Independent hair salon · Temescal, Oakland

Oakland's most awarded salon.

A collective of hairdressers, colorists, and emerging stylists — obsessive about the craft, invested in our city. Razor cuts, dimensional color, and blowouts done right.

Inside Pony Studios Co., an independent hair salon in Temescal, Oakland
Best of Oakland
Independent since 20195× Best of Oakland4.9★ across 2,750+ reviewsAs seen in Forbes, ELLE & Refinery29$150K+ raised for communityTemescal, Oakland Independent since 20195× Best of Oakland4.9★ across 2,750+ reviewsAs seen in Forbes, ELLE & Refinery29$150K+ raised for communityTemescal, Oakland
4.9
Average rating
3,400+
Stylists educated*
$150K+
Raised for community*

*Across Pony Studios Co. and our education arm, Pony Education.

Reviews

★★★★★

"I finally found my person."Shannon · five-star review

4.9
Average rating
2,750+
Client reviews
97%
Five-star
100%
Recommend · FB
They actually listen All hair types, all textures Warm, easygoing space Grows out beautifully Color that lasts

"By far the best cut I've had. Alessia knew exactly what I wanted — I'm actually looking forward to my next cut!"

— Saskia N.

"Pam's hands are pure magic. The cut gave my hair movement and lift without making it look thin."

— Shannon H.

"She is magical, unafraid and intuitive. She gave me a haircut that made me feel so good."

— Fleur B. · on Corinna

"Deb is the Ferrari of hair artists — top-tier quality every time. I leave feeling fantastic."

— Veronica C.

"I have curly hair and it's hard to find someone I trust. Summer immediately understood what I wanted."

— Senna C.

"She turned my lank hair into a style I can proudly wear. I feel 10 years younger."

— Rozanne J.

"Tiffany takes the time and listens to understand exactly what you envision, even if it's complicated. She's an artist!"

— Melissa S.

"It's a calm but vibrant space and the people who work there are kind and talented."

— Lisa H.

Every Pony stylist comes through the same education-first culture. Meet the Talent Roster · read about the apprenticeship.

Best of Oakland winner.

Five years running · 2021–2025

20212022202320242025

"Hair cutting mecca… with hair legend and Bumble & bumble founder Michael Gordon cheering her on."

Kristen Philipkoski · Forbes, 2019

As featured in

ForbesELLERefinery29SF ChronicleSF MagazineHow To Hair Girl

The team

Talent Roster

Meet the Pony Talent Roster: hairdressers, colorists, and emerging hairdressers — all connected by a shared obsession with craft and continuing education. Cut, color, or cut + color. Pick your person and book direct.

Debi at Pony Studios

Debi

Hairdresser / Apprentice Education Lead

Usually in: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

Book with Debi

Apprenticeship at Pony

Serious education, not casual shadowing.

Our apprenticeship program is intensive, weekly, hands-on and theoretical education led by Debi Alley, with support from Tiffany, Hannah, Pam, and Corinna Hernandez.

Debi started her career with Vidal Sassoon, where she spent 10 years as a stylist, educator, and assistant manager. She went on to spend many more years leading education, creative projects, and talent development in salon and academy environments. At Pony, she is both a Pony Education educator and the force behind our weekly apprentice program.

Apprentices also have access to Pony Education — the same acclaimed education program that brings international talent from Corinna’s global network to Pony for ticketed workshops. Our stylists attend these classes too, because expert education is not a phase here. It is part of the culture.

Since 2019, Pony has hosted hundreds of classes through Pony Education and Pony Education LIVE, our subscription-based education app with global reach. We continue to run monthly 1–2 day workshops so the staff is always learning from the best of the best.

Hosted educators include Laurent Philippon, Howard McLaren, Dennis Lanni, James Pecis, Tina Andersen, Amy Farid, Kate Schlichter, Rolando Beauchamp, Nicholas Roach, Jordan M, and Travis Speck — plus many more global editorial and runway stylists, educators, and hairdressers.

Debi teaching apprentices with Corinna at Pony Studios
Debi teaching apprentices with Corinna at Pony.
Amanda at Pony Studios

Amanda

Apprentice

Usually in: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat

G

Grayson

Apprentice

Usually in: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat

Maddy at Pony Studios

Maddy

Apprentice

Usually in: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

Myles at Pony Studios

Myles

Apprentice

Usually in: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

Natasha at Pony Studios

Natasha

Apprentice

Usually in: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

S

Savi

New Apprentice

Usually in: Schedule coming soon

Behind Pony

Leadership + operations

Corinna Hernandez, Founder of Pony Studios and Pony Education

Corinna

Founder, Pony Studios + Pony Education

Hairdresser, educator, and creative force behind Pony’s salon, workshop, and master education programming.

Brett at Pony Studios

Brett

General Manager, Pony Studios + Pony Education

Operations, growth, partnerships, and the business engine behind Pony Studios and Pony Education.

Michelle at Pony Studios

Michelle

Head of Operations, Pony Studios + Pony Education

Keeps the studio, education programming, team, and client experience moving.

Debi at Pony Studios

Debi

Apprentice Education Lead

Hard-core Sassoon-trained hairdresser and educator, Pony Education educator, and leader of Pony’s weekly apprentice program.

Important staff

Pony dogs

Tink at Pony Studios

Tink

Salon Dog

Current morale officer, greeter, and tiny executive presence.

Oscar at Pony Studios

Oscar

Retired Jersey

Forever Pony. Hannah’s legendary old-ass dog and an all-time salon presence.

Corinna Hernandez, founder of Pony Studios Co.
Corinna Hernandez · Founder

The founder

Pony was founded in 2019 by Corinna Hernandez — a Bumble & bumble lead educator for over a decade, from the Bb salon and Bumble University in New York to Bumble Live across the West Coast, and Sassoon-trained before that.

Ready when you are.

Booking is online and takes about a minute. New color clients start with a quick consultation.

Book your appointment
  1. 1
    Pick your serviceCuts, color, balayage, or a blowout.
  2. 2
    Choose your stylist & timeBrowse the team and grab an open slot.
  3. 3
    See you in Temescal4834 Telegraph Ave · Tues–Sat, 9–6.

Work at Pony

Build a serious career in a fully booked, education-first salon.

Pony is built for hairdressers who want great clients, great support, and real education — without sacrificing flexibility or quality of life.

50% starting commission Fully booked salon 5× Best of Oakland Education-first culture
50% starting commissionStrong earning potential from day one.
Free Pony EducationAccess to Pony Education workshops and Pony Education LIVE.
Unlimited time offFlexible schedules built for real humans.
Medical, dental & visionComprehensive health benefits for the team.
Marketing supportWe help put great hairdressers in front of great clients.
Operational supportSalon director, front desk manager, and exceptional assistants.
Community eventsA salon culture that actually shows up.
Fully bookedThe demand is here. We are looking for the right people.
Book Now