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.

Valerie is an amazing stylist, she pays attention to detail and is passionate about getting your…read moredesired result! She is on point with blonde highlights and keeps a log on the precise ways to keep it consistent with every visit. I could never trust my hair with anyone else.

If I could give this salon a minus 5 I would. Check out the dates on any of her good reviews. Some…read moreare 9 years old. I first went to her because I just had to have the front of my hair and bangs cut . I was coming home from a doctor appt , did a search, called and she told me to come over. She did a nice job on the cut, although she completely soaked my shirt. When it came time to get highlights I called Val and made an appointment. I have been to many of the upscale salons and have never paid over $185 before tip. I get a fine blonde highlight. It seems every time I love my stylist they have babies and quit, health issues and leave or relocate . I told Val that I wanted fine blonde hi-lights that would blend with the start of my grey/ white hair. My natural hair color is dirty blonde. She asked how much I wanted to spend and she said she could only do a quarter highlight for that price. I never paid that much for a quarter but she assured me it would look great and I was already there. The first thing she did was cover up the grey temples which I didn't even know she was doing and I never asked for it. She proceeded to finish the highlighting and cut. When she was finished the cut was nice but the highlights were very brassy. She bleached but uses no toner or super conditioner. She told me I could call her next week and come back and have it done lighter if I got home and wasn't happy. I called and made another appt fo a fix. She was pleasant enough and we shared stories about our Siamese cats. It was lighter but the brassy spots were still brassy. She offered to do a quick updo for me and I said ok. She started teasing and spraying my hair and put a hair clamp in the back. I hated it as it was too messy for my style so when I got home I took it down and noticed that the hair clamp she had put in my hair was filthy. Gross! I am a simple person. I use a good shampoo and conditioner for colored lifted hair and let it naturally dry. I may use a curling iron or blower perhaps once a month at most. Stylists have always complimented me on how healthy my hair was. I have been getting hi-lights 2x a year for the past 30 years. After about a month I realized that my hair was looking odd. That's when I realized that that all the blonde hair had broken off! Now I was thankful that it was only a quarter of a head she did because all the parts that had the lighter blonde from the second visit were all short and ratty. However that annoying brassy piece in the front was still ther. I'm assuming because it didn't get bleached twice. When I play this much money in this area, I expect salon services. A soft drink or water offered, waterproof robes, and a pleasant experience. Bottom line is she ruined my shoulder length hair by leaving me with ratty 3-4 inch pieces on the top and surrounding my entire face. I have no alternative except to wait till it grows out which will probably be a couple of years. Valerie may have been good at one time, but the products or lack of, are sub standard. She owns her own shop so there is no reason for the poor quality of product and services. Again , minus stars.

The worst hair cut i ever had My friend and i went to get a hair cut He had no idea what he was…read moredoing came out of there both of us were so disappointed Payed $80 +tip Never be back again

Do yourself a favor and let Asad give you a haircut. Move fast before Manhattan starts calling his…read morename. Most professional, through and through, haircut and hair salon I have been to in the Schenectady area, and believe me, I've been to them all. Asad was I think the tenth hair stylist I had tried here. I just came out of my, maybe sixth or seventh haircut with him. He listens very hard before the process begins. Best listener. He's willing to look at pictures. He really, really knows what he's doing, from analysis to cut to styling (omg the styling, if only I could do that). He is friendly, but he's fine with long silences, and so am I. Never was a fan of the forced chit chat some hair stylists put me through. He's always pleasant; never intrusive. And the more you go to the salon, the more you appreciate his appreciation of all the arts. Always interesting music playing. Always an art exhibit on offer. I first went there on a whim, because it's close, the parking is super easy and I liked the name of the place. What's cool was that they offered a tiered system, so you could pay one end of the scale for someone with less experience, up different grades to master, which is Asad, who owns and runs the place. I don't know if they still do this. Asad is very green and uses Aveda and similar products. His product knowledge is deep. I'm thrilled that I found this salon.

Fantastic Sams of Latham is a well run hair salon. The location is spotless. The staff is…read morefriendly and go out of their way to make clients feel welcomed. Alda is an outstanding hairstylist. The haircut she recommended to me receives so many compliments. Alda takes her time to provide a precision haircut and style. I receive a quality cut that flatters my face and makes me feel confident. I cannot thank Alda enough. She is truly a talented beautician!

Veronica was very friendly and very willing to do what you wanted. I would recommend her to others…read more I have gone to this business for several years.

I've been going to Allusions for 20 years. The staff is very knowledgeable and courteous. The…read moreowner Kathy Freeman really cares for her clients and her staff. While Kathy was out of work, I went to Marta and she did an amazing job on my cut and color. Others services that I have had there are eyebrow waxing, pedicure and manicure. All services were exceptional.

