Balance Hair Studio

metal and rock music, lovable staff that’s very down the earth, retired pinup model hair stylist that knows it all… own is just a doll… the place looks incredible with the random art style. made me feel super comfortable. explain what i had in mind and like magic dolly did the impossible! highly recommend this if you looking for a look that’s not of the norm. there are some stylist that do normie hair but that’s not me… price wise it’s high but save enough and you will thank yourself later…

It was my first time going to Balance Hair Studio for a bang trim, and could tell even over the phone when booking the appointment, how warm and welcoming Carla and Balance is. (For some context, I have been living in North Jersey for about 8 years and commuting to Central Jersey for my hair cuts/color due to my stylist friend having cut/color my hair for over a decade now. I am extremely picky with salons and usually don't try any new ones. ) Even though I was getting a smaller service, the level of customer service from both Carla and Maggie, my stylist, was unmatched. They treat their clients like people, offering water and helpful product advice. Not only are the prices more than reasonable, they have been in the neighborhood for over a decade, and I can tell why. Even though I was only getting a bang trim, Maggie was meticulous about the detail, took great care and time to ensure that I liked the cut. I cannot stress enough if you are new to the area or just want stylists who care and listen to you, please ditch all of the overpriced, gentrified salons in Jersey City. Also props to their incredible playlist with Fugazi on it. I will be coming back again for sure 🙂

I really wanted to like this place and give it a higher review, but unfortunately I can't after my experience. My friend and I went to get our hair cut on Friday after she had a pleasant hair consultation. My friend had Dolly cut her hair and I had a stylist named Maggie. I did not know Maggie, because she isn't on the website and therefore was not expecting her to be my stylist. The reviews were good, so I was excited for my cut, and I had requested a shaggy wolf cut which they said was going to be 90 dollars. I had brought reference photos, as well as pictures of my hair when it's air dried to show the effect most cuts had on me. My hair is quite thick and has a habit of fluffing up naturally after air drying, so this is a cut I often like to get. So I thought this wouldn't be any different. I was wrong. The stylist, first and foremost, was incredibly rude. She made comments about how I didn't know how to style my hair (I work in medical, and mentioned that I don't have time to style my hair) and wasn't engaging with anything I had to say about my hair or otherwise. I had to join in the conversation my friend was having with Dolly, because my own stylist was hardly receptive. Majority of the time she spent bragging about her accomplishments and when she did ask me about myself or any interests, the response was often dry or disinterested. I interpreted this as just coincidence or just a bad day, so I didn't say anything. She cut my hair asymmetrically, which wasn't what I asked for. She also cut it much shorter in a lot of areas I was not expecting. The sight of it was overall quite jarring, as I had this cut before and it was very different. At the end of my hair cut, I was already skeptical, and the boss Carla even reassured me that it looked 'cute.' I accepted it despite my hesitance and the unusual style as being just my nerves. My friend's hair cut was incredible, so I thought my mentality was just skewed because I was comparing. I gave it a day, sat with it, and by the next day, I realized I was dissatisfied. I called, expressed my concerns, and they invited me in for a reconsideration that day. Again, Maggie was there, and treated me even more rude than before as though I had offended her for being unhappy. I had explained that the cut wasn't what I wanted, that I knew my hair and what was done to it was not even close to being worth a 90 dollar haircut. Maggie chalked it up to a "difference in opinion" and said that it was 'cute' and I didn't like it because I didn't style it. (Note: I had just gotten out of work when I came in for this. Which I stated previously, takes up most of my time.) I returned with the fact that it's not a matter of styling, it was a bad cut as I pointed out multiple examples of uneven strands and choppy layers. She asked me what I wanted to do about it, and I said I either wanted a refund or a different stylist to help me. Carla, the owner, came and said that there was nothing she could do and just gave me a voucher for a comped haircut. After this experience, I visited a friend of mine who knew a hairdresser who has been in the business for twelve years. This hairdresser was so appalled by the quality of my haircut that she showed her assistant and called it a 'lesson on what not to do' and apologized profusely before offering to fix it for me at a later date. I gave this place some credit only because of Dolly, who absolutely nailed my friend's hair. Otherwise, this place is not at all what it's expected nor advertised to be and I am sincerely disappointed.

I got a men's haircut from Maggie. She's good with the scissors and the clippers. The salon has a quirky, fun vibe, I highly recommend it!

Balance Hair Studio is a welcoming, and fun, space! Dolly has cut and styled my pre-teen, autistic son's hair many times. She is patient, kind, and an expert hair stylist. She puts my son at ease and her warmth and kindness makes his, and my, day!

Welcoming space. Great experience. Fabulous cut. We’d heard good things so took a chance and made an appointment here when my teen was ready for a new look. Carla hooked them up with a sweet butter*wolf cut that they LOVE. All along the way, she checked in to be sure they were feeling good re. length and where the cut was going and the (experience itself & the) end result was beyond expectation. A couple weeks out now and the cut’s a dream- shakes their head in the morning and ready to go, looking gorgeous & feeling good.. So grateful we landed here & will absolutely be back.

Love this place, Dolly is the best. I always walk away with a super edgey cut that gets tons of compliments! Queer friendly space.