Arena Salon

I went to Rena on the recommendation of a friend who's hair looked incredible. I had been going to a place on the upper east side for years and had more and more trouble booking an appointment, as the colorist took more and more time off. I was wary of going to someone new, but Rena took time, explained everything and I am thrilled at the results! I cannot stop looking at my hair! For the first time in years it looks healthy and the style she gave me makes me look 10 years younger!!! I met Destiny and Arnulfo who were very nice. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. Pros: Wonderful experience. What can I say? more

For years I had been coloring my hair trying to make it look ""natural"" (i.e. covering the gray). As I got more and more gray hair, my single-process color (I was trying to get back to my natural dark brown) looked over-dyed, especially once I had to color every three weeks to cover my roots. I was also damaging my hair by blowing it out every time I shampooed in an attempt to tame my natural wave. Searching for a better way, I found Arena's website, and was intrigued by Rena's technique of using multi-color highlights to blend -- but not cover -- the gray (or, as Rena would say, silver) hairs. I went in with pronounced roots showing, ready for a radical change. Rena gave me blond and caramel highlights,and DID NOT color the roots. Then, she cut my hair to enhance my natural wave and curls. Amazingly, even though Rena did not color the roots, the multi color highlights masked my root line. Even though I still had some silver (and even some white) hairs, the overall effect was that of expensively highlighted hair. The cut helped too, as my natural wave lessened the effect of the root line (I had been wearing my hair parted in the middle and pulled back -- to tame the wave, with the unintended and unwanted effect of drawing attention to the root line). Yes, I knew pulling my hair back was not the best style, and yes, I had had other stylists try to cut my hair ""natural"" and curly, but the results were so unflattering, that I resorted to blowing my hair out and pulling it back. I loved the color immediately -- it took a few days (or even a few weeks) to get used to the curls. But I got so many compliments on the style and the color that I will never go back to blowing my hair out again, or to a single-process color. I don't think I would have been ready to accept my natural texture without a great cut, and certainly not without the great color. Rena is truly awesome. more

I began going to Arena for color and cut after many years of getting highlights that just never looked quite right. I saw a woman with beautiful highlights in the park and asked her for the name of her stylist and have been having Rena do my color and cut for the last 9 years. Rena does the most natural and beautiful highlights using many different shades of color. Her cuts are amazing too....she has been giving me a soft layered cut that always looks great without requiring a lot of work. I can't say enough about how fabulous Rena is. In addition, I always look forward to my appointments...the salon is peaceful, serene replete with green tea and good conversation. more

His name is Arnulfo. He is a talented hair colorists and sylist. He just has the knowledge. He makes me look great. He gives me a very natural look......... soft and real. more

A friend of mine recommended