Biba Isla™️ — Local services in New Orleans

I visited Biba and her wonderful salon in January at the beginning of this year. I meant to write a review months ago, but life got in the way. However, I will never forgot the fantastic service and treatment I received at Biba's place of business. After all she and her staff did for me, I owe it to them to leave a positive review. So here it goes...

I was visiting New Orleans for the Wizard World Convention being held downtown in early 2016. I am very much in to cosplay and was attending this con as the Black Widow from the Marvel Universe. On Saturday, I was going to meet my all time favorite actor Jeremy Renner as the Black Widow, and I wanted my hair and makeup to be fantastic!! The fleek-est of fleek! I did some research and after some time spent searching online I knew that Biba's salon was the place for me. There was only one snag: I had to be at a Marvel panel at 11am on Saturday, and the salon opened at 10am. There just simply wasn't enough time beforehand. Immediately after the panel was my scheduled meet and greet with Renner so I would have no time to leave, get my hair and makeup done, then return in time to see him. The timing of it all was terrible, but I decided to take a chance and still touch base with Biba to see if there was anything she could do. After a talking a bit about what I wanted done, I mentioned my time constraints. Maybe I shouldn't be telling the whole internet this because I fear of setting a precedence, but Biba graciously (and without a hint of persuasion from me) agreed to arrive early at her salon so that I would be on time for everything! If that wasn't amazing enough, her makeup artist-who's name escapes me I'm afraid- also agreed to start her work day early to make me beautiful. I was blown away. It is a rare thing to find such consideration and customer service now a days, especially with such a bizarre situation as mine.

Now on to the actual salon visit...

Biba is a fantastic hair stylist! She is friendly, chatty (but not overbearing), and comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Listening to her talk about the history of New Orleans and her time there was entertainment enough; no need to idly chat about the weather. Her salon is beautiful, immaculate, and modern while maintaining that old, traditional "Nah-lens" feel. hehe While I wasn't in the market for product at the time, the lines she carries are top notch and of the highest of quality. I loved every single product she used in my hair. I was so happy with the end results (soft and loose curls) that I almost left right then and there, forgetting about getting my makeup done. The makeup artist Biba works with is nothing if not a skilled professional. She knows her trade like the back of her hand, and while she was well trained in all the 'new' fads- such as contouring and highlighting-she knows the principles of good makeup design like very few do! She mixes and blends airbrushed foundations that are customized to your skin tone. She took my awkward and un-educated requests for a smokey eye with grace and ran with it, putting her own amazing twist on it. I came out looking exactly what I hoped for but not at all what I was expecting. I almost cried with how beautiful my reflection looked at the end of the appointment. That's how brilliant this salon is!

Through all this, I hadn't changed into my costume yet. It was hot, uncomfortable and just plain awkward outside of the convention so I waited until the last possible minute to put everything on. I was self-conscious to say the least. I meekly told Biba and her other employees to "not laugh at me" when I came out of the bathroom as the Black Widow. Not only were they polite and accepting, they were excited and enthusiastic. Such an unexpected response left me on cloud nine. When I met Renner later that day he commented on how beautiful I looked. #lifemade

Thanks Biba! You made my dreams come true!!

Very positive and uplifting environment. I have curly fine hair with some curls not as curly as others. Biba explained and taught me some simple skills that will help my hair stay curly with the volume I prefer while living in our humid environment. I loved my entire visit with her and natural flow of conversation along with learning how to get my hair looking healthy again. The hot tea on a rainy day was another plus. I liked the products she used and bought some to take home. She made sure I understood how to use them; and its a plus that you really don't need to use much of the product as the quality can go a long way. Im happy I found Biba on yelp and noticed all the excellent reviews; bc, now I have finally found the right stylist for me to see on a...

Biba works magic with hair, though it’s really her experience and talent which makes it seem like magic. I’ve been a repeat client for a few years now. Complete strangers have complimented my hair, from the guy in the grocery store parking lot a few days after the hair cut (there’s no awkward just-after-haircut stage for me with Biba’s cuts) to someone telling me when I’m months and months overdue for a cut, “great haircut!” I love that part of Biba’s philosophy is to cut for the moment and also for growing out. Besides the high quality service which includes Biba taking time and care with my hair, spending the time with Biba during my haircuts is lovely. She’s interesting and authentic.  I’ve recommended her to both friends and guests at the...