Alex Sandor’s Art Studio

I’ve been going to Alex since 2005 and he’s the best. Very few people know how to cut curly hair right, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve been stopped on the street by curly girls in awe of my cut. It’s all thanks to Alex and his magic scissors.
Bonus points for his beautiful studio space, where everything’s reclaimed, vintage, and sustainable. Alex has amazing taste, and I got my beloved japanese tansu dresser at Kiku Imports thanks to his recommendation. Plus he makes his own fruit-​infused water for clients and offers yummy teas too. It’s all a fabulous package.
Thanks for all the years of great hair and care Alex!

Just had to update my review because I got all of my hair chopped off a few months ago (It was down to my waist), and Alex was *amazingly* patient through the process of me not really knowing or understanding what I wanted.
He cut off some, then some more, then we looked at photos & he asked me questions & then we got there — to a haircut that looked great (all of my friends loved it), but that I wasn’t entirely sold on…
Fortunately, Alex had told me several times before I left his studio that if I didn’t like the haircut for any reason — I should just come back. He had me reserve another appt slot & bring more photos, and gave me a complementary reshaping.
As it turns out — the haircut was already super close to exactly what I wanted, but I just was looking for more texture. And I never would have known how to explain that myself. Alex looked at my handful of photos that I liked sort-​of, but not fully (I have a really hard time finding photos of haircuts that I love & that I think I would still love on me) and immediately saw the common thread between them. He spent 20 minutes or so re-do’ing/styling/shaping/whatever-you-call it, and then I was *totally in love* with my hair.
Funny thing was that none of my friends could tell a difference between my first cut & the update, but to me — it was all the difference in the world.
So, my kudos go to Alex for (1) being so so patient with my not having any idea what i wanted, (2) understanding that the little differences in a haircut have a huge impact on a lady & (3) for immediately being able to spot what I wanted once I brought some photos.
I feel super lucky to have found Alex — he’s an amazing artist who has created a truly beautiful studio space, plus he’s chill & fun to talk to. And now that the we’re out of the dotcom bubble, it’s also possible to book with him within a week or 2 (when I first started coming, it was more like a couple of months).
Highly recommended!

I have been going to Alex for years and years, and consistently get complements on my cuts. I like to get his input on shifts in my hair style (he always has good ideas), and I appreciate that he listens when I respond, and we figure out what to do together. He knows hair! But truthfully, going in would be worth it for the scalp massage alone. During the cut, when I feel like talking, he is always up for a chat; when I want to read or zone out, he quietly goes to work. He is a great guy and a fantastic stylist. I really appreciate his skill and consistency.

Worst haircut of my life + Alex has a truly nasty chairside manner. I went to Alex to get a great haircut in preparation for job interviews. Instead I got a mullet that took 9 months to grow out and I spent 90 minutes listening to a tirade about what is wrong with my profession. There are so many wonderful, smart, funny, talented stylists in the city. Alex just isn’t one of them.

My new haircut from long to short is only an hour old but all I can say is WOW. What an experience. I have to still try and replicate this at home but it’s really what I was envisioning for my hair.
Also I am happy that finally someone cares about the shampoos and the toxicity of the products that they use. Much appreciated.
Apart from that the salon is just really well designed. It’s a very special and peaceful place. And Alex is a great guy from what I can tell after spending the afternoon in his hands.

Alex is both extremely talented and the only person who has been able to consistently make my hair work. As an added bonus his salon is 100% green… I could not recommend him more highly.

I finally found someone who can cut my fine, curly hair. Alex takes great care and pride in his work. His studio is also a wonderfully mellow space. I

I have been going to Alex for years (ever since he was spotlighted in a Daily Candy email). He’s absolutely charming, has great taste and a good attitude. Oh, and he cuts hair really well ;)

I have been going to alex for almost 5 years since he opened his doors.
he’s a unique person (smart and edgy) and I can honestly say the best stylist I have ever used (over the years I have likely tried about 12 – 14 people). he just totally «gets» hair. he can size up what’s best for one’s personal style in conjunction with one’s face shape. I also really respect his dedication to being socially responsible and green. he also makes the best fruity water (literally) in town. alex is a great stylist and has a fantastic eye. I am really glad I found him!

