Finding a salon and a hairstylist you trust is no easy task. Similarly to dating, you have to play the field a bit, get together a couple of times, weigh your options, and ultimately decide whether they're worth settling down for. It's exhausting, but once you meet the one, there's no turning back. In fact, one 2013 survey found that British women's relationships with their hairstylists last, on average, longer than their marriages. Oof.
For those Big Apple go-getters still single in the salon department (or for those casual daters finally looking to make things official), we're here to play matchmaker. We asked our beauty editors (who have some of the best hair in the biz) for their favorite salons across New York City, as well as their go-to stylists and colorists.
Check out the list ahead (some salons were so nice, they were even called out twice). Hopefully, you're prepared for a long-term, loving, and committed relationship, because that's what you're going to get with these reccs. Here's to love, health, happiness, and really, really great hair.
Cost: Haircuts, $100 and up; blowouts, $85 and up; updos, $150 and up; event styling, $475 and up
Recommended stylist: Teddi Cranford
"One look inside the intimate, by-appointment-only space (there are only three chairs) created by celebrity hairstylist Teddi Cranford, and you'll assume cuts are going for the same price as a designer bag. Not the case; they start at $100." — Alix Tunell, senior beauty editor at Refinery29
Photo: Courtesy of White Rose Collective.
Cost: Haircuts, $90 and up; treatments, $50 and up; braiding, $50 and up
Recommended stylist: Nunzio Saviano
Recommended colorist: Stephanie Brown
"I used to have serious salon-phobia, which is not good in my line of work! After way too many bad haircuts, I finally found Nunzio Saviano two years ago — and I've never looked back. He gives me the definition of a good haircut. He never cuts too much or too little, and it always grows out perfectly.
"I see Stephanie Brown for my color. Her specialty is doing really natural-looking highlights, so I only have to go in twice a year. I pick her brain via email way more than that, though. She has the best natural-beauty tips — she's always telling me about hair masks I can make at home or the beauty benefits of honey. She's truly an artist.
"They are truly a dream team. You know you've found a good pairing when people ask you months after you've had your hair done where you go." — Sue Williamson, beauty and style writer at Teen Vogue
Photo: Courtesy of Nunzio Saviano.
Cost: Haircuts, $100 and up; color, $95 and up
Recommended stylist: Anthony Dickey
"When I first moved to New York City (and after recently going natural), my main concern was one that plagues a number of Black women relocating to a new area: Where the heck am I going to get my hair done?! Any woman's relationship with their hairstylist is sacred, but for Black women, it's especially weighted — mostly because not many stylists know how to properly care for Black hair, especially naturally curly texture. Trust and comfort are key, and these are two components I'd tack on to describe Hair Rules (one doesn't go just anywhere for their big chop).
"Maybe it's because the ladies working at the salon have enviable and beautiful natural hair themselves, maybe it's the stylists' ability to walk me through each and every step (from the wash bowl to the chair), maybe it's the fact that I'm never left sitting around for hours at a time (a common happening in Black salons), but Hair Rules immediately felt like home the minute I stepped into it. It also helps that the founder Anthony Dickey is a walking hair encyclopedia and a wizard with scissors." — Taylor Bryant, beauty news editor at Refinery29
Photo: Courtesy of Hair Rules.
Cost: Treatments, $40 and up; natural-hair sets, $65 and up; braided styles, $50 and up; color, $45 and up; weaves, $75 and up; loc styles, $25 and up
Recommended stylist: Anta Fall
"My first visit to Khamit Kinks was back in 2012. While I've since relocated outside of the city, there is no other salon in the five boroughs that I trust to care for my curls. It's the premier salon in Brooklyn (dare I say, New York City) for natural hair care and styling. I am greeted with hospitality and professionalism from the moment I walk through the door. And, unlike many Black hair salons, I've never experienced a long wait because efficiency is non-negotiable.
"I would recommend Anta Fall for kinky-haired ladies who are fans of two-strand twists and textured hair extensions. She has a quiet disposition, but she means business. Her eye for detail is impeccable — no sloppy work!" — Dana Oliver, beauty director at Yahoo Beauty
Photo: Courtesy of Khamit Kinks.
