Shai Salon

Almost a year has passed since I first wandered in to Shai’s salon and I would rate the salon, and Shai’s skills as a hair stylist, color expert and cutter, even higher than I did before. The cuts are chic, stylish and easy to maintain. The color is perfection. His staff is friendly and you are made to feel comfortable the minute you walk through the door. After today’s cut and color I did some shopping on my way home and even got compliments from the supermarket staff. This is a first. There are many places in our neighborhood but Shai’s on Station Square is by far my favorite!

Shai is a master stylist ! I went in with a complete disaster created by a different stylist and Shai came to my rescue and made me look absolutely beautiful again. My self confidence is restored thanks to his extreme talents. There is no better stylist around and he is also the kindest and sweetest person you could hope to meet ! You do need to pay in cash but so worth it !!

Shai Salon is the best salon in Queens no doubt about it, Shai is a wonderful guy an hairstylist been doing it for many many years an hes a guy that you admire, someone that you learn from in this business good hearted love his workers they are great people and a great establishment for years. Shai also loves my mixes when he bumped it in the shop lol he has always given me pointers in life an i appreciate that my homie love you shai your the best hands down!

I came to this salon because I had purchased a Groupon, and my experience was pretty bad. (FYI, the hair stylists here rent out seats in the salon, and I’m pretty sure the only stylist who accepts the Groupon is Yuri.)
First off, it was difficult to even get a hold of Yuri. I must’ve called around 3x before he got back to me.
When I met Yuri, he seemed very rude and snotty. He talked very condescendingly about my hair — about how damaged he thought it was, about how I supposedly don’t take care of it, etc. He said he wouldn’t take me again unless I took better care of my hair and it is healthier next time.
Back to the Groupon — I ended up having to pay extra fees in cash. I think I even paid a little more with the combined Groupon and extra cash than I would have if I had walked in without any Groupon. While Yuri was explaining the extra fees to me, he seemed extremely annoyed, and his tone was as if I had been arguing with him about not paying the fee. I was nice about it from the beginning, and said I’d pay, and he was still having a hissy fit.
Side note: He wore a hat the entire time and I’m pretty sure there was nothing under it. Next time, I wouldn’t trust a hair stylist that was balding. Like they say, «Never trust a skinny chef.»
I showed him a picture of what I wanted and he kind of did it — he gave me a haircut that was halfway there, and you couldn’t really tell it had been cut much. He gave me highlights too and although I did say I wanted them subtle, you practically couldn’t see them, except for one small chunk of BANGS that got super highlighted. I didn’t even realize he was highlighting them, I thought he was just highlighting my non-​bangs hair. It came out looking kind of stupid.
I wasn’t the only one who thought he had an attitude. My friend came towards the end to see how my hair cut was going, and Yuri asked her where she got her hair dyed. When she told him she did it herself, he started talking bad about it and saying it could have been better. She told me after we left that it bothered her.
Once everything was finished, Yuri asked me a million times if I liked it. It was so awkward. Like just ask once and shut up. I felt like I was put in an awkward situation. What was I going to say? «No, I don’t like»? Because even though that was true, I have manners unlike him, and I didn’t want to be rude. Anyway, it’s not like he would’ve given me my money back or anything.
He tried getting me to buy this special mousse or I don’t even know what it was. He swore by it and said it’s not sold in the United States. And then he swore he wasn’t just trying to sell me stuff and that he really thought it would be a good product for me, but I’m pretty sure he was BSing me, and he knew what he was doing for him to have even said that.
The weirdest part is he invited me out to eat Nepalese or Malaysian food — something like that. I have no clue why he’d think I’d wanna hang out with him. I don’t know if he meant this as a date (which would be creepy since he’s probably about 2x my age) or if he was genuinely just looking for a friend, but it creeped me out a bit.
Anyway, DO NOT waste your time or money here. The Groupon is not worth it. Next time, I’d rather pay more and just go to a nicer salon.

Im obsesst with my hair and it’s very hard for me to let some one to touch it but when I go to this hair salon like a few months ago I fall in love with the place! Shay is definitely number one! Will go there again for sure!

Shai is the best! I’ve been going to him for over 12 years, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. His staff is amazing! They make you feel right at home, and are very professional

Shai is a artist and cuts and style s ur hair exactly what u want. Not to mention such a friendly dude! His staff are super nice and made me feel comfortable! Great experience!

