Best Hair Salons in Marin (2024)

Between color and cut, treatments and products, there’s a lot that goes into choosing the hair salon you want to entrust with your look. Fortunately, Marin has a lot of options on the table, whether you need a quick trim or a full highlights.The 2023 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Milvali (pictured above). For the rest of theMarin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Hair Salon picks see below.

Our 2023 Beauty category sponsor is NorCal Plastic Surgery.

We’ve broken it down by region: Southern and Central Marin.

Southern|Central

Southern Marin

AP Luxe Salon

Mill Valley

An oasis in the heart of Mill Valley, AP Luxe was established by two women with a goal of providing a luxurious and indulgent experience. The staff is here to work with you, whether that’s taming frizzy hair or nailing tricky shades of blonde that less experienced stylists might turn brassy. They’re also known for their great use of Olaplex products and conditioning treatments. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

250 E. Blithedale Ave. Suite C, Mill Valley, 415.987.5893

DiPietro Todd

Mill Valley

Schedule up a consultation with DiPietro Todd and even your most avant garde hair dreams will come true. Need a serious refresh? L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox are offered here, meaning your hair will be healthy and clean down to the root. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (appointment only).

250 Camino Alto, Second Floor, Mill Valley, 415.388.0250

D&O Salon

Mill Valley

The list of services at D&O Salon is extensive. Next to cuts and styles, the salon offers wig cuts, luxury keratin treatments, and gloss services. They also bring more than 10 years of collective experience in the world of bridal beauty to the table, including styling, up-dos, and makeup application. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

800 Redwood Hwy #220, Mill Valley, 415.389.8000

Manes By Sara

Mill Valley

Sara Pinckney’s roots are in the Bay Area, having graduated from the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology, and then settling into Miller and Mane Salon in Mill Valley before opening her own space in 2020. Known for her work with blondes, Pickney’s business model centers on connecting with her clients to best understand their needs. Hours are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday.

34 Sunnyside Ave. Suite B, Mill Valley, 415.895.8778

Milvali

Mill Valley

Located in downtown Mill Valley, the cleverly named Milvali is the perfect place for pampering. Alongside bleaching, balayage, and blowouts are services such as body waxing and microblading. Milvali also offers airbrush tanning to give you a perfect summer glow. Hours are Sunday through Monday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

3 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, 415.388.0988

Revery Salon

Mill Valley

Revery was founded in 2012 by colorist Christine Donahue and offers its guests a place to relax, feel valued and be taken care of. Everything they do focuses on their belief that everyone can and should feel beautiful, and that one’s definition of beauty is highly individual and personal. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

138 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, 415.326.5225

Christopher Salon & Home

Tiburon

Established in 2008, Christopher Salon & Home is inspired by the casual elegance of the Hamptons, blended with the unique atmosphere of the West Coast. The salon offers classic cuts alongside gentle hair washes and scalp massages, plus a variety of balayage treatments for that smooth, natural effect. Make sure to take a look at the keratin treatments as well! Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

88 Main St., Belvedere Tiburon, 415.435.0111

Central Marin

Cooper Alley

Corte Madera

Owners Rick and Ali Cooper have built their salon on three ideals: innovation, perfection, and excellence. Between their creative approach to new coloring techniques to the skillful staff, you’ll walk away more than satisfied with your new look. Check out their referral bonuses, gift cards, and memberships. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 8:15 a.m. – 4 p.m.

417 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, 415.461.1146

Magnolia Avenue Salon

Larkspur

Along with a wide range of highlight options and balayage, Magnolia Avenue Salon also provides graying-reduction services and invisible bead extensions to add an extra oomph to any style. With board-certified and Balayage-certified colorists available, there’s no need to worry about quality. Hours are Tuesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

444 Magnolia Ave #101, Larkspur, 415.891.8258

Benvenuto

San Anselmo

You’ll never have a bad cut or color at Benvenuto, nor will your split ends go unattended. The offerings are vast, including the special blowout REWIND, designed to restore and rejuvenate hair to a more youthful state, rebuilding each strand from the inside out to provide a glossy and smooth result. Hours are Sunday through Monday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

532 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.1347

Fox + Stone Collective

San Anselmo + Fairfax

Fox + Stone has a devoted clientele at its two locations in Fairfax and San Anselmo. In addition to Kevin Murphy’s ammonia free hair color line, the salon also offers L’Oreal & Redken Shades EQ, is a Olaplex certified salon and has K18 treatments for damaged and over-processed hair. Fairfax hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. San Anselmo hours are Sunday through Monday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

