Neil Bradley Young

Best of the best… Neil is literally the king of color and style in SF.
I had virgin hair for 24 years and finally took the plunge to get it colored! I’ve been super intrigued by this balayage thing, and Neil talked me through the many options. I love that he makes recommendations, but doesn’t push anything on you; this is a rare quality I really appreciate that’s not shared by all stylists.
Since it was my first time coloring, I wanted subtle balayage highlights that would pass as almost natural. I told him my worst fear, having yellowy bright highlights on dark asian hair, and he explained that it only happens when hair is lightened too fast and aggressively in one session. Going slowly in two sessions would be the way to go. Taking his recommendations, I was super impressed by the results after session 1, but it was session 2 that took it all to the next level. Though you probably want your results fast in one session, going slowly really makes the color look natural, healthy, and gives it depth and nuance you don’t get after one straight shot. Both times he deferred from using bleach to maintain the health of my hair and pampered me with tea, the clean atmosphere of his salon, and his pleasant company!
For his skills, Neil gets 5 stars. He deserves six and seven though, and that’s because your salon experience will be like none other before. Unlike many other stylists, he takes his time to make your session all about you and you never get the feeling that he is trying to get you out for the next client. All his treatments are customized for the individual at hand, so you won’t walk out like the last person who asked for highlights (unless that’s what you want). This is key!
Some parting words:
1) Neil is your go-​to balayage and cut master in San Francisco (clients will fly cross country to see him)
3) Schedule your appointment early because he’s booked up fast
4) Props to you for getting this far in my review ;)

Neil has cut, styled and dyed my hair numerous times over the last year and I couldn’t be happier! There’s a precedence in San Francisco that one must fly out of the city to have their hair done — but not if you can lock down Neil!
Just as an artists familiarizes himself with his subject, Neil takes the time and effort to get to know you and your visions, and I think that’s what really differentiates him from many hair stylists and colorists. We take a good 30mins going over colors swabs and Pinterest boards together until he know’s exactly what I’m wanting and what will suit me. Many times I won’t know the terminology or the correct color term to explain myself to a hair dresser, but I feel very safe knowing Neil understand me and my hair.
When I moved to SF, my hair became a mess! It was dry, frizzy, breaking, and honestly the worst it’s ever been (perhaps the weather change or the city air). I was recommended by a friend to see Neil to fix it. It may be his great products he uses, all the treatment and hair masks he gives me, or simply his skills — but my hair has been healthy and in great condition ever since!
His studio is great — giving you a private one on one experience without all the hustle and bustle of a big salon (where you usually feel like a number).
Apart from Neil’s obvious skills and experience, he’s a wonderfully kindhearted and thoughtful person to be around. I look forward to the next hair color experimentation!

Absolutely incredible!
I came to Neil asking for a long pixie cut/​short bob, because I wanted the short look but I always found my face to be too round for the «Emma Watson» style pixie cut. Neil took this into consideration but said he thought I’d look great with it very short, and so I decided to risk it and put my trust in him. Best hair decision ever. Throughout the process he told me what he was doing and what it was going to look like, and when he was done I felt like a brand new person and I feel so much more beautiful. I mentioned that I had some pink hair dye in my bag (I was planning on dyeing it later on) and he offered to dye it for me, free of charge! He’s such a kind and extremely talented person. I never dreamed I could ever pull off the short pixie cut look, but he worked some magic and transformed my hair. It’s well worth the price. Thank you so much Neil!!!

Neil is amazing.
A friend highly recommended his treatment, so I decided to give it a shot. I walked in with just a vague idea of chopping off 6 in or so of hair, and getting balayage done. Neil patiently walked through different colors and effects, from which I chose a caramel tone (I have long black hair). As for the cut, my only requirement was to keep it at a length where pulling it into a ponytail was possible.
The cut and color turned out insanely well. I had no idea my hair could look this good. It works well with my face shape, and settles in all the right angles/​curves the day after (after washing & drying the night before). I never do much with my hair, and I feel a little silly to say this, but Neil’s cut & color makes me honestly look and feel so much more beautiful afterwards.
Getting my hair cut used to be a chore to keep split ends at bay and the length manageable. Neil’s judgement and skills made me realize that trying something new can work wonders to my appearance.
I cannot recommend Neil enough. I never believed getting my hair done could change how I feel about my appearance, but Neil made it all possible.
I will definitely be back in a few months.

