So I have very very tight, frizzy, puffy, curly hair, the hispanic (dominican) kind and it takes me about 2 hours to straighten my hair, including blow dry and flat ironing. I woke up one morning with the intention to go to the city with my roommate but she was leaving in 30 min and I couldn't go with her because I had to do my hair. I was so tired of not being able to go somewhere when I wanted to because I had to do my hair. I finally decided that enough is enough, I will not be a slave to my hair. I decided to get the brazilian blowout. I came on this site to find salons with good ratings since I didn't have a recommendation and that's how I found Shampoo Avenue B. The price was pretty steep but i've read horror stories about women that have tried to go cheap and ended up ruining their hair and scalp because of a knockoff versions of the product or an untrained stylist. Because of this I decided that $300+ wasn't so bad if it would guarantee they were using good products and a 100% trained, experienced professional. I called to make an appointment, explained my situation to the receptionist and she set me up with Sylyse since hes good with highly textured hair. When I first got there she offered me a drink while I waited. First off, the salon has some interesting art and it is squeaky clean. When Sylyse got there he examined my hair and gave me a price. Then, right before I was about to wash my hair he explained everything that he was about to do and he was very honest about what the process wouldn't do -it won't make your hair perfectly straight if you have curls like mine, it just takes out the frizz and loosens the curls a bit. Anyway during the entire process he was very professional, he made me feel comfortable and I trusted that he knew exactly what he was doing. The brazilian blowout I had done did have formaldehyde in it ( I was told when I asked). The other kind doesn't have any in it but it's for that very fine type of hair that would benefit from it. Since my hair is much more frizz prone and harder to manage, it would be better to use the formaldehyde formula and i'm ok with that. I had no eye burning, no lung pain, no breathing problems. Sylyse even warned me to close my eyes and handed me a towel to cover my nose if I needed to but honestly it wasn't bad at all. It did smell kinda funky but that's about it. Anyway, I love my hair!!! I can't wait to wash it and see how my curls will turn out! Sylyse was very patient with my insane hair and he took his time with it, which I really appreciate. He didn't look flustered or get frustrated like other stylists have, he knew what he was doing and he was confident, which made me trust him and feel happy and comfortable. I'm so happy with my hair that i'm going back to him to get a haircut and whatever else I need. If he can tame this wild head of mine, he can do anything. read more

I hate to do this, I rarely write reviews, ESP negative ones. I used to love this place. I love my hairdresser he is amazing and this is no reflection on him. But this salon is insane with their cancellation policy. If you cancel your appointment they will charge your card the full amount!!! I spent the last day and a half arguing with them to reverse the charge. Now I didn't cancel for no reason... I am 6 months pregnant and woke up very sick the morning of my appointment. I had horrible pressure in my uterus, I could barely walk, I was peeing blood and vomiting shortly after the symptoms began. So I was in no shape to travel from SI to the salon. The salon doesn't open until 11am- god forbid they answer the phone 5 mins before then, since I was ringing them since 8am. I informed my hairdresser that I was too sick to come in and he was more then understanding. Finally got a call from the salon which they showed zero sympathy and let me know I would still have to pay the full fee of my service. I was displeased with that since that's bullshit to charge a customer when they have a medicinal emergency. The receptionist said she had to check with the owner about refunding me. They never called me back and I had to keep calling them seeking an update and got no response. Then was left on hold to be told that whoever could decide this had left for the day. They called me back the next afternoon, while I was sitting in a radiology office dying of pain getting multiple tests on myself and my baby- to be told the best they could do was not charge me next time- I was still displeased. I should not have to fucking explain myself and the details of my illness or my unborn child's status to them or anyone else. I understand they are running a business but they need to understand that this is life and shit happens! People get sick, they get into accidents, etc. This is a service business and customer service should be the number one priority. Not getting $80 from a sick pregnant woman. They gave zero fucks that I was 6 months pregnant and unable to leave my house. Finally the charged was reversed after I had to scream my head off in the doctors office on the phone to the manager, but I should not have had to deal with this. Who doesn't have sympathy for a pregnant woman? It's disgusting that I had to be aggravated and stressed by them when I am in the state I am in. Unfortunately I will not be returning there. read more

