Lil Couture Salon

My 3 year old has had 3 haircuts here. The first one was the best haircut he had ever had. But the 2^nd and 3^rd cuts were mediocre at best. The bangs were very uneven and much too short.

I have been a fan of this place, old location and new, for several years. Unfortunately this last visit my daughter’s bangs were butchered. There were some pieces that were about a half inch at the crown and others were the normal length and then some in between. I can only assume a mistake was made and an attempt to blend it in ensued. I know how irate some parents get about things so I can appreciate the stylist not saying anything, nor did I. I did not get a good look until we were in the car and I am pretty sure nothing could have been done to fix it. Going to take quite a while to grow out and it will take some finessing each subsequent haircut. For this reason, I may not go back. I will add we have gotten many, many good cuts there but I can’t imagine this particular look was intentional.

The lady is good. The lines can be long even with an appointment. Cash is $ 18 so take cash. We stopped going since they moved to San Carlos but she does a good job so I might drive over to San Carlos.

Great spot for Kids Cuts in San Carlos. Cathy called me back (on her day off) and scheduled us a same day appt. My son was in and out in 15 min and was happy. Far cry from the 45 min long appts we have had at the barber shop in Redwood City. Kids cuts need be quick, which this one was! Thanks!

Loved the speed and quality of the haircut. Best haircut my son has ever got. Wish I would have gone to them sooner.

I’ve been taking my son here since he was about 9 — 10 months. Cathy does a great job, most importantly she’s fast. He does very well in the chair now and I’m glad I started him early. We love this place so much that we followed her here from San Carlos. I’ve had my son see all her other stylists and they are also good. But we love Cathy :-)

We took our 16 month year old son for his first haircut here. The little waiting area is so cute and the tv at the hair cutting station is perfect. Our son did so great for his haircut and we will definitely be back for a another haircut.

We’ve been here for all of my son’s haircuts except for one, ever since they were still in San Mateo, and we’ll drive to San Carlos to continue getting his hair cut here. Why? Because they don’t just reduce the length of hair here, they actually cut hair with the end look in mind! They are kid-​friendly (TV monitors playing cartoons at the station to keep little ones occupied, this in waiting area) without being overly-​cheesy. But what really warranted this five-​star rating is how my son’s first haircut went at around 18 months. He flipped out, so the lady had my husband hold him in his lap and sit in the barber chair while she worked her magic. And magic it was. Crazy-​pants cried and squirmed and twisted around, and she still managed to give him a nice haircut without accidentally poking his eyes out. She is truly a professional children hairstylist!

I just went to Lil Couture yesterday and have a mixed review. I’m writing this in hopes that the owners/​workers will read this and make some simple changes. Basic pleasantries and manners could make this a much better experience.
PRO:
— $ 20 haircut is reasonable. (Someone had told me it was $ 40.)
— My son’s haircut/​style was good. We keep it on the longer side, so need someone who can cut well.
CONS:
— I walked in for my appointment and no one greeted me at all. 2 stylists were busy cutting hair, but I still felt ignored and awkward standing there. I wish they had acknowledged my son and I by simply saying «hello» and «we’ll be right with you.»
— When it was our turn the cutting area was a mess, hair all over the floor from the last 2 cuts. A few minutes after one stylist started on my son’s cut, the other cleaned up the hair. Still, I think they should clean up after each cut. Then, I was sitting in a chair near my son while the other stylist cleaned up and she didn’t even say «excuse me» or «I have to sweep under you.» So as with my first CON above, a bit of basic pleasantries would have made the experience much better.
— The hair stylist did not introduce herself to me or interact with my son.
— The hair stylist was like a speed stylist… she was cutting so fast and was done in under 10 minutes. The cut was fine, and I was in and out quickly… but it still felt very rushed. That combined with the lack or pleasantries left me feeling very unimpressed with Lil Couture.

Really, Kathy is amazing! Quick in, quick out. Efficient, great cuts for kids. A little pricey but money well spent.

I take all 3 of my kids to get haircuts here. I followed Cathy to San Carlos from San Mateo because it is definitely worth the extra drive! Parking is much easier here. Cathy is so fast and does not get rattled by my now 2 year olds constant crying and screaming throughout the ENTIRE process and she does a great job every time. Both of my girls also get haircuts here and they are also always pleased. The last time we went, another stylist who works there cut my daughters bangs too short and they were very blunt. Cathy was able to make them look better though and my daughter didn’t seem to mind!

I’m surprised to see so many 5 star reviews about this place. I guess it depends what you’re looking for in a kids’ salon.
The good: Cathy cuts hair FAST and WELL.
The not-​so-​good: If you’re looking for a fun, friendly experience that your kid will enjoy, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Cathy didn’t bother to ask my kids’ names, and barely spoke to them at all (she was on the phone most of the time, booking other clients). Not exactly what I’d expected from a salon that caters to kids only.
The salon does, however, have a couple of TVs with kids’ movies, if you’re into that. There really weren’t many interesting toys to play with (it’s a pretty small place). At the end of the haircut, your child can select a lollipop. But don’t expect any friendliness, or even a goodbye.
By contrast, we used to take our kids to Sharkey’s (now closed). For the same $ 20, my daughter got a haircut (with optional shampoo), mini-​manicure, sparkly hair clip, temporary tattoo, plastic jeweled ring, and a lollipop. They had special kids’ chairs shaped like cars, a nice train table, and the stylists were (mostly) friendly! However, they took forever and the haircuts weren’t always great. So, like I said, it depends what you’re looking for.
I’m undecided whether I will go back. It’s by far the closest to our house, and if we’re pressed for time, I might try them again. But I think my girls would prefer Just Kids Cuts in Burlingame or Snip Its in Palo Alto.

