vocational schools.

Hair Play and Joe Hamer Academy

Expert Reviews of Hair Play and Joe Hamer Academy

Citysearch | A buzzing, creative zone for fashion-forward 'dos from practiced veterans and stylists-in-training.

The offspring of a trendy Noe Valley salon and a Petaluma hair guru, this Castro outpost with black hardwood floors, original artwork and a waiting room punctuated with corrugated steel is a destination for...
citysearch.com - expert review - 09/23/2005
Full Review »

User Reviews of Hair Play and Joe Hamer Academy

Simply don't understand the High Rated Review!

Oh my god! When I called up and tried to make an appointment for hair cut, the girl who answered the phone was sooooo rude- NO customer service whatsoever. She hung up on me! Guess what, I cannot even get an...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/05/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by GRASS H.

4 of 5 stars. ATTENTION: I don't know what the problem is with prior reviews stating otherwise about the stylists at Hairplay. This city better be fortunate that this salon exist because prices are damn AFFORDABLE…
yelp.com - user review - 05/24/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by caneel r.

5 of 5 stars. Katrina is truly a special talent. This is the one to go to for the life-changing haircut. She's great at both color and cuts, a very unusual combination. Katrina reads you well, really understands…
yelp.com - user review - 05/01/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by j w.

5 of 5 stars. Just got my hair did by the awesomely talented Marty. I love this salon... well, actually, I just love Marty.
yelp.com - user review - 04/19/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by don l.

5 of 5 stars. I don't know what happened to my previous review on these guys ( a yelp thing I guess...) but I'm reposting it. Hair Play's awesome and more specifically, Marty rocks. The guy's a magician plain and…
yelp.com - user review - 04/03/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Tracy O.

4 of 5 stars. Ok, so I got bumped for Naomi Campbell. I wasn't happy b/c I desperately needed a haircut. But hey! My stylist does Naomi Campbell's hair! I think Fritz and his team are awesome at Hairplay. I always…
yelp.com - user review - 03/13/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by nancy s.

5 of 5 stars. I have to say that Anne Marie at Hairplay is the only person to cut my hair in five years and I hope this relationship never ends. I have never, ever had a bad cut or color from her. I have gone…
yelp.com - user review - 03/07/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Michele K.

5 of 5 stars. Go to Matthew~ I have been seeing Matthew for a little over three years and he is the best! He always adds an artistic touch to whatever my latest color or cut request is....I have pretty much sent…
yelp.com - user review - 03/01/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Dan W.

4 of 5 stars. This place would be expensive in any other city (including NYC), but for SF is is worth every penny. Peggy cuts my hair. Guy hair, that looks like guy hair. She is friendly without being nosey. She…
yelp.com - user review - 02/24/2008
Full Review »

Annaleice: best thermal hair straightening in San Francisco

Annaleice thermal straightened my hair a year and a half ago and I cannot imagine going back to curly hair. Annaleice is fabulous to interact with and extremely conscientious. I did consultations with four...
citysearch.com - user review - 02/22/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Hannah R.

5 of 5 stars. Matthew is a hair god. As a fellow hair stylist he is the only one I let touch my hair. He cut my hair last week and as I dug my nails into the arm rests I told him to do whatever he wanted...I…
yelp.com - user review - 02/15/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by cheryl l.

5 of 5 stars. Sexy.....yeah baby! If you want to transform your look go to Damian for hair extensions. He can turn anyone into a supermodel instantly. Seriously, it's amazing how natural and beautiful it looks…
yelp.com - user review - 02/13/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Bonnie M.

5 of 5 stars. I have to tell you-getting my first gray hair was not nearly as traumatic as one would think. I was actually intrigued by the single curled hair that nestled itself in between my bangs. I messaged my…
yelp.com - user review - 01/10/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Natalia S.

4 of 5 stars. I've been cutting my own hair for years because I don't think that it is rocket science. Or maybe it is... most of my previous 30 years of haircuts would remind me of the Challenger spaceship…
yelp.com - user review - 01/09/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Nancy R.

