Spruce Salon & Spa

Very nice place. Super friendly. Drama free zone. Very professional. A little expensive, but WORTH IT! Ask for marlaney, she knows what she’s doing! Got highlights, cut, and styled. they got a new repeat client from me!

I had an ok experience with this Salon outside of amazing color with Mia who is no longer there. They had champagne for clients the first time I was there which was awesome, but the 2^nd time did not. I did not have much luck at finding someone who cut my hair 2 different times. $ 80 (65+tip) haircut you are not excited about… not for me.

Hilary did my wedding hair and makeup and it was fabulous! For hair I wanted a messy low bun look, which she mastered. For makeup, I wanted it very light and natural looking, as I don’t where much makeup normally. She did a great job, and I’ve since had two people asking me where I got my wedding makeup done because it looked so beautiful. Hilary was also a real pleasure to work with!

I came here for my first hair cut in about ten months. I get lazy about these sorts of things (and also can’t really afford to get a nice cut every six weeks) but was super tired of putting my hair into a messy bun; it was time for a change. Based on the great reviews, I made an appointment with Tsomuka. I was pretty anxious when I arrived knowing that I was gearing up to cut off a good 9″ of hair (Karli Kloss inspired) but instantly felt at home when greeted by Angelica, who asked if I wanted a glass of champagne. Sipping on some rose (!), I only waited a few minutes until Tsomuka came out and brought me into the back room, which happens to overlook the backyard. It’s a cozy little place that is a converted house, so it’s a bit quirky, but also welcoming. Tsomuka did such a good job on my hair! She wasn’t thrilled the way my hair at first took to the styling /​blowdrying she did (I have REALLY pin straight hair), so she worked on it some more and even spent more time after closing to make sure it was perfect.
I now have an awesome hair cut that’s easy to manage and style, plus, I now have a place in the neighborhood that I trust! The best part? The $ 65 price tag. Seriously. Amazing.

Mia is an absolute God with hair color. I’ve dyed and highlighted my hair so many times and I’ve never left as satisfied as I did with her. My hair tends to get brassy when I go lighter… And I went to Mia asking her to go the lightest I’ve ever been. An almost white blonde/​slightly grey. She completely exceeded my expectations and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go to another hair stylist. If you want amazing color, go to Mia and you will not be disappointed.

I am posting to make sure that people who are considering making a change in hair stylists know what a consistently great experience I’ve had at Spruce Salon in the Rockridge area of Oakland working with Ash who has been my completely awesome hairstylist for the last several years. Ash is really great to work with and he takes time to carefully understand exactly what I want to accomplish in terms of creating the desired look that I want — while also factoring in the most advantageous shampoo and conditioning products to complement each haircut. For me, he’s absolutely the best and I’d highly recommend his services!

The place is nice and staff is friendly but do not get a short cut from Ash. Seriously the worst cut I have ever had. It took over a month and two cuts to get to a point where I feel comfortable and I still have a couple months of grow out to get it where I want it to be.

Facial. My original appointment was for a message. I really wanted to add a facial and they were able to squeeze me in prior to my massage and at the last minute. My facial was with Amanda. 60 min of pure bliss!!! The best facial I’ve ever had. The Arcona products were awesome. My facial included arm and leg massage.
Massage. My 60 min massage was with Jackie. She was really nice and attentive. She ensured I was comfortable and the pressure was right.
I will definitely be going back to Spruce. I was given a nice glass of champagne in between my services. All of the staff was really nice. This is the kind a place a girl needs.

Super friendly and hospitable staff. The stylists are great as well. The pricing is fair. I would definitely recommend this place!

I always came here for haircuts with Ama, who I met at spruce and who always does an excellent job. She has since moved on to another salon and so I won’t be returning to spruce for other reasons.
Spruce has some good qualities: the front desk staff is always very friendly and inviting, and offer coffee or champagne and sometimes baked goods. I have also had multiple hair cuts from Ama and Brielle and color by Mia, and all the services I received were excellent.
However, I will not return to Spruce because of a series of inconvenient scheduling errors:
Awhile back they had a break-​in and their booking system was stolen. I am not sure why they did not have a backup. I did not receive any notice that this had happened, although at the time of the break-​in I had been a regular client for over a year. When I arrived for my appointment (that I had scheduled over a month in advance online) I was told by the front desk person that I had been double-​booked and could I come back on a different day. I was irritated because I had not been notified of the break-​in and also because I was pretty sure I had scheduled my appointment first, since I did it far in advance yet the other customer’s appointment was being honored over mine.
After rescheduling my appointment in person, I went home. I was frustrated because I had wanted to have my hair cut before an event that night, but it was not possible with Ama and I did not want to have a different stylist for the first time. Later that day I received a call saying, oops, they had rescheduled me on a day when my stylist was not working. I did not have my calendar on me so I told them I would use the online booking system to reschedule, and they told me that was fine.
I was very busy and had to reschedule my appointment for a day a few weeks out. ONE day before my appointment, I received a call from Spruce letting me know that Ama would not be working on that day, and was offered an appointment with a different stylist. Like most people I know, we are loyal to a good stylist. I called back and told them I could reschedule for a different day with my stylist. I was then informed that she no longer worked there, and was not given any contact information for her.
While I appreciated the services I did receive at Spruce, I felt that the way they continuously made mistakes with their bookings was not respectful of my time and was very frustrating, especially since I had attempted multiple times to plan ahead and make time for hair cuts. While they did offer alternatives (seeing different people) I had made my appointment specifically with one person for a reason.