Cost: Haircuts, $65 and up; color, $50 and up; extensions, $250 and up; blowouts, $45 and up
Recommended stylists: Jon Reyman, Clay Nielsen, Jay Braff
"Soho salon Spoke & Weal (which also has locations in L.A. and San Francisco) has some of the best hair talent in the city. Founder Jon Reyman is an absolute master with the shears — which makes sense, since he is a mainstay at Fashion Week and former artistic director of Aveda's stylist academy. I started seeing Jon about two years ago and haven't looked back since. His technique involves giving hair a straight blowout at the start of the cut, so he can see the exact shape, length, and grow-out. This is followed by a relaxing scalp massage with an Aveda oil, followed by a wash. What I love best is the collaboration aspect — Jon and all of the stylists take the time to sit down with you, hear what you are looking for, make suggestions, and then create the most kick-ass cut you've ever had. And some pretty interesting conversations.
"As an added bonus, he'll also teach you how to style your hair as he's working — I just got some great new pointers on creating waves with a flat iron. This way, you don't experience the whole 'never being able to style your hair right post-salon visit' thing.
"If you can't see Jon (he's based on the West Coast, but makes trips to NYC every six weeks or so), I can also personally vouch for the scissor skills of Clay Nielsen (one of R29's go-to stylists for our hair photo shoots) and Jay Braff. If you're the type who likes to experiment and try new things with your hair, I can't recommend it more wholeheartedly." — Megan McIntyre, beauty features director at Refinery29
Photo: Courtesy of Spoke & Weal.
Cost: Haircuts, $95 and up; color, $130 and up; blowouts, $65 and up
Recommended stylists: Meri Kate O'Connor, Annie Rush
"For a beauty editor with natural(ish) hair, I'm pretty experimental with trying new salons. Once I weaned myself off of the Dominican salon experience, I bounced around trying to find a suitable replacement for getting my hair smooth. You'd be surprised as to how difficult it is to find someone who can do a good blowout on curly hair.
"I went to Eva Scrivo about a year ago for their version of a keratin treatment, called Kerasilk. It gives me the same results, minus that three-day no-washing rule. Meri Kate O'Connor knew exactly how to work my hair, and I've been back to see her twice since then. There's also a stylist named Annie who does really great cuts. She trimmed up my angled lob on my last visit, and so many people have asked where I got my hair done. It also doesn't hurt that the salon is gorgeous, so I just enjoy the experience of going there." — Nykia Spradley, beauty editor at Essence
Photo: Courtesy of Eva Scrivo.
Cost: Haircuts, $155 and up; color, $130 and up; blowout, $65 and up; keratin treatments, $300 and up
Recommended stylists: Serge Normant, Matt Fugate
Recommended colorist: Gina Gilbert
"This sounds so corny, but I feel a Cheers vibe whenever I’m here. Sure, it helps that I’ve known Serge Normant forever, but I think most clients there feel that way. The professional, yet unintimidating tone comes from the top, of course. Normant is the epitome of professionalism, but he’s the most normal and down-to-earth person, in a world that isn’t always so. Fortunately, I get both my haircut and my color there (by the super-laid-back and kind Gina Gilbert), so I have lots of excuses to loiter." — Jane Larkworthy, beauty director at W
"I’ve been loyal to Matt Fugate since his time at Sally Hershberger Downtown, but now I go to him at Serge Normant at John Frieda. The salon is nestled in a brownstone, complete with the famous Donald Robertson mural — it’s just so damn fancy. I originally went to Matt for a trim (my hair has always been past my chest), but after talking in his chair, he convinced me to try out a razor-cut lob, and I loved it." — Lauren Caruso, beauty director at StyleCaster
Photo: Courtesy of Serge Normant.
Cost: Haircuts, $85 and up; blowouts, $65 and up; color, $75 and up; treatments, $100 and up
Recommended stylist: Alessandro Comai
Recommended colorist: Kimberley Pierce
"Davines is far and away my favorite hair-care brand (it's an ugly situation when I run out of Oi shampoo and conditioner), and this salon is stocked with it. Plus, the stylists are really hip and on top of trends, so you won't need to do any explaining to end up with something cool.
