Welcome!

We’re so glad you’re here! When you come for a visit, expect it to feel like hanging out with a friend — one who cares a lot about your hair.

To help you prepare for your appointment, we’ve laid out some policies and best practices to help make your hair dreams come true. Keep reading to learn how to book, how to prepare your hair, and what to expect from your experience at Coastal Curl.

Step 1: Booking

  • Currently, we are only booking appointments online. We do not book appointments via phone or text.

    We typically book between 14 and 60 days out. Since we have a small team, appointments tend to fill up quickly.

    Please click here to make an appointment.

  • While all of our stylists are experienced with curly hair, each stylist has a unique background and specialty. Explore our stylist page to learn more and find the best fit.

Step 2: Hair prep

  • Arrive to your appointment with your hair styled down and recently washed, as you would wear on day 1 or day 2 of a wash cycle.

    Limit product usage as much as possible. Feel free to arrive with no styling product at all, or use minimal product, such as a light leave in or gel.

    Please, NO buns or ponytails, as they affect the shape of your hair.

    This helps us see the full, natural beauty of your curls, which helps us assess what products and styles will work best for you. Your hair and your time are precious, and we want to treat it as such.

  • Please bring detailed notes, photos, or even a video of your styling routine and current products. We can make suggestions about products or techniques to enhance your curls.

  • We highly recommend detoxing harsh products from your hair at home prior to your appointment. Many mainstream and drugstore products are formulated with silicones, heavy oils and butters, and drying alcohols that block moisture from soaking into your hair.

    To begin the process at home, check out our Sweat + Slay bundle with some of our favorite products for cleansing and clarifying.

  • We love inspiration photos and anti-inspiration photos (aka any haircuts you absolutely hated). If you’re not sure what you’re looking for yet, head over to our Instagram, where we share lots of photos and videos from our clients and other natural-haired beauties from across the web.

Step 3: Relax

  • Our salon is bright and plant-filled, with books to read and puzzles while you wait. We play a mix of upbeat global music (usually oldies) and we offer complimentary snacks and beverages. We’re also conveniently located on Grand Avenue in Oakland, surrounded by many great restaurants and stores, and we’re happy to have you take a meal break, especially during longer appointments.

  • We believe that quality haircuts are affirming experiences for everyone, helping us embrace the fullest version of ourselves. We are committed to creating a gender-inclusive safe space in the salon. If there are any accommodations you need, we are happy to work with you to come up with a solution.