Aya Salon Berkeley

Extremely disappointed with the balayage/highlight services at Aya Salon. I came in with a clear reference photo for a bright fashion color and explained that I had done this exact color before. I even brought my own color, but Pascale insisted she knew exactly what I wanted and would use her own (Aveda) color instead. When I questioned her use of toner, she confidently told me I would get the result I wanted. The first service faded to a dull purple after just 3 washes. The two adjustment appointments that followed left my hair way too dark, flat, and nothing like the photo. After spending $700 across three visits, the color still looks nothing like what I asked for and didn’t even last five months. Management’s response was to offer yet another color redo with no acknowledgement of the repeated failures or any compensation. No refund, no credit — just “come back and try again.” They also never mentioned that the color they used wasn’t suitable or that I should sign a waiver for fashion colors. The only positive is that Pascale’s haircuts are good, which is why I kept returning. But the color department has been a complete waste of time and a lot of money. I do not recommend Aya Salon for any color services. Very poor communication and zero accountability.

Hilary at Aya had been my stylist for more years than I can remember for haircuts and highlights. She’s incredibly talented and my hair always looks and wears well between services. I started With Aya/Aveda as they use non-toxic and naturally derived products. The salon is a welcoming, bright place with a gallery a rotating art by local artists. Staff are professional and friendly. Highly recommend!

I just moved to Cali and was looking for a local stylist, I didnt think what I was asking for was controversial, Bleach blonde with platinum highlights. If you google that theres hundreds of examples but a 10+ year "hair Artist" was confused and wanted me to provide her a picture of what im talking about. I should have walked out right there. She instead told me she thought that would be "damaging & hard to maintain" and ive never had a stylist talking me out of a service like this. I trusted her as a professional and was let down. What I got was partial highlights and an all over icy tone. I wore that for a months and when it was time for a follow-up the artist told me that fulfilling my original want of being bleached blonde would be to damaging to my hair. I paid over $360 and my appearance was seemingly no different short of some ight streaks. I wanted a stand out look and this wasnt even close to what was communicated. Wanting to give the salon a chance I requested a master stylist who honestly I felt was shitty to me because I asked for a different stylist, I was already in the chair before it became so apparent. They said it was to risky to be a bleach blonde but then dyed my hair scandi blonde. My hair is so damaged, I missed my holiday event because it looks so bad. The salon didnt offer a refund of a discount, instead they sold me some overpriced aveda product that hasnt helped at all, infact I was blamed for trying to use the repair product to soon even though I did what they said, the stylist said I would need it for my after care but apparently I was supposed to just know to not wash my hair for 3 days to a week. I feel betrayed and abused, I trusted them as a transwoman and they butchered me. My hair isnt even cut evenly let alone dyed correctly. I emailed the salon asking for the stylist name and license number and they are refusing to provide it. The owner keeps attacking me for leaving 2 different reviews but Ill just put my response to her here: "Our email conversations say exactly what I was asking for, you're the one thats confused. I also haven't had multiple services at your salon. I had one service that went poorly and I gave your salon a chance by having a more experienced stylist fix it and she damaged my hair instead. This is negligence and im being super clear, I want you to make this right. You wont reply to an email so yes im threating you with a lawsuit. Also Stomp outside? I said stand outside with a sign showing the public the level of service you preformed. Im a bull horn owner. I demand a refund of services preformed or im going to take you to small claims court & contact the local news, If I have to take you to court I will seek emotional damages. I dont want to but look at the way you're acting, you wont even give me the stylist info so I can proceed I can file a complaint to a consumer agency. Im not falling apart, im standing up for myself and I feel a reasonable person will agree. Refund me or ill see you in court"

Oh my goodness! I love Aya Salon! But, most importantly, I am extremely happy and overjoyed to have Michelle as my hair stylist! She does an AMAZING and INCREDIBLE job taking the best care of me and my hair. I’d never choose anyone else. Her attentiveness, energy, and talent is what brings me back. Thank you to Aya Team and Miss Lovely Michelle for all that you do! 💕😍

Pascale at Aya Salon is outstanding with hair artistry. She delivered the result I dreamed for. She listened patiently and intently to my request during a consultation and later at my appointment. We both discussed the details of photos I showed her. She used her knowledge and talent to create that desired result and somehow went beyond to lift the look to truly radiant beauty.