Unity Salon and Spa

I do not recommend Bruce. Every step of my experience with him was below satisfactory. I got referred to him by a friend and was told that he uses his personal phone for appointments so I texted him until we came to an appointment date and time that worked for the both of us. A few days later (not my appointment date) he calls me at 9 am and says «don’t you have an appointment with me at 12?» At that point I was unsure about going through with the appointment but I decided to anyways and figured he just got the dates confused even though it was written out in texts… The day I go in for an appointment I waited for bruce to come get me and then he sat me down and I explained what I wanted. He told me was going to hook me up because he likes my friend that referred me. I told him I had gotten full balayage highlights for about 80 $ and that I just wanted to touch up near the roots. I kept asking how much it was going to cost and he never gave me a direct answer and said he was going to «hook me up.» He ended up putting only about 8 foils in my hair and and finished trimming, highlighting, and styling my hair in less than 2 hours. He charged me 85 $ for only 8 foils. not wanting to cause a scene, I pulled out my card to pay and he says «oh I only take cash or check.» Really… you couldn’t have informed me about your payment methods until i was about to walk out the door? luckily I had cash and I was able to pay… but he didn’t even have change to give me back so he basically forced me to tip him a lot more than I had wanted to. I was misinformed, overcharged, and overall so unhappy with the service I received. I texted him after washing my hair a few times and told him I did not like the way the color turned out. He eventually responded saying «sorry I wont be back until next thursday» and failed to respond after I wanted to make another appointment to fix my hair. If you don’t have experience getting your hair done like me, make sure you can go to someone you can trust. NEVER coming here again.

Last year I decided to make a drastic change and go Blonde. Bruce did such an amazing job that I want my hair to stay this color. It’s been a year and I love it!!! He’s definitely the best beyond compare!!!

I’ve followed Sophia since she was at the place I can’t remember on Salvio and then to Salon Epiffani and now here! My mom goes to Christina (and loves her!) and I’ve also recommended countless to both Sophia and Nick. I was so excited when Bruce started there too. All of them are incredible and so talented! I now live across the country and I will only get my hair done when I am back home visiting family. So yeah, they are THAT good

Do not get your nails done here! I was very disappointed with my gel nails and the service I got. I got a groupon and used it, so it wasn’t as expensive for a mani pedi but the mani chipped within 2 days and she kept rescheduling my pedi. The last time she rescheduled and canceled on me she said she was going to send me a great coupon. I gave her my address and 4 months later I have yet to get any sort of coupon. It was horrible. Even waiting to get my nails done I could hear them talking about conspiracy theories. I felt so uncomfortable before I even went into my appointment. So I paid for a mani pedi only got a mani and groupon wouldn’t even give my money back because of this horrible place! I wasted my money on this.

Bruce has been cutting my hair for over 15 years. My family from my sister to my cousin and even my BFF go to him. I have referred many of my friends over the years, they get their hair cut by him and then they get hooked. He has great energy! Our relationship now is, I sit in his chair, 30 minutes later, I look in the mirror and I’m done, love it every time! I’ve gone from pixie to a line to shoulder length and back to long, and he’s been great at it all…
Happy to have him as my stylist.

I’ve been getting my hair done by Sophia for years. So glad she opened her own salon. The place is an oasis from my daily chaos. Very zen atmosphere with a friendly staff. Full menu of services to choose from. Make an appointment, you won’t be sorry.

I love Nicholas! I’ve been going to him for years and always walk away loving my cut and especially the color. The whole experience is enjoyable, but my favorite part aside from the great company (Sophia too!) is the hair wash… ohhhhhh my!!!

Unity salon & spa is by far one of the best salons I have ever been to! Considering that I am from the Bay Area, it’s a commute but it’s worth it! I highly recommend this salon to anyone who wants perfect hair! :)

This review is for Marina here, not Unity Salon as a whole.
I purchased a groupon for her and it was virtually IMPOSSIBLE for me to set up an appt. I have never before been worried about pre-​paying for a service before with Groupon, but with her, I honestly never thought I would be able to get my nails done. I called her cell phone every single day for 5 days straight, left voicemails, only to have her call me back 3 times in a row while I was in a meeting at work. She obviously did not realizing she was calling the same person because she left the same impersonal voicemail answering none of my questions. I tried setting up an appt with the Salon itself but they do not set up appts for individual nail artists.
This back and forth between Marina and I happened for weeks before we set up an appt. She sent me a text three days before having me confim the appt (weird, but that’s fine. I really needed to go before my Groupon expired) She ended up canceling on me via text message the day prior to our appt saying that she had accidentally double booked herself with a prior client and that client had priority over me. Why did she have me confirm the appt 3 days before if she wasn’t going to double check HER schedule? She offered to reschedule a week later but I declined because none of her appts worked with my late working schedule.
I was so tired of this I eventually was able to coax Groupon into giving me a full refund since her customer service is awful. She obviously needs a receptionist or should work on returning calls within «24 to 48 hours» like her voicemail says she will. I have never had such a bad experience from a Groupon purchase and I was glad to get rid of it because I was not looking forward to going in and seeing her after all of this hassle. Getting a manicure is about getting pampered, right?