I rate his hair cutting skills mediocre at best. It’s nothing special and definitely isn’t worth the $ 90 he charges. Actually my hair looked better before I walked into this guy’s salon.
Now to his mannerism. As some pointed out Alex likes to probe into one’s personal life. Let’s just say I found his conversation off-​putting and unprofessional. On top of that, he spent a good portion of time just sitting there and talking. Hello? I was there for a haircut. If he needed to rant, he should go to his friends or therapist. After all, I didn’t pay $ 90 + tips to listen to his personal problems.
Over all it was a weird experience and unflattering hair cut. I will not go back.

I have been a client of Alex since 2004. His love for life shines brightly though in his work. I have never walked away unhappy with my hair cut.
His studio is filled with amazing artwork, each piece holding it’s own history. His choice in music will relax you to the core. Visiting Alex for an appointment is such a positive experience.
I’ve recommended my girlfriends and my mother, all of which continue to be happy clients. I give Alex Sandor five very enthusiastic stars!!!

This week I did something I never thought I would… I told Alex that I trusted him completely to do a great job with my haircut and gave him complete free reign. Having used Alex’s services as a hairdresser a number of times a couple years ago, I was very impressed with his work… and curious.
I wanted to find out if there was anyone else who was as awesome as he. I tried a number of other stylists in the Bay Area who all came with outstanding recs… What I discovered? I love Alex best.
So this week I returned to Alex, in his new COMPLETELY sustainable studio which is made of all salvaged and recycled materials. Even his computer is a punky hand-​me-​down. He also uses organic hair products — yay! And the outcome of my complete surrender into the hands of a hairdressing master? Complete delight.
I went out later that night with a friend who complimented me at least 6 times about how great my haircut is.
Thanks Alex — You Rock. I’ve learned my lesson, and I’m back for good.

Alex has good vision and a great passion for cutting hair. He’ll ask you many questions regarding what you want. The problem is he can get confused on what your needs are exactly and how he’d be able to work it. Sometimes it’s best to ask HIM what he wants and what he sees for you and make your comments based around his vision… or else this could be the longest haircut of your life. The first time I went I gave him a picture of what I wanted and he said «Oh, ok, so you want the generic white girl hair cut?». I nearly fell over. He’s fun and outgoing but you need to have thick skin. Your personal life will also be in question… you are forewarned.
I’ve moved on to another hairdresser relationship with George at Salon 256.

So, I just moved here from Sydney Australia not too long ago, and it was with a lot of emotion I had to say goodbye to my hairdresser there (I love you Leonard at Desmond and Molly Jones!!!), as it took me a few years of living in Sydney to even find him.
Moving to San Francisco I was assuming it would be the same traumatic process– you know, a bunch of really crappy embarrassing haircuts around town until you find the «one». Well, I decided to engage in that time-​honored tradition of finding someone out on the street with great hair and shamelessly stalking them to find out who cut their hair. I came across the lovely Valerie in yoga class and she had awesome hair and recommended I go see Alex.
With such a recommendation based on somebody else’s hair I walked into my appointment with total ease and confidence. By the way I got an appt within a week, so I think some of the older reviews here are out of date on that issue. Alex was really nice, his studio was cool and very eco-​friendly, and he gave me yummy strawberry water. I kind of knew the feel of haircut I wanted, but didn’t know exacts, I told him a bit about me, my lifestyle, what I wanted, and how much time (pretty much none) I like to spend on my hair in the morning.
He listened and what I got was exactly what I said I wanted, but way better and very great indeed. I have found my San Francisco hair guy on my first attempt, which amazes me. I will be back, and I’ll send anyone who is still searching for somebody they are happy with. I thought the price was on par with prices in any major city of the world for a haircut, and I have always found you get what you pay for– and I have paid more before as well.
So do not hesitate I say, go to Alex, you and your hair will thank you– and your body will be happy with the yummy fruit water too:)

Since my last review of Alex Sandor’s Art Studio back in 2006, I have continually come back to Alex for haircut after glorious haircut, knowing each and every time is going to be a fabulous experience.
The move into his new studio was huge… and a welcome new change. With added stylists, makeup artists and more, he has transformed his one-​man-​shop into an amazing atelier.
I ADORE his sense of space and design and feel that he’s really living what he preaches (everything is eco-​friendly, repurposed, salvaged, etc.). One sidenote: like most things in life, one person’s creative vision and style isn’t a recipe for success, for everyone.
I personally feel that the more conservative set might not be able to appreciate his artistry and flair. Let’s just say he’s more Mission than Marina. At least that’s the style I have found him to be incredible at.
He does amazing cuts whether funky and short or layered and long.
But I think if you allow him to «do his thing» and you aren’t afraid to be a little daring… you’ll be incredibly pleased with the results!
I’m a huge fan. And quite honestly… you should be too.

