Michelle Snyder - Photos and Interview

Mother Stories

Celeb Hair Stylist & S.F. Mama Michelle Snyder Invites Us Over

Written by Erin Feher

Photography by Photographed by Aubrie Pick

Jan 29, 2019

One of the most coveted seats in San Francisco is in Michelle Snyder’s chair. The in-demand hairstylist opened Barrow Salon six years ago when she returned to her hometown after a decade in New York, and the waitlist has rarely dipped below the three-month mark since. When she’s not wielding her shears at Barrow, she can be found jetting to L.A. and New York to coif her celeb clients, including Sienna Miller, Zoe Kravitz, Zooey Deschanel, Karen Elson, Amanda Peet, Emily Mortimer, and even a small army’s worth of the Game of Thrones cast. But she’s the first to admit that real life isn’t always glamorous—from launching a new business with a newborn baby and battling postpartum depression to going through a tough divorce and getting acclimated to single parenthood, we are sure many people will be able to relate to Michelle’s honest and inspiring story.

: "I found my apartment through a friend. I feel lucky because it is the perfect size for my daughter and we can walk to her school! I moved from my previous home because my ex-wife and I divorced two years ago."

: "A work in progress? I like pretty simple and nothing too precious. I love having a home where people feel comfortable and it can get messy."

: "Not much, because I rent. I did paint the living room and kitchen cabinets dark gray and black."

: Michelle and River both wear vintage dresses.

: "Seeing the excitement and curiosity in River’s eyes."

: Sweet memories by the bedside.

"Wondering if I’m doing a good job."

"I didn’t care if I had a boy or a girl. I wanted a healthy baby. It excites me to get the opportunity to raise a person who hopefully turns out to be a strong, kind, nurturing person who adds something to this place."

"River Mae. No special meaning. My ex-wife and I both liked the name."

"We pretty much play all over, but the messes tend to grow most in River’s room and on the kitchen table."

"I own Barrow Salon in downtown San Francisco and I cut hair."

"I was born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area. I didn’t go to college, I did hair instead. When I was young, I learned cutting from my mother, who was also a hair stylist. I then learned it technically and professionally from my friend Marcy Harmon, which led me into a career of hairdressing. I worked at Cowboys and Angels Salon and then got a job at Bumble and Bumble in New York as a stylist. I lived in New York for around ten years where I worked in a salon as well as on movie sets and editorial shoots. This sort of got me into a world of doing hair for celebrities, which is when I became bicoastal, landing in San Francisco because of love."

"I love cutting hair. It doesn’t feel like work to me. I like River being able to hang out on jobs and in the salon. She seems interested in what I do, and it’s sweet."

"I wavered in and out of wanting to be a mother, and when I entered my thirties, I started feeling like timing wise I should make a decision. Fortunately, I met the right person and it happened pretty quickly."

"My pregnancy was far from easy, I was on bed rest for two months because of preterm labor. I experienced a ton of depression during my pregnancy, which led me into postpartum depression after birthing River. I am an open book about all of that to anyone who asks because there’s not enough awareness around depression and anxiety. I find it isn’t always rainbows and unicorns."

"Malia, my ex-wife, and I had back and forth discussions about different ways we could have a baby, and in the end, me carrying made the most sense."

"I couldn’t because we signed a lease for the salon about a month after having River. It was lots of River in the BabyBjörn while creating Barrow."

"I’m lucky to have a strong support system within my friends and sister. Locally, and also just a phone call away."

"I never really had the time to do any of that because I felt so overwhelmed with postpartum depression when she was a baby. And nowadays, I can’t seem to find the time trying to juggle work and life. I’m up for suggestions or help though!"

"Be kind to yourself."

"I wanted it to just be a little bit dark and cozy. My favorite pieces would be the benches around my kitchen table because they’ve traveled back and forth with me and hold a lot of memories, and also River’s artwork."

"I like painting walls colors that make me happy and I hate overhead lighting, so always bring in accent lights like table and floor lamps."

Michelle wears a Doen dress. River wears a Dpam dress.

"The life as you know doesn’t exist anymore. There is no person to sort of tag team with when stuff gets hard. And sharing the good times via text or Facetime is heart crushing. The plus side is that I actually get to have days I sleep in and days to myself."

