Beauty comes from inside. Inside Christopher Brian Salon…read more Love is in the hair at CBS, and I'm hair for it. Its fearless leader and his team of stylists play with scissors for the shear fun of it, and are the ride-or-dyes you and your hair have been looking for. Nestled into the ground floor of Troy's beautiful Proctor's Theater building on 4th Street, with its highly decorative front facade of brick and marble covered in glazed terra-cotta, it's no surprise to discover that the salon's insides match its outsides. The interior is seriously sophisticated, with light and dark grey walls serving as the perfect contrast against the large floor-to-ceiling windows and big, beautiful green plants that call the bright window seats home. The main floor is a neat little grid of beautiful styling stations, and mirrors, plenty of mirrors - even full wall-length mirrors - except instead of feeling like you're trapped in a funhouse, you're lost at Barney's, and loving it. A fun feature I really loved: each stylist's station is equipped with a mini Husky or Stanley branded tool chest on wheels, including a massive tool chest at the makeup bar. So like, not only does it add a cool masculine feel to the chic space, but I love the message that sends to clients, like, "Yeah, we work with tools, too!" Nice flex, guys. The best seat in the house, however, is in Christopher Brian's chair. Sure, he has a slew of super talented hairstylists working with him, but Christopher Brian speaks hair; English is his second language, and I've never had a bad hair day with him. Facts. Christopher works incredibly fast yet extremely precise, and with the eye and talent of a professional who's been behind the scenes at NYFW. I've long been privy to his next-level hair skills, and I'm incredibly happy to be back in his chair once again. He works in every color of the color wheel, but he's a self proclaimed Blonde Lover/Expert/God, and those are my people, so hair I am! I would behoove anyone with a scalp, and a pulse, to visit Christopher Brian Salon, sink into a luxe chair, and let one of its awesome stylists give you the change you're seeking! In a sea of talented professionals in the Capital Region hair game, Christopher Brian and his team are definitely top-tier!

I had my first balayage color and haircut with Chris. I am extremely low maintainence with my…read morehair... Chris colored and styled it in a way I can manage on a day to day basis. Prices are super reasonable... using the Yelp first time discount, I paid less than $150 for the balayage, hair cut and blowout. The salon is beautiful and clean -- a perfect addition to downtown troy.

I'm in town visiting family and realized how bad I needed a trim! Was able to book with Maura for…read morenext day and so glad I got to come in for a cut. 5 stars across the board - super cute salon, lots of parking, and great service. Maura was super friendly and gave me exactly what I asked for. Would definitely come back, was a perfect trim/shampoo/blowdry. Thank you Maura! Love my haircut so so much :)

I've been going to Bob for the last 6 months and he is amazing! I get a haircut and color from him…read moreand he kills it every single time. I get a pixie cut and have a ton of cowlicks which has been a challenge from past stylists, not for Bob! He has made me look gorgeous every single time. Thanks Bob, you're the best!

Went to Shalyn for a cut and highlights today from a Groupon. First time at this salon for me…read more She took her time, did a great job and I love both my cut and my color! She's a sweet lady! Thanks Shalyn!

Went to shalyn for a cut a full highlight off groupon...it was $56 although she did a $200-300…read morejob!!!! I am VERY pleased with her work. Bruno who i learned is the owner mentored/assisted briefly (which i was happy with) but everyone has to start somewhere and im telling you for i having my hair done at salons past 20 years she has a bright career ahead of her

Years ago, I decided to see if I could find the best hair stylist in the Albany, NY area. I…read moresearched reviews, I asked friends and customers of mine, I went deep down the Google rabbit hole, and I ended up learning about this stylist named "Katie" everyone was raving about. Armed with this solid lead, I found examples of her work online, and my eyebrows went up in surprise. This was NYC Master Stylist-level work I was seeing. She couldn't really be in Albany, could she? So, obviously, I scheduled a haircut with her. She cut my hair, it looked incredible, and then, almost immediately, the pandemic hit and I stopped going out into public. That haircut grew out untouched for THREE YEARS and still managed to look incredible. Wow. During that first haircut, I learned from Katie that she had just signed the lease to open her own salon. Flash-forward to 2023, and The Alchemists Salon is Katie's masterpiece. She crafted every aspect of the salon directly from her own personal style (which is incredible, btw...wait until you see the bathroom wallpaper), and she has surrounded herself with other stylists who meet her incredibly high standards, which is not an easy task. I can personally attest to the level of talent inside that salon, because every friend I've referred (and I've referred many) has walked out of there with the best haircut of their life, and every single one of them has seen a different stylist, not just Katie. Wow again. As for the salon itself, the place is a dream, the stylists are a dream, and the added icing on an already fabulous cake is that the products are a non-toxic dream, too. During my last haircut (the newest best haircut of my life), Katie gave me a sample of some natural magic pink goop in a unique, refillable glass bottle. It's made out of bananas and other natural ingredients, smells like heaven (not bananas), and tamed my impossible hair without making it crunchy. Need I say it again? Wow. This is a salon for kind, open-hearted folks, the kind of people who passionately love and support their fellow human beings regardless of any differences. If you don't fit that description, this isn't going to be the right place for you. If you DO fit that description (and are ready for a rockin' haircut), welcome home.

