NYC gals....can you recommend a good hair stylist/colorist...please

[cdt1101]

Not sure if this is the correct place to put this, but I was wondering if anyone in the NYC area can recommend a really good hair stylist/colorist. But, not something that''s going to break the bank either. I''m tired of my current color/style, would like to a new look.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TCBug]

Three suggestions here. . . but like anything in NYC, they may break the bank. Call for a quote!

(1) Oscar Blandi (don''t book with Oscar himself or you will really pay. I had a cut there from Rachel. It was pricey -- $125-- but great) www.oscarblandi.com 746 Madison (212) 988-9404 -- really close to Graff and other fabulous jewelers, as I recall.

(2) Oscar BOND (NOT a typo, this is how I ended up at #1 in the first place. I made a mistake.) Oscar BOND is in SoHo (212) 334-3777. I''ve never been there but my stylist from the midwest knows him and tried to refer me when I ended up at Oscar Blandi''s place (where I got a GREAT cut-- but pricey); and

(3) Bumble and Bumble Institute -- probably the best bet. I think it''s at 146 E. 56th Street. (212) 521-6500. Again, a suggestion from my midwest stylist.

 

[cdt1101]

Thanks TCBug! I''ll give them a call and find out about pricing.

 

[CrownJewel]

The tough part of finding a hairstylist in NY is all the trial and error it takes to find your "mane" stylist (sorry, cheesy i know). It depends on your own style, and your hair type. I''m Chinese and currently have very long, thin hair. It took me four years and some near baldness to find my favorite stylist. I tried cheap and I tried ridiculously expensive. I even thought that going to an expensive Japanese salon would be the answer because they should know how to handle Asian hair.

Anyway, I ended up at Bumble and Bumble with Eric (at the downtown location). He''s wonderful and just knows what I want my hair to look like. I think he charges around $91 for a cut. Luckily my hair is very healthy and I only need to get it cut twice a year. Eric is a great match for me because I like to get several inches off at a time, and his cuts are so well done that the layers grow out perfectly. I''m super low maintenance and Eric tailored my cut to the fact that I refuse to do anything more than shampoo and air dry my hair, and that I only see him twice a year. It''s wonderful because my hair looks styled even though I don''t do anything to it.

So all that said, I''m not sure if your situation is like mine. I don''t color my hair, but I know Eric has many clients that do. Even if you don''t go with Eric, I believe the stylists at Bumble and Bumble are trained to cut according to lifestyle. During your consultation, you must tell them if you are willing to spend time styling your hair. If you ask, they will teach you how to do your hair so that it looks like the way they styled it.

 

[cdt1101]

CrownJewel thanks for the reply! I have curly hair, but not super curly. I do wear it straight however on a fairly regular basis ( I tend to mix it up). So I''m used to spending time on my hair! And I do color as well.

Since you both suggested it, I''ll give Bumble and Bumble a call and start there. Thanks for the response!

P.S. I hope I don''t come out BALD!!!!

 

[CrownJewel]

haha. don''t worry, you won''t come out bald at bumble. i asked my stylist if he''s ever had to do a "redo" and he said that he did once. i can''t remember bumble''s policy, but maybe if you really hate it, they might be able to "redo" for free. but i really don''t know.

when you call up, make sure you say that you want someone who is really great with curly hair. the receptionists are great that way. the first time i called, i told them i wanted someone who was young, hip and edgy...and that''s how i came to find eric!

btw, the time i almost came out bald was during my college "cheap" years. i had a very short haircut (kind of like a boy) and i went to this guy who specialized in women''s short haircuts. we were discussing his ads at columbia university, and he got angry that the ad cost him so much but didn''t get him many columbia students. he just kept yelling and cutting, and yelling and took out the buzz cutter and yelling and buzzing and yelling and cutting and meanwhile, i was just petrified of what he was doing to the back of my hair. it ended up about 1/2 an inch long in the back and 1 inch long on the rest of my head. that''s pretty close to bald!

 

[diamondfan]

I know about Blandi, Fekkai and I know there are others too, but in NY price is a factor. Going with a more junior stylist would save money. I would go to the salon and scope out the clients coming out of the chair of the person they refer you to. Mentioning you have curly hair is a must too, you would be surprised how many stylists are NOT great with it. I have thick curly hair that is almost to my shoulder blades when dried straight. I also color it. And I have had some AWFUL hair experiences in my time...so try to get a look see at the person''s handiwork before sitting in the chair, and be very clear about what you want and bring pictures if you can.

 

[cdt1101]

diamondfan - It''s EXTREMELY frustrating that there are so few stylist out there that can handle curly hair! I''m always surprised. I think I complicate thing because I''m always looking for a style that not only looks great straight, but also great curly.

I''m willing to shell out the money, if it''s worth it in the end, I just fear I''m going to spend a lot of money for a sh*tty cut/color! That would suck.

CrownJewel - that''s a funny story! I''m sure not funny at the time, but I hope you can laugh about it now. Question....is Eric in the downtown or uptown location?

Thanks again ladies!

 

[velvetfist]

I have a hard time finding stylists as well, b/c my hair is so straight, that if i don''t get a perfect haircut, it''s obvious that there are ''holes'' in the layering, etc. My friends all went to a stylist named Colette, and for years recc''ed her, but I was attached to someone else. Anyway, after being annoyed at my stylist''s repeated lateness (i''d show up and be waiting over an hour), I finally went to Colette and I love her!!!

She''s very precise, and also a master stylist, and also travels to teach other stylists on hair trends... she''s very nice, and, doesn''t cost a typical NYC master stylist price. A cut is around $100, and you get a great head massage, and they actually called me once to tell me she was running 10 minutes late. Guy''s haircuts cost a little less, and once my ex picked me up at the salon... he watched my haircut being finished... and he was so impressed with her, he switched to her ever since. He used to wear baseball caps all the time, b/c with his old cut he''d have to put tons of gel in, but now his hair looks great! She really works with your hair, and is a master of all cuts and styles.

Colette, at Mingle Salon (few doors down from the Penninsula Hotel in midtown)
(212) 459-3320

Try her, you''ll love her!

 

[CrownJewel]

Date: 11/14/2006 9:11:59 AM
Author: cdt1101
diamondfan - It's EXTREMELY frustrating that there are so few stylist out there that can handle curly hair! I'm always surprised. I think I complicate thing because I'm always looking for a style that not only looks great straight, but also great curly.


I'm willing to shell out the money, if it's worth it in the end, I just fear I'm going to spend a lot of money for a sh*tty cut/color! That would suck.


CrownJewel - that's a funny story! I'm sure not funny at the time, but I hope you can laugh about it now. Question....is Eric in the downtown or uptown location?


Thanks again ladies!

cdt, Eric is at the downtown location. I think there's only one Eric in all of Bumble(surprisingly). And please make sure you mention that have curly hair, and want a stylist who is experienced with curly hair. They have TONS of stylists there, so if they say Eric is not the guy for your hair type, there will be others who will be a good fit for you. They are all trained to work with your lifestyle (high or low maintenance). I wish you luck!! I'm due for a cut soon...I'll ask Eric if he's seen any diamond-wearing curly haired women lately!!! I'll bring in a photo of your ring and say, "well, this is all I know about her." Haha.