Leo Freeman

If you’ve got curly hair and want someone that knows how to cut it better than anyone else around, Leo is your woman. She’s pretty much a curly haircutting maestro… And she’s got her own head full of curls so she’s not an outsider looking in… I won’t be going to anyone else. A little more than Floyds, and other places but definitely worth it. You get what you pay for…

I’ve been going to Leo now since about 2007(?) I really recommend her for anyone who has struggled with curly hair-​either getting a cut that suits your specific needs or learning how to care with finicky waves and cowlicks.
She was still at her previous studio the first time I visited her. At the time, I had never been to a stylist who specialized in curls and waves. I was super fed up with my hair then too! I’d been using a product with silicon in it and shampoos with sulfates so I had build-​up and dryness and it was terrible. Leo helped me fix all that! Not only did she give me a great cut (I think I went kind of drastic either the first or second time visiting her-​from just past shoulder length to a chin-​length Gatsby-​esque bob), she taught me how to take care of my curls so I could avoid frizz and build-​up and really bring out my hair’s natural wave. I’m about a borderline 2C-​3A depending on how long my hair is (it’s very heavy, so I’m a lot curlier when I’m short than when I’m long).
I thought my hair’s texture would limit the looks I could do with my hair. To be sure, long layers are the easiest for me to style, but like I said she gave me a killer curly bob, kept me looking put together as I grew that look out, and most recently, she put in Zoey Deschanel bangs (which I thought I’d NEVER be able to do with wavy hair!).
Highly recommend! For what she offers I think her pricing is very reasonable as well.

I was very disappointed with the haircut I received. When she was finished, I could see that I didn’t like the shape of it (or lack thereof), but I attributed it to the way she styled it. Nonetheless, when I washed and styled it myself a few days later, I could really see that the shape was just awful. Also, she seemed very knowledgeable about color so I allowed her to put highlights. They did not come out the color that we discussed. I was VERY dissatisfied and I especially don’t appreciate paying that price for an outcome that I strongly didn’t like. I will never go back.

Had my first hair cut with Leo. I really appreciated that she doesn’t make tons of small talk, but when I did ask a question she answered it quite satisfactorily. I’ve also never had my hair cut dry. She is very sensitive to how reticent women with curly hair are to get their hair cut. She was quite methodical and didn’t do anything crazy the first time out. This pretty much guarantees that I will be back and will probably let her cut a little more off next time. My only issue with the salon was that there was a lot of nonsense talk going on, but that is really my issue I suppose as that seems to be the norm for a salon and fortunately Leo has her own small private room to work out of.

I finally got the courage to get my curly 3b hair cut after researching salons for a year. I love my wild biracial curls and have never had a good haircut. Leo listened to what I wanted and studied my hair. She told me what she was doing at every stage and gave me information on how to take care of my hair. I highly recommend Leo Freeman. I will definitely be returning when it’s time for the next cut.

Found Leo via a naturally curly-​head friend about ten years ago and followed her to her new salon on Ventura (Hair Loft). Leo is amazing. She listens, she knows curly hair, she knows how to care for it, and her own head of hair speaks volumes in proof. I never loved my hair before meeting Leo. I moved away from LaLa land unfortunately in my travels have not found anyone to match her skill! And I’ve spent a lot of money at salons for mediocre cuts from people who claim to know how to care for curly hair. I got so frustrated I began cutting my own. I better book a trip to L.A. soon just to see Leo!

Just had my second cut with Leo today and I am loving my hair. My curls are bouncy, defined and best of all… I don’t walk out of there looking like I have a matted sheep on my head.
Being a curly girl I’ve struggled most of my adult life trying to find someone to tame this wooly beast on my head. When I moved to LA about 2 years ago I knew the hunt was on once again. Finally after scouring reviews and sites I came across Leo and the rest is history… alright it’s only been two months but you know what I mean.
Love my hair, love my curls and love my new stylist.
Listen up curly girls… if you’re looking for someone to tame and style that beast and make it into a thing of beauty make an appointment with Leo. Go on… you can thank me later. ;)

More than just a haircut!!! Leo has a been a therapist, stylist and an absolute lifesaver:-) Having had a perfect storm of stress, reactions to medications and hormones all make my hair thin out and then all come back in CURLY, like when I was little, it took patience, sweet, ROCKSTAR Leo to not only make it all ok, but get me on a plan to success! The dry cutting to each curl, like ONLY a fellow curly haired person could, to see exactly where it laid til all the old, dead stuff died off and the new grew in… well, was only something she could do. I had tried EVERYBODY. And with meds, hormones, I’m now safe in watching it grow out HEALTHY, WITH A PROPER SHAPE, FOR MY HEAD… FINALLY!!! I LOVE YOU LEO! Go get a consultation… her patience, and sweet sense of humor will also save you a trip to the therapist:-)))
P. S. OHHHH, Every time she shows me styling tips, and makes sure I know exactly what to do!