Hannah is amazing! Not only is she really cool, but she's also great at what she does. I can give…read moreher something super specific or extremely vague and she always delivers. I'm always getting compliments on my hair, and I couldn't recommend her more.

I can't say enough great things about Penny Williams & her hair salon…read more Penny's been doing my extensions for years now, and I can't imagine letting anyone else even touch my hair! As soon as you walk in you feel the creative ambiance. The atmosphere and decor of the salon is inspiring within itself. Above all, it's the expertise, and genuine passion that makes Penny and her salon so brilliant. I naturally have short, curly and very challenging hair. Penny is literally able to transform my hair with extensions. The way she is able to blend my own hair with extension hair is simply amazing. Penny is a master stylist & it's very apparent in her work. Penny's passion for her business is another reason she's a notch above the rest. She genuinely cares about her clients and their satisfaction. I once got a cut I wasn't thrilled with-Penny took the time to rearrange her schedule and fit me in on one of her days off to ensure I was happy. She goes above and beyond and I can't imagine being with anyone else!

I am beyond amazed by this salon. Penny and Tonya are miracle workers, and made me feel alive…read moreagain. My hair tangles into huge boulders of knots, and in two hours, almost all the knots are gone. I have made two wonderful new friends, and am blown away by their dedication, and sweetness to me as l was struggling with a very complex hair issue. They definitely put the customer first, because they CARE, about your well being. They are top notch master stylists and they do exceptional life changing results to your hair, and your peace of mind. Words alone cannot express how grateful l am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to both of you. Much Appreciation.. Davida Chuckrow

Love this salon! Friendly and talented staff. The salon is clean. I'd definitely recommend.read more

Actually ZERO stars. I would not recommend to anyone. The hair dresser simply refused to do what I…read morehave been doing to my hair for 20 years. I go back and forth often from my brown to blonde hair however this young girl was wasting an hour of my time (both appointments) explaining to me why my hair would not go blonde. She would not highlight my hair unless I did it HER WAY which starting cost $310 and I did not want what she suggested, I went there knowing exactly what I wante. I simply went to another salon the next day and got exactly what I was asking for and for exactly what I expected to pay. This first two times i visited this salon my hair color was terrible, they do not know what they are doing and they are very snobby. The vibe is uncomfortable because of the snobby know it all behavio.

Best salon! I've been a customer for over 13 years. They do a phenomenal job! The owner Marie runs…read morea great business with super talented stylists. She sends them to classes and trainings so they are always staying up to date on the latest trends and techniques. They have top of line products. You always get quality products and tools for use on your hair. Lissa has been doing my hair now for years and she is amazing. Always get what I'm looking for and she is so personable and friendly. Eslana does a great job as well! She has done my hair when Lissa has been traveling or booked up. You really can't go wrong with anyone here. I come up from NYC to get my hair done. I've been doing that for over 10 years and it's because they are amazing at what they do. Only place I've trusted with my hair for over 13 years.

I am always asked "WHO DOES YOUR HAIR?" Soooo many compliments thanks to Gina who has been doing my…read morehair since VIVID open its doors. I usually let Gina decide what cut/highlights to do because I know when I leave I will look fantastic! Thank you Gina and Vivid for 10 years of excellence!

I saw all the great reviews for this place so I booked the appointment to get my hair cut and it…read morewasn't great. I feel like the girl that cut my hair didn't really take interest in me and it seemed like she was forcing herself to listen and respond also she left patches of long hair in my hair as well as when I asked for bangs she didn't even them out like my right side bangs are thicker and chunkier where as the left side thinner and less bangs. I was not happy.

Awesome color...professional and friendly!I highly recommend this salon to anyone looking for the…read more"best".Sarah Monroe did my hair and is a sweet, down to earth, and very talented, young woman... I feel very happy that I found the salon as I just moved to the area