I have to give you some background for this review. My husband and I have been together since my step-daughter, L, was 18 mos old. After a long and winding road, things are becoming fairly cooperative between the parental figures. L is 5 and had only ever had 2 minor trims so her ends were toast and she was asking for a cut. After reading reviews on this site, I all but insisted that she be taken to see Brian. Her mother, B, wasn't keen on the idea but she agreed and booked the appointment... a month later, we bring L to meet her at the salon.
Although other reviews led me to believe that he was charming, Brian's demeanor rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and I can hardly explain why. It was this air of superiority and perhaps the fact that he did not bother to rise from his seat to greet us. THE most disappointing part... Brian had talked down to B when she said something about not wanting L to look like a poodle, saying that was what shape was for. We gave him a length that we were looking for and he asked if we wanted option A or B on the cut itself. I asked him what he thought and he stated that he does not make those decisions. Yes, but you're the expert. Yes I am, but it's not my hair or my kid. At this point Hubby speaks up and says we want to know what YOU think. He flat out refused to say. I told him that was the REASON we came to him, because I found him from reading reviews on his experience with curly hair. Instead of giving an answer, he diverted to "So you found me on naturallycurly.com. We get a lot of referrals from there. Ask me tomorrow when I get to see it without mousse and hairspray. But even now, I'd say it's "Okay".... nothing spectacular and certainly not worth the grief. And irony of all ironies? No shape.
Reviewed on: 27.03.13
Stylist: BRIAN
When I saw how everyone here raved about Brian at Avalon, I figured they must be on to something. They were right! Brian gave me the best haircut I've had in years. The salon is nice in a normal unpretentious way. Ive had bad experiences at trendy overpriced salons, where stylists with asymmetrical hot pink hair try and talk me into a cut that isn't flattering or they insist on straightening it. Not with Brian. I knew I was in good hands when I was greeted by Brian and the very friendly staff, and noticed Brian himself is the owner of cute strawberry blond 3B curls. It's nice to have a fellow curly person know exactly what you're talking about. And this guy knows his stuff! Unlike most hair stylists I've been to, he took the time to talk about my hair, how often I cut it, how I style it, and what products I use. He doesn't just start snipping away, I was very impressed. All curly people have horror stories about asking for something like just a trim, and leaving with a hacked off pouf. With Brian, I got just what I asked for. I have shoulder length 3B hair, and wanted the dead ends trimmed and layers freshened up. He's got a talented eye for doing layers just right, my hair had a great shape and was full and swingy. Hair skills AND he's a genuinely friendly, likeable guy to boot! Also pleasantly surprised to find how reasonably priced it was, most cuts within a $30-45 range I think, though I'd gladly pay $100, he's that good. If you live anywhere in the Hampton Roads area, it's well worth it to make a trip to Avalon.
Reviewed on: 02.03.13
Stylist: BRIAN
Brian was amazing!!! I was a little apprehensive about going to a non African American stylist to cut my hair but after the experience I had, I threw caution to the wind and decided to try Brian out since I had read so many great reviews on him. Prior to Brian, I had a really bad haircut. The person had cut the middle of my hair shorter than the rest of my hair and I had these really odd layers so I decided to Big Chop again to get things going on a more even note. He gave me the cutest tapered TWA. I was unsure initially because I cut off a lot of hair but everyone loves it! He and his staff were the best, they made me feel at home and I really enjoyed the experience.
Reviewed on: 04.03.12
Stylist: BRIAN
Brian is the best stylist I have been to. For about 3 years I have been trying to find someone that could do a good job on my hair. He cut my hair perfectly-- the curls are defined, not frizzy, and layered just right. He listened carefully to what I wanted and made it look even better than I hoped. He was also very helpful in informing me about the best way to take care of my hair.
Reviewed on: 23.01.12
Stylist: BRIAN
Brian himself has well-maintained type 3 hair. He doesn't strictly follow the CG method, but he is very knowledgeable about silicones, sulfates, and other things affecting curly hair. Everyone at the salon was very friendly to me. I'm giving Brian a 4 because my hair ended up being a little more frizzy than I would have liked, but he cut it well and I was able to style it the way I like when I got home. The best part? He wasn't pushy at all. He didn't insist on taking off more of my length than I wanted, he didn't push any products, and he didn't pressure me to make another appointment.
Reviewed on: 12.11.11
Stylist: Bryan
Bryan does wonders with my curls. He does an excellent trim (won't CUT unless specifically asked to) and makes recommendations on products. He takes his time and explains what he is doing to make sure that it's something that can be duplicated at home. He discusses in detail the specific benefit of each product and doesn't try to sell you only what's stocked in his store. I've never had an appointment where I was waiting to see him or where someone else was waiting while I was. He is very aware of schedules and takes an effort to make you feel as if you are the only client in the world. I am so happy that I found him!
Reviewed on: 30.12.10
Stylist: Brian
Sorry but Brian doesn't have the true curly hair technique when it comes to cut and color. Natural curly hair requires a special technique when highlighting too. Didn't find it here.