We are loyal patrons from San mateo, following her down to this new location. That should say enough!

Took my 18 month old daughter for a hair cut and this was the first hair cut where she did not cry. She’s had 3 hair cuts so far. The hair cut was also the best she had so far and this is going to become the go to place for her hair cuts :)
They were very busy on Saturday and I am glad we had an appointment else we’d have to wait for long. The ambiance is great, and there are some toys for kids to play in the waiting area.

Been a loyal customer since lil couture was in San Mateo. Now very happy they’re closer to home. The salon is super cute and will be even better once the froyo section is complete. Cathy is my go-​to and I haven’t risked any of the other stylists but I’ve seen nothing but good results from those ladies as well. My five year old has been a client since he was two. She’s given him a faux hawk, a fade of all lengths, and trims. She knows how to talk to the little ones and ensure they’re comfortable. She’s also very flexible in letting the child sit on the parents lap.

We have a toddler boy who is close to 3 and we have been coming to get cuts from Cathy for over a year. This is the new location due to rising rents in the San Mateo area. You can see my previous review here
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As for the new location it is pretty much the same as the older spot, regular barber chairs for haircutting and a TV at each station showing cartoons to keep the minions occupied. Who knows they might even be showing Minions at the time your minion is getting a cut. They also have lollipops for the kiddos after they get their hair done as a treat by the cash register.
As for the hair cutting Cathy does a great job keeping our son calm and making sure his hair looks neat and clean. Even though he fidgets in the chair his hair always comes out looking straight with no lopsideness.
I do highly recommend making a reservation if you are trying to get a haircut during the weekends or afternoons when school lets out early. Speaking with the owner they do have an area setup for froyo but they have not had time to set it up yet as they are getting used to the flow of customers in the new location.
TL;DR — So if you need a haircut for your child I highly recommend this Salon. DO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, this place gets busy.

Cathy gave my 2 ½ year old the best haircut he has ever had. I wish the salon had those cute little cars for the kids to sit in, but Cathy said it was difficult to maneuver around them in order to give a good haircut, so she uses regular barber chairs.

Put it this way — I moved out of town, but still go back to have Cathy cut my boys hair. Another friend of mine moved out of state, and goes into Cathy when she is in town, too.

My son got a fantastic cut today! Same day appointment, quick and friendly service in a clean and welcoming salon!

We love this place always a great place for little ones (toddlers) the women are patience with the little ones crying, screaming, not sitting still, the prices are decent and they listen to exactly want you want done, I would definitely recommend this place, I just wish they were closer to where we live, but still it’s a good drive to the peninsula

Kathy has been cutting my son’s hair for years now. Every encounter seems to get worse and worse.
When he was a toddler, it was worth the trouble of driving from SF and putting up with the poor customer service. Now that he’s older, the choppy uneven cuts are just a joke. It makes sense to cut hair in 5 mins for an 18 month but a 6 year old? He can definitely sit long enough to get a cut worth $ 18 +tip.
Do you want to know what else is a joke? That walk-​ins welcome sign in the window. Is it their fault they’re so busy and make you wait over an hour as a walk-​in? No. But be realistic and wipe it off if you’re booked all day. I’ve only attempted walking in twice and Kathy was able to only take us once (after an hour wait).
The biggest annoyance is the fact that they don’t acknowledge me when I walk in the door. It’s just plain rude and a sign of poor customer service. Kathy didn’t care before while in San Mateo and given my experience recently in San Carlos, she still doesn’t care.

Just had my toddler’s first haircut here. Overall, they did the job and the person who cut her hair was nice, but the experience was one we won’t be coming back for. They didn’t clean the hair from the prior one or two people’s haircuts and customer service was sub-​par: no one acknowledged us on walking in or even when our appointment time came and went even though there was only one other family there who was getting a haircut. I’m sure there are other places that make you feel welcome and are cleaner for kids’ cuts.

Free street parking (2hr) on Laurel Street in San Carlos!
Cathy is great with the kids! Weekdays is better for appointments, walk-​ins are welcomed but appointments would be better. Open everyday except Wednesdays. Hours 10am-​6pm Sat/​Sun 9am-​6pm.

Love this place. I drive from San Ramon just to see Kathy. It’s worth it. I’ve tried a child salon in Danville, and the cut was terrible. It’s worth it to drive far to see Kathy, especially since we only do it 2 – 3 times a year. And now, even I get cuts from her. I used to get $ 90 haircuts that come with shampoo and massage. Now, $ 30, no frills, great cuts for myself.

Best haircut my 18 month old has gotten (he’s had three already)! Bummed that they moved, but will travel to them to avoid wasting $ on bad haircuts!