Leo was very friendly! She asked me if I had photos of haircuts and I did. I showed her several and we decided it would be good to combine certain elements of a few haircuts. She cut my hair dry and was very thorough… definitely the most thorough of any hairstylist I’ve ever been to! She told me about products and gave me tips along the way. I am very pleased with Leo and my hair and I am looking forward to my next visit a few months down the road! I’ve added a pic of my hair before and after in the photo section of this page. So yeah, make an appointment with her now and I hope you enjoy!

I found Leo on
i decided to make the 50 minute drive to Sherman Oaks and let me tell you it was worth it. I went to two other stylist that i also found on the website that are closer but it just wasn’t the same. i got a cut, deep conditioning and color. I colored my hair more than 10 years ago and i have been hesitant to color it because of the tangles that i experienced. I figured if I’m going to color my hair I needed to go to someone who knows what curly hair needs. Its been a week now and my hair feels soft and healthy.

Let me just say that I HATE getting my hair cut. I also am extremely reluctant to spend much money on it. But I have «problem» hair, AKA curly. I have had terrible experiences in other salons where people just don’t know how to handle a big frizzy mess of curls. I heard about Leo from a curly-​haired friend and also saw her reviews on a curly hair blog. So I decided it would be worth the trip up to Sherman Oaks from the Westside, and worth the $ 80+tip to get a good cut from someone who specializes in curls. I am so glad I did.
I was concerned at first because it seemed like Leo had multiple clients going at once. It turns out she did. However, unlike most other stylists I’ve been to, she and her capable, friendly assistant were totally able to handle two people at a time. I got right in, had a great consultation, and Leo took her time with my dry cut, followed by wash and styling. She wasn’t pushy with products, and she didn’t want to talk to me the whole time I was in the chair. (I’m not unfriendly, but sometimes I just don’t want to chat.) Plus I was loving the soul/r&b/blues station she had going on Pandora. Good vibes. Most importantly, I’m thrilled with the way my hair turned out, and I know I’ll be going back. I wish the price were a little less steep, but considering the other curly haired expert I found charges hundreds of dollars for a cut, this is relatively reasonable.

I went in for a deva hair cut, and I’ve had a deva hair cut before so this was nothing new. Leo seemed kind of crabby, but I can get over the mood.
I ended up loving my haircut. It «grew» on me!

FINALLY! All too often I’ve had stylists tell me that they need to straighten my hair to make sure the cut is even. What?! My hair is curly and I love it that way. Leo has given me back my curls. She grave me a great cut (trained by Lorraine Massey-​the original Curly Girl stylist) which makes my curls bounce and flow. I finally feel happy to have my unique curliness amidst all this blown out trendy mess that’s going around. If you have curls, Leo will make you love them again.

My 11 year old sister was taken here for a haircut. It was supposed to be a treat, since Leo is known on Unilocal to do wonders on curly, biracial hair (like my sister’s).
However, Leo totally ruined her hair. Not only did she not use conditioner for the wash, she did not completely dry her hair when it was done. These two mistakes could at least be forgiven if the haircut turned out good. But, unfortunately, it did not. Leo gave my sister lopsided bangs, and unevenly cut the rest of her hair. Maybe, Leo does not try to do a decent job on younger clients? Leo even recognized that the cut was awful, because she gave us 30% off. So, the grand total came to $ 80 (?!). If my sister wanted a third-​rate haircut, she would have been better off at SuperCuts. Now, my sister, who was frustrated with styling her hair before the cut, has to deal with hiding Leo’s subpar haircut.