I had a Groupon deal for a shellac manicure & spa pedicure and it was a great deal! The atmosphere of the spa is nice. I went on a Sunday, so it wasn’t busy at all, so I don’t know how it is on a weekday.
Marina is very personable, professional & knowledgable about nail care! I had come in with gelish nail polish on my nails & she took extra care on the removal to minimize damage to my nails.
I heard about her nail designs, so I had her do two on my nails for starters… and they are so cute, I’ve made another appointment for a full set! Can’t wait!

Sophia gave me the best haircut I’ve had in years for half of what I’d been paying. It was time I made some «Changes» from my current salon and my mom had just done the same. She said to give Sophia a try — she’d found her on Unilocal!
Apparently, my hair is ‘hard to deal with’ because it’s so thin and fine. Sophia new just what I needed within just a few minutes. I feel like a new person! It’s the feeling you get after a haircut when you just want to go home and start curling it and fix yourself up and take pictures! This is my new Salon!

MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF IN EAST BAY! I have very long thick wavy hair. Very few hair professionals can manage my locks. Sophia cut my hair but with confidence I could say anyone there would do an amazing job. She performed a dry cut, took the time to get to know my hair and the characteristics of it before she dove in with her scissors. Next off the staff is professional, knowledgeable and uncandidly friendly. The environment of the spa/​saloon would require another review for itself. This is a gem. You won’t regret your experience. One item though if you have a big vehicle parking is a little tight. SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!
Oh and I almost forgot! The best price I’ve ever paid! I’m usually charged 70 min for a cut and she only charged me 45!!! That’s nothing for hair down to the butt!

I have been seeing Marina for my nails after discovering her on Groupon a few months back. She is very clean, has great product, very talented at nail art, and very knowledgeable in her craft. She is always booked so call her in advance for an appointment. You won’t be disappointed!

I would NOT recommend the Groupon for Marina for mani/​pedi. I
cannot speak to quality but I can absolutely speak to service. Marina canceled on me twice– one was less than 5 hours prior to appointment. I do not question her excuses (children related and no longer working Thursdays). However, as a sole proprietor I feel she needs to take more ownership of her work and image and focus on presentation.
Groupon allows you to test people you would potentially use full time. Please tell me why I would go to someone that cancels on me because she decides to take Thursdays off and then cancels on me 5 hours prior to appointment because her kids are not going to Tahoe? VERY POOR BUSINESS SKILLS!
Marina gives Unity a bad name. Surely the other attendants present themselves in a better light.

I’ve been seeing Nick for over 10 years, he and Sophia are amazing! I always have a blast when at the salon because they are hilarious and «real». I always walk away happy with my hair!!!
I drive all the way from Castro Valley to Pleasant Hill because I trust them.

Went in for a shellac manicure and spa pedicure by Marina everything about it was wonderful. She’s an awesome person and I can’t wait to see her again

Get your nails done by Marina. She is awesome! Super hygienic! I’ve been going to her for almost 2 years and she is always up for a new challenge. Very talented and her nail art is unique and intricate. She will be able to create anything you ask her for. Some she’s made for me and others: puzzle pieces for autism awareness, sport themed (I’ll post the SF giants she did for me during playoffs last year), the cutest nightmare before Christmas nails, and too much more to name. She does her nail art by hand (no airbrushing, decals, etc). She’s the real deal! She uses shellac if requested which I recommend because you’ll want her art to last as long as possible. The way she does shellac will not ruin your nails or make them peel like I’ve had happen elsewhere. And my pregnant legs love her leg and foot massages during a pedicure. Give her a try. You won’t be disappointed!

My daughter & I have been going to Sophia for years! She’s always done an excellent job with our hair, especially with my daughter’s hair & her ever changing colors… I highly recommend this woman!

Sophia is amazing! I wanted to make a radical change to my hair. Sophia was fun and gave me a rockin new hair style. I am so happy!
I’ve had 3 people cut my hair in the last 15 years and Sophia is the 3^rd. She is going to be my new GO-​TO.
So happy, so impressed. :))

Looking for a new look? Want to hair-​cheat with a different stylist? or some R&R?
Unity Salon & Spa specializes in the latest cuts color, texture, massage therapy, natural treatments, manicures, and holistic therapies.
Unity Salon is located adjacent to the overpass of highway 680. The salon has a Zen vibe, very clean, friendly staff, leaving you feel luxurious.
How did I find this contemporary salon de beauté?? Only because one of the best stylist found a new home here. His name? Bruce Le, no not the martial artist but another version from a different lifetime =) His visions has always been to offer his clients a fun, upbeat atmosphere where you can relax, get a kick out of his humor and of course his creative hair styles. Never a dull moment.
Hour of operation: Tuesday-​Sat *10am-​6p