Reviewed on: 06.12.10
Stylist: Brian
The man is WONDERFUL. I am having a hard time putting into words how great my hair looks. After he got done working his magic, I just could not believe my eyes. It is the first time in years that I have left a salon and not gone home to rewash and style my hair. I made a followup appointment before leaving, another first in years.
Reviewed on: 20.09.09
Stylist: Brian
I have been going to this salon for about 2 years after finding it on NatCurly.com and I have to say thatBrian is the very BEST!! He has curly hair himself so he is very familiar with the craziness of going and staying curly. His clients always look fabulous when they leave his chair. He is funny and very patient. More importantly he can REALLY do anything with curly hair. He leaves us looking like we have movie star hair that we can actually keep up with ourselves!! I really can't say enough about him! Short of moving FAR away he will be my sylist for life. My hair is eternaly grateful for having found this gem of a stylist. THANK YOU BRIAN for always making me feel and look beautiful!!(Let me just say that that is no easy task either)
Reviewed on: 09.12.08
Stylist: Bryan
Bryan is great - I just found him after searching this website. He gave me a fabulous haircut. Thank you, Bryan!!
Reviewed on: 05.03.08
Stylist: BRIAN
BRIAN BRIAN BRIAN WILL YOU MARRY ME. That's what I said to Brian after he finished my do. I am biracial and could never find anyone to do my hair. I literally had not had my hair done in 9 years because everywhere I went they didnt know how to do it. All I wanted was my hair blow dried straight and I had had it done enough times to know that it is supposed to be like silk when it's done but no one in 9 years seemed to know how to do it. Then I saw Avalon listed here on Naturallycurly.com and gave them a try and Brian hooked my doo up! If you have biracial curly hair and want that silky straight look without chemicals and crap in your hair, look no further than Brian at Avalon.
P.S. Brian answered my proposal, "I have a husband already girl!" :-D I LOVE IT!
Reviewed on: 28.02.07
Stylist: Bryan
I have been going to Bryan for more years than I can count (12?) - back before he opened Avalon. He has been with me through long, VERY long, medium and short styles and has always made my hair look great. I am looking forward to another change when I go in 2 weeks. I would definitely recommend him, but he is VERY busy, so plan on booking 3 weeks out!
Reviewed on: 27.07.06
Stylist: Mark
Mark was really patient and gave me a great cut and wonderful, natural highlights. Also, his price is pretty reasonable by New York standards - $65 for the cut and about $120 for the highlights. The salon is laid back, friendly and not intimidating.
Reviewed on: 02.03.06
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Stylist: BRIAN
I have to give you some background for this review. My husband and I have been together since my step-daughter, L, was 18 mos old. After a long and winding road, things are becoming fairly cooperative between the parental figures. L is 5 and had only ever had 2 minor trims so her ends were toast and she was asking for a cut. After reading reviews on this site, I all but insisted that she be taken to see Brian. Her mother, B, wasn't keen on the idea but she agreed and booked the appointment... a month later, we bring L to meet her at the salon. Although other reviews led me to believe that he was charming, Brian's demeanor rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and I can hardly explain why. It was this air of superiority and perhaps the fact that he did not bother to rise from his seat to greet us. THE most disappointing part... Brian had talked down to B when she said something about not wanting L to look like a poodle, saying that was what shape was for. We gave him a length that we were looking for and he asked if we wanted option A or B on the cut itself. I asked him what he thought and he stated that he does not make those decisions. Yes, but you're the expert. Yes I am, but it's not my hair or my kid. At this point Hubby speaks up and says we want to know what YOU think. He flat out refused to say. I told him that was the REASON we came to him, because I found him from reading reviews on his experience with curly hair. Instead of giving an answer, he diverted to "So you found me on naturallycurly.com. We get a lot of referrals from there. Ask me tomorrow when I get to see it without mousse and hairspray. But even now, I'd say it's "Okay".... nothing spectacular and certainly not worth the grief. And irony of all ironies? No shape.
Reviewed on: 27.03.13
Stylist: BRIAN
When I saw how everyone here raved about Brian at Avalon, I figured they must be on to something. They were right! Brian gave me the best haircut I've had in years. The salon is nice in a normal unpretentious way. Ive had bad experiences at trendy overpriced salons, where stylists with asymmetrical hot pink hair try and talk me into a cut that isn't flattering or they insist on straightening it. Not with Brian. I knew I was in good hands when I was greeted by Brian and the very friendly staff, and noticed Brian himself is the owner of cute strawberry blond 3B curls. It's nice to have a fellow curly person know exactly what you're talking about. And this guy knows his stuff! Unlike most hair stylists I've been to, he took the time to talk about my hair, how often I cut it, how I style it, and what products I use. He doesn't just start snipping away, I was very impressed. All curly people have horror stories about asking for something like just a trim, and leaving with a hacked off pouf. With Brian, I got just what I asked for. I have shoulder length 3B hair, and wanted the dead ends trimmed and layers freshened up. He's got a talented eye for doing layers just right, my hair had a great shape and was full and swingy. Hair skills AND he's a genuinely friendly, likeable guy to boot! Also pleasantly surprised to find how reasonably priced it was, most cuts within a $30-45 range I think, though I'd gladly pay $100, he's that good. If you live anywhere in the Hampton Roads area, it's well worth it to make a trip to Avalon.