I made an appointment with Shampoo Ave B after reading some of the reviews on Yelp and other websites. This was the first time in my life I was going to a non-Hispanic salon to get my herr did. I was running late to my 12p appointment with Sylus. The trains were running like crap because it was the weekend. I had to transfer to the J train but the train station was closed....not cool. So I ended up taking a cab across town. I walk into the shop with little breath in my lungs, running because the cab left me far and I was already late. I mention my appointment, and the manager let me know that Sylus had slept in. o_O all of my rushing was for naught. But, they assured me they can have someone get started on my single-process dye job. So enter, Danny. Danny was very knowledgeable and has about 23 years of hair styling experience. Danny is tall and thin with a great head of hair, so I trusted he'd know what to do. He said he loves working on long hair, and trust me, I have tons of it. So, Big points. I chose my shade of red and let him begin. I was offered a beverage, a wide array of options, but I chose water. After application, and one hell of a wash job (the best cranial massage by Naomi - a very sweet girl, and someone you'd love to grab a beer with after hours). I got a very nice, sophisticated long layer done by Danny. It really looked great. The only issue was that the color didn't take on the ends. However, the effect it left was like a gradient and look faboo. I didn't really care about the details, but I felt I should ask why it didn't take. As soon as I asked how come it hadn't colored all my hair, they asked me if I didn't like it, what would it take to make me happy, etc. Truth be told, I loved it. I just thought it'd look a little different. Because it was my birthday and the result was not as I had anticipated (but I reiterate I love, love, loved it), they only charged me for the cut (80) and half off the dye (50). Which was very generous and I appreciate it immensely. They even let me go with a complimentary pair of shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. Because Shampoo's customer service, the overall friendliness and care, professionalism, etc. are all the more reasons for me to come back again and again. I recommend this salon to anyone looking for a quality job for a reasonable price. Trust me YOU WANT TO GO HERE! read more

I decided to visit Shampoo after reading all of the great reviews on here and now I am back to add my voice to the chorus ...Janaan rocks! In the five years I have lived here, I have had my hair cut at many different salons, but I have to say that my experience at Shampoo was simply the best. I came running into the salon for my appt. on a hot Sunday afternoon with an unruly mess of shaggy grown out layers mixed with a half head of faded highlights. Janaan sat me down (and got me a cold iced water...whew) and we talked about what I wanted cut and color wise. I told her that I wanted an edgy cut and some high impact color. At other salons I have often asked for edgy and got "pretty, pretty" or "meh", but not here. First she did a great inky blue black color that really made my green eyes pop, and then she expertly cut my hair into the perfect edgy bob that both made a nod to my skater girl roots, but at the same time was completely modern and versatile. I love how I can wear it in so many ways from sleek & soft, to slicked back, to faux-hawked and it always looks great. Many of the other commenters have mentioned that her cuts are "head turning" and it is so true! When I left the salon, people were literally running into light poles and trash cans to get a look at my hair. At first I thought I was just trippin' but then I saw a guy on the subway who couldn't get his pen to work, and when I offered him mine he complemented my hair and gave me his phone number (I'm married but it was flattering nonetheless lol.) So anyway, if you are looking for a great atmosphere and high impact hair that WILL get you noticed, go to Shampoo...you won't be disappointed. In fact, I am sadly moving across country next month and I am planning to fly back to the city intermittently just so she can cut my hair. Yep, she is THAT good. :) read more

I have very long, curly wild hair and I needed someone who could handle my mane. I went in for a consultation and spoke to Sylyse. He is their curly hair genius. I have blond hair with some greys and had been getting highlights with a single process to cover the greys. Every single place I went made my hair a coppery color advising me I could not do an ashy blond to cover grey hair. Since all of Hollywood is blond i just didnt believe this. Sylyse told me he would not do the single process and would recommend heavy highlights (also saving me cash by not doing a single process on top of highlights). I have to admit I didnt fully trust him, but really wanted to move away from the copper base color. He got out all these hair swatches and told me what he would do. i booked the appointment, still not sure about not using a single process and let him know if I saw grey hairs I would be back to fix it. Well, that was probably 3 years ago and Sylyse is the only person who can touch my hair! No one has ever colored my hair without using the double process of highlights and single process since I was over 30 (when greys started popping up). The man is a genius. I have recommended my friend who is even more picky about her hair than me and she has sent him more friends. I will not go to anyone else. i always tell him I want him to make me look youthful, as my hair grows fast and can get heavy. He always gives me a perfect color and cut. First found the salon because it is around the corner from my apartment and they had a groupon promotion. I am so glad I tried them out. I think you will be too. Oh and this place offers you a beer while you're getting coiffed. how cool is that? i've been to Warren Tricomi, Sally Hershberger, and other top salons- they all made me copper. Sylyse fixed their mess and made me one happy customer. read more

