Complements Hair Design

There is not one single thing I would change about Complements, they are outstanding! I’ve been a customer for years and Brandon is the only one that can do anything with my hair! I would give extra stars if I was allowed!

Andrea saved my hair! I had been going to a salon in alameda for the last 8 years and every time my hair seemed to get worse, sloppy job, and rushed. My highlights were all different colors, uneven and my roots were very dark. My hair was also really brassy! I hated it. It’s been awhile since I have been to a really great salon, and I’m so thankful I found Complements! It has amazing décor, great lighting, nice space and clean. Not to mention it’s right next door to my job. And dog friendly Andrea was enthusiastic, fun, professional and knew exactly what I wanted, and she created it better than I even expected! Thanks again Andrea! I’ll be back soon!

I have been going to Katey for several years — I even followed her to Compliments and make a 30 minute drive to get to Alameda.
She has style, great cutting skills, and is such a gracious warm woman.
Compliments is a lovely environment — this Fall I will utilize some of their other services.

I just had the most amazing and natural caramel/​milk chocolate highlights done by Tracy Matesic at Complements Hair Design. She really took the time to listen to what I wanted and did a fantastic job. I’ve found my new stylist for color!

Tracy is an absolute genius with blonde highlights, especially if you’re looking for thin strands of natural-​looking, extra-​cool blonde that closely mimics your former natural shade.
My hair was pure white when I was young, then bright, cool blonde (with an ashy underlayer) through college — but turned a terribly blah, very dark ash by my late 20’s. Deciding to highlight when I reached 32 worked well when I lived in San Diego (where nearly everyone and her mother is salon-​blonde, regardless of coloring); but when I moved to Oakland eight years ago, it took ages (and several awful, bright-​orange disasters) before I found Tracy at her former salon in Berkeley. She was able to turn the fried, B-​movie-​Nazi-​yellow fright wig on my head back into glorious, pale, shiny blonde, and I remained a loyal customer until two years ago, when I moved to the City.
I tried several (expensive!!!) SF salons for highlights, but every appointment yielded hideous, too-​orange, poorly placed streaks, each set more damaging than the last — so I finally sucked it up this autumn and crossed the bridge to Complements, where Tracy began the process of bringing my hair back to life. In just one appointment, she was able to improve my appearance so dramatically that total strangers commented on my «pretty hair» in public! I would recommend Tracy to anyone.

Andrea is incredible! She always cuts and styles my hair perfectly, paying very close attention to what I want, and the color is amazing (the same color as before the silver tried to invade!). She is an absolute pleasure — professional, fun, interesting, and a wonderful and genuine person. I highly, highly recommend Andrea and can’t say enough good things about her!

If you want a thorough, welcoming experience go see Katey! She gave me a beautiful red to blonde transformation. I have a lot of difficult hair and getting it done has always seemed like a scary task. Katey took her time and was able to give me the results I wanted. I felt at ease! The salon is beautiful and filled with great energy and friendly faces. I highly recommend it!

Here is the place where you can find real professional hair stylists. Both Brandon and Franco are brilliant. I have Brillo for hair and I saw Franco just a few days ago and now I look great! (As well as a 66 year old woman can be.) Make an appointment — you’ll be amazed by what these gentlemen can do for you. PS Their new building’s interior is beautiful. Take time to look at the artwork, too.

This review is for Jodi’s amazing hair magic!
Jodi does it all:
— hair color that looks natural yet has depth and richness;
— she suggests hair cuts and hairstyles complimentary to your features
— she stays current on hair techniques by taking classes and learning new knowledge
— she did a fantastic wedding hair trail that goes with my personality and went along with my dress!
Jodi always makes me look beautiful! Thanks SO much!

Katey was incredible. I’ve been going to her for years, she offers seasonal specials. Most recently I’ve gotten a Brazilian blowout from her and went in tonight for Balayage highlights, which turned out so well! I’m thrilled! She was so sweet and accommodating – offered me wine during my cut! You’re the best Katey!

I cant believe I have waited so long to submit this. The service here is excellent and friendly, I mean EVERYONE is friendly and helpful and I always LOVE my cut and color by Brandon. The new space is Gorgeous! This is a first class place I am so lucky to have found this lovely salon

It has been over a year since Andrea originally dyed my hair fire engine red, but on a trip back to Alameda and the salon, did I make a decision to end my love affair with the red and went to a rich warm brunette. It is easier to take care of long distance (I REFUSE to let anyone other than Andrea or the Complements team touch my hair) and is what I had growing up.
I also decided to add bangs like I had as a kid. Andrea was honest and didn’t know if bangs would be the right look for my face (since I’m not a chubby 5 year old anymore), but if I was insistent, she would cut them. I was firm and she agreed and between her and Franco, I got some BANGIN’ BANGS! Originally they were straight across, but it has been almost 3 months and my bangs are still bangin’.
Once again, Andrea has helped me feel more confident in the way I look and I could not recommend her enough!

