Gail D.

Early aughts--I was flipping channels one night. Land on PBS. It was Pride Month and I saw this black woman barber. "Wait, she's gay, too?" She was hustling--set up a shop in her apartment. Produced ornate, fantastical cuts. Her customers were devoted, not just because she's gifted but because she offered them something simple but rare: safety. At the time, I still had long hair. But I remembered my few outings to barbers, or even salons to get an undercut. Just really uncomfortable, afraid I'd be called out for being gay, while someone's got sharp implements on my scalp. Or have to hear homophobic/sexist conversation around me. Stylists/barbers whom I was paying questioned "Is this a girl's cut?" In the film, Khane was saving up for her own shop. She's filmed in winter, peeking through the gates of a space available in BK. That moment stuck with me. I wanted that for her. I'd Google her over the years as I still had long hair. I just wanted to know how her career was going. I wanted her to win. Finally, 2019. I cut my hair short. Went to a salon for that. Just wanted to get used to the length before I tried out the cut I've always wanted--a Caesar. Finally, I was Camera Ready Kutz ready. Ok, yeah, the cut was fresh. And when I walked into her shop, it was stylish and gleaming and thoughtfully appointed. There was a waiting area with products from local entrepreneurs. The staff is nonbinary, female, trans, kind. I saw her chair--red leather with gold accents, and thought, "Well-deserved." Just seeing what she'd finally done for herself, I beamed in pride. I'd never met her but still I was so excited. So yeah, shop is fire, cuts are fire. But this is more than a barber shop. My best day there: this past August. I was getting a trim and a black family walks in--hetero parents, a couple of adorable elementary school kids, boy and a girl (whatever that means). The kids are getting fresh to return to in person book-learning. Mom asks if she wants a mohawk like her brother. Of course she does! So she--little black girl--gets a mohawk. Kinda miraculous: this is not the special shop just for the queers, though being amongst my own is a kind of safety I've never felt in spaces like this. This--queer-black-Caribbean-owned, rainbow-flag-flying,haircutters spot--this is the *neighborhood shop*! The shop where both mom and kids feel comfortable in Khane's hands. Where a little black girl can achieve her vision of herself with no hassle, no questions, no scolding that what she wants isn't for girls. I've never paid more than $40 for a cut and love that she supports the training of other queer barbers. My 80-year-old Afrolatina homophobic mom liked my cut so much, she actually came with me from Queens to get her own. Mom is chatty and has lead an heroic immigrant life. Khane was gentle and attentive and so kind with her. So much so that Mom went back with her best friend. I got a line up the other day and noticed the back room no longer has the products of the locals. But more barber chairs! She's grown out of that front room and the dopeness expands!

O E.

I. What can I say? I've been going to Khane for fades since 2014 when she operated out of her beautiful apartment barbershop. I have never been disappointed with a cut and it's been amazing to watch her business grow into a shop and safe community over the past decade. Being someone who always kept my hair long, Khane was the first place I came to shave my sides properly and I've been in love with the look ever since. I often get designs ranging from simple to elaborate and I trust Khane's creativity, never needing to say much. II. This past week, Khane's schedule was booked so I said I'd try E. I always love the rapport at the shop and between all Camera Ready crew and customers and figured I'd be in good hands. I went in ready to shave my head bald after a negative color experience elsewhere. E cautioned against it, explaining that I might not be sure of what was going on at the scalp level, from scabs to uneven color patches, and more. I showed E some references and although she left the choice up to me, we agreed that my hair could use a fresh reshaping, fade on both sides and a simple line. E was patient with my mini hair crisis, and ultimately left me with a cut I still can't stop looking at. It actually made this hair color so much more tolerable. E legit talked me back off the cliff. III. While every barber has their own unique style, the fact that the barbers at Camera Ready Kutz deliver such consistently high quality, is infinitely reassuring. Booking an appointment on fresha is straightforward and my appointment time is ALWAYS honored. There is no waiting around, the Afrobeats & Soca is always on point, and the shop is always clean from the front door to the bathroom ... it's the little things that make getting my hair cared for in this space, a pleasant and necessary part of my self-care practice. Thank you.

