Ivania Salon

I went to Ivania to fix a hair cut from an upscale salon in the San Francisco financial district. She gave me a classic, sophisticated cut and for the first time in years people are complimenting me on my hair!

The cut is worth the hour drive! Ivania is an amazing barber and an amazing person. She knows exactly what I want and has hair down to a science. She us extremely friendly and always greets costumers with a big smile. She talks to her costumers and gives great advice. Her shop is clean and tidy. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone.

Never have I ever had a bad haircut until I came here :(
I came to Ivania because her reviews said that she could cut both men and women’s hair very well. I had called to make an appointment just to confirm that she could cut my hair the way I wanted. My hair was really long so I wanted to get some layers done and then get an undercut with a design. When I called Ivania she confirmed she could do both the layers and the undercut.
I went in for my appointment the next day, and I actually went in early because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find the place since everyone kept saying the place was so hidden. She agreed to see me and I waited for her to finish cleaning her station. I told her what I wanted to do with my hair and she kind of looked at me like I was crazy (even though I had called her about it when I made my appointment). Anyway, she agreed to do the undercut and cut off my hair, so she parted my hair and made a pony tail to cut it off and then tossed it saying «well that’s over with.» –_​_​_​_​– I know some people aren’t too attached to their hair but I was actually pretty excited to chop off my hair up until she said that.
She cleaned up my undercut and when I asked her about the design and showed her the picture of what I wanted, she said she could do it. I felt her cutting my undercut and making the design (or so I thought) and when she finished she put the rest of my hair down to work on my layers. I asked if I could see my undercut and I saw that it was nothing like the picture that I had shown her. She responded with, «I thought this was a better design.» WTF? It would’ve been nice to know you decided to cut some other design onto my head! If she couldn’t do it then she could have been honest and declined to do so.
So apparently she totally effed up with her scheduling because some other girl (apparently a regular) walked in while she was still cutting my layers. Ivania had wet my hair while doing my layers and she started to rush after the other girl came in. She said she didn’t have time to finish blow drying my hair and she asked me if I had a clip on me. Umm, hellooo. YOU are the hair stylist, not me. So she looks through her drawers and finds a chopstick and puts my wet hair up with her chopstick. Are you fricken kidding me? She let me walk out of the door like that so that she could attend her other client. SO rude. SO unprofessional. NEVER again.
One star for decent layers which I found to be nice after I styled my hair myself. My boyfriend said my design on my undercut made it look like I had just gotten out of surgery (thanks) and I found that she didn’t even part my hair evenly when she did my undercut, so my part is crooked –_​_​–
Also, she kept saying my hair was damaged (yes, I know which is why I wanted to cut my hair) but during the whole time I was there she kept referring to my hair as «mush.» Way to boost a girl’s self esteem. I had to wait for my undercut to grow out a little more and then got it re-​done at The Right Angle in Rockridge.

I just want to write that if you are interested in having the haircut that YOU WANT and are not necessarily interested in getting a «new style», this is not the place to go.
I don’t want to tell my whole story but I have had some traumatizing haircutting experiences with people cutting my hair way past my comfort level, even after I said I don’t want much length taken off. I told Ivania this and asked that she please not take off to much length and she did anyways.
Yes, we talked about what she was going to do and as she was cutting it I expressed that I thought she was taking off too much, but she kept insisting that she had to. I have been growing my hair out for years and now I have a bob again. I am really upset… which irritates me because its just hair, right?
And I even liked the lady and felt like we had a great connection. I guess there is something to be said for a professional feeling like they know what they are doing to the point of not respecting their clients wishes.

Ivania is extremely skilled with her scissors. She is so humble and such a lovely person. Thanks to all the good reviews about her i plunged in and took a risk to go to her for a haircut. Don’t let her salon alter your judgement about her skills when you get there. I took one look at the place and i was skeptical about getting a haircut, but as soon as we started looking at some photos to help me decide what to get, and in the midst of it I simply asked her — Well do you have an idea what to do with my hair? She just knows by looking at your face and your hair, just like her website suggests. Anybody looking for a nice haircut don’t look further. Ivania would do justice! I am very very happy, and glad and thankful to all the other reviewers who helped me choose Ivania’s salon. A massive Thanks!
You can also find parking right opposite the street at UCB extension building.

It doesn’t get more personal than a one-​chair salon, and it’s great to have the barber’s complete attention, not having to hear everyone else’s gossip and horrible music. The salon, hard to spot from the street but very conveniently located, is tiny but homey and nice, and Ivania is a joy to chat with… always something interesting to say, you have real conversations, and I always learn something new.
And most importantly, I always look great when I come out… and continue looking great for a couple of months. She not only cuts my hair in a way that makes my head look quite handsome, instead of the thatched pumpkin nature gave me, but she showed me how to trim my beard so it complemented the new shape of my hair and flattered my face more.
And the prices can’t be beat. I’ve paid twice as much for half-​as-​amazing haircuts.
Ivania is a treasure!

Ivania is great! A wonderful person to know, and she does a great job with my hair

She is amazing! Not only is she pleasant, but she knows how to cut hair and treats it like an art and a science. She explained the traits of my head & hair and why they necessitated being cut in a particular way.
I simply could not be happier.

this woman is not only charming and as sweet as candy, but a master at hair design. working out of a hole in the wall salon, you would never got that she’s trained personally with vidal Sassoon. that is, and tell you start to get a haircut. more types and styles of cutting instruments then I have seen it before. She asked the right questions and give you what you want and more. no buzz cut here. my artison haircut was an astonishing low 18 dollars!

I had my first haircut from Ivania today, and I love the cut she gave me. My girlfriend and I both agree that this is the best haircut I’ve ever had.
The place is a bit tricky to find. The address (1906) isn’t visible from the street. The entrance is just up the driveway to the left of the key shop.

I switched from Supercuts to Ivania a few years ago, which was a huge improvement, to put it mildly. Ivania takes time to do the job right, pays attention to detail, and is a really nice and caring person. You can’t go wrong adding yourself to the list of customers at her new place.

I have had all my haircuts from Ivania in the last year. She gives great hair cuts. Moreover she is really fun and intelligent, I always enjoy chatting with her. She has worked in Berkeley for many years, and recently moved to this place. Her store is right behind the key store.