I have a secret weapon when it comes to my hair, and his name is Neil. Simply put, he is INCREDIBLE! I’m not exaggerating when I say that his haircuts have changed my life. I’ve never gotten so many compliments, and have people frequently stopping me on the street to ask who does my hair.
When it comes to getting my hair done, I am really particular — so much so that I used to fly home to the east coast to see my stylist there. However, all of that changed once I found Neil. Not only is he brilliant with hair, he also has a great sense of style and a keen eye for what looks best on you. He also really listens to you. There are so many stylists who ignore your requests because they want to put their «art» on your head, but Neil totally gets it. He takes his time during consultation, and makes sure he understands exactly what it is you want.
Another thing that I think really sets Neil apart is that he’s the kind of stylist you can really trust to take you through different looks and changes of length. I used to see him for long layers for my waist-​length hair, and had always wanted to try a pixie cut but was afraid to take the plunge. Thanks to Neil’s expertise and reassurance, I eventually went for the chop and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! I’m now growing out my pixie for fun, and again, thanks to Neil, I’m not experiencing any of those notorious awkward growing-​out phases other people complain about. Every cut I get from him makes me feel gorgeous, sexy, and confident. Plus, he always teaches me how to style each look so that I can replicate it at home. I am loving the curly bob I’m currently rocking!
His studio space is modern, sleek, and tranquil, and I always feel relaxed and refreshed after I’ve left. Seriously, such a wonderful experience, I can’t recommend him enough. Do yourself a favor and go see him — you’ll never have a bad hair day again!

Neil is a kind hearted man from London with a charming soul! He gave me by far the best haircut of my life and I feel like a new woman! I highly recommend Neil and his services as he has been haircutting and styling for over 18 years. He is truly talented and you can’t go wrong with him. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with my hair when I walked in and I couldn’t be any happier with the way it turned out. Neil was a great companion while he was working his magic into my hair. We talked about traveling, life, family, friends, and funny stories. I will definitely be back! Thank you so much Neil!

One word Neil! Go see him — He just moved to a new spot in Financial (really cool spot). I bet he’ll start to get too many clients and I’ll regret letting the world know about him but seriously he’s fantastic.
I got a medium short bob and a highlight from him the first time. He listen to me and gave his reccomendation an everything turned out amazing.
Yesterday I went and got a full highlight and he took his time and did a wonderful job.
Thank you so much. I can’t wait to come back again!

Neil was absolutely amazing. This was my first visit to him and I plan to be a returner! I had a dark brunette shaggy pixie crop in need of a trim when I met Neil and left with a gorgeous, sexy, edgy, bleached blonde pixie!
First off, I was toying with the idea of a color change, but I wasn’t sold on the idea 100% until reaching out to Neil, and seeing his portfolio of work in addition to chatting with him during our appointment. We looked at a lot of different ideas and I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. Thankfully I did, and I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the end result was a stunning silvery shimmery crop!
The color was/​is extraordinary. After talking with girlfriends who dye their hair, they were extremely impressed at the integrity of the color the first time around– no streaks, just a perfect hue everywhere.
Additionally, I’ve had my hair short for a year now, in varying interpretations of the «pixie». The cut I got from Neil is far and away the best I have ever had. Short and sexy around the sides showing off my cheekbones, and faded and sexy down the neck, with a tiny bit longer on top.
I couldn’t be happier with Neil– not only is he an incredible stylist, (I was so comfortable the whole way through as he would walk me through every process in what he was doing and why) but he is so sweet too! Leading up to my appointment he even emailed me pinterest boards of ideas!
Do yourself a favor (especially you short hair girls out there– go see Neil!

Neil is the best! I live in Los Angeles, but I time my trips up to San Francisco to go see Neil.
I’d been toying with the idea of getting a pixie cut for a few months when someone gave me Neil’s card. On a morning whim I decided to go through with it. When I met Neil I immediately knew that I was in great hands. He gave me a super cute undercut that was super low maintenance. About six months later I decided to switch up my look again and he gave me a very flattering classic pixie.
He’s super sweet and great at listening to what you want, but he’s truly an artist and by far exceeds my expectations for my hair.

Go see Neil! I have been to many stylists over the years her in SF, and I know now that I have finally found the best. I even sent my friend to see him, and she has never been happier. She even said she has never been able to recreate her style after washing, and with his cut, she has had no problem! A true sign of a great cut. So happy that he now has his own space:)