Going to Katie for my ómbre was the best thing I could have done! She really listens to her clients and is very friendly. I don’t think somebody else could have done such a great job. There isn’t a day on which I’m not happy about the result. My hair is really blonde again, not just kinda ash-​dark blondish. My hair looks sunkissed but the ómbre is barely noticeable, a very smooth shift in color. And the best of it all: I won’t have to touch up roots. ;) Thanks, Katie.
The rest of the complements team was very friendly and comforting, too. I brought along my mom for emotional support and she was offered a chair and something to drink, nobody made a face about it and was understanding and sweet.
This is the best experience I’ve ever had at a hair salon. I can comfortably recommend complements hair salon in Alameda to anyone. They are professionals. If I didn’t move back to Germany in three weeks, I’d definitely be back and never go anywhere else.

Franco cuts and colors my hair in a way that pleases me every time. He is so skilled, talented and amiable that I look forward to my appointment and always come away with an absolutely beautiful cut. I have looked for a salon for years and i have found the perfect place at Complements Hair Design. Call in advance and set an appointment. It will be worth the wait! Franco is fully booked for a reason. That is the very reason you should take the leap and set that appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Cannot recommend Andrea enough! I’ve been around most of the Alameda salons for my cuts and colors– and Andrea is the only one I’ve come back with more than once. I like my hair black– and when I say black I mean PITCH BLACK. The dye she uses on my hair is really high quality and stays put like no other– and I mean ZERO bleeding after, onto my pillows, onto my towels, onto my gym clothes… I have spent much more on my color, only for it to bleed all over everything for the next month. Cut and styling are also always top notch– such attention to detail and care in how she works. I’ve had stylists who seem so eager to turn over ASAP to the next client, but I know Andrea’s passion for her craft means she will always do it right. If you want a high quality color, a killer cut, honest styling advice, and a really friendly atmosphere, Complements is the place to come and Andrea is the lady to see.

Franco has been my stylist for 19 years. We joke that we have a 20 year anniversary coming up next April! He is such a talented stylist, fabulous colorist and my personal therapist (LOL)! He has cut my hair short when no one else would, he has continued to keep me up to date on the current age appropriate styles with a bit of flair. I have great hair, great color and a great style. I look forward to my appointments as the salon is comfortable, beautifully decorated with my favorite «trash» magazines to read. while I sip a cup of lovely tea (or champagne)! His partner is Brandon and I feel I am part of their family. I have watched their family grow up and they mine. Great people, great talent, great atmosphere! Love you guys!

Franco has been my stylist for 20 years (yes, he went into this business when he was 12). He started with world-​class professional training, has styled the rich and famous, and now he works his magic in Alameda. How does it get better than this for us plebs? What really p**ses me off is he looks the same as he did 20 years ago. What is up with that? Just shows that he knows what he’s doing as far as bringing beauty to the world. I hated my hair until I put it in his hands, and now it is obedient and lovely. Franco has taken years off my look and I am indebted to him. On top of all that? He is just a very cool dude: intelligent, thoughtful, talented and kind. You should go here!

I’ve been going to Marlo for a number of years. Marlo is not only an outstanding stylist she is also an expert colorist. She absolutely rocks !! If you need someone who will listen and respond go to Marlo.

When I moved to Alameda it was a constant struggle to find a good, reliable, local hair salon. Price didn’t even matter that much as long as I felt I could confidently walk in and out of it with a fabulous hair cut every time. That’s what I’ve found with Marlo at Complements!
I have very full curly (difficult to manage) brown hair. And I am so busy in the mornings that I can’t be bothered to take the time to style it into submission every day. So I wanted a cut that could make my hair look nice even when I let it air dry.
Marlo listened to my woes and hair struggles, and knew exactly how to cut and thin my hair in just the right places, so it looks great even when I don’t bother to style it. Now I have her doing my color as well. Not to mention, she is just SUCH a nice and kind person and very easy to talk to.
Marlo only works 3 or so days a week (the rest of the time she’s a dedicated mom), so if you want to book an appointment with her, expect to book a month in advance because her calendar is usually full anytime before that. That attests to her popularity. ;)

Not only do i love my hair but I enjoy my time with Marlo. The boys are really fun to be around. The salon is classy without being pretentious and all clients are provided adequate time. I’ve never been rushed or had to wait longer than a few minutes.
Marlo is amazing — she talks to you about what YOU feel is working with your hair, what YOU feel isn’t working and where YOU want to go. She just gets it.