Frances R.

I have been following Camera Ready Kutz for a few months now, and finally decided to book an appointment to get a cut for a special event. Went for the first time on 9/25/19. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted, the ambience was so welcoming and clean. My appointment was with Khane. I showed her a picture of the cut I wanted and told her she can free style the cut as well. Her level of professionalism and the passion for her work shows in her cuts. Best cut I have ever gotten! Her clients and colleagues were complimenting me, even random people as I walked to the car. Khane, may your talent be blessed forever! You are absolutely amazing! THANK YOU!

Tiffany P.

I found Khane after I searched the hell out of Yelp last minute to find a barber in Brooklyn with an open chair at around 7pm. I was stressed because I had just had a bad experience with another barber and I NEEDED my hair cut for an event the next day. She took me in and I fell in love with my cut. Fast forward a few months later and I'm still coming here. The barbershop itself is very traditional. No frills; which is exactly why I love it (call me old fashion). Khane is extremely friendly and always asks questions before she does any cut to ensure you're getting EXACTLY what you want. She's the best barber a girl (or guy) can ask for!

Cristen K.

I have had really short hair for a little over a decade and, let me tell you, it's really hard to find a place that will do a good job with a woman's short hair cut. I've gone to high end salons and that have done just an OK (not great) job and charged a fortune. I've gone to traditional barber shops that did a great cut but I felt like I was intruding in a space where I wasn't wanted or I was outright harassed. I've even gone to salons where stylists flat out refused to cut my hair as short as I wanted it because it wasn't "feminine!" Actual words spoken! Really gross! Camera Ready Kutz is, by far, the best place I have ever been to get my hair cut. Fay is phenomenal. She takes the time to listen to what you want, gives suggestions about what will work with your hair type and facial features, and she is a perfectionist. My cut is stellar, every single time. Everyone else who works there seems to be equally great though I have only ever gotten my hair cut by Fay. In terms of the atmosphere, everyone who works here is incredibly kind - I always feel comfortable and welcome when I walk in. The space is really nice and they just expanded a few months ago! The shop is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ folks and they even have pronoun pins in the bathroom which I love. Khane, the owner, has created such a great shop and it is the only place I will go to get my hair cut. I travel all the way down from work in Morningside Heights or home in the Bronx to here which is a hike but it's worth it! I definitely suggest that folks check it out if you are looking for a great, friendly shop where you'll walk out with an awesome haircut.

I've always had long hair and so I was on the search for the best place in NY to get a big cut done. After some research, I decided on Camera Ready Kutz. Arriving at the shop, I was greeted with warmth and nothing less. Fay was the person who sculpted my hair into the art it is now. She consulted with me to have a better understanding of what kind of cut I was looking for. She also knew it was nerve-wrecking for me to let go a lot of hair and it wasn't some simple cut. She wanted to ensure that I was happy with everything so she would go step by step with the haircut. I was able to learn what the haircut process is like and the different terms used. Furthermore, Fay went with the flow. If I wanted to talk, she would chat but if not let she would let me be and just do her thing. Overall, it was an amazing experience. Everyone working there was friendly and makes you feel at home. I will come back here when I visit New York next and get it done by Fay again! Note: Don't bring more than one person! It's really cozy but no worries, you won't feel the need to bring anyone after your first cut with them.

By the looks of this place you would think that it was the best barbershop in a 3 mile radius but nope - I had Ace earlier today and when I got home I was horrified to discover cuts all over my face and was further annoyed to see that he shaped my beard in a zig zag instead of the straight line I asked for. temperate check at the door? Check. Terrible and lousy haircut? Check. These people might look professional but I wouldn't recommend them to cut my dogs hair. Ace spent the entire haircut talking to his fellow barber about some super hero show instead of making sure he wasn't slicing my skin open. He was lousy, careless and incompetent. If you're reading this camera cut ready staff - you have some nerve to brag that someone would want their picture taken after the hack job I've seen today.