I wish I could give Alex six or seven or ten stars.
I never used to pay lots for haircuts because I have pretty nice and easy to style hair and I figure why pay some salon $ 80 to give me the same haircut that Mei Ling will give me for $ 30 in the Richmond? After awhile though I noticed my hair didn’t actually look that good except the day it got cut. So I find Alex on Unilocal and go see him.
Result: I have awesome hair. For reals. I pay for it but I have to get it cut way less often and the real testament to how great his cuts are is that they get better as your hair grows.
A million extra points for having the most interesting place… such cool stuff to check out and talk about and he always has the BEST music playing. Alex is also a hilarious guy and is fun to chop it up with.
But none of that would matter if he didn’t give the best effing hair cuts ever.
I agree with previous reviews… this guy is an artist.

Alex is a soulful artist. Down to earth. Skilled. I moved north from LA, and after a disappointing experience at Edo Salon, I discovered Alex. I love his attentive approach, his careful artistry. I left with the best cut ever, ever, ever on my obstinate hair.
Did I mention that all products are organic, or that his gorgeous space features only reclaimed items? How about that the hair trimmings on the floor are recycled to soak up oil spills? What truly won me over was an e-​mail he sent out offering discounted haircuts to those who had lost their jobs in the economic crisis. (I’m thinking Nobel Peace Prize.)
Alex is a stylist in the truest sense of the word – a hair «architect» with heart.

Alex has opened a beautiful, new location in Pacific Heights. He really put a lot of thought into this, and you can see it as soon as you walk through the door.
As for his haircuts, they are always top notch. He can do it all. If you want a simple haircut, the way you like it, he can do that.
If you want him to really work his magic, give him creative freedom with semi-​work-​friendly guidelines, and let him show how good you can really look.
Thanks again Alex, and congrats on the new space.

I have long-​ish, naturally curly hair, which has a tendency to frizz. I have, at times, gone literally years between haircuts, because I could NEVER find a stylist who seemed 1.) To have experience with curly hair, or 2.) Would listen when I told them exactly what I wanted. I’m a wash-​and-​wear type of gal, and I ended up with a lot of high-​maintenence fixes after some REALLY bad haircuts.
Finally, after a lot of thought, I decided to try someone with real credentials. I’ll admit, I was nervous about spending the money, but I figured that you get what you pay for. And wow, I guess it’s true!
For someone on a shoestring budget, he won’t be cheap. But for your money, you get over an hour of his undivided attention, any styling you want or need (he straightened my hair for the weekend, a very labor-​intensive task), and tips that are actually useful. The California Street studio he worked out of was relaxing and personalized, with music, mirrors, and Zen art that was as far from commercial as you could get. You never felt rushed.
And while he uses only the best products and tools on your hair, he doesn’t sell any, and won’t push unnecessary products at you. I was surprised when I asked if I should make an appointment for a trim, and he said I didn’t need to – my hair was healthy enough to go without until my next actual haircut. (How many hairstylists will tell you THAT?)
Best of all, he actually listens! He’ll make suggestions, but if you reject them (and I have), he won’t be offended. Even the worst haircut I got from him (I experimented and went short, against my better judgement — my fault, not his), still looked good, and stayed looking good as it grew out.
(P.S. — Tip to all curlies out there… he has curly hair himself. ‘Nuff said!)
A quick note: Some of the more timid types MAY find his conversational style a little offputting… I did, at first, because you’re just not used to your hairstylist asking if you have a boyfriend… then, if you say no, asking if you have a girlfriend! *LOL* I soon learned, though, that he teases a little, just trying to put you at ease. If you are uncomfortable with any topic, just let him know, and he won’t push.
All in all, I won’t be going anywhere else. I actually look forward to getting my hair cut, now! I really can’t recommend him highly enough.

Alex is amazing!!! I am so happy I found him. You know those stylists that just KNOW what to do? He is such a sweetheart… very accommodating — made sure I was comfortable the entire time. I love love love LOVE my new, sexy cut! The great scalp massage was icing on the cake. He takes his serious time with each client — only sees 4 people a day and books 2 hours for each cut. And the best part of all — only $ 50 for your first cut with him! ($ 75 from then on, but trust me, absolutely worth it!). I already booked my second appointment.
His website is awesome, too! You can book your appointments online. I can’t say enough good things — go see for yourself :)