Shai has been cutting my hair for a while, and I never left disappointed. I even tried other places, but I always end up coming back for him to fix what others did. He has a nice personality, and is always willing to listen — doesn’t impose a hair style like many other hairdressers I’ve been to.
Yes, they don’t have a receptionist like in the very expensive places, because even though the location is great, the place is not super expensive. Male haircut, and I like them funky, are $ 25 plus tips. The barber shops are usually $ 15, and those guys have no idea what they are doing.
Shai smokes, so if you are born again anti cigarette, well, you are not going to like it. I don’t smoke, and I don’t care — I’m there for 20 minutes anyway.
I’ll be there soon again

Love love love love love love love this place !!! It’s like a home and family here :)
Shai is friendly
Yury is friendly
Everyone is friendly :)
And thank you sooooooo much yury!!! You make my hair Alive again !!! I see a truly artist in you !!!
Thank you so so so so so so much !!! :)

My 14 yo daughter had waist length, thick hair and wanted a change for high school. She wanted to cute off about 6 inches so it still stayed long, a few long layers int eh front the shortest layer being about to her shoulder. I made an appointment with Shai who was very helpful and said we could come in that same day. When I got there I showed him that I had a Groupon and he said the Groupon was for the other stylist, not him. I told him that was ok and I would use the Groupon another time and he could cut my daughters hair. He said no it was ok, that the stylist who takes the Groupon was very good and could squeeze us in no problem.
My daughter showed the stylist a picture of what she wanted and I explained to him what she wanted, but what she got was not even close. He gave her choppy layers that at the back came to a point and short layers around her face just below her chin. My daughter told me it is more like a «scene hairstyle» with a lot of volume around the face and choppy layers that come to a point. Also she had thick thick hair and he over used an 8 tooth thinning shears and took so much out it was outrageous.
Not only that but the Groupon was for $ 24 and he told me I needed to pay $ 35 extra in cash because her hair was so thick.
When we got home my daughter hated it and I was able to clean it up and trim off the points and even out her hair to more of a blunt cut on the bottom so she no longer has this scene kind of hair. She is ok with it, but I am so sad for her that she doesn’t have anything close to what she wanted.
This place is fine if you want a specific style and something wacky or crazy. Other then that good luck.

Shai has been my hair stylist for years and I must say he is quite amazing. He is a rare authentic find in Forest Hills. He is very non-​commercial and super real! You not only get your hair cut here but you get treated as a whole person and walk out feeling great about yourself.
Shai has a unique approach to all his clients and treats each one as a whole person, I consider him not just my Stylist but also a friend. Everything from Shampoo, to Blow dry, to Highlights is done in the best, speediest, and most professional manner and his staff is also wonderful and most welcoming. The waiting room feels more relaxing than one’s living room and in the back there is even a manicure parlor, and you are free to entertain yourself with some good books and magazines while you wait, which is not long at all since Shai never rests between clients and is a very hard worker! Shai puts a lot of Love into his work and you walk out feeling like a Movie Star! Visiting Shai’s Salon is an all around awesome experience!

Came in a couple of minutes ago – I was a new client – and was grossly greeted by a lady named Lee. Her unfriendly demeanor and crude mannerisms forced me to turn around and take my business elsewhere. It’s unfortunate that Lee is the «face of the business» for new clients – especially since she is stationed right at the front of the salon. Poor business practice. I came to a salon nearby and was treated with kindness and professionalism.

