TAYLOR MONROE LOWER HAIGHT

Actually came here to pull the address for my next appointment, but had to leave a review based on the most recent one I saw. Benji is absolutely meticulous with color. I’m likely a difficult client; I go in with inspo pics of perfectly styled hair with what I want, then tell him I’ll likely not be back for 6-8 months and maybe will curl it twice during that time. He’s always able to work with that and somehow make my hair look fresh for such long periods of time (both cut and color grow out so nicely, minus my new grey friends 🥲). He’s truly an artist and on top of that just a genuine and nice person. I never want to invalidate someone’s experience, but just can’t imagine that’s really what happened.

Benji is the best colorist/stylist I've ever been to in my life! I've never had a stylist explain and educate me on my hair color and what would look best on me like he has. His attention to detail and his personality is why I keep coming back every 4 weeks. He's like therapy/coaching/laughs/sass all wrapped into one. He always knows how to make me feel like a million bucks when I leave the salon!! If you want the best salon experience in town you won't be disappointed with Benji!

As a 58 yr old woman it’s nice to be noticed. Thanks to Benji I get compliments on my hair ALL the time! We’ve been on quite the hair journey since 2021, playing with a variety of shades of red. I’ve been loving being a redhead. I am 95% grey, which I have found is not easy to achieve perfect coverage. Benji’s got me! I appreciate his excellent communication skills. He listens intently and asks a lot of clarifying questions to be sure that we’re on the same page. He exceeds my expectations and I feel genuinely cared for in his hands. He’s a sweetheart and so fun and easy to chat with during my services.

I want to start off by saying this was my first “big girl” haircut, and was supposed to be something very enjoyable and excited for me. Benji ruined it for me with a stain of visceral Islamophobia that has left me jarred. I was provided the most degrading treatment I have ever experienced from a business owner, especially as a hijabi Muslim woman. After I had already come in and received a haircut, I told the owner I was unhappy with the cut and explained that I was told I would receive a complimentary bang trim to help even it out. At that point, he suddenly labeled me “aggressive” in order to refuse providing the bang trim. He claimed he thought I was dangerous and implied I might come in and “do who knows what” because I requested a female hairdresser and a more private area of the salon if possible. He repeatedly cut me off, threw multiple micro aggressions at me, and showed a complete lack of cultural and business competency. This occurred after he had already taken my money. I was initially provided service without issue. Once it became clear that I wear hijab and asserted my right to a service that was explicitly offered, I was treated with suspicion and denied service. His behavior was viscerally discriminatory and Islamophobic. On top of this, he promised product samples, failed to communicate this to his staff, and did not even come into work on the day of my appointment. As a result, no one knew what had been discussed, and nothing that was promised was provided. Labeling a Muslim woman as “aggressive” to justify refusing service after payment is indicative of a scamming and immoral owner.

I was a regular client years ago at Oxenrose under Charles, and I'm so happy that Benji has continued its legacy of highly personalized, stylized, quality cuts with Taylor-Monroe. There is a reason this well established business survived the pandemic: the individualized care one receives from a stylist who is willing to take the time to get it right. Benji was ready for me even though I showed up ten minutes early; he sat me down, gave me some organic tea, and spent at least 15 minutes going over exactly what I wanted, referencing pictures of me with previous cuts. Benji is the epitome of a professional. He gave me a great cut with layering and razor cutting, brought up the length to get all the damaged ends off, and even threw in an extra service at a highly reduced price as a courtesy. He wasn't greedy; he told me how to do some color touch ups at home on my own between cuts - a task that any other hair stylist would have at minimum required a visit or else overcharged for. I did not feel pressured to return (but I will,) and he even gave me great life advice beyond that for my hair. The cut lasted longer than an hour; he didn't rush, and he took the time to style it with a flat iron (which normally burns my fine hair, but he knew how to manage the heat settings.) I left happy. Benji takes the time to get to know the whole person, one's lifestyle, and how much time and ability one has to reproduce the salon look at home before even starting on a cut. I was highly impressed with Benji's authenticity, physicality (it's not an easy job to cut hair), and artistic abilities. He's kind and smart, and he gives a great cut. You get what you pay for and more with Benji and Taylor-Monroe.