Kathy and her staff were great. It's a no frills place. Don't expect it to feel like a spa, but the…read moreknowledge and expertise make up for that I wanted a body wave but wasn't sure if that was a good idea for my fine short hair. I set up a consultation with Kathy and she took her time examining my hair and asking what I wanted. She fit me in the same day. I love it!!! She even took the time to show me how to style it. She didn't push products on me. Asked me to go home and try the products I had! Told me to come on for advice anytime. She was lovely. My hair feels healthier after a perm. It looks perfectly beach wavy, just what I was going for!!

I had a wonderful stylist Kate She left to move away. She left specific instructions as to what she…read morehad been doing. The salon, who obviously could care less about their clients changed computer systems and didn't bother printing out what Kate had so specifically left as instructions to the new stylist. They lost all their records (hard to believe) they couldn't even look back at the past billings to get a clue as to what I was having done. I really liked the new stylist, so it was no fault of hers. But I won't be back. I was told it would cost less for a lower level stylist. it was more! Probably because I didn't get the same treatments. I won't be back. At $300 a visit, I can find someone and Grit and Grace can clearly afford to lose me And hopefully the rest of Kate's clientele. She moved to Nashville, so following her is not an option

The team at grit and grace is terrific. Anytime I have had a hair appointment the staff has…read morewelcomed me as soon as I enter. Appointments are kept right one-time and if is great to see the team at the salon working together. Great stylists, wonderful atmosphere, and plenty of parking.

I have been going to Marla for at least 3 years now and for good reason! She is one of the most…read moreexperienced and talented hair stylists I have ever met and she works with you to achieve your envisioned look. Marla is very dedicated and spends a ton of time and attention during each of her appointments and is knowledgeable on a lot of hair techniques that I knew nothing about! Before coming to Marla I had never had my hair dyed before but she made the process so easy and we were able to transition to fun colors over the years such as purple, magenta, pinks and oranges! I have never left disappointed from Marla and I will not trust my hair with anyone else. You're paying for quality and experience when you go to her and she knows exactly how to handle different styles of hair, and will talk with you about suggestions and alternatives in the case that something might be better. Absolutely love Marla and her bubbly personality - super passionate hair stylist who is exceptional at what she does and it definitely shows in what she does! I'll be coming back here until (and if) I ever move out of the north east area!

I have gone to Marla in the past and she specializes in textured hair. My hair is a stick straight…read moreas it gets so I am not necessarily her ideal client, but when I went to her, it was an amazing cut. My daughters, however, have textured hair and I wanted to treat one of my daughters to a cut from Marla because she is going on a very special trip and I wanted her to feel beautiful. Marla does not disappoint. I have included a picture of my daughter before her cut, sitting in the chair, and after the cut. I wanted her to feel beautiful & the new cut is helping her to feel that way.

WHEN: Tuesday @ noon…read more I made an appointment with Shannon a month prior. The salon wasn't that busy at the time. Shannon and Alexandria staff are so welcoming. The salon is beautiful and big inside and outside. COVID PROTOCOL People who are vaccinated don't need to wear a mask inside the salon. There are different areas for hair/ makeup, nail area, facial/lashes/waxing area room. The salon was very clean. our nail technical sanitize and clean the mani/pedi areas after. SERVICE Excellent service! Shannon our nail technician and has been doing my family's nails for many years. We had to go back to Shannon for my nails to a special event. Shannon did an excellent job filing/ smoothing my callus, cuticles, nails. It did not hurt one bit. I've gone to many nail salons in California and I haven't encounter a technician whose as good as Shannon. She's very good with different types of nails, ANC, gel, regular polish, you name it she can do it. She's also very creative w nail art designs and give recommendations to nail colors for designs. I did both mani and pedi. Both regular polish. It took about 1.5hrs. Shannon was very thorough with the French mani w a twist design, she freehanded the nail tip which was impressive!! Shannon also does lashes, facials, waxing, bridal makeup, etc. I'm going back to her for a lash lift before I travel back home.

I love Alexandrias! Alex and Britney traveled to Saratoga Springs for my wedding day and I…read morecouldn't not have been more thankful. Not only did they make the whole morning relaxed by perfectly timing the day but they were fun to have around and made everyone feel so calm! I would recommend them to anyone. Most of my bridesmaids live downstate and have even asked if they'd travel (which they would!) Thanks again ladies! I'm forever grateful xo

I have always had a great experience with this spa. Chelsea is a great aesthetician and I love my…read morefacials. I recently went into purchase skin care and they had one of my products but not the other. I always like to buy local so when they offered to order the other product I was happy. I pre paid for my product and they said it would take about a week to get. I had to call two weeks later and it still had not come in. They were very suspicious saying " it is not their policy to accept prepayment for orders" which really made me uncomfortable. They said they needed to check with someone who orders products. Two more weeks go buy and I had not been contacted. I stopped into see the status and the product was on the shelf. Again the person was suspicious like I was trying to get a product for free or something. I would not have pre paid if I knew this was going to be a hassle. The gals who took my order initially were very pleasant so it was not all bad. I also understand that there are people out there who would try to get something for free.

I posted before, with a pic of the amazing job Dakota did on my hair. (Thanks again Becca for…read moregetting me in, you're awesome!) I just wanted to post how good it looks after 4 months.