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At a Glance
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100% overall
“was nervous since i didnt know of any good places to go to so i just walked around manhattan and looked for a place that seemed decent.”
50% return potential
“have never found a salon that made me want to go back a second time, with the exception of Hayato, which was slightly more expensive at $60.”
85% service
“Overall, excellent service and great value.”
75% value
“$40 is a really good value for a good cut, but I might try a different place next time.”
100% wait time
“had a pretty good cut, but the washer got water all over my back/shirt and my stylist had to blow dry my shirt for 10-15 minutes.”
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Hair Mates Hair Salon
Tips for Hair Mates Hair Salon
April 04, 2008
Highly Recommended Hair Salon For Sure. Just wanted to say that they do amazing hair jobs there. My hair stylist is Kozue, she is amazing, she can do something out of nothing. I have been coming to HairMates for the past 2 years, at least once every 2 months. its cheap its great and its a very chill hair spot. Definatly check it out :)
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Heart
March 19, 2008
KOZUE IS AMAZING!.
I've been shopping for a new hairdresser for a while but i haven't been able to find a talented hairdresser who knew how to work with my hair quality. my hair is thick and wavy and there is a lot of it!
so i went into hairmates got an appointment with kozue, and she was just phenomenal!!! she really was a perfectionist with my hair and she knew exactly what to do. i brought in a few pictures showing her what i wanted and she gave me even a better haircut then i could of imagined!
she also didn't talk to me while she was cutting my hair and that's what i prefer, i came in to get a haircut, not find a new best friend.
It came down to $45 for the cut plus tips, which in new york city, is the best bargain ever!
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Heart
February 29, 2008
Hires non-Asian hair stylists to cut Asian hair.. After reading great reviews about Hair Mates, I decided to give it a try. I have never found a salon that made me want to go back a second time, with the exception of Hayato, which was slightly more expensive at $60. So, I made appointments for both me and my boyfriend for a Saturday afternoon. When I arrived, I expected to be greeted by an asian stylist, since they would probably know better than anyone else how to cut asian hair, which is extremely straight and coarse. However, I was greeted by a hispanic girl named Lupe. I decided to go ahead with the cut, giving them the benefit of the doubt. I brought in a picture of what I wanted my hair to look like to make things easier for the stylist. The look I was looking to get was much like my existing style, long tresses with some slight layers. She proceeded to cut my hair with a regular pair of scissors, never even attempting to thin out the bottom with thinning scissors when she was finished, until I asked her to. And even then, she barely made an effort to thin out the bottom, because her next appointment was waiting. As a result, I left the salon with choppy looking ends and layers. Bottom also looked extremely heavy. I could've gotten a better haircut at supercuts. I am planning on going to Hayato sometime soon to get my hair fixed. They are slightly more expensive (at $60 for an associates cut), but so much more worth the money. You get a 10 minute scalp massage and 10 minute shiatsu massage. The stylists there also take the time to make suggestions incase you are asking for a looking not suitable to your face shape. They also advise on how to style your hair after the cut. I regret going cheap on $20 and going to Hair Mates. Never again...
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Heart
February 21, 2008
Yes..... I found Natalie..........
After going back to hair mates for Natalie , and finding out she no longer works there, and making a mistake and having my hair cut by another person I'm not going to mention any names..I googled Natalie's name, She works on Park Ave, at Oasis Day Spa & Salon,
I found her telefon number and made an appointment with her, and she corrected the mistakes and gave me a beautiful haircut, so I'm sticking with her where ever she goes...
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Heart
May 15, 2007
Avoid Midtown Location.