564 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.295.7165 / 54 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax, CA 415.295.7352

Sproos San Anselmo

San Anselmo

First established in 1994 in San Francisco, clients in the city loved the salon so much that Sproos decided to bring their quality cuts to Marin and opened up their San Anselmo location. Go see what they hype is about next time you need a trim or dye job. Hours are Monday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

556 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.457.4900

The Current Marin

San Anselmo

The Current Marin has been providing an elevated and creative salon experience to San Anselmo since 2009. This women-owned small business is dedicated to being a professional and high-end part of the community, and rave reviews prove that they’ve yet to disappoint. Set up a consultation to get a rundown of their highlights, lowlights, and everything in between. Book in advance, as they can be fully booked a couple weeks ahead. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday.

703 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo, CA, 415.991.5790

Brewer Phillips Hair Design

San Rafael

Founded in 2001, Brewer Phillips Hair Design carries out Ann Brewer’s vision of being Marin’s premier hair salon with a friendly and professional environment. Designers offer cuts and creative styling for men ad women based on the Yosh and Sassoon techniques. Since the salon opened, it continues to innovate services, continue education with its customized training programs, and offer the latest Brewer Phillips products.Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

906 4th St, San Rafael, 415.485.1437

David James

San Rafael

The team at David James is run by David himself, who has been working as a hairdresser since the age of 17. After a decade of experience in the industry, he and his brother Daniel set up shop together in San Francisco and now also have an outpost in San Rafael offering all the same fantastic services. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

1018 B St, San Rafael, CA, 415.578.2803

Maison Maison

San Rafael

The experienced stylists, colorists and extension specialists at Maison Maison cover a lot of ground. Partnerships with numerous brands, such as Playa and Olaplex, give them a wide range of luxurious products to work with and the assurance they’re using only the best of the best for your hair. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1323 4th St, San Rafael, 415.785.8377

Salon B

San Rafael

From frizz-reducing keratin treatments to hand tied extensions, Salon B delivers excellent results. They’re a black-owned, cruelty-free business with a commitment to sustainability and the environment, with a holistic approach to styling and coloring. They also sell a variety of Salon B brand haircare products for those looking to take home environmentally-friendly products to use on a regular basis. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

886 4th St, San Rafael, 628.888.5136

Sponsor

Nor Cal Plastic Surgery: 2023 Best of the County Beauty

Best Hair Salons in Marin (1)

NorCal Plastic Surgery provides a personalized, goal-oriented approach to enhanced quality of life. Dr. Tim Rankin employs award-winning surgical techniques and provides consistently safe, high-quality outcomes.

Are you known for any particular surgeries?
The deep plane facelift/necklift is a term that has recently gained more notoriety, but describes the high quality, durable results for which we are known. Facial rejuvenation is a highly individualized procedure that allows us to address your unique aging process.

How long have you been in business?
We are now in our fourth year since opening our Marin office. Having grown up in Marin, it has been an incredible experience providing our services in my home town.

Any other favorite Marin health and wellness businesses?
Yes! We love (and refer clients to) Dr. Chilcott at Morpheus Medical Aesthetics (med spa), Pacific Skin Care (dermatology), NOW Power Yoga (fitness), Healthy Living Nutritional Counseling (nutrition), Power MD (regenerative medicine) and Christopher Salon (haircare).
Best Hair Salons in Marin (2024)

FAQs

What is a great tip for a hairdresser? ›

How much should you tip your hairdresser? We asked three etiquette experts, two salon professionals and a certified financial planner. Most of these experts suggest leaving 15% to 20%, depending on the service and your satisfaction. Going with 20% is nice for the stylist and you because that math is pretty simple.

