Herringbone

I love this place. They carry Lipstick Queen… Poppy King’s brand. They also have Kevyn Aucoin makeup. I bought a Kevyn Aucoin lipstick, because they were out of the Lipstick Queen shade I wanted. The person working was helpful. I love my new lipstick. I wore it to work and my boss asked me if I’m interviewing with another company. Ahhh the power of lipstick.
Herringbone needs a better website. They should at least have the menu of services up on the site. They also will give you makeup
application lessons. Will I need a makeover or a makeunder?
Update: Herringbone website has menu of services and products, but it still needs a lot of work.

DUDE. If you say you are open at 11am can you please, for the love of god actually once BE THERE AT 11AM!!! I love this boutique stocked with high end well edited beauty treats but literally EVERY time I try to go they are not open when they say they should be. Three times I have not been able to shop because they are locked and dark. When people are trekking across town from Oakland with a baby in tow to spend money at your shop in this horrific economy YOU BETTER SHOW UP!!!
Store itself = Five Stars
Tardiness Factor — Zero Stars

So unimpressed. I was looking around for a place nearby that sold Kevyn Aucoin so I wouldn’t have to go into the city. I went in there during the week around lunch time. There were a few ladies (seemed like maybe the owner and her friend, and a college-​aged employee) sitting on the couches towards the back eating some take-​out that was smelling up the place. I looked around a bit, but it’s definitely the type of place where you need someone to assist you, so then in the end I was just standing there waiting for this to happen.
Finally the young employee came over and tried to help me find what I wanted (The Sensual Skin Enhancer) but the store seemed really meagerly stocked and they didn’t have half of the colors. I have to say, most of their make-​up was sitting in the front window in the sun and a good portion of it looked old with a light layer of dust over it. Some of the eyeliners and lipstick looked a bit melty.
The girl was nice (while the owner and her friend just continued to chat, eyeing me from the couch while scarfing up their take-​out). She took down my name and number and offered to call when they got my color of the Aucoin skin enhancer… Good thing I went to Sephora that weekend to buy the skin enhancer, Herringbone never called me back, and that was a year ago.

My sister and I visited Herringbone today in search of foundation, not only did they have everything out of stock but we received poor service. I asked a question about which color foundation would be best for my skin tone and as the owner and I walked over to the display, she suddenly strikes up a conversation about lipstick with these other women, even though I had asked for her help first. Instead of telling them to wait while she helps another customer, she stands and talks to them for five minutes before helping me. Even while she was helping me, she was still talking to them.
My sister visited this place on another occasion and was fully ignored by the owner – while the owner attended to other individuals in the store who were «better dressed.» I don’t plan on coming here ever again and I will tell other people not to, either.

I had my eyebrow/​face wax with Cody a few days back and I am in love with her work! She spent a lot of time on my face and was extremely delicate. She uses a very unique wax that I’ve never experienced before. It’s some sort of French wax created locally in the Bay Area. It was wonderful and I felt literally no pain whatsoever.
Cody is extremely sweet, pleasant and fun/​easy-​going to talk to. She totally lifts my spirits up! The price is definitely worth it for her services. I will definitely be coming back to see Cody!
The room itself was very small but cozy and comfortable. The boutique was really cute and design-​wise was unique in display. They sell great product lines of cosmetics and skincare products from Ted Gibson, Hamadi, and Kevin Aucoin. There was also a lot of neat jewelry from local designers.
I seriously am in love with this place and am terrified for my wallet.

This is a store where you could either zip in and out or stay for a long time, depending on how you feel about the task of buying make-​up.
The woman (owner?) has great skin and doesn’t wear clown paint like the ones who sometimes work at Nordstroms and Bloomingdales, so I felt comfortable asking for her advice. She sanitized products in-​between, and the store was cozy and cushioned, yet super clean and bright.
She was able to right away spot what color and product would work for me, and I didn’t feel any pressure to buy something that I didn’t come in asking for. I will come back again!

Cody, the esthetician, at Herringbone has done a fabulous job of shaping my unruly eyebrows several times now. I rencently moved to Berkeley and I always get several eyebrow waxes first before trusting someone to do a bikini wax. Cody has earned my trust!

