The Charles Hunt Studio

I love being pampered in this space and at the same time Odessa does a fabulous job on my hair. I’ve been coming here since it opened. It’s so lovely and relaxing here looking at the greenery while my hair processes. Just love coming here and look forward to it every time I re-​book with Odessa.

Love love love Odessa. She always takes the time to give me a great cut and her coloring is right on. She makes me look very natural rather than dyed. I always come out feeling like I look younger.

Odessa is the best! She has a keen eye for shapes and tones and what will compliment you. I look forward to every appointment. My hair has never looked so good and consistent!
If you have experienced a hairdresser that talks on the phone or has clients backed which of course makes you late then stop and call Odessa! I know exactly how much time I need for each appointment and I can count on it. I’ve never been to anyone who got me out on time!
It’s a one person salon that is quiet and comfortable. Right now I have color processing on my hair in a beautiful garden. It is so relaxing!
Do yourself a favor call her!

This is the place to go when you want a cut that you will love… Odessa is EXTRAORDINARY!
I went in with an idea and came out shocked and amazed. i didnt know how much body my hair really had… She cut over 12 inches (donating to Locks of Love) and i have never had hair this short before but i love it… And so does everyone else. Before even starting to cut we talked about style, shape, and maintenance. She helped me to understand what would work with my face shape. She explained maintenance and showed me styling tips as she styled so that i could do it amd make it look as great as she did every day.
Call, get the appointment, and be ready to be amazed!
*** TWO RECOMENDATIONS FOR PATRONS****
parking can be hard to find (especially at meal times) so plan accordingly
have the address handy (the salon is in the back and the sign is hard to see from the street)

Best salon experience ever, hands down.
The atmosphere was so relaxing, tucked away from the main street in a little courtyard, I felt as if I was in Paris rather than Oakland. The way Odessa welcomed us in made us feel as if we were visiting an old friend. She was friendly and efficient. The perfect balance of professional and familiar.
My friend and I went to get our hair cut and were so impressed with Odessa’s artistry. The way she explained her suggestions demonstrated her extensive knowledge and experience in hair styling. She talked about how different cuts work with my entire body shape, as opposed to just my face. She was also a very attentive listener and made my hair look exactly how I wanted it. She also gave me very good advice about how to maintain the health of my hair.
I love my cut so much but am considering getting it cut again just to have an excuse to go back. I can’t wait for my next visit to Charles Hunt Studio.

Love, love, love Odessa. She is amazing. I just sit in the chair and let her do magic. Her no-​pressure suggestions are always beautiful.
The studio is a relaxing place to be. In the summer, you can sit in the back garden in the sun while your hair is processing. In the winter, you can sit in the comfortable lounge area with your feet up and read. My hair always looks great and I feel great too.
There is always parking in the neighborhood behind the salon and a great coffee shop across the street. Easy.

I have never been so satified with a hairstylist but, this is because janine and odessa offer much more. I love the whole experience of going to the Charles Hunt Studio. It has great energy and I always feel calm as soon as I step inside.
I am quite picky and emotional about my hair (i have been known to cry many times after a haircut). When I have my hair done by Odessa I know that I can trust her to give me what I want, make me look my best and feel my best by incorporating my personality and lifestyle into my hair. She can really capture a person through their hair.
Odessa and Janine are true artists and I am lucky to call them my hairstylists!

Odessa is a master! Magnificent haircut and great atmosphere.

Odessa is the best stylist/​hairdresser I’ve ever had. Amazingly, her haircuts and color hold their shape and style no matter how long I go between cuts. I get oodles of compliments every time I go and I always leave feeling sassy and happy. I trust her 100% to always give me her best and I’ve never been disappointed. I used to live in Oakland, now I live 2 hours away and I still make the drive because no one is as good as Odessa. It’s super easy for me to get a booking with her and I never have to wait once I get there. Charles Hunt Studio is THE PLACE to go for the best haircut in Northern California!

Seriously, this place is a good as it gets. These ladies should get a gold star for customer service. You must call for appointments, and leave a message. This is because they do not have a secretary, and the ringer is turned off during appointments so there is no interruption. In my experience they call you back quickly and fit you in for the soonest appointment. Janine has squeezed me in for an appointment, even after hours. It is clear that they take customer service very seriously. I feel like a princess every time I go.
To get to the place you must walk up a darling garden path, and as soon as you enter the salon you are offered french press coffee, water, pastries, even wine. The atmosphere is always chatty, friendly, and welcoming. They seem to know most of their clients very well, and will chat you as well up if that’s your thing. I get the feeling like I am walking in on a conversation between old friends, not clients/​stylists.
I get my hair styled by Janine, who seems to be practically clairvoyant when it comes to the style that I want. First I start with what I want in a haircut, then she gives a consultation about what she thinks would look good with my face shape. The haircut is always great, always.
Even if the haircut is not exactly what you want, Janine offers complimentary trims between haircuts, so that you can adjust little things that maybe aren’t working. I don’t know about Odessa’s policy (maybe the same?), but I’m sure she maintains the same high standard.
Yes, it is expensive, (my haircut is $ 90, they don’t ask for tips) but if you are okay with a splurge now and again, it is very worth it to treat yourself. You go home feeling like you’ve spent a day at the spa, and get a fabulous «do» that lasts for months.