1 of 5 stars. If someone named Damian offers to do a type of hair replacement system called hair integration, run in the other direction. It was a horrible experience that cost me a small fortune. I am sure he…
yelp.com - user review - 01/02/2008
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Kara D.

4 of 5 stars. I've had my hair straightened here by Analise. She was trained under Patrick Evan and is very experienced. She is also very cautious. She was worried my hair couldn't tolerate the straightening…
yelp.com - user review - 12/25/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by brendan h.

5 of 5 stars. My partner and I see Matthew on a regular basis and couldn't be happier. Our time in the chair is great fun, he remembers details about us, and you can't leave him with a bad haircut. He's willing…
yelp.com - user review - 12/04/2007
Full Review »

THE FLATIRON "QUEEN"

I WENT TO HAIRPLAY LOOKING FOR A STYLIST THAT CAN WORK WITH NATURAL HAIR. I WAS RECOMMENDED TO SEE APRIL, I WAS VERY PLEASED. APRIL IS A VERY SWEET PERSON,SHE TOOK THE TIME TO DEEP CONDITION MY HAIR, SHE GAVE...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/02/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Ranya K.

5 of 5 stars. Annaliece knows hair! After 3 years of thermal reconditioning treatment, my hair looks and feels great! Annliece is attentive, sweet, professional and fast! My hair was naturally really really curly…
yelp.com - user review - 10/30/2007
Full Review »

silky, straight and so happy!

I love Japanese hair straightening!! I have always struggled with my curly, frizzy hair and felt like there was no way to tame it. Thanks to this treatment my hair is silky, shiny and straight right out of the...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/29/2007
Full Review »

Annaliece Rocks!

Annaliece is amazing! I've been going to her for about 3 years and my hair is so easy to manage. I went from a curly fro to smooth, shiny, healthy straight hair! She is knowledgable, friendly and completely...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/27/2007
Full Review »

Awesome customer service

great haircut w/o the attitude or scene...If what your looking for is a haircut for a reasonable price and a warm and friendly staff this is the place for you. Best cut and color in a long long time. Mary Anne...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/25/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Denise Q.

5 of 5 stars. Went here for the first time. I was highly recommended by a girlfriend with hair very similar to mine to see Marty. The salon was tucked away, on Church Street, upstairs in a little building you…
yelp.com - user review - 10/23/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Pete T.

5 of 5 stars. Matthew saved my coif! this guy is the best... he's basically a magician with scissors and a sink. not to downgrade the rest of the crew... Marty, Laurel, Antonio, Fritz, Crystal, April, Paul, Anne,…
yelp.com - user review - 10/03/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Wine D.

5 of 5 stars. Matthew Mommer is a rockstar stylist!! He's been cutting/coloring my hair for over a year and I've never cheated because my hair always looks great!!!!
yelp.com - user review - 09/30/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Lisa F.

4 of 5 stars. Katrina (sp?) is an angel. Had a bad bleach job a day before a wedding I was in. She had been scheduled to just style me on the day of the event, but luckily she made time to fix the color. She did a…
yelp.com - user review - 09/14/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Zeke A.

5 of 5 stars. Matthew, Matthew, Matthew.... See him if you come here. He's the best! He knows how to work with all hair types...I have the straight, thick, coarse latino hair...and he just makes it work, makes it…
yelp.com - user review - 08/24/2007
Full Review »

Hair extensions/hair integration

Update: I am sure that Damian is very good at extensions. However, if he offers you to have a hair integration system, run in the other direction. The integration system turned into a nightmare. It became a...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/06/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by N'Jeri E.

3 of 5 stars. I wanted to trim my locks for the first time in three years. I was really nervous because I usually only trusted my sister, the person who started my locks, to cut my hair. So I searched yelp and…
yelp.com - user review - 07/28/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by tera m.

5 of 5 stars. completely pissed off, I'm getting ready to go home and hide because my recent haircut from another salon was not working for me. I look up at the building in front of me and see the sign, HAIR PLAY.…
yelp.com - user review - 07/19/2007
Full Review »

The best Hair Straightening ever!!