A few years later, and I’m still a huge fan. You know, in an economic downturn, people will cut stuff out of their lives. But please, let us not cut out products that make us feel good and look good! While it is true that I may think twice about buying yet another $ 200 pair of jeans, I won’t think twice about going to Herringbone and getting what I need. Who doesn’t NEED to look good? The lipsticks are a dream, the eye shadows are divine, and the products offered are well-​edited. I used to buy my products at Bloomie’s and Nordstrom, but no more. We really ought to support our local business owners, folks! Shawn and her employees know what you need and will provide you the kind of attention that you deserve. I picked up a pink lipstick and some lipgloss recently and am very happy with my choices. I know it sounds silly, but sometimes a $ 20 lipstick is the best pickmeup ever. I also have favorite staples, though. I highly recommend the 60+ LaRoche Posay sunscreen (girls, my skin doesn’t wrinkle for a reason!). The Dr. Jessica Wu eye cream is pricey at $ 100+, but it lasts forever and, I promise you, your undereye bags and lines will diminish considerably. So cheers to looking good and to continuing to support my favorite boutique!
P. S. If you can’t make Herringbone’s usual hours because you have a job with long hours like me (sigh!), Shawn can mail your products to you! Hurray!
P. P. S. Other products I LOVE: Lipstick Queen lipstick (Everyone says I have the perfect red lips… now you know why); Wallet lipgloss; Kevin Aucoin lipglss (great texture); Julie Hewitt palettes; Herringbone eyebrow powder and brush; Julie Hewitt blush (a little dramatic, but great for at night).

In an effort to be more economically responsible in these tumultuous financial times, I’m cutting back on my personal grooming.
Not to say that I’m cutting it out completely, because that would be sheer madness; just cutting back.
Gone are the $ 30 +tip eyebrow waxes in the city. Enter the more affordable $ 17 eyebrow wax in the East Bay.
Herringbone offers a large variety of waxing services plus customized facials in a cute, comfortable space in the back of the retail section of the store.
Cody is a dream, very easy to talk to and is a self proclaimed perfectionist when it comes to eyebrows, which I appreciate.
At almost half the price of what I’m used to paying, I’m sticking with Cody.
There’s really no excuse for spending so much money in this economic downturn.

I’m hella broke but I just had to have that leather and feather headband, so I can look hella unique and stylish.

Stylish, intimate and impeccably stocked, this diminutive skincare boutique is all class with just the right dash of Bohemian sensibility. Taking a gander at the inventory it’s evident the proprietress is just as much a sucker for packaging as I am. Everything is beautiful, and you will want to touch and sample it all.
There are only a dozen or so lines of cosmetics and body products: Cargo, Kevin Aucoin, Lipstick Queen, Hamadi, Lulu organic and Ted Gibson, to name a few. Don’t miss the sharp collection of jewelry from local designers. There’s never any pressure to purchase, but the pride and appreciation for their merchandise was enough to inspire me.
While the pampering goodies I coveted were far more than I’ve ever spent, the experience was deliciously justifiable. The blueberry and cornmeal skin scrub must have sloughed off three layers, leaving me with a complexion almost as radiant as the owners’.
When a little grooming is in order, they also offer really reasonable lawnmowing services. I’ll be back when the gorilla calls. Har har.

Herringbone is a small, well-​edited make-​up boutique that stocks harder-​to-​find products like Julie Hewitt, Lipstick Queen, Kevyn Aucoin, and Aftelier perfumes. Sephora this is not. Herringbone is intimate, warm, and cozy, and I always feel like I’m picking up something truly special. Shawn Burke, the owner, is a real make-​up artist, so I feel that she stocks items that she herself would use and truly believes in! Her recommendations come with great conviction, but she never pushes you to buy. I would say this is more of a place to go to for special makeup items, like eyeshadow, or lipstick – ESPECIALLY LIPSTICK – rather than basics like foundation (although it’s available there too). The make-​up you get here would be more classic; think strong lip and creamy, dewy eyes, rather than teeny-​bopper sparkle.
I like coming to this store because I like supporting local, woman-​owned businesses who are actually invested in their community. Shawn works with a lot of local stores (Magnet, for example) to do make-​up and styling for trunk and fashion shows. She has a great sense of style, a warm personality, and depth.
Reading the reviews below, I’ll have to come back here for a facial with Cody, too!

Cody is a great waxer. I’m not one to take my pants off for a stranger, but she’s really sweet and the atmosphere made me feel really comfortable. The shop is small and cute. I would definitely go back for another leg wax.

This place is so cleverly and adorably decorated that I just want to go in there and sit and drink hot apple cider.
I will admit, I’ve never bought make-​up there, but everyone that works there is nice enough that I would, just to support their business.
Instead I frequent this place for eyebrow waxing. Cody… the sweetest and most diligent person I’ve ever had rip hair off of my face with hot wax. She’s fun to talk to, makes me feel really comfortable, and just always makes the experience pleasant. It’s no more expensive for waxing than any other place, and the whole place smells good and looks pretty.