After living in Forest Hills for 7 years. I finally went to the wonderful stylists at Shai’s Salon! I have an alternative hair style that I didn’t trust other salons in FoHi to accommodate. It’s a Mohawk/​Mullet style. Which, if done poorly is a disaster, and double disaster, as I’m a chic. I used to travel to Williamsburg to a great salon, but the travel time for me was a pain, so I hadn’t gotten my hair cut in about 9 months. My hair had grown out to about a Bob length once again.
I took in some photos and about 30 minutes later Shai went to work. He took time and looked over my hair and let me know how high he was going to start the «hawk» part of the hair, in addition to how short he was going to buzz my hair. About 30 minutes later, I had myself a badass Mohawk that I could style multiple ways. He goes in with a straight razor and makes the style sharp and clean, though still feminine. I’ve been going regularly and he added some nice detail touches with each visit. The other staff and stylists are sweet and take great care in making you comfortable.
A note for anyone who is short on time, or needs a haircut/​process that take hours, Sundays may not work well. I don’t think they keep books and though they will give you an approximate time to arrive. They always give a warm welcome and check in with you as you wait. They can be very busy from the afternoon until they close on Sundays. I’ve had instances where I needed to wait about 45 minutes while they caught up on the queue. It’s not a deal breaker to me, since Sundays are my lazy day and I live in same building as the salon. Also, it is a cash only business, so just a heads up!
;tldr — All in all a wonderful Salon with very reasonable prices for a short haircut on a chic. Staff is warm and makes you feel welcome. Sundays can be pretty busy so be mindful if it’s your first time going in! Cash only, with reasonable prices!

I had my hair highlighted, cut and styled today by Shai and I cannot say enough great things about my experience and the final results! I met with Shai for a consultation yesterday, and he was very nice and answered all of my questions.
Both Shai and his assistant made me feel so welcome and made me feel like I was the only customer in the salon, because of the constant attention I received. I am so happy with my highlights and the long layers that Shai gave me, my hair looks so much more healthy and has much more volume. Shai’s assistant did a great job blow drying my hair!
Throughout the whole experience, Shai and his assistant were so nice, and its clear that Shai genuinely cares about his customers, and does not try to just sell you products or treatments to make money.
I will definitely be going back, and will recommend Shai to others! Thank you Shai!

I started going to Shai15 years ago after a series of bad haircuts everywhere else. I moved from Queens to Manhattan 10 years ago and have continued going back every two weeks! He’s just that good!
I wear my hair short which is easy to mess up. Shai is particularly good at shaping cuts to compliment the shape of your face.
I highly recommend him!

Relatively new to shai… ive stopped by three times so far for highlights and a cut. Shai is great– professional and an artist. Love his style so much I now have my husband going there as well. We’d give him ten stars (five each) if we could!

Mario!!! I love my hair :) thank you for taking the time to listen and understand what I wanted :) it came out awesome!!!

I bought a groupon and gotten marina the hair stylist. She overbooked herself. After waiting for almost 3 hrs for single process and a cut, I finally left. She colored my hair, said it will take 45 mins for the color to work. An hour and 15 mins later she got me to the sink to rinse and condition. She told me she just had to take care of another customer. Another hour later still sitting at the sink with wet hair I noticed she was foiling another customer! I told her and the owner this is ridicolous! All I got was sorry, busy! They all watch me towel and blow dry my own hair. There were other hair stylist just standing around. They could have helped out but they didn’t. Aweful aweful service! Marina got her money ahead of time that’s why she didn’t really care! There were no resolution from both Marina and the owner!

Mario gave me the best hair cut I’ve ever had! So I’ve had boring below shoulder length curly hair that I refuse to pamper. But primarily, hair that I had damaged by constant rebounding and straightening. So I went short, and boy! I’m told I look a whole lot younger. The biggest boon is that I don’t have to worry about the hair anymore. Just wash and ready to do. Touchwood! I haven’t had a single bad hair day since the cut. The only flip side for me is that it was way over my budget ($ 60) and unfortunately it would be difficult to go there too often. But I’m glad I did go here.
P.S: Also, it’s located in the prettiest part of Forest Hills.

What a pleasant surprise you will find hidden in the scaffolding shadows of Forest Hills! In more recent reviews, I had found a hair salon that I decided to call my forever salon, however, I think this is a strong contender.
I was looking for something walking distance, so i searched Unilocal and Shai Salon just called to me. They do not have a website, but do not let that deter you. I called at maybe 3PM on a Wednesday and they told me to come on down after work at 6:30PM the same day. How accommodating, right? Shai is fantastic from his energy to his skill. My hair was extremely long and dead and really need to be brought back to life. He himself hoped I’d be keeping my length (which you never hear from a hairdresser), but after feeling it, we both knew it had to go. However, overall my length remains pretty long with various layers and a chic side bang, that was all his idea! The whole process was very speedy and pleasant. My total for the cut/​style & blow dry was $ 65.
Only complaint is they do not take cash and without a website it is impossible to know that prior, so come prepared!