I booked an appointment through lifebooker for half head highlights, and a cut. the price was in the 60's range, which seemed hard to beat! I have been going to the same stylist for 20 years, and it was definitely a huge leap for me, but i was ready for something new, so i took a leap of faith. After looking through their websites and reviews, i decided to go with Amelia. best decision of my life. she was friendly and immediately made you feel as if you've known her for years. she listened to what i wanted, and executed it beautifully. I ended up wanting a second process of purple on the highlights to complement my black hair, and she added it to the final price. I have very girly hair - straight with layers, but decided to go for an edgy choppy layered 'do. Ask amelia, and you shall receive! The moment i left the salon, i was complimented on my walk to my car. The moment I got home, my boyfriend tells me its the best hair cut he's seen me get, hands down. the color she chose was not only beautiful at the moment, but she let me know what it would fade to - i didnt have to touch them up for almost 5 months and the color faded from blue to purple to hot pink. (color was WILDFLOWER) the only reason i am giving it 4 stars is because after my appointment, amelia regrets to inform me that she is moving to kentucky, and will be traveling to NY for a week each month - and because of this move and the fact that shes a superb stylist and colorist, all lifebooker deals are not applicable. this means a retouch on highlights, 2nd color process, and a cut, plus tips, came out to over 275... but you know what? 275 twice a year to have hair this amazing, its not a bad thing. you definitely get what you pay for. trust me, ask for AMELIA! read more

Let me begin by saying that I've box dyed my hair black for years. I somehow thought I'd want that color forever but little did I know, I'd be left years later with the damages to correct. I've seen Shampoo Avenue B around the neighborhood but I never knew anything about it. It wasn't until I was desperately searching for a place to fix my hair that I found Shampoo Avenue B, and Amanda. Now let me just say... Amanda turned my mess of a hair into a beautiful color that I never thought my hair could reach [because of the black hair dye]. However, she made it happen. She corrected by red-toned roots and then did a balayage on my hair. This was the first time I'd ever gone to a hair salon to color my hair and Amanda made it 100% worth it. From the consultation, to my appointment the day after, she was determined to bring life to my hair color. She has an engaging and outgoing personality that kept me hopeful throughout the whole process. She turned my dull black hair into a beautiful brown color with warm, golden colors. Amanda definitely had some work to do with my hair but she somehow managed to create the perfect color that I wanted. Not to mention, she gave me an amazing blowout! Now, I seriously can't wait to go back and go lighter and lighter because I 100% trust Amanda with my hair. I recommend her to anyone looking to do anything to their hair. From color correcting to balayage to hair cuts, to blowouts, and more. You can even see it on her Instagram, @amanda_does_my_hair She truly knows what she's doing. And she has the passion. Thank you thank you thank you, Amanda. Here are some before and after photos of my hair. read more

'Twas two days before my big 3-0, and the darkness of my roots were overtaking the blonde of my hair. My *trusty* stylist, whom I relied on for nearly two years, played me like a mouse. Never to fear, I took to Yelp and was delighted when I saw Amelia moved to Shampoo. She had done a fabulous job of cutting my thick, crazy-directional bangs and I got a really great vibe from her. I walked in wanting a chance but admit I felt slightly hesitant, since color can be very tricky, and let's face it, doing big changes with someone who has never done color on your hair is scary (even if they did make you look like you got a new haircut just from bangs!). But Amelia was sensitive to that fear, and helped explain to me my options (which was really important since I'm getting married next year!). Basically, normally I'd get a single process with highlights and I guess my stylist was doing some shortcutting on my hair. Amelia showed me the light. She went in and meticulously covered through my hair to turn blotchy & messy color into beautiful, more natural looking highlights. I still had the blonde but it was much better blended so that grow-outs will be less painful. I had a feeling she'd be great but she really blew away my expectations. I am receiving non-stop compliments on my hair - the color, the bangs and the styling! You can tell hair is her passion, and she takes it, and her clients, very serious. I call her the 'Hair doctor' because she rescued my hair. She's not only amazing at hair, she's professional and a great person. And all that my friends, is priceless. Happy hair! read more

WARNING: This used to be my neighborhood salon. I had an appointment booked and was not made aware of their cancellation fee when I booked the appointment over the phone. Never once did anyone tell me that there was a $80 fee for cancellations. I woke up with a fever and called to reschedule my appointment. I was left on hold for 15 minutes and upon telling the owner that I was unable to attend due to feeling extremely sick and asked if I could reschedule, he was entirely insensitive and charged me $80 for a hair cut I did not receive. I begged him to offer an exception but he refused with no compassion whatsoever. It is called human kindness and this I did not receive at Shampoo Ave B. I chose to trust this salon after hearing a few haircut horror stories from friends in the neighborhood, but definitely no more. Be aware if you choose to make an appointment, but I suggest choosing a salon that treats their customers with decency. As you can see based upon the owners rude response to my review where he misquotes me and appears to belittle my being sick, he also says that they tell all their customers this policy over the phone, which they did not do in my case. Also, I believe they have charged me more than the price of a haircut. This is absurd and as is evident by other Yelp reviews of a similar nature for this salon, including one woman who had a death in the family and Shampoo Ave B insisted that she bring in a death certificate, and yet she was still charged the cancellation fee, this is clearly a scam of large scale proportions. read more