As anyone who’s put their locks on the line in the quest for a cheap haircut knows all too well, paying less comes with certain risks, the non-ironic mullet and the Portuguese Water Dog-inspired shag among them.
So when a new, trendy San Francisco salon offers a chance to get a haircut for about half of its stylists’ regular prices, it’s sure to, um, turn a few heads. Case in point: cuts by new graduates of the Code salon in-house education and training program. A cut and style with one of what the salon calls its New Talent Artists costs $45. Regular cuts with the new-to-SoMa destination for hair, skincare and waxing start at $70. And while the price is more than you’d pay to be a hair model or for a cut with a stylist-to-be at one of the City’s beauty schools, you’ll be able to request exactly what you want from a trained pro and have the benefit of beautifying amid the sleek Aveda salon’s surroundings.
Speaking of those, the newly-opened destination, which quietly moved into its second-floor home across from the 4th Street Whole Foods in November and began accepting new clients late last month, entices with a multi-level layout punctuated by high ceilings with exposed wood beams, expansive windows that let in an impressive amount of natural light and thoughtful details such as movable workstations and mirrors that roll out of the way to make room for in-house classes and special events. Of particular note is the shampoo room, where black, bench-like leather “beds” angle towards sinks and allow customers to lie comfortably flat while having their hair washed and conditioned.
“It’s not just about doing great hair. It’s about making people really comfortable. We feel like we’ve got the secret code,” says Founder Cheryl Snodgrass when asked about the name.
Other reasons to go include a team headed up by master stylist and educator Louise Frost, the complete Aveda product line (including skin care, tea and candles) and a full-service menu offering hair cuts and color, facials, brow maintenance and make-up applications.
See it for yourself at 370 4th St., 2nd Fl., 624-8340 or keep up with the salon’s latest via its Facebook page.
