How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%49+26.7Reliability 24%26+6.3Value 14%97+13.7Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Momentum penalty44−5.6Experts Score= 48Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.48SCOREEssence Salon
Mountain View, CA · Grade CLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20. · #66Position by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. of 67 nail salons · 4.6★ from 471 Google reviews
Report card
Percentile vs other nail salons (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and replies to reviews; weakest: reliability.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Essence Salon for 8 kinds of job.
Essence Salon for haircut
Clear ✕All 79 Google reviews tagged “Haircut” · showing 20
I had a bad experience here last year but since then they have more than made up for it. Ellie is amazing and always checks what you want before cutting!!
Grace is one of the most senior and professional hairdressers I've worked with. I have very high-volume hair, so she suggested a pre-consultation before my cut. It made a real difference: she understood exactly what I wanted before we started, and the appointment itself ran smoothly without wasting my time. Once…
Grace is one of those rare stylists you feel lucky to find. I’ve been coming here for about a year, and every visit has been a great experience. She is kind, attentive, highly skilled, and really listens while also being honest about what will work best for your hair. Her attention to detail is excellent, and her…
Absolutely loved my cut and color by Anais!!!! I gave her a very vague idea of what I was looking for and she absolutely killed it. I highly recommend her!
I have been to this salon several times and have always been happy with Mary. This time, however, she didn’t have an appointment available that worked for my schedule. I also find $150 + tip for a haircut to be quite expensive, so I decided to book an appointment online with another stylist, whose haircut was listed…
UPDATE: After I posted my original review, the salon manager reached out to me directly. She was incredibly kind, listened to my concerns, and offered to have me come back in with a different stylist at no charge. They’d already chosen a stylist that they thought would be a better fit for my goals and discussed my…
I got an haircut by Anais and I loved her work. I’ve wanted bangs for a very long time but I have thin hair so it never came out well in a way that would add volume to my hair. Anais understood what I wanted and gave a cut that suited my hairtype and face cut.
My eldest found Essence Salon a few years ago and we have been making a special visit from another city just to get our hair cut here. It's THAT good, and this review is long overdue! We love to see Mary and Grace, but honestly every stylist we've had has been exceptional. They take such great care in not only…
Grace was amazing and so kind, first time coming to a salon and had the best experience ever!! She gave me consultation for the best cut for me and gave me exactly what i needed, recommend her 1000% The hair treatment I selected was perfect too!!
Mary is easily one of the top hair stylists I've ever gone to. She listened intently to the overarching look I was going for (to make my hair look more natural) and instead of just bleaching my head, as most others have, she reintroduced my natural color back into my hair and walked me through the process of what it…
I asked for face-framing layers and brought several reference photos to show what I wanted. I ended up with a step-cut style and curtain bangs that extend much farther back on the head than requested, resulting in a choppy look that was very different from the reference photos. Though I had doubts and shared them…
My regular stylist was unavailable, so I booked with Vivian for a long layered haircut with face-framing layers. I explicitly asked her not to take off length and not to make it a V-shape at the back, but the result is not what I expected. After getting home and looking closely, the cut is completely unbalanced—it…
My appointment was canceled by the salon only 3 hours before the scheduled time because the stylist was sick. I totally understand that emergencies happen, but it’s frustrating that customers must give 12+ hours’ notice or pay a full fee, while the salon can cancel at the last minute. The policy feels one-sided and unfair. Customer’s time matters too.
Jane is the best!
Vivian was amazing, love my haircut! This was my first time at the salon, and I’ll definitely be back!
I had such an awesome experience at Essence Salon today. My goal is to eventually get my hair to a grayish white color, and Mary took the time to explain that getting there safely would require multiple sessions to protect the health of my hair. I really appreciated her honesty and professionalism. My appointment…
Vivian was fantastic and so gentle. I got a wash, cut, blowout and thoroughly enjoyed the whole process! She was very communicative and made sure she gave me the cut and style that I wanted
I highly recommend a visit. The entire staff was friendly and considerate from the moment you walk in. Grace was wonderful and listened to my ideas and gave wonderful suggestions. You can tell she had pride in her work. Very funny too😄 I will definitely be back!
I recently visited Essence Salon for a wash, cut, and style with Anais, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Anais is a true professional; my cut and the layers came out perfect! What set the experience apart, however, was her charismatic personality and the expert hair care information she shared with me…
I’ve been going to Essence for years. Every time, I am happy with the service and end result. When I was much younger, I rarely went to salons because of a few bad experiences. Essence has cured me of that. Yessenia is my go-to stylist, but I have found that all the stylists there are amazing.
Price
Bar = middle half of what customers paid · gold mark = category median.
Price verdictsGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Jobs customers hired them for
| Job | Reviews | Category typical |
|---|---|---|
| Haircut | 79 | $30–$94 |
| Hairstyling | 40 | — |
| Hair coloring | 37 | — |
| Hair highlighting | 9 | — |
| Bang trim | 8 | — |
| Balayage | 7 | — |
| Curly hair | 6 | — |
| Hair hydration treatments | 5 | — |
