Steel + Lacquer — Local services in San Francisco

I’ve been to them in the past and always loved my haircuts. I even debated in posting this review cause the stylist has always been nice to me. My last haircut, they asked me to sign a waiver to basically forgo your right to sue them and to give consent or not give consent on having your hair featured on their social media. I felt very pressured to sign this despite never having to do this at any salon in the past or with past visits. To me as a customer, it felt like the business was truly only out for themselves and the waiver itself made me feel like they could just do whatever to a client and not feel like they will held accountable. For some reason, the same appointment I had when I signed this was the only time I felt like my haircut was butchered. Maybe the stylist misunderstood me or made an honest mistake. (Though I’ve been the same one for a year now) I don’t know cause I never got an explanation. The sad part is, I didn’t really see the mistake until the blowout the stylist did has waned/ been washed away. Like it wasn’t supper terrible but I honestly have not had my hair down in public since I got my haircut because the layers felt uneven on the bottom and very flat. It looks bad untied unless it’s in a high ponytail. My hair has never been “flat” as I used to have very thick and dense asian hair all throughout. I did let them know about being disappointed and explained that I didn’t want to get my hair any shorter that what was recently cut. There really was no way for fixing it…. They sent me a generic message (looks like a template) to let me know that the stylist is more than happy to remedy it. After I already texted that there was no way of fixing the haircut without cutting more hair. I love the products they sell and the kerastase treatment they do, but may not come back for a haircut as I haven’t been this disappointed in a haircut...

Jarrod is GOD, and there aren't enough stars on this thing to give him the credit he deserves.

I've been seeing Jarrod for cut/color going on 10 years now, and have followed him from salon to salon as he, and his partner Lena, dreamed up, architected and executed Steel + Lacquer, and I would follow him into the butthole of the universe for a bang trim if I had to. Every time I walk outta an appt with him I feel like a gd goddess. I consistently get compliments on the color of my hair, which is naturally a very bland, boring shade of "dirty blonde" that looks like the color of low tide at Fisherman's Wharf, but Jarrod makes miracles happen when he bayalages those glorious whips of blonde into my mud puddle, and everyone thinks it's natural and absolutely beautiful. Also, he is always able to give me either the exact cut that I want, or the cut that I didn't even know that I wanted...in any case, I always love LOVE the way my hair turns out, without fail.

On top of Jarrod's insane skills, something else that sets him miles apart from stylists I've been to is that he is incredibly thoughtful, intentional, and intuitive. He has spent so much time just listening to me talk through my indecision and hesitations in order to help me land on something that I will be happy with. I know that he will never rush me, and he often offers ideas that tap into what I really want for myself.

Perhaps most importantly, Jarrod is just a phenomenal human being. I really look forward to seeing him, to his kindness, patience and sense of humor - to being around his huge heart. I can't say that I know what the cut/color experience is like with other stylists at S&L, but I trust Jarrod's judgement and high level of standards one dillion percent, and I am sure that he has surrounded himself with a community of incredibly talented, incredibly GOOD human beings.

GO TO...

Front desk personal is really nice and polite. However, it’s hard to consider it as a priority when you’re looking for salon services - and the thing gets really bad from there. It was my first time, I booked a haircut with a high level professional (educator according to the website) and I took the occasion to inquiry about the benefits of a keratin treatment. “You’re a good candidate for it”, my hairstylist said. They help me to book another appointment 4 days later specifically for a keratin treatment. After it, we go to the shelves and they show me the products I should buy for my hair (more than $100!). I’m back four days later to have my keratin treatment and guess what? The professional who did it said I shouldn’t use the products the first professional recommended (bye bye $$$$) if I would like my keratin treatment lasting for more than one month. Who is right? Who is wrong? I will probably never know since the salon doesn’t care to clarify it. The same evaluation I’m publishing here I sent them in a private message and never got a response. Unless you’re a beauty-savvy, I don’t recommend this salon. Btw, haircut was ok and keratin treatment was partially made by a junior assistant. Very junior. The assistant and the professional burned my ears and my scalp more than once and I was practically coerced to leave a defined amount...