I’ve worked at many different salons of many different sizes, with many different styles. For the most part, I’ve worked at outdated salons that needed a major renovation. One of my salons actually  underwent that major renovation while I was still there. There are salons with a fresh, modern look but usually in a place like that, you can bet on paying upwards of $100 for just a simple haircut.

Typically, when you sacrifice cost, you also sacrifice style.

So I was very surprised when I discovered my current place of employment, eSalon Color Studio in San Francisco just off Market Street.

When looking at the colorful and professional website, this place seems like they know what their doing. Knowing that this hair studio is located just steps from San Francisco’s busiest road, it must be nice. Though considering a new client hair color costs just $35 and include a blowdry at the end of the service is unheard of. Prices that low, one expects a shabby shack, not a chic studio.

Walking to the eSalon Color Studio, you’ll pass stores like Macy’s, Lou Boutin, Chino’s, Dolce and Gabbana, and many other high-end retailers that make the area feel like you’re walking through a shopping district you could never afford to be in.

Upon entering the color studio, popular music fills the air and you’re quickly greeted by one of the smiling stylists offering complementary drinks and checking you in for your appointment. The walls are painted in modern pink colors of baby pink to salmon colored. The furnishings are thoughtfully designed, and the lobby area has neatly organized sales shelves to the left and the waiting area to the right.

The shelves are filled with products in simple, easy to understand packaging that makes the buying experience more pleasurable. Around the shelves, there are faux succulents and ivy that give the natural wood display shelves even more character. eSalon even decorated the shelves with display color kits so client may see how their at-home color kit looks like when it arrives in the mail.

The waiting area to the right is furnished with a large blue chaise lounge decorated with a variety of throw pillows to add that extra touch of comfort. A white circle coffee table and pink velvet chairs complete the set to give this unique studio a very welcoming feel. A small server sideboard sits in the corner which offers Nespresso coffee, tea, and water for patrons to help themselves to whatever they please.

A small set of stairs brings you up to the color floor where four style chairs sit two to a wall with a display table of the most popular products in the center. Natural wooden floating cabinets with drawers and a faux white counter tops line each wall as stations for stylists to keep their tools and clients to rest their bags in. Simple, yet colorful artwork hangs on the walls while more faux succulents accent each style station and it’s backbar products for stylists to demo on clients.

Continuing into the back of the salon are the shampoo bowls and the restroom. The shampoo area boasts high-end European backwash stations where stylists stand behind the bowl rather than hunched over, next to the bowl. This gives an even more relaxing feel.

Connected to the shampoo area is the restroom. Word of inspiration saying, “You look marvelous” decorates the mirror in front of the vessel style sink. Accented with modern white subway tiles above the faux marble countertop, this restroom makes you wish you could update yours.

Walking into this space makes one feel like they’ll be spending a million bucks but instead, they’ll leave feeling like they look like a million bucks for $120 at most.

Compared the other spaces I’ve working this one definitely makes me proud to show off where I work.