Thank you Citysearch for bringing me to Annaleice! She did an absolutely amazing job at straightening my hair. I've had it done a few times prior to finding her, and I can certainly tell the difference in the...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/12/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Mike R.

5 of 5 stars. I'm not an attractive man, but Matthew makes me feel pretty. For that, I'd almost be willing to switch teams. ...but Matthew can do better, so I'll give him his stars and be on my way.
yelp.com - user review - 06/27/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Lisa M.

5 of 5 stars. I go to Paul here and this is why he is great: He can make you blonde with out breaking your bank account.
yelp.com - user review - 06/04/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Alexa S.

5 of 5 stars. I've been putting off getting my hair cut, as so many curly haired gals do, and finally decided it was time - and chose Hairplay after reading reviews here, as well as checking out their website -…
yelp.com - user review - 05/30/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by lauren v.

5 of 5 stars. I have found my new place, and even better its right around the corner from my house. After hearing much about this salon from four of my friends, I decided to try them out last week to get my hair…
yelp.com - user review - 05/12/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by senait m.

3 of 5 stars. ATTENTION ALL WOMEN OF COLOR!!!! We finally have a place to go in the city. Caution: Don't be dooped into going to the only black girl at the salon, April! Not worth the trouble... she had me…
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2007
Full Review »

I love my straight hair!

I read the reviews about Annaleice being the best at hair straightening and she is! My hair looks and feels amazing thanks to her expertise!
citysearch.com - user review - 05/02/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Adlil e.

5 of 5 stars. We love Matthew! We first started seeing him as an apprentice at Hairplay and haven't looked back since. Something about him is so dead on...we've been perpetually photogenic since our first…
yelp.com - user review - 04/22/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Filbert S.

5 of 5 stars. Probably one of the coolest hair salons in the city without trying to be cool. All the stylists are great - as far as I can tell - I always go to the very talented Laurel. As a guy, I'm a little…
yelp.com - user review - 04/18/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by K L.

5 of 5 stars. Matthew Mommer is the best stylist there! He's the only person that helped me grow out my hair (I had a short do and now my hair is really long). He gives great cuts, does wonders with color, and has…
yelp.com - user review - 04/18/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Jennifer K.

2 of 5 stars. I used to justify spending $250 on highlighting and cutting my hair because I thought it would compliment my awesome self....serious downgrade. My hair is lumpy in places I never knew hair could get…
yelp.com - user review - 04/11/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Paige B.

1 of 5 stars. I walked out of Hairplay with the worst haircut ever. I'm still growing it out and the hairdressers I have gone to since have all asked, "Who did that to your hair?!" Not only did my stylist, Denise,…
yelp.com - user review - 04/02/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by hayley h.

5 of 5 stars. I've been going to Laurel for about 3 years now and she is the BEST! She knows exactly what I want so that I don't even have to say a word. I always leave looking (not to mention feeling) like a…
yelp.com - user review - 03/20/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Karlee D.

5 of 5 stars. I have to give Hair Play 5 stars cuz' of the kick-ass job Marty did on my hair. I was to the point where my long hair was always in a ponytail, or buns, or in a hat... That means it's time to chop.…
yelp.com - user review - 02/26/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Jackie I.

5 of 5 stars. "Darlin' don't you go and cut your hair Do you think its gonna make him change?
yelp.com - user review - 02/20/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Claire S.

4 of 5 stars. Let me preface this with my current picture doesn't reflect the outstanding brunette with rockstar red highlights I'm currently working. Ann-Marie is an excellent colorist, I was very impressed.
yelp.com - user review - 01/31/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Monkeyfaced E.

5 of 5 stars. "I have really curly hair..." This usually elicits a gasp from an inexperienced stylist and usually results in a huge disaster (I have big hair). Not so with Laurel. She is a genius with color and…
yelp.com - user review - 01/30/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Cristina P.

