Top Look

Our family has been driving to SF Chinatown to this little shop for over 30 years. For sure, she used to have more staff but as competition and economy changed in Chinatown, she’s cut back and does everything herself. So, no more hair washing assistant around, no more chit chat between them. She is very good… but she is moody… When rested and in a good mood, you come out with a beautiful cut… Other times, it misses… not a total disaster but definitely not to her abilities. The family has tried other places including $ 100 cuts, but always go back to her. Her pricing is dependent on her mood too… Usually $ 20 for long hair and less for short hair.

Unless you like bowl cuts and have perfectly straight Asian hair, walk on by this place. And if your tastes run to bowl cuts, ask upfront how much each service costs. The answer will depend on your race and Wendy’s assessment of your tolerance for «pricing by mood.» This is a stylist who wouldn’t know a cut line from a conga line.

2.5 stars
My hair was in dire need (think 3 months past due) of a trim and I was having the hardest time booking with my regular hair stylist (
), so the Mother suggested I come see Wendy, her regular hair stylist. Given that I wasn’t going with a drastic cut, I took the Mother’s recommendation and gave Wendy a call. I wanted to come in during my lunch hour and was able to make an appointment for any time I wanted – I doubt her schedule was packed. I speed-​walked to the salon within 5 minutes, got sat in the chair, and Wendy started trimming away at lightning speed. She made close-​to-​no conversation and did not come up for air with the scissors. Within literally FIFTEEN minutes of sitting down, she whipped out a hand mirror for me to check out the back of my head, and told me I was done, I got back to work with 30 minutes to eat my lunch! Case in point: QUICKEST HAIRCUT OF MY LIFE!
The trim wasn’t bad at all, but I like hair stylists who care about their customers and their hair. Wendy clearly didn’t care, she was on a mission to just get the job done. My mom had told me she charged less than $ 20 for cut and wash, but I didn’t even get a wash (even though I didn’t plan to, Wendy didn’t even ask if I wanted one) and was charged $ 20. Hmmm… dare I say sketchy?! Not even my use of fluent Cantonese helped me.

Wendy is the hairstylist here, and she does a great job. This place is tucked in the heart of Chinatown. on an uphill street — right across from where Will Smith’s Pursuit of Happiness was filmed! — but it has a lavender banner so it’s not too hard to miss.
I love Wendy’s service — she’s very nice and she does a good job. The only thing is go in there with specific directions or she will take charge and cut your hair how she sees fit.