Elixir

This is one of the best Salons in America. The cuts are great, the stylists are very professional. If you want really top service, this is the salon to go to!

Posted 07/18/08 | Report Abuse

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My wife will not go any where else. Granted it is a little costly but according to her you can not put a price tag on great service! I have even caught my self in there once in a great while getting my hair done. Really great people.

Posted 02/12/08 | Report Abuse

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I can't say enough good things about Alex G. and Elixir! I had been going to a really high end SF salon and paying $$$ for cuts & color. I lost my hair twice to illness and was reluctant to switch stylists after 10+ years with the same person. Those previous cuts were technically good but just not "me" -I usually had some "hair trauma" each time I left the salon. With Alex I look forward to each visit (close to 2 yrs now!)

I don't miss the lattes, wine, designer kimonos or attitude of my former salon-and really appreciate the service at elixir.

Alex actually LISTENS to you, unlike my previous experience where the stylists and then colorist had their own agenda- She nails it every time, cut, color & experience. She was amazingly patient with all my concerns & issues and gives honest feedback.

My ONLY reluctance to posting this review is it will make it even harder to see her! I also visit the El Cerrito salon and love the airy, light filled space.

Posted 12/16/07 | Report Abuse

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A little tricky to get to if you don't know the area. But worth it for
a hair cut from Alex.
Best Haircut I ever had...and have had a lot of haircuts!

Posted 11/02/07 | Report Abuse

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I have had my hair cut by Susan now for the last two years and, I must say, I am completely satisfied. She has that most important trait that makes me go back to her again and again - RELIABILITY! I know, with confidence, when I get my hair cut by Susan that it will look good. She is very responsive to my preferences and I never feel like I am dealing with someone on an ego trip. She is also quite pleasant, which makes the whole experience relaxing and enjoyable. I recommend her without reservation!

Posted 12/20/06 | Report Abuse

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After moving to the East Bay and needing to find a good hair stylist, I was SO lucky to find Susan at Elixir. Before moving, I was with the same hair stylist for ten years; now I wish I had found Susan earlier; she is incredibly talented and sweet. She really respects my requests for particular styles, never rushes, gives me her full attention and will spend extra time to get the cut exactly perfect. Now my husband and both sons go to her. My son (very discriminating teenager with tricky hair to cut - lots of tight curls) got such an awesome cut from her that his hair cut was a huge topic of discussion with all his friends who loved the cut. The salon is very friendly, fun to go to.

Posted 12/01/06 | Report Abuse

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This is a great place friendly and unpretentious. I chose it cause I love the Aveda line, and then found the professionalism of the staff at Elixir is even superior to the Aveda products.

It's a comfortable and welcoming environment - nice ambiance, and they provide t-shirts or drapes you can put on so you don't get hair on your clothes. AND, there's the wonderful herbal tea to sip. Prices arent budget, but are less than many similar Aveda salons.

I had a cut and color by Laura, and she is FABULOUS. Kind and engaging, despite my scheduling a last minute, 6:00 pm appointment. She is extremely thorough and attentive and her approach is as a hair artist, rather than a stylist I never felt I was getting a routine cut or color, but rather, she listened to me and what I wanted for my hair, while at the same time stepping it up a notch and giving me more than what I wanted. AND, while waiting for my color to set, she gave me a hand massage, as well as a head massage while conditioning my hair at the shampoo station. This is pampering at its best. It is the best hair experience I've ever had, and I loved the results.

I also really appreciated the advise Laura gave me on the products without selling them she knew what did and didnt work for my hair. I have recommended this place to all my friends.

Posted 11/15/06 | Report Abuse

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Elixir is in a quiet, convenient location (hello street parking), and offers a really calm, relaxing atmosphere. I had my hair cut and colored by Laura for my wedding and felt completely pampered. She made sure it was a cut that I liked and that worked with my life style and she made the experience comfortable for me. She gives a SPECTACULAR head massage, by the way.
I seriously have never had so many compliments on my hair, and have never had an easier hair cut to maintain. Many thanks to you, Laura!

