The Best San Francisco Stylists for Asian Women’s Haircuts

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Every hair type comes with its own set of quirks and complications. It’s not enough to hunt for a good stylist; you have to find a good stylist who excels at working with your hair.

The most common complaint I hear from Asian women—who tend to have thicker, coarser hair—is that it’s difficult to find a stylist who understands how to strategically thin out hair to create shape while leaving some of the volume.

Consider that problem solved.

After tons of texting, emailing, calling, and Insta-stalking women with amazing hair, I’ve rounded up—and mapped!—the best haircuts in San Francisco for Asian women. The next time you’re in need of someone new to tame your mane, these are folks to see about making the chop. And if you're looking for an easier way to book your hair appointment, a number of these stylists and salons are hooked up with Tru app. Check out all the choices, and the map, below.

Steel + Lacquer—Lena

14 10th Street

Salon co-owner Lena Garcia has an obsessive fan base, who frequently refer to her as “God’s gift to hair”. While many stylists focus on either cuts or color, Lena packs a one-two punch, offering her loyal followers both. Most important, she knows how to shape hair, whether it's adding volume to fine hair or thinning thick hair to eliminate a mushroom pouf.

$81+, Available to book on Tru

Spoke & Weal—Christy

850 Greenwich Street

The Fancy Pants Report blogger Kate Ogata describes Christy Dylo at Spoke & Weal as a magician with scissors. Christy has been responsible for Kate’s always-perfect layers for almost two years, taking her from super-long straight locks to below-the-shoulder bouncy waves. For long locks that need some supermodel shape, Christy is your girl.

$150+

Headspa

2106 Chestnut Street

Long hair, short hair, blowouts—Camie can do it all. Her regulars swear they won't let anyone else touch their hair. (Some even drive hours just to sit in her chair.) If you're thinking about swapping length for a bob or pixie, Camie's an expert.

$70+, Available to book on Tru

Hair Caffe—Michiaki

2176 Sutter Street

Longtime fans of the Japan Center Beauty Clinic were thrilled when Michiaki reassembled his all-star team at Hair Caffe. It can take weeks to secure appointment, but it's worth the wait for one of Michiaki's famous dry cuts.

$110+, Available to book on Tru

Moxie Parlour—Emily

870 Market Street #413

For women dealing with thinning hair or hair loss, Emily Howard is miracle worker. She specializes in geometric shapes, loose wavy textures and cutting short hair—straight, wavy, curly, you name it—helping clients feel beautiful and confident.

$120+

Salon Nine—Hanabi

9 Maiden Lane

Love nothing more than a good lob? Senior designer Hanabi has your back. Her devotees praise her consistently stellar cuts, noting that she can thin out thick hair just enough to give it shape and let it grow beautifully.

$56+

Code Salon—Danny

370 4th Street

Danny Medina will give your hair life. Period. But Code is more than just a lifeline for your locks; it's a full-service Aveda salon, complete with pampering and perks like scalp massages and tea. If you’re looking to branch out beyond Danny’s angled cuts, try Jacelyn for bouncy layers or TJ for pixies.

$65+

Bambiana for Long Hair—Bambiana

798 Sutter Street

If you watched Liu Wen and Sui He stomp down the runway in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and thought, “If only my hair could look like that,” then you need to visit Bambiana. This is a stylist who specializes in what she calls “Victoria’s Secret hair.” As the name suggests, she’s a long hair master. Pixies and bobs, check another listing.

$165+, Available to book on Tru

Sassoon Salon—Michael

359 Sutter Street

One name that keeps popping up within the blogger set is Michael Forrey, the Creative Director at Sassoon Salon.  Phashionable blogger Tina Phan, whose calling card is a razor-sharp banged bob, trusts her hair to this hair guru. Thoughtful Misfit blogger Tienlyn Jacobson also turns to Michael for cuts because he knows how to add bounce to her flat-prone fine hair.

$140+

Elite Salon—Ruben

1409 Green Street

Bay Area beauty writer Esther Hahn has tested tons of salons, and she says that Ruben is one of the best at cutting Asian hair. "He's so familiar with the hair type and cuts to flatter the bone structure," and he keeps her long, highlighted locks in tip-top shape.

$60+, Available to book on Tru

Patrick Evan Salon—Kelsey

55 Grant Avenue

It’s rare to find a salon with universally glowing reviews, but Patrick Evan Salon has done it. Even Allure—the biggest name in beauty—is a fan. Clients rave that the salon’s cuts can actually bring you to tears of joy. If you’re looking to change styles, but need suggestions for what to do, go see Kelsey.

$95+