How do I choose a good salon? ›

These tips will help you find a beauty salon for your needs.
  1. Look at Reviews. ...
  2. Look for a Wide Range of Services. ...
  3. Choose A Salon You'll Feel Comfortable In. ...
  4. Think About the Cost. ...
  5. Check for Qualifications. ...
  6. Look for a Place with Good Hours. ...
  7. Go with Your Gut. ...
  8. 5 Signs You Need a Haircut.
Sep 13, 2021

How do I know if my hair stylist is good? ›

If you find yourself looking forward to your next appointment, that means you've found a great stylist.
  • You always start where you left off. Stylists do a great deal of work to make sure your visits are seamless. ...
  • They don't judge. ...
  • They're a friend.
Feb 21, 2019

What level hair stylist is the best? ›

Master Stylist - L4

This stylist is a leader in the salon company, and their services are the most in demand. They book several weeks or more in advance, have the most hands-on experience and meet other benchmarks such as customer satisfaction and referrals from happy clients.

How much do you tip for a $20 haircut? ›

20 percent to 25 percent:

20 percent is the most common tipping percentage in the hair industry. Tipping anywhere from 20 to 25 percent is a great range for anyone who is a salon regular or just received a haircut they love. Tipping properly is a great way to strengthen the relationship with your stylist.

How much to tip $30 for a haircut? ›

Generally, you should tip a hairdresser 20 percent if you're happy with all aspects of your service, says Hodges.

How to pick a hairdresser? ›

Top Tips for Choosing the Right Hairdresser
  1. Conduct Thorough Research. ...
  2. Pay Attention to Recommendations and Word of Mouth. ...
  3. Are They Qualified and Trained? ...
  4. How Much Experience Do They Have? ...
  5. Don't Focus on Price. ...
  6. Arrange a Consultation.

How do I stand out from other salons? ›

Focus on the customer experience
  1. Listen to the customers and what they want.
  2. Update your styling and waiting chairs to make them more ergonomic.
  3. Add footrests designed for hairdressers to improve the posture of customers.
  4. Offer comforting drinks such as tea or coffee and enable pleasant waiting areas.

How can I choose the best haircut? ›

Choosing a haircut depends on various factors: face shape, hair type, lifestyle, and personal style. Consider your face shape for a flattering look, consult with a hairstylist for their expertise, and think about maintenance and styling preferences.

Do hairdressers like it when you bring in pictures? ›

Bring Pictures

Don't worry. We have all the options to get you started. Duncan adds: "Be prepared to really communicate with your stylist about what does and does not work for your hair. Start with a length you want, and find pictures of looks you could see yourself loving."

What's the difference between hair salon and hair stylist? ›

Hairdressers tend to work in permanent locations like salons and spas that are equipped with the products and equipment they need to deliver the broad range of services they are trained in. hairstylists however require fewer tools and can often work more independently and on the go.

How do you know if your haircut is good? ›

A style with no awkward growth stages

Your hairstyle is more than a one-day event – it's got to make you feel fabulous for weeks! If your haircut grows out evenly and doesn't look awkward between cuts, it's a success.

What is a female hairstylist called? ›

The terms barber, hairdresser, and hair stylist are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences in their meaning. Technically, a hairdresser is the same as a hair stylist, although the term “hairdresser” is a bit out of fashion and was used primarily to refer to females.

What is a senior stylist? ›

Senior Stylist - With a higher level of experience, a senior stylist is skilled at more professional hair cutting and styling techniques. Style Director - The salon style director is a specialist in hair cutting and styling with a deeper level of knowledge and training.

What is a hairdresser top salary? ›

Hairdresser Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$65,728$32
75th Percentile$53,900$26
Average$43,191$21
25th Percentile$36,600$18

What is a good tip for a $200 hair service? ›

Now, the universal rule of thumb is to go for 15-20% of the service cost. So, that's $30 to $40 on a $200 service. Tipping at hair salons is typically based on a percentage of the total service cost and is often influenced by the quality of service provided.

Is $10 a good tip for a hair stylist? ›

$10 to $20 is generous,” Rivera said. “Most people will do $5.” Others said people should leave a similar tip to what they would leave at a restaurant. “I would say around 20% is fine,” said Adam Quintero, owner of Up Hair in the Castro.

How much do you tip a hairdresser for $500? ›

How Much Should You Tip Hairdressers? Regarding the amount you should tip your hairdresser, the general consensus is 20%. "The amount to tip can vary, but a common guideline is 15% to 20% of the total service cost.

Is a 15% tip bad hairdresser? ›

Is it OK to tip 15% at a salon? According to Consumer Reports, you should tip at least 15% of the service fee, even if the service wasn't the best. If you're debating whether to tip a smaller amount because you're not happy with your service, you can also consider speaking to the manager or owner first.

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