5 of 5 stars. I have very curly hair that if cut wrong look horrible!!! So for pretty much 20 years my hair looked horrible until God led me to heaven...OK Hairplay and introduced me to Marty. I have been going to…
yelp.com - user review - 01/27/2007
Full Review »

Best Hair Straightening

I heard about Analiece through her Citysearch reviews and decided to give her a try. I am so glad I did! I've been getting my Japanese Straightening in L.A. and now that I live in San Francisco I was nervous...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/24/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Jane M.

5 of 5 stars. Laurel at Hair Play is amazing!! I've sent my sister friends and boyfriend here. She is fabulous with curly hair and men's hair (very fast and painless and not too high-maintenance for the less…
yelp.com - user review - 01/22/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Doro P.

5 of 5 stars. There are only a handful of nights a year I feel unbelievably beautiful and at least three of those I owe to Laurel. Then there are few nights I feel pretty - not unbelievably pretty but you know..…
yelp.com - user review - 01/22/2007
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by JaM W.

1 of 5 stars. I've never found this place very friendly. Laurel styled my hair at least 3-4 times. The first time she was extremely friendly, but not so during my subsequent visits so this leads me to believe she's…
yelp.com - user review - 12/28/2006
Full Review »

I Got Banged By Ann Marie!

I recently got the most fabulous hair cut and side swept bangs. I got exactly what I wanted with honey highlights.
citysearch.com - user review - 11/09/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Rhianna A.

3 of 5 stars. I haven't even been here yet (I'll give an update after my appointment) but I give Fritz and his team 5 stars! I emailed Fritz with a horror story: home relaxing kit, uneven textures, flat, dull, thin…
yelp.com - user review - 09/26/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Crystal W.

5 of 5 stars. I go to Onika, and can I just say that she is the coolest, sweetest thing ever. She really makes sure you're happy with the cut and/or color. Her highlights are amazing, I just love them. This is…
yelp.com - user review - 09/17/2006
Full Review »

Goddess-like Extensions...Simply Irresistable

After a bad decision to cut my hair short a few years ago, I have been forced to undergo this painful grow-out process... that is until I met Damian Sargent at Hair Play. I did extensive research on SF...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/12/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by John L.

1 of 5 stars. alright, place looks like it should be cool. trendy, good looking people with good haircuts. great, i should get a good cut here too. nope. asked for someone who specializes in cutting men's hair…
yelp.com - user review - 09/10/2006
Full Review »

Awesome extensions

I had some hair extensions put in about a week ago and I just can't get over how much I love them! I get compliments all day long. The quality of the hair is phenomenal...so silky smooth and natural looking....
citysearch.com - user review - 08/21/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Sarah S.

5 of 5 stars. I've been going to Hairplay ever since I moved to San Francisco. All of the stylists are decent, but Matthew is the best. I recently chopped all of my long hair off, and his results were fantastic. I…
yelp.com - user review - 08/14/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Annie F.

5 of 5 stars. I am sometimes hesitant of posting rave reviews of service places, for fear that they will become so popular and I won't be able to get in. Yeah, I am selfish like that. However, I like to give props…
yelp.com - user review - 07/26/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Linda C.

5 of 5 stars. I've gone to so many different places to get my hair cut that I almost gave up on letting people cut my hair because I always hated it. But I let one person talk me into trying out this place and I…
yelp.com - user review - 07/08/2006
Full Review »

Curly Hair Specialists

It's hard to find salons that share your same aesthetic and vision. You want them to GET what you're saying. Hair Play GETS it. It's a chill atmosphere with highly skilled stylists. Especially if you have...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/08/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by thea L.

5 of 5 stars. Kaleb is awesome. I have long curly hair and nobody has EVER cut my hair better. I would never see anyone else!
yelp.com - user review - 06/01/2006
Full Review »

I would not recommend this place.

After being recommended I was given service which was not what I had very specifically asked for and now I have unnatural streaky highlights that start far off my scalp and a less than flattering haircut....
citysearch.com - user review - 05/20/2006
Full Review »

Nightmare on Layer Street

Overall, this salon has a nice ambiance and friendly staff. However my haircut there a couple of months ago was one of the worst in memory. I specifically asked the stylist not to give me the "mushroomy" look...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/19/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Tessa M.