Leo Freeman is an angel sent from God :) She is an amazing person in and out and a true beautician. I drove to her hair studio located in Sherman Oaks from Orange County and plan on doing it frequently.
Okay, let’s get directly to my review. Call ahead for directions because it may be a bit tricky to find this hidden gem! Luckily I found a place right on the street where there are meters (which accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express as well as quarters! They also have a parking lot in the back.)
As I walked upstairs and opened the door I felt at ease immediately. It is very zen inspired and earthly with brown, tope and green tones. I know most people would want to know my hair «type». I am multi cultured (mixed with black and European). My hair is mixed between a 3a-​3c and it is down to the middle of my back.
First things first — the famous Deva hair cut (I was charged $ 80). It took her about an hour in a half to cut my hair. Patience is virtue! I showed her a few pictures to let her know what I was going for and she nailed it! She did such a stunning job on my thick curls. I have never had such an amazing hair cut in ALL my years. She then washed my hair using Wen’s Fig shampoo/​conditioner (which I later purchased as well. She is NOT pushy about selling her products.) She has the DevaCurl Products as well and the Wen Products. She then styled and defused my hair leaving me in tears! (Good ones of course!) I just HAD to give her a hug.
I am without a doubt a new loyal customer. If you are debating the drive, believe me when I say it is BEYOND worth it especially if you have curls that need to be healthy and tended to. Leo is so knowledgable with curly hair and just hair in general as far as healthiness, etc. She is also quite affordable for someone who was personally trained from the owner of DevaChon Salon in NY. Leo is inspirational about hair and is a true artist as far as I am concerned.
Thank you Leo.

If you have a curly hair or are Bi-​Racial I would highly recommend Leo to cut your hair. She definitely knows how to take care of curly hair and how to give you a proper cut. I just went to her for the first time after the company mixed chicks sent me her information. I was very pleased with the outcome of my haircut and will be going back to her for highlights.
I had only previously gone to black owned hair salons which usually only cut my hair after I would get it flat ironed. This was okay but since I like to wear my natural curls there usually would be no proper style or layers. I have also gone to a few very upscale salons who claimed to know curly hair and they did not. I would usually end up with my hair way too short and it not hydrated or styled properly when I walked out of the salon.
Very Excited to have found someone who knows the texture of my hair and how to care for it…

Leo rocks.
She cuts your hair dry, so it may be best to go after your hair is behaving as opposed to a frizzy crazy day.
Maybe not. I’m sure she knows how to get around that. Basically, she’s amazing. She’s been great at fitting me in when I need it and I always leave feeling better.
One thing to note: although she is friendly, she is not your psychologist nor does she try to be. Think about it, would you want a plastic surgeon carrying on a conversation while the cut on your face? Probably not.
Can’t recommend her highly enough!

If you have curly hair, Leo is the stylist for you. She has changed my hair life from frizzy and sad to curly and shiny! She is one of the few stylists who is trained in a new color system called INOA. It contains no ammonia and has no odor. Translation: no more red itchy scalps from chemicals. My hair has NEVER been this soft and shiny and manageable!
She really is an artist and highly recommend her.

If you are looking for someone that you can trust with your curls, Leo is the absolute best!
I’ve been going to Leo for 1 – 2 years now, and I can’t tell you how I feet every time I leave her studio. Every dollar I spend with Leo is well worth it. She has restored my confidence and love of my curly hair in times when I have been so frustrated due to mega-​poof, frizz and craziness.
Leo has taught me a lot about curly hair care — everything from what products to use, how to dry my hair, what pillow case to sleep on! She’s amazing.
At first I was skeptical, as every other stylist I’d ever been to had done something that I’d hated, but after my first cut I was so amazed at how great my hair looked. Over a number of appointments, I’ve learned to completely trust Leo and let her recommend different things instead of my «safety trim.» I left today super happy with her recommendations and am so glad that I continue to see her for my curls.
Also — Her assistant Marjorie is a sweetheart too and has been trained well by Miss Leo.
Trust me — if you have curly hair and are looking for someone who you can trust, Leo is the stylist for you.

Leo is a fantastic and nice curly hair specialist. she has her own room at Loft, a comfortable salon on Ventura (enter in the back, parking in the back — a bit hard to find, call for better directions).
i like Leo so much that i have followed her to three different salons over the last decade or so. i am the type who reacts badly to a bad cut — like, really badly. but Leo’s are consistently excellent.
she spends a lot of time with each client. i believe a cut and blow out is $ 80 but check to be sure. she also sells quality products — DevaCurl and Wen. but she’ll give suggestions on cheaper products if you prefer those.
Leo has curly hair herself — a necessity for me when picking a stylist. her hair is thick, very curly, and textured. mine is fine and less curly but i’d trust her with whatever curls i had.