Reviewed on: 02.03.13
Stylist: BRIAN
Brian was amazing!!! I was a little apprehensive about going to a non African American stylist to cut my hair but after the experience I had, I threw caution to the wind and decided to try Brian out since I had read so many great reviews on him. Prior to Brian, I had a really bad haircut. The person had cut the middle of my hair shorter than the rest of my hair and I had these really odd layers so I decided to Big Chop again to get things going on a more even note. He gave me the cutest tapered TWA. I was unsure initially because I cut off a lot of hair but everyone loves it! He and his staff were the best, they made me feel at home and I really enjoyed the experience.
Reviewed on: 04.03.12
Stylist: BRIAN
Brian is the best stylist I have been to. For about 3 years I have been trying to find someone that could do a good job on my hair. He cut my hair perfectly-- the curls are defined, not frizzy, and layered just right. He listened carefully to what I wanted and made it look even better than I hoped. He was also very helpful in informing me about the best way to take care of my hair.
Reviewed on: 23.01.12
Stylist: BRIAN
Brian himself has well-maintained type 3 hair. He doesn't strictly follow the CG method, but he is very knowledgeable about silicones, sulfates, and other things affecting curly hair. Everyone at the salon was very friendly to me. I'm giving Brian a 4 because my hair ended up being a little more frizzy than I would have liked, but he cut it well and I was able to style it the way I like when I got home. The best part? He wasn't pushy at all. He didn't insist on taking off more of my length than I wanted, he didn't push any products, and he didn't pressure me to make another appointment.
Reviewed on: 12.11.11
Stylist: Bryan
Bryan does wonders with my curls. He does an excellent trim (won't CUT unless specifically asked to) and makes recommendations on products. He takes his time and explains what he is doing to make sure that it's something that can be duplicated at home. He discusses in detail the specific benefit of each product and doesn't try to sell you only what's stocked in his store. I've never had an appointment where I was waiting to see him or where someone else was waiting while I was. He is very aware of schedules and takes an effort to make you feel as if you are the only client in the world. I am so happy that I found him!
Reviewed on: 30.12.10
Stylist: Brian
Sorry but Brian doesn't have the true curly hair technique when it comes to cut and color. Natural curly hair requires a special technique when highlighting too. Didn't find it here.
Reviewed on: 06.12.10
Stylist: Brian
The man is WONDERFUL. I am having a hard time putting into words how great my hair looks. After he got done working his magic, I just could not believe my eyes. It is the first time in years that I have left a salon and not gone home to rewash and style my hair. I made a followup appointment before leaving, another first in years.
Reviewed on: 20.09.09
Stylist: Brian
I have been going to this salon for about 2 years after finding it on NatCurly.com and I have to say thatBrian is the very BEST!! He has curly hair himself so he is very familiar with the craziness of going and staying curly. His clients always look fabulous when they leave his chair. He is funny and very patient. More importantly he can REALLY do anything with curly hair. He leaves us looking like we have movie star hair that we can actually keep up with ourselves!! I really can't say enough about him! Short of moving FAR away he will be my sylist for life. My hair is eternaly grateful for having found this gem of a stylist. THANK YOU BRIAN for always making me feel and look beautiful!!(Let me just say that that is no easy task either)
Reviewed on: 09.12.08
Stylist: Bryan
Bryan is great - I just found him after searching this website. He gave me a fabulous haircut. Thank you, Bryan!!
Reviewed on: 05.03.08
Stylist: BRIAN
BRIAN BRIAN BRIAN WILL YOU MARRY ME. That's what I said to Brian after he finished my do. I am biracial and could never find anyone to do my hair. I literally had not had my hair done in 9 years because everywhere I went they didnt know how to do it. All I wanted was my hair blow dried straight and I had had it done enough times to know that it is supposed to be like silk when it's done but no one in 9 years seemed to know how to do it. Then I saw Avalon listed here on Naturallycurly.com and gave them a try and Brian hooked my doo up! If you have biracial curly hair and want that silky straight look without chemicals and crap in your hair, look no further than Brian at Avalon. P.S. Brian answered my proposal, "I have a husband already girl!" :-D I LOVE IT!
Reviewed on: 28.02.07
Stylist: Bryan
I have been going to Bryan for more years than I can count (12?) - back before he opened Avalon. He has been with me through long, VERY long, medium and short styles and has always made my hair look great. I am looking forward to another change when I go in 2 weeks. I would definitely recommend him, but he is VERY busy, so plan on booking 3 weeks out!
Reviewed on: 27.07.06
Stylist: Mark
Mark was really patient and gave me a great cut and wonderful, natural highlights. Also, his price is pretty reasonable by New York standards - $65 for the cut and about $120 for the highlights. The salon is laid back, friendly and not intimidating.
Reviewed on: 02.03.06