5 of 5 stars. If you want a hot haircut go see Marty. He's super precise and has good ideas if you don't know exactly what you want. He often runs 30-45 minutes late, so bring a good book.
yelp.com - user review - 05/16/2006
Full Review »

A Red Carpet Glam Look!

We all know our limitations as women but I was determined to get the Jessica "I am so hot" Alba look with the help of Fritz's vision and Damian's styling techniques. Although, Jessica may still look hotter...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/12/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Brandon B.

4 of 5 stars. I have to give a ringing endorsement for my girl Onika at Joe Hamer. I've been going to her since she was at Edo on Haight/Steiner, and I won't go to anyone else anymore. She's always taken plenty of…
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Erin M.

4 of 5 stars. Love Paul and his haircuts. It's a high-quality salon cut but with down-to-earth folks and prices. Four stars only because they tend to keep you waiting. But, when you do wait, Paul doesn't rush it and…
yelp.com - user review - 05/01/2006
Full Review »

the staff is friendly and fun

hairplay has a great staff. matthew mommer is so humorously self-indulgent he keeps "forgetting he's going bald". he is light and breezy and keeps me mildly entertaining with shallow stories that one can't...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/26/2006
Full Review »

I feel pretty!

Thanks to Monica I like my hair! Not only do I think she did a great job on my hair, but I appluad her for being honest and not just doing what I wanted. She took her time showing me pics, and even told me she...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/22/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Aki R.

4 of 5 stars. I've been going to hairplay for about 3 years now and I've been completely satisfied every time. I've worked with Erin, Beth and Annemarie. The haircuts are not anything extraordinary, but the…
yelp.com - user review - 04/20/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Mary W.

1 of 5 stars. I have read so many unhelpful reviews on salons. I feel like my experiences at salons have always been different than the ones I read online. So I'm going to be as honest as possible and I hope this…
yelp.com - user review - 04/17/2006
Full Review »

Be advised-good reviews; BAD experience

I went to one a hairstylist highly recommended on here. I've never felt the urgency to write one of these, but my experience was horrible. The guy did okay with my cut but the color was horrendous. I left...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/12/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by E L.

4 of 5 stars. Update 6/20/07: Um, so I brought in a picture of J Lo with a supercool Lo-do-- all loose an fluffy sans her usual neurotic bun-- and MM didn't laugh. He cut my hair, twisted with product, put me…
yelp.com - user review - 04/02/2006
Full Review »

Best Hair Stylist in the City...LAUREL

I have been going to Laurel for years. She always gives me the best looks, from cuts to highlights to all over color! I walk out looking like a star and the best part is that I can continue to keep styling my...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/30/2006
Full Review »

Best Haircut Ever!!

Matthew is amazing!! I had been going to the same hairstylist for 8 years in L.A. and just moved to the city, but he did wonders for my curly hair. Make sure to ask for the "Victoria's Secret Blowout"- I...
citysearch.com - user review - 02/21/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Aviva R.

5 of 5 stars. I've been seeing Brooke for just over two years (hi, Brooke!) and I am so very glad I found her. She was the FIFTH person I'd been to since moving to SF and I was so relieved to have found someone…
yelp.com - user review - 01/25/2006
Full Review »

Annaleice for hair straightening!

My life has changed since I got my hair straightened by Annaleice. I get compliments on my hair everyday and it's given me a confidence I have never had before. When I had frizzy curly hair I would constantly...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/24/2006
Full Review »

Miracle Worker with Curly Hair

Matt took my curly frizzy head and transformed it. He is a modern day miracle. My hair is now manageable and looks stylish day in and day out. So many friends have complimented me on my hairstyle. Matt is...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/23/2006
Full Review »

Yelp.com Review - by Emily L.

1 of 5 stars. I had my very culy hair cut here back in September and after hearing so many good things about it I was so disappointed! My haircut turned out terribly and I will not go back there. Perhaps I had a…
yelp.com - user review - 01/23/2006