Valerie Hair Studio in Latham, NY

Valerie is an amazing stylist, she pays attention to detail and is passionate about getting your desired 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 are 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.

I went here about 2 years ago and it was terrible. Valerie work on me and 2 or 3 other people at the same time - not good. Spent most of the day because of this and came out with an awful hair cut and worse highlights. Got the impression Valerie was trying to make as much money as she could in the one day to enjoy more days off.

I visited Valerie for the first time last week. She is AMAZING! Valerie asked the right questions and really listened to make sure I got the results I wanted. Ultimately, the cut and color turned out even better than I had hoped. I have gone to many salons in the area and I have never been this in love with my hair. Such a great experience. I can't wait to go back!

Valerie's Hair Salon has been in the same Route 7 Latham location for decades in a house owned by Val. She's changed the interior over the years but the quality of the services is always superior, fueled by constantly educating herself and her other hair professionals at Manhattan classes and seminars. When I was much younger I'd go to Valerie's only occasionally and be awed by the results I'd see. Now I've been going to Valerie's regularly for over ten years and it's always fun seeing her holiday decorations and listening to the changing musical selections. A hair salon should be a place of beauty AND comfort, where you feel at home. This salon is all that and Sue has been my miracle worker. She gave me the courage to go from drab slowly graying brunette to gradually glowing blonde and eventually having longer hair even though I was afraid at my age none of that would be a good idea. Well Sue has vision and after loving my own results while watching many many other people's hair cuts and color changes over my years going there, I'll stay a client and fan until Sue retires or Val closes up shop....I don't see those ageless untiring beauties doing that any time soon.