"Alessandro, a brand-new NYC transplant from Milan when I met him, was so engaging and friendly and made my awkward bangs that I kind of hated cool again. Plus, his head massage was the best one of my life." — Tunell
Photo: Courtesy of Ion.
Cost: Haircuts, $95 and up; color, $100 and up; blowouts, $45 and up
Recommended stylists: Tashina Tantalos, Alberto Vasquez, Francesca DellAquila
"There are so many reasons why I am obsessed with Bumble. The products smell so good and are amazing for all hair types. But particularly for waves like mine, since they're known for their salt spray and texturizers. I love that they have TVs mounted above the wash sinks, so you're entertained while getting your hair washed. And I just love how big, open, and unassuming the space is — it doesn't feel too upscale or pretentious. It's all just a bunch of cool people cutting hair.
"I've been going there for the last two years. I have seen so many different stylists (I'm not loyal), and they've all been great. My haircuts always grow out perfectly, and I love that bang trims are free between cuts. And, let's be honest, the #views of the Meatpacking District and downtown Manhattan are total Instagram bait." — Jenna Rosenstein, brand experiences senior beauty editor at Refinery29
"Growing up, my mom would always brag about how she spent the '80s getting her hair done for free by Bumble and Bumble because she volunteered to be one of the guinea pigs at their university. She even did it for her wedding. Both savvy (because clearly she was in good hands) and perhaps insane (because when is leaving things to chance on your wedding day ever a good idea?) on her part, B&B has always held a special place in my heart for this reason.
"While I've visited the uptown salon before, it's the downtown location — which is also a university — that I visit more often. Tucked away on a cobblestone street in the Meatpacking District, it is ridiculously spacious with never-trying-too-hard industrial decor. It also has its own little café!
"What I love about the downtown location is how unpretentious it is despite being inherently luxe. It's bursting with creativity, and a safe space for getting experimental, whether you’re chopping off a few precious inches or dyeing your hair purple. The stylist I usually visit, Francesca, is a wizard. She once gave me the most natural-looking faux bangs you've ever seen using a $22 clip-on piece that she razor-cut into a work of art. Get them." — Lauren Valenti, associate web editor at Marie Claire
Photo: Courtesy of Bumble and Bumble.
Cost: Haircuts, $150 and up; color, $125 and up; blowouts, $60 and up
Recommended stylist: Jae Manuel Cardenas
Recommended colorists: Lucille Javier, Aura Friedman
"I've been going to Sally Hershberger Downtown for years. The salon just has an amazing energy, and I love visiting there — I always run into someone I know. Jae Manuel Cardenas gives an amazing haircut, and is the guy to go to for that tousled, L.A. wave right here in NYC. For color, Lucille Javier is my girl. She's got such an eye when it comes to finding the right hue for your skin tone. She gave me my favorite brunette hair of all time, and I can't recommend her enough." — Maria Del Russo, beauty editor at Refinery29
"Aura is a hair-color fairy godmother — there is no shade beyond her range. If you can show her a picture of it, she can make it happen. She's almost always the mastermind behind every major hair-color trend of the moment, including this season's crop of candy-pink hair (she does Fernanda Ly's hair!).
"She manages to give me not what I requested — but something even better. It's always glossy, pretty, and doesn't look too 'try-hardy,' even with the crazier rainbow shades. She is also tuned in with the best of hair-color technology — she was the first one to tell me about Olaplex, and now I'm testing out a new Japanese shampoo she whispered into my ear a few months ago.
"Best of all, the hair color and highlights she gives me always grow out like a dream. There's no harsh line of demarcation, and people compliment me on my color even months later. Her former assistant, Lucille, who now is also on the floor at Sally, is also so talented and such a great listener. I introduced her to my boss, Stella Bugbee, and now she has a longstanding appointment with her." — Kathleen Hou, senior beauty editor at The Cut
Photo: Courtesy of Sally Hershberger.
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