Herringbone was on the way back to my car after picking up some sunscreen at Elephant Pharmacy, and I peeped in to find something to perk up my tired eyes after spending 10+ hours working at my computer. Make sure you have quarters and change for the parking meters.
Elizabeth, a makeup artist and friend of the owner, was working in the shop and introduced me to the Julie Hewett line (ironically based in Los Angeles, where I live). Disappointed by how quickly cream eyeliners like Trish McEvoy’s and Stila’s dry out and flake, I asked her for one that would apply smoothly and not tug so much. She recommended JH’s «crème» version in Newsprint Bleu, which is a dark, nearly-​black color with the bright blue tones popping when you apply it to your lashlines. You can also use them as dramatic eyeshadows. They work best when you put a drop of water or transforming elixir (like Trish McEvoy’s Finish Line) on your brush first.
They didn’t carry the full-​size of the CB I Hate Perfume scent I wanted to smell (Gathering Apples) but she was sweet enough to give me the sample they’d been sent. Naturally, this kind gesture compelled me to come back a few days later and try out some Kevin Aucoin concealer (a bit cakey, but magic when it came to hiding my dark circles). I settled on a Femme Noir red lipstick and lipliner from JH’s line — which features a shade of red lipstick for everyone. I’m normally a pink lipgloss girl, but Elizabeth also gave me a mini-​makeup lesson on how to work with the eyeliner and apply red lipstick without looking like a clown or a little girl playing with her mother’s cosmetics. At $ 20 for the lipstick (it’s $ 22.50 on Julie Hewett’s site) I was sold, and didn’t immediately wipe it off with a tissue! I also eyed their assortment of France Luxe barrettes and headbands and jewelry.
The store is cozy but charming, and the service is fantastic — and I think it’s better that they carry a few good, reliable lines of makeup than a ton of mediocre ones. I would definitely come back to try their waxing or facial services on a trip up north — everyone loves the gal who does brow shaping.

I usually get a facial every 6 – 8 weeks both locally and abroad if I’m on vacation. Take it from me, the facial from Cody has got to be one of the best I ever had. The products were new to me (Komenuka Bijin, Dr. Jessica Wu), and I really liked that they were all natural. She also didn’t use just one line (in her words «you’re able to cherry-​pick the products that best suits your skin»). When my session was over, my face didn’t feel like I just had a Crisco bar rubbed all over my face. In fact, the products were so light and easily absorbed into my skin, I went out that night with makeup on! Even days later, I could feel and see the difference in my skin.
This place is very unassuming, on a street near a post office, and parking is metered so bring lots of quarters (thus the 4-​star rating).

Oh my GOD, I wish there was an option of putting 800 more stars on this thing…
Herringbone, fun (and insightful) people, excellent products, great waxing, super wonderful smells everywhere, killer jewelry which someday I’ll save up for a buy but definitely not today, and the most convincing living room ambiance I’ve ever experienced from a store. Wee! I can’t wait to get a facial at this place. A tiny bit expensive sure, yet oh so worth the extra change.

I think I’ve found my spot for facials in my neighborhood. I tried this place because it’s walking distance and was delightfully surprised by Cody’s meticulous and luxurious facial. She was thoughtful, precise, and helpful with my skin questions and gave me a killer complexion. Herringbone isn’t self-​consciously trendy, it’s not overly «natural,» it’s just quality, enjoyable, and unpretentiously sophisticated.
Edited to add:
I’m not a huge fan of the products at Herringbone. In particular, the Skyn Iceland line is a total money suck… overly priced and completely useless. Stay away. If I could tell every self-​respecting skin care aficionado to stay away from Skyn Iceland, I could die a happy girl.

Herringbone is the place that I drive all the way up Shattuck Ave to get to. Their sophisticated woodsy interior feels almost like it’s transporting you to a San Francisco spot, but their wide range selections of make-​up and beauty products are the crème of the crop.
I came here for a waxing (Erin Wong is an ARTIST) and will certainly be back.
Also check out their selection of jewelery and hair accessories right near the counter, log cabin chic at it’s best.

I love this store. It’s totally decadent, but a temple to really nice makeup and skin care (they also have a spa in the back and waxing and makeup consulting and all sorts of things). The owner calls it a «modern-​day apothecary,» which seems a bit of a stretch, since she is more likely to have Julie Hewitt lipstick and Mandy Aftel perfume than internal remedies, but you get the idea.
I bought my first lipstick in probably ten years here, so the atmosphere is suggestive, as you might guess…