Okay, this review is for Hair Mates in the midtown location by grand central. I went there today with great expectations, because a friend had recommended me hair mates in east village. Well, my stylist was terrible! I didn't get his name but he was obviously very inexperienced. First, I told him what I wanted--a simple bob cut with a razor to take off excess weight of my very very thick and corase Asian hair. Well, after he shampooed me (which was nice, the one good thing is that they do a nice shampoo and head massage), he whipped out a regular scissor. I asked him why he is using a scissor and not a razor, and he told me that he didn't have a razor! A stylist that does not own a razor?? That's highly suspect. That' sfine if he is not into using razors, but then he should have told me that he doesn't do razor cuts BEFORE I am sitting in his chair with wet hair so I can decide whether or not I want to stay.
Anyways, so then he says he can do with a scissor "something similar", but I know from experience that only a razor can efficiently and correctly take off excess weight while maintaing a good bob form with my hair. Anyways, it was bad, as expected, and when he dried it and asked me if that was what I am looking for, I promptly told him no and to just stop at that because i didn't want him to do any more cutting.
Meanwhile, the owner of the shop is just sitting around reading newspapers---if he sees a problem, shouldn't he try to come over and fix the situation, like PICK UP A FREAKIN RAZOR?
They only ended up charging me $30 for the $50 regular price, so I basically paid for a really expensive shampoo because the hair looks bad. I made an appointment for another salon for tomorrow!
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Heart
April 16, 2007
Hipster Japonese Fashionistas.... is there anything left to say?. I read about this place on here actually and decided to give it a shot. Let me explain my hair, very ethnic. Half Korean, half black. It is impossible to find a stylist that actually knows what they're doing and who is not afraid to tackle my hair. I love this salon and my stylist. Brought in a pick of the sleek Nicole Richie-esque bob with bangs I wanted and walked out with exactly that. Friendly and fashionable staff, who know what they're doing and actually LISTEN.......on funny note, it took 2 of them to blowdry my hair pin straight! At first, after they had washed my hair, my stylist looked a little perplexed but she went for it and rocked it out, my hair looks health, it has movement and best of all it's FIERCE...haha
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Heart
January 22, 2007
I love love love this place!!!.
I really like the stylist that cuts my hair. I have been going to the same stylist for over 3 years, which is unusual for me since I am never loyal. (I am sorry if I am not spilling out the name but it's already hard for me to get appointments in.)
I did cheat on my stylist a couple of times. (Since I always hear raves from other people) Two times at Bumble and Bumble and one time at this other Japanese hair salon in Soho. But I still come back to Hairmates. And after reading the reviews, I saw people raved about Jin and I decided to get him to cut my hair. I have natural wavy/curly hair-which I love but he gave me this haircut that left my hair bone straight. I know it sounds strange, but it did happen.
Otherwise Jin is good but not as great as my stylist. Also if you want a stylist that talks to you and hear your troubles....
then this is not a place for you.
They are not rude, but majority of the people here are Japanese-it's because they are shy so don't take it to offense.
Just know that you will come out with an amazing haircut!
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Heart
August 08, 2006
great salon. ive lived in nyc all my life but i can honestly say ive never been to a "good" salon...well i had extra long curly hair and was looking to get it all cut off and with a nice trendy cut....i was nervous since i didnt know of any good places to go to so i just walked around manhattan and looked for a place that seemed decent.... i looked into hairmates...saw that they were all asians....kinda scared me a little because the have nice thin hair ... i have thick curly hair...well i went in showed the picture of the style i wanted and she said she can do it...i thought she was lying but went wiht anyway.................EXCELLENT CUT!......didnt come out exactly like the pic but it was still good.....prices are great compared to other manhattan salons...........GREAT PLACE!
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Heart
April 06, 2006
Good cut, not-so-good service. I went to this hair salon based on the recommendations. I had a pretty good cut, but the washer got water all over my back/shirt and my stylist had to blow dry my shirt for 10-15 minutes. $40 is a really good value for a good cut, but I might try a different place next time.
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Heart
April 02, 2006
good stylist won't stay.... It was like Hair factory...quick cut and no conversation. Good stylists like Jin ,Ryuko or Minako ware not there anymore.
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Heart
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