Paul Strom Salon

This is a long overdue review for Paul. I have been getting highlights from him for the past few years and despite a really busy schedule, I drive a solid 45 minutes to an hour to his salon because he is so good and I am always really happy with his work.
Paul is always really professional and accommodating (and a perfectionist– a plus in my book!) but today he went above and beyond. I had only booked an appointment for regular highlights and asked for some magenta streaks when I got to the salon in addition to highlights (a different process and a lot of extra time.). Despite a packed afternoon, Paul made it work and I am thrilled with how my hair came out.
I think his customer service and talent are superb and his prices are very reasonable for the quality. Highly recommended!

Always a great cut. The color is my fault. Ran into a box of Feria.

Alma is amazing! She cuts and colors my hair and does my waxing. I have so many good things to say about her; here’s a quick list.
Flexible with scheduling
Easy to get in contact with
Listens to my ideas and answers my questions
Shows me techniques for using product or blowing out my hair (I’m slightly inept)
Encourages me to try new styles (tried some bangs and love them!!)
Overall, Alma is sweet, knowledgeable, and stylish!

found this place while on a morning run… stopped in to grab a brochure. I know i looked like I had just been working out, but the gal at the front could not have been more rude. She looked annoyed that I was there and then proved it, I asked if I could take the brochure and she said that most people throw it away and that I should not take it if I was going to do that. Um, really? I was actually interested in coming back — the place has a nice spa like feel. But since I am new to the area, I guess I will find somewhere else. First impressions speak very loudly.

It was my first time getting my eyebrows waxed, and I was very nervous but Alma made me feel very comfortable and she did an amazing job. While I was getting waxed, there was nice ambiance music and it made me feel calm. I was very pleased with the results. Definitely coming back. Alma is great!

Carmelita is Amazing. I have super thick and curly hair and most stylist have no idea what to do with it but Carmelita knew exactly how to cut and color it to make it look healthy and beautiful. I will definitely be going back to carmelita for all of my hair care needs.

Carmelita is the best Hairstylist I have ever had! I have been searching for the best hairstylist who understand my hair problems (frizzy, dry and extremely damaged) as wellas how I want it to compliment the structure of my face. She did all that and on top of it when it was my turn to do it at home on my own. It was magic it looks as great as if Carmelita did it. WOW now that rarely happens to me.

Upon entering the Paul Strom Salon you are greeted by the wonderful sound of good jazz. There is the sound of peaceful water falling. The natural lighting, open concept and spa like feel can take anyone from a busy day and transform them into a calm, relaxed mood. There is a tea station with wonderful teas to sip before or during your treatment or appointment. The stylists are all warm and friendly. They take the time to listen to you and offer professional advice. It is so nice to have such a fantastic hair salon right here in Pacifica.

Don’t like bashing stylists (or anyone!) but here’s the sad truth:
Carmelita had been cutting my hair for about 4 hair appointments. Liked the hair cut so decided to go to her for coloring. WRONG!
Atmosphere:nice, cozy
Service:bad. gossiper, was talking bad about the way other stylists do hair, And how she got fired from her old salon cause drama (please, spare me) unprofessional. Even skyped her daughter while she was coloring my hair. Wtf?
Now-​what really pissed me off. It was my birthday weekend and I had virgin hair. Never been dyed or messed with in 3 years never been bleached. I was trying to go for something new and wanted to go blonde. I understand it is a process but Carmelita had no idea what she was doing. She died my hair DARKER on the top-​convincing me it was for an ombré natural looking affect. Umm ok? Why dye it darker when I’m trying to go light. Anyways, whatever. THEN she turned it completely ORANGE. Tried using a million different toners on my hair and was rude saying she usually charges per color and I was getting a deal. Ha, for your mistake? To top it all off I was in the chair for FIVE HOURS. After paying 200 for my hair to be completely wrong I was leaving in tears. She then told me to come back in and shed fix it, feeling bad. So I go in only to be told that «I just can’t go blonde. My hair won’t take to the color.»
JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS I GOT IT CORRECTED BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING (AND In 2 hours and much cheaper!) HAVE HAPPILY BEEN BLONDE FOR A YEAR NOW.
Go here for amateur coloring and the town gossip, but if you want good service/​save yourself the time and trouble! Never going here again. It’s ghetto-​stick to the city.

I have what I think is problem hair. Fine and fly-​away but lots of it. Straight. Doesn’t hold a curl. I’ve mostly kept it long. It’s been, well, just a hank of hair. But a friend introduced me to Paul Strom in Pacifica and he figured out how I could have a stylish look and still keep it sort of long (like my partner likes it). He cut and layered it so that it flatters my face and doesn’t need a lot of care. Paul really listens and he really understands hair. I’ve seen him do wonders for others as well. He is an entertaining person with a good sense of humor. And, he is a musician, so the music on the system is always top notch. A lovely light and ambience in the salon. Paul Strom is a class act.

Got my eyelash extensions filled today by Catherine. She is an awesome cosmetologist. She did a great job at initially putting on the lashes a few weeks ago and a great job filling them. The quality of her work is great, she’s attentive to detail, and her personality makes the hours go by fast while ur laying on the comfy massage table. To top it all off her pricing is more than fair and the facility she works in is very clean.