Let’s face it girls, we’re only as good as our team, and the team at Spruce delivers the goods.
Amanda has cultivated my sparse forest brows into a Vogue cover (sidenote, she also knows EVERYTHING) and Jackie is quite simply the best masseuse out there (three self-​diagnostic grunts and she unravels me like a ball of string).
All hail team Spruce.

This review is for Brielle :)
I have been going to Brielle for over 6 years (she used to be at Alcheme in SF and now is at Spruce) and she has always been amazing in helping me try out new looks. Whether it’s bold and different like blunt bangs with dark brunette or keeping with my natural hair color and style with light highlights and gorgeous layers. I completely trust her with my hair!
She’s not only a great stylist but she has become a terrific friend over the years as well. She is so fun to talk to and gossip with and she exudes a bubbly personality that you can’t help but love.
I highly recommend Brielle, she’ll keep your hair looking fabulous!

Great customer service! If you want a satisfying haircut, make sure to make an appointment with Tsomuka! She is great at what she does. She listens to her customer and gives them useful advice to help them reach their desired hair style :) the five star is for Tsomuka!

Yes, so much yes. After a mildly brassy and botched foil job at a salon-​to-​go-​unnamed on Grand (ahem L’amor), Mia sat me down and described exactly what she planned to do to give me a more natural, exciting hair color. She just GETS it. She knows what will make you beautiful, so just trust her. I feel like a different person.
Everyone that works here is friendly and welcoming. What other salons in Oakland can you get a glass of champagne while you wait? The Living proof products are great, too. Never has my hair had so much volume.
Not to mention the online booking is SO much easier than trying to work with two busy schedules over the phone. «Monday the 18^th», «Nope, how about Tuesday the 19^th?» «Nope, how about…» Yes, they’re pricey. Yes, it’s worth it. If you don’t LOVE your hair now, you can!

Lots of things have changed since my original review of Spruce. Ama, Bailey, and Ameena have moved on, and they no longer offer manicures, pedicures or on-​site day care.
However, many things haven’t changed! I can still count on Hillary to give me a stylish, low-​maintenance haircut and Angelica and Rob to make me feel welcome once soon as I walk in the door.
Jackie is also still there giving fantastic massages. She’s amazing!
I always leave Spruce feeling happier and more relaxed than when I came in. It’s a wonderful place and you’re sure to leave looking and feeling great.

Definitely changed my mind.
When I saw that a Unilocal event was going on at Spruce, I decided to step in for a second impression.
I loved the personalities: the receptionist, different from the one I wrote about in my last review, was equally friendly and welcoming. The esthetician was personable, considerate of my interest in fragrance-​free/​light skincare and really tempted me to book an appointment for a facial here.
But, lucky me! I was picked for a hair demo and what Hillary did to my hair was nothing short of miraculous.
I booked an appointment and came back for a proper cut. I love the way my hair looks now, and am so happy I have found a hair salon that really knows how to deliver based on what you’ve got to work with.
Still on the fence about massage services, but clearly this place is worth a second chance so I’ll probably be booking an appointment for bodywork sometime in this new year.

Quite possibly the best massage (80 minutes) and facial (apricot peel) I’ve ever had — and I’m a very frequent indulger of each.
Jackie’s massage was the perfect combination of soft hands and strong touch. She’s essentially a massage ninja.
Amanda is extremely knowledgeable of skin care and holistic properties having been in the business for 20 years. Spruce carries the full Arcona skin care line. (I had never heard of it, but it smells amazing and feels even better.)
I’ll absolutely be back — especially considering I used to make the trip across the bay to Burke Williams for these services. All in, the cost with tip and $ 150 in product was less than I’d normally pay for just services.
Very happy to have found this place.

It was my first time here and I got the cut I was really hoping for. I came in with really thick hair down to the middle of my back that doesn’t always agree with shorter cuts but I was ready for a change. Brielle took great care in giving me a flattering shoulder-​skimming style with a soft A-​line. It’s much lighter and more manageable than previous cuts I’ve gotten from other places because she skillfully and meticulously created less bulk so I don’t have to spend more than 5 minutes taming it every morning. Her tips on how to keep it looking polished are easy to do and the texturizer she recommended really works for me. I’ve been so disappointed with the places I’ve tried short cuts with before, but now I will definitely come to Spruce/​Brielle from now on.
I got a great deal due to a Unilocal voucher deal, too!

The Spruce team was sweet and helpful, and my hair turned out fantastic! I had a non-​traditional dye job. Check it out in the photo :)

I’ve been to a couple of salons in the Bay Area, ranging from the cheap chinatown cut to the full $$$$ salon experience. What I can say is, for the most part, you get what you pay for, but not always.
Spruce is captivating from the start, dressed with a bright teal exterior. The interior is lined with adorable wallpapers, clean, and refreshing. I was greeted upon arrival by Nina, who offered me a selection of coffees and tea.
Brielle, my stylist was ready for me promptly at the time of my scheduled appointment. I was overdue for a haircut, knew vaguely what I wanted, so I decided to take a risk! Brielle gave me the best haircut I’ve had thus far. She clearly demonstrated her experience with her scissors, and was immensely thorough and careful with my hair. I was the happiest I have been with my hair in a long time!