Shag 86 — Attraction in Little Falls

I wanted to write this review to tell everyone not to go to Fritzi at Shag86 because she is so AMAZING that I try to keep her as my best kept secret for my hair. But I can’t be selfish anymore because I know she deserves all the praise and business in the world! So much so that I am ready to share my experience with her and just battle for a spot on her bookings if (and when) I need to!

I cannot stress enough how amazing my experience with Fritzi is at Shag86! I started going to Shag86 in the 8th grade (I’m 27 now) and have always had a great experience. However, when I moved away for college and then grad school in California, I was only able to come a couple of times a year when I would visit my family. Unfortunately, right before my grad school graduation I trusted someone in California to touch up the blonde hair that I had maintained for the last 8 years and my hair was ruined. I went to Fritzi for help the next time I was home and she completely transformed my hair (and that is honestly an understatement for the magic she worked). My hair went from being completely fried, bleached, barely hanging on to my curls, to being healthy and getting their bounce back (all while giving me a beautiful copper red)!

Now my hair grows long and super curly when I want to wear it natural, and healthy and shiny when I want to blow it out. I’ll never make the mistake of going somewhere else again. When she dyed my hair to copper, she tried telling me how she got my color just in case I had to go somewhere else while I was at home and not visiting my family here in NJ. I pretty much laughed in her face because I knew from then on that there would be no one better to trust with my hair… and that she unknowingly signed up for a client for the rest of her career.

Just take it from me - I now live in Maryland and when I need to touch up my color or get a trim, I make the 4 hour drive after work during prime commuting hours just to make it to an appointment with her. Love love love her. Fritzi if you end up reading this: you deserve all of the best karma for your hard work.

A special shout out to Mimi who is also awesome, friendly and does an awesome job alongside Fritzi!

(First picture is from today after my refresh, second with curly hair is a couple of weeks after and the blonde ones… you unfortunately already know...

I had a bridal emergency that was solved by the beautiful Maica Andrea! I had lined up a hairstylist for my wedding hair almost a year prior to the big day, but about 2 months out she had to drop out due to personal reasons. I totally understood but also was INTERNALLY PANICKING. Not only did I need a hairstylist that I trusted, but I also needed one that was willing to drive to the middle of nowhere (Damascus, PA) and also not completely break my bank (real girl problems).

SO my friend suggested her hairstylist, Maica. Let me tell you. this woman is just a goddess. Not only is she extremely talented, she is also meticulous, considerate, flexible, and so so SO pleasant to be around.

My sister gave me advice to make sure your beauty team on the day of had good vibes, because they are with you most of the morning and, since wedding mornings can be emotionally charged, you want them to bring you peace, not chaos. Honestly I could not have asked for a better person on that point, she was so sweet, she talked to me and said encouraging things, but also let me sit quietly and absorb the moment sometimes too. I honestly felt like we were in our own little world, I was zoned out and completely trusted her. She just kind of made our corner a warm, glowy place to relax.

Also on a logistical point, a key aspect of my hair situation was having roses pinned to my hair, even though it was down. Let me tell you, it rained, I danced, I hugged 150 people, then I danced some more, and those puppies did. not. budge. Also, did I mention it rained? And my wedding was outside? Let me tell you my hair is usually a frizzy mess in humidity, and although it didnt keep the fully perfected look Maica had put together, it kept the integrity of it the whole night. Which was amazing, because, I could have looked like a half drown poodle, instead of the careless whimsy that came about. It was magic. She is magic. I...

Mel has been doing my hair for quite some time now. She knows what I want for my hair without me even knowing what I want. My hair care is not something I take lightly, but with her, I feel free to let go and not even think about it. I give her the briefest explanation and at the end of the appointment, I have an entirely new ende of self confidence. My hair and I love and treasure this woman. I will continue to follow her wherever she goes. She has done my hair from cut to color to balayage to style to prom look try on. She will never cease to amaze me. My mom is the pickiest person on the planet when it comes to her hair. She has no idea what she wants when it comes to her hair and nails. Spoiler alert! I brought her to Mel and watched a new sense of confidence emerge from my mom. She loves short haircuts, pixie like cuts to be specific, but she has very curly hair which makes life so much more difficult. Mel is hands down my go to girl for hair and advice about my everyday life. I love her and will forever treasure her work. I’m used to simple haircuts, straight with maybe a face frame piece. She introduced me to long layers because I was nervous to have medium and I loved it so much that I went back earlier today to get more drastic layers put in. She put me out of my comfort zone because she makes sure to asks bunch of questions beforehand. She curates a look based off of words and inspiration pictures shown to her and picks and pulls elements to piece together a beautiful, new, personal custom look. Shag 86 is a beautiful and warm environment, has a friendly face waiting at the door and nice refreshments. Mel specially has such a flexible booking schedule that makes it so easy to make an appointment.

Overall, in...