When you DO what you LOVE, and you LOVE what you DO - it reflects in everything you DO!! In this case, not only does it REFLECT - but it RADIATES and SHINES on every level; and when you talk to and meet Chris (the owner of Crush Studio) - you'll see for yourself. Crush Studio is a new Astoria salon, and will certainly become the "go-to" place for anyone who values amazing personal service, affordability, and superb quality care for their hair.
From my very first interaction with Chris over the phone, I immediately felt like I was talking to an old friend - and this was within the first 30 seconds of the conversation. 15 minutes into the phone conversation, and after a few good laughs and talking about hair, pricing, and other random things about Manhattan and Astoria - I realized....oh yea...I called to make an appointment. And am I ever glad that I did.
Fast forward to a week later, I walked into the salon with my mom (who was getting a blow-out and a color consultation) - and upon entering the warm, inviting, and quaint space - we were greeted by Chris and his genuine smile - and immediately felt like we were at home and with someone who would take excellent care of us. And care he did, and then some. I've been to many a color consultations with my mom, and for myself - and I NEVER felt the comfort, genuine concern, and interest from any stylist - as I did from Chris. My mom and I explained to Chris what color she currently had in her hair - and what she wanted to change and achieve with the new color. Chris discussed the details and plans of what he could and could not do - for almost 20 minutes. Going over and over again the options, the limits, and how to maintain the integrity of the hair - while achieving what my mom wanted. Reassuring my mom that he would do the best he could to get her where she wants to be, but also being realistic that some things are not always possible (especially when dealing with already colored hair). We understood that and then he proceeded to wash my mom's hair and do the blow-out. Did I mention that mom is all about the BLOW-OUT? and wants VOLUME TO THE SKY (even though she has fine hair). How does one achieve that without torturing hair? Well, Chris used the proper Shampoo and Conditioner, a great volumizing mousse, a root lifer, and blew out her hair in a method that I've never seen before - and did it with such ease, while peppering everything with his humor, warmth, and genuine interest in making sure that my mom's hair looked perfect and to her liking. I felt like he was treating my mom, as if it were his mom - and that's exactly how my mom felt as well. The end result - hair that was absolutely volumized and styled to perfection! My mom who ALWAYS touches her hair, or has to fix something after it is done - didn't touch her hair at all; because she didn't need to. It was perfect and to her liking.
Phase 1 was complete - and I proceeded to make an appointment for my mom's color and my first hair cut with Chris two weeks later. Well the two weeks later, was this past weekend - and once again Chris was AMAZING and sat through a full color consultation again with my mom (to make sure that she didn't change her mind about something) and to also discuss some other options with the color, as well. The process was seamless and the end result was exactly what my mom was looking for and wanted. A brighter, lighter and fresh perspective on the color she previously had. And once again - the whole process from color, to wash, to condition, and blow-out - was PERFECTION! She didn't touch her hair at the end of this blow-out either - 2 times in a row? That has NEVER happened!!
And now onto my hair consultation about the cut and style that I was looking for. I wanted a shorter, more tapered, and more detailed version of the style I currently had. Chris talked about what he could do, and looked over my hair in detail - and proceeded to give me the most precise cut I've ever gotten. Watching out for the all the things that I told him my hair does when it is too short, or too long, or somewhere in between. I have a lot of hair, and fairly thick, and straight, but it has it's issues and limits - and Chris knew exactly how to cut it, so that it blended properly everywhere - and then blow dried and styled it perfectly - while adding in some product (it didn't need product because it was cut properly and precise, but styling product always adds that OOMPH I like) - and then I finished it off with a touch of hairspray (because how else would it hold in the heat and humidity). Two days later and after washing my hair - does it need product to be styled properly? No, it doesn't, because it's cut perfectly. Do I put product in it because I want that extra shine and OOMPH to it? OF COURSE!!
A "THANK YOU" isn't enough to express how great you made my mom and I feel in both visits to your salon! But, THANK YOU, and keep being the ROCK STAR that you are!! read more