Stylebox Salon
Photos by Curt Saunders for Black-Owned Brooklyn
“While all women have some experiences of being dissatisfied when it comes to their beauty routines, I think Black women get the real short end of the stick,” says Stephanie Louis, owner of Stylebox Salon. Her “full service salonbar” specializes in care and styling for all people and hair types — but it was built with Black women first in mind.
A graphic designer turned beauty guru, Stephanie, 36, opened Stylebox in 2017 and offers everything you could ask for in a salon experience. Relaxing atmosphere and clean, fresh design. Warm, generous hospitality. Skillful stylists who understand your hair and can do it all. Dryers paired with sleek, comfy recliners and Netflix. Your drink of choice, from coffees to cocktails (and they never let your glass stay empty). Healthy, beautiful style results. And truly, amazingly reasonable prices.
“We wanted to create a spa-like experience, but one where you can hang out with friends and put your feet up while you’re getting a great service,” Stephanie says. Y’all. Stylebox is the salon of your dreams.
“ We want to know what you like, we want to know who you are, and we really care how you feel.”
When you walk into Stylebox Salon, you’re met with a big smile and a personalized lightbox sign welcoming you by name. (The first time Cynthia went there, she was greeted at the door by not one, not two, but three smiling Black women!)
“What makes us stand out above other salons is our customer service,” says Stephanie, who also does all of the brand’s charming graphic design and marketing. “We want you to leave with a great hairstyle; that’s important. But we also want you to know we appreciate that you chose us and came here. We want to know what you like, we want to know who you are, and we really care how you feel.” This approach shines in the carefully considered details at Stylebox. Their friendly, knowledgeable team of stylists takes the time to assess your unique hair needs, while cozy leather seats, endless mimosas (or bellinis or teas or whatever you like), and fresh flowers have you feeling pampered from beginning to end.
Before going to Stylebox Salon for ourselves, we sent over four friends — all with different hair types — to check it out. Everybody came out looking and feeling great for around $75. “While we were created from the perspective of a Black woman’s needs, anybody that walks into the door we can serve,” says Stephanie. “And, as long as it takes your hair’s health into account, we can do any possible thing.”
That’s not hyperbole; the Stylebox team does it all: twist-outs and rod sets, blowouts, cuts, loc maintenance, all methods of coloring, extensions, buzzcuts, relaxers, beard/mustache trims and more. “I think one of the biggest issues in this industry is that a lot of stylists think you are ingratiated to them,” Stephanie says. “But I cannot have anyone work here who doesn’t get that they are in service to the person who they are styling, and that their only job is to make you look good and to make you happy.”
651 Bergen Street, 718-673-6767, styleboxsalon.co