I have been having Paul take care of my hair for over twenty years, both cutting and coloring. He is sooooo good I even sent my Mother there and she has now been Paul’s client for a couple of years! I get blonde streaks in my light brown hair that look so natural. I also have wavy/​curly hair that Paul has managed to cut in such a great way that people have stopped me in NYC, not once but twice, to ask who cuts my hair. Don’t miss out on this experience. Paul can’t be duplicated…

I had originally come in for color and a cut with Paul, but due to an accidental double booking was referred to Carmelita — and I’m so glad that I was :). Carmelita did an excellent job giving me the ombré look that I wanted & styled my hair so cutely. While she styled, she gave me tips and recommendations on caring for my hair better that I immediately took to heart and happily followed. She even graciously re-​touched the color for me after my hubby commented that he’d like it done a little differently! Service with a smile :). Thanks, Carmelita!!!

I was going to another hair salon for almost thirty years. My hair stylist had been giving me perms. Then the salon closed. I thought it was a good time to try something different. A friend told me to try Paul Strom. She said he does a great job styling her hair. So I did.
I told him I wanted something that would be easy to take care of. He did an outstanding job of shaping my hair. I have been twice and my hair looks even better after the second visit. My friends love the new style. They told me I look 10 years younger! I love my new hair style and feel so much younger.
Paul is very nice and cares about what you like in a hair style. I will be going to Paul from now on.
I highly recommend Paul to anyone in need of a new look. Madeleine M.,

About a year ago, I experienced a hair disaster where my highlights were left on way too long and destroyed my hair. I tried about 5 different places including the original place that jacked up my hair to try and fix it. Finally in August, I made an appointment with Paul. He had to make several separate batches of color to return my hair to one color. However, it worked. Someone today told me that something looks great about me. They decided it was my hair color. It looks healthy and the cut flatters my facial bone structure. I can not stress how great a job Paul did reversing the funky mess my hair was in prior to his work. I am a convert, and will not allow anyone else to touch my hair as long as his salon is open and available.

I went in for a Brazilian wax with Alma, there is really no way to be demure when getting this done, but she was very attentive and quick and although it wasn’t painless (it really never is) she made it as comfortable as possible. I will definitely be back to her to get another when the time comes.

I have been going to Alma for all my waxing and facials (and she does massage). I have to say she does excellent work! She’s meticulous, soothing, and knowledgeable about skin. She addresses any concerns you may have and makes you feel comfortable, never rushed, at every visit. Her massages are wonderful, deep and invigorating!

Before finding Paul Strom, I was lost in the wilderness of bad 80’s haircuts and botched bottled hair dye experiments. When I finally decided to take ‘looking great’ seriously, I stumbled upon the cool, hip salon of Paul Strom and met the owner himself, located in the beautiful coastal location of Rockaway Beach.
Paul is an outstanding hairdresser who is professional, courteous, and extremely adept in his skill both as a stylist and colorist. I have been seeing Paul for my cut and coloring needs for over 6 years now and have left a satisfied customer every time.
As a colorist, Paul will provide a color that won’t miss a single hair. There are no shortcuts in his program with you. He will listen to you carefully, make suggestions as he sees fit, give your hair a great color, confirm with you that you are happy with the result, and then blow dry your hair to Cindy Crawford wonderfulness. I never leave his salon without looking like I just walked out of my own personal photo shoot, which is so nice… some of my friends use other hair stylists at other salons who send them out of the chair looking like Peg Bundy on a rainy day. Not Paul. He’s the real thing.
Paul is also an excellent stylist who will provide you with a great cut. He understands how the layers and movement of a head of hair work, so as he cuts through the planes or trims up the edges, by the time everything is down and blown out it comes together like an «hairtistic» masterpiece. He will gently work with you if you have a bad idea for your head (like I did once with BANGS), but ultimately give you exactly the color and cut you want to the best of his ability without making you look like a dork.
The salon is hip, chic, and tastefully decorated. New art is showcased on the walls about every 3 months from local artisans. The stations are spacious and the salon is clean. Products are offered at the front of the salon for those of us wishing to take home some hair care magic at our discretion, but are never pushed or recommended upon a customer, which is nice. The salon is there to provide for exactly what it’s clientele needs and wants.
And finally in regards to the owner himself, Paul is NICE, which is a delightful bonus. He’s great to talk to, is very personable, professional, and intelligent. It’s so nice to be able to go to a salon where you can actually form a lasting and rewarding business relationship with the owner, and not have to worry about some kid interning out of beauty school who is armed with a bottle of peroxide and a pair of dull scissors.
Paul Strom is a true professional.
If you want a quality color with a great cut, I’d recommend Paul Strom Salon in Pacifica any day of the week, every day of the year. Except the one day a week he has off… he works too much, and everyone needs a break!

I went looking for a good upscale place to get my hair done in Pacifica, I was not sure I was going to be able to find such a place. But let me tell you I did. Paul Strom Salon is a great upscale salon in the heart of Pacifica. It is clean, friendly and modern. Maureen did a wonderful haircut, highlights and lowlights. She is knowledgeable, friendly and so easy to be around and talk with. She really has good energy about her. I called the morning of trying to see if they could fit me in the same day, they did! I showed up needing some kind of style out into my hair. Maureen was able to make recommendations and executed it perfectly.
I also look forward to trying the waxing and massage services available here. A great one stop shop.
I will definitely be going back.

I have been going to Paul Strom since he had his salon in San Francisco, and followed his business to Pacifica because he is so GREAT! He always listens to what I want, and always does an excellent job with my hair. The drive to Pacifica from SF takes me less time than finding parking in SF, and no worries about getting parking tickets if your meter runs out — parking is free!
The salon itself is very relaxing & private — unlike some salons that face out on busy sidewalks with passer-​byers watching you get your hair cut. If you can’t book an appointment with Paul, the other stylists are very good as well. I’ve never had anything but good experiences with everyone who works there. I highly recommend Paul Strom & staff