I have been going to Janine & Odessa for close to fifteen years. I love their new place. Where else can you sit outside, read trashy magazines, relax, while the hair goop is doing its thing? Whether I’m in a talkative mood or just want to chill out, I am always comfortable and well taken care of. Best of all, I get loads of compliments on my hair cut and color. I have a cut that requires no styling and still looks great.

Janine and Odessa are simply the best when it comes to listening to your hair concerns and working with you to achieve the desired results. They make careful, tactful suggestions, let you know what is possible and what isn’t, and always ask the client if she/​he is happy with what they’ve achieved. I’ve been going to them for years and would follow them anywhere. My hair has never looked or felt so good!

Yes, alert the media. I still love them.
I’ve been a client here for going on 5 years now, which is the longest I’ve EVER stayed with a stylist.
Odessa is amazing.
Janine is fabulous.
I’ve never had a phone call or e-​mail go unanswered, and I certainly have never seen them ignore anyone (client or not) who visited the salon in person. I’m wondering where caroline m. wound up that she had such an abysmal experience, because I find it hard to believe that it was at Charles Hunt Studio.
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I’ve also become a die hard convert to the organic «Innersense» line they now carry. The «Smooth Embrace Body Lotion» (yeah, ok, so the name is sort of cheesy) is hands down (pun alert!) the best moisturizer I’ve ever spent my hard-​earned dough on.

Finding an extraordinary, perfect hair stylist is like searching for the perfect pair of jeans — A constant mission, that when achieved feels like you won the darn lottery and must have done something right in your past-​life to deserve such good fortune. This is how I feel when I think about Odessa and Janine at The Charles Hunt Studio. Tucked away behind Dopo in a charming yet slick remodeled garden cottage, these two ladies work their magic on each lucky client that graces the salon seats. Elegant, personal and comfortable at the same time, the salon itself feels very welcoming — and the treats, complimentary beverages, fab mid-​century framed hairdo pics, and killer magazine selection don’t hurt either.
Odessa cuts and colors my hair, which consistently (no BS’ing) are the BEST hair jobs I have found, and let me tell you, I have been around. My search for the perfect salon has led me to countless trendy, chic, funky and $$$ salons ranging from SF, East Bay, LA, NYC, and even Paris. I have tried the scissors of men, women, friends, parents, my own– and ONLY Odessa nails it every time. She patiently and honestly listens to what I have in mind and knows how to translate my vision. I even feel confident enough in Odessa’s skilled talent to let her decide what to do with the cut and color, and I am quite picky. I am especially excited as today I got one of my favorite cut/color’s I have ever had. I personally don’t trust any other salon at this point. AND… these ladies prices are the fairest I have found. There is no one here too cool for school or ripping you off at this establishment. Odessa is the perfect mix of professional and relatable making your salon experience positive from the moment you walk through the door, to looking in the mirror at your new do and thinking to yourself — damn… I look good! And didn’t spend a fortune!
As Odessa has been my stylist for a handful of years now, while in her chair, I have had the pleasure of watching Janine’s fabulous work as well. I can confidently say that with either of these women, you can’t go wrong. Stop wasting your time ladies at other salons!!!
I sometimes still can’t believe my search for the perfect stylist is over, guess that just gives me more time to try on jeans…

Just wanted to say how great Odessa is! She has been doing my hair for four years now, and I am very pleased. I have thick wavy/​curly hair, and she cuts it perfectly to bring out the natural curl. She has helped me transition into a new, more flattering hair style (I had short hair and dreaded the «in between» stage of growing it out, but she encouraged me to do it and made sure it looked good all along the way). She has helped me find products that work well with my hair and taught me new ways of styling my hair. I get lots of compliments after Odessa works her magic!

I’m sure they cut hair crazy well — but I GIVE UP trying to get an appointment. I’ve been calling, emailing, visiting, etc for almost two months. I have received no appointment, and recently not even a call back. This is ridiculous and an embarrassing business model.

Fabulous salon! I have been getting my haircut from Odessa for about five years. Before I found her I never thought I’d find a great hair stylist for my curly/​wavy hair. I truly appreciate and trust Odessa’s opinon on styling my hair and consistently love the cut she gives me. I am now at the stage of coloring my hair – she matched my color so perfectly that my husband has yet to notice. Besides the great talent I really like their welcoming and relaxing studio hidden down a cute alley off Piedmont Avenue. I highly recomend the Charles Hunt Studio.

I love Odessa and Janine… they are so friendly. Odessa is the only one who has ever done my hair and she is great. I called the other day and asked if she could do my daughter’s hair (almost 5) because i butchered it… she gladly fit her in and charged almost nothing. My daughter has gone around telling everyone Odessa did her hair (and soaking in the compliments). this place is great.

My hair looks and feels the best it ever has, and I owe it all to Janine. Janine and Odessa run this lovely salon that is a garden walkway off of Piedmont Ave on the same block as Dopo. At my first appointment with Janine, she asked me what I wanted my hair to look like, just like pretty much any other stylist, right? But that’s where the similarities ended. When I told her I had been trying to grow my hair out for years, she answered that the reason it wasn’t getting much longer is that my hair didn’t want to do that. She said, «If that’s what you want, I can get you there, but it’s going to take work.» All the other stylists I have ever been to have nodded at me, taken off my damaged ends, and left it at that. Not only does Janine listen to you, she responds honestly and then teaches you how to get what you want. As I said before, my hair is longer, glossier and healthier than it has ever been, and I’ve learned how to do all sorts of different things with it. You’ll be in good hands with these ladies!