PROS: Caring service with spectacular results!
CONS:

Posted 11/01/06 | Report Abuse

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For 4 years Laura Pellaton has given me the best cut & color I've ever gotten. Really. Ever. In my whole life. I rarely go a week without having at least one person comment on how great my hair color looks. Not only a genius with color, Laura's also a wonder at creating real texture and shape and movement with my difficult-to-manage hair. (Once I unexpectedly had to go 12 weeks rather than the standard 8 without a cut, and my Laura haircut *still* held it's shape. Now *that's* a good cut.) Anyhow, she's really great: talented, smart, funny, and she really listens and responds to *your* requests and ideas. I live in terror that one day she might move to another city! And, yeah, I realize this sounds too good to be true, but I promise it isn't. She's that good. Go see Laura--you won't be disappointed.

PROS: Laura, relaxed ambience, easy parking, Aveda color, great scalp massages.
CONS: None that come to mind.

Posted 10/27/06 | Report Abuse

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Extremely satisfied with my haircut at Elixir with Alex. Absolutely recommend it!!! This salon respects my time, has great service, is located in a pretty Berkeley neighborhood. They are reasonably priced and my hairstylist cares about my hair and knows how to cut it well! What more can I ask for?

Posted 08/01/06 | Report Abuse

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After roaming both L.A. and Bay Area and trying all kinds of high-end salons, I have found my color guru, Alex. She has the touch of a master who truly understands hair color, even for relatively simple single process. In the past, I have had (expensive) disaster color jobs which left me either looking like Cher, or with orange streaks in my hair, wishing I'd bought a box of drugstore hair dye instead. Alex has given me wonderful results consistently, leaving my hair with this fabulous deep rich brown color that manages to look natural, but is really a great improvement over my natural hair color. She uses Aveda colors which have the added benefit of not leaving your hair smelling like a chemical lab, while being relatively gentle to sensitive scalps. Yet, my grays are well covered and the color fades remaining true to its base, ie. no weird reddish undertones after a few months. This allows me to visit her as little as three times a year, if I wish. The salon is quiet and you receive as little or as much attention as you want. A definite find in Berkeley; highly recommended.

Posted 06/26/06 | Report Abuse

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After I lost my hair stylist to a move, I couldn't find anyone else to bring my hair back to life. I ended up cutting my own hair for over two years before I tried to find another stylist. After many bay area salons, I met Alex at Elixir.

Wow.

I've been with Alex for over two years now and I look forward to every visit to her chair. The salon is hip without being trendy, and stylish without being cold. I'm always greeted with a warm smile and some hot tea or cold water. After my cut, I'm given a head and neck massage with a wonderful mint oil that leaves me simultanously invigorated and relaxed.

Alex is a texture guru. She precision cuts texture into my short, straight-as-a-stick asian hair so it can be styled in multiple ways. Alex is also a color master: she has managed to morph my jet black hair into various shades of hot pink and white highlights.

Treat yourself to Elixir: Stellar service and amazing skills at an affordable price. Beautiful salon. Kind people. No attitude.

Ask for Alex. She'll take great care of you.

Posted 02/21/06 | Report Abuse

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I've been going to Alex for over 7 years, and during that time I've had dozens of amazing transformations. Alex is truly a color guru, equally skilled at punk rock hues as she is creating natural looking California-sunshine highlights. And trust me, I've had 'em all. She's also equally gifted at cuts, and is very tuned in to what you want...and what will look best on you. I've tried other high-end salons throughout the Bay, and no one has anything on Alex.

Posted 01/24/06 | Report Abuse

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this place is very affordable and provides you the most comfortable service! i enjoyed my stay here and will definitely come back. this place is very packed on certain days, but it's well worth the wait. the owners of this place are extremely friendly and makes you feel at home!

Posted 11/26/05 | Report Abuse

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Alex Gibbs, owner and stylist, runs this fantastic aveda salon. Alex's hair styles are fresh and funky or sleek and stylish: she can give you what you want. This is a great place to get gift certificates for friends or to go and pamper yourself. The setting is relaxed and comfortable on a cute north berkeley block. Check it out!

PROS: Alex!
CONS:

Posted 10/16/05 | Report Abuse

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Susan at Elixir is a lovely person and a superb hair cutter, careful and artistic. I enjoy her tremendously and always leave her chair looking elegant and feeling pampered. I can't recommend her highly enough. When both she and I have time, she treats me to a deep condition, which is no charge to me. It's so peaceful sitting in that chair and drinking the yummy hot tea that they provide. At my last visit, the facialist gave me a complimentary hand massage. It was heavenly. The prices are pretty comparable for a cut, $65, I believe. It's worth it.

Posted 07/24/05 | Report Abuse

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