"Scheduling, communicating between all three of us, and the back and forth of co-parenting."

"I was raised by parents who hated each other but stayed together for the kids—something I grew up knowing I never wanted to do if I found myself in that situation. My mom was my best friend, so losing her as a young adult was difficult. Fortunately I have a younger sister who is my best friend."

"We try our hardest to remind ourselves that River is our priority, and when things get too emotional, to take a time out. I’m proud of how we’ve co-parented this far; we’ve worked really hard on it."

Michelle's plants are from Léon & George.

"I value and respect the friends I have that I can turn to who are mothers. I have a seasoned group of friends who have experienced loss, divorce, solo-parenting, single-parenting, happiness, blended families; it's a fun pot that I get to pick apart. I’m thankful for that."

"I wanted River to choose what her room would look like, because of all the change in her family life, and becoming a child with two homes. She wanted rainbows and an art space. I love watching her play and make art and enjoy her room. I thought I would surprise her with lavender walls one day and she was not into it! Can’t win them all!"

Michelle wears a Reformation blouse and pants. River wears a Cat and Jack dress.

"She is 6. She has loved drawing and painting since she was 2, theater, and most recently, L.O.L. dolls."

Works by the artist-in-residence.

"Trust yourself."

"I’m still trying to figure that out, and I’m accepting all advice."

"We’re fortunate she goes to school where they celebrate all types of families. River told us when she was two that she has two moms and so far it hasn’t been an issue. As far as knowing she has a donor, and wondering how we made her, I found a lot of help within the book What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg. He does an amazing job of explaining how babies are made while being gender neutral, which I appreciate."

"I feel like there is a huge hole in this category."

Michelle wears a Reformation dress. River wears an H&M dress and Nooworks leggings. Plants from Léon and George.

"Trying my best! I have days I feel like a total failure, and days where I feel like the best mom in the world. I think finding a balance in the day-to-day is a sweet spot."

"Oh my GOD, always! I constantly look for advice from my village of friends who are parents. It’s something six years in and I’m still trying to figure out."

"Nope."

Michelle's vintage stove came with the house. Plants are from Léon & George.

"We can walk everywhere! The weather is pretty consistent, so we spend lots of time in the park, and we live directly across the street from Dolores Park! Living in the Mission District, we get a neighborhood feel in the middle of a city."

"New York. I lived there for ten years and would love to one day live there again."

"For shopping I love Ver Unica, Reliquary, Community Thrift, and Reformation. For eating and drinking, my regulars are Shizen, Cha-ya, Papalote, and Rock Bar. When River and I want to play we go to Mission Park Playground, St. Mary’s Playground, and Dolores Park. And River loves scooting all around the city."

"I tend to gravitate towards pencil skirts, floral short dresses, and jewel tones. I’ve worn heels for about seventeen years and I find wearing flats somewhat difficult."

"Maybe more pockets? But not really."

Michelle wears a Reformation dress, slippers found in S.F.'s Chinatown. River wears a Mini Rodini dress, Nooworks leggings, and Sven clogs.

"Pencil skirts, heels, and red lipstick. I love vintage, but the current designers I’m most into are Gucci, Isabel Marant, and Reformation. The list could go on. I like clothes."

"I see Monika Smith at Allora Skin Care in downtown San Francisco. I use Jan Marini skincare, then I put Aquaphor all over my face. I use Benefit brow gel, and either Ruby Woo by M.A.C., Elson by Pat McGrath, or Wild Cherry gloss by Pat McGrath for a red lip. I’m obsessed with Glossier’s Dawn cream blush for my eyelids and cheeks. I use all Oribe hair products, particularly Matte Waves and AirStyle."

"I’m obsessed with working out, I do it every single day. lf I don’t move, my mental health suffers. I have tried meditation, but I have too much ADD."

"Massages—from Danielle Biechner of Waking Dragon—exercising, and hanging out with friends."

"I’m constantly inspired by my business and the people I work with and looking to keep growing. I feel lucky to be surrounded by creative people I admire in my work and my personal life."

For more on Michelle and her work with Barrow salon, be sure to follow her on Instagram.