my hair, and I also asked for suggestions. We came up with a perfect plan for my style and he executed it wonderfully. We selected my color together and I'm so happy with the results!

We had great conversation throughout my time there. Overall was a very enjoyable, intimate experience. Will definitely be going back for my next color/cut!

Candy is the best! I'm so glad I walked in here randomly one day!
Her cuts are always perfect, she does exactly what you ask for. My hair grows out healthy and the cut never looks old. My mom has colored (highlights & color) with her before and also loved her. The price is unbeatable for the quality of her work ($50 for a cut!)
My boyfriend even comes here now!
I love to try out crazy hair trends and Candy is always willing and able to execute them! Love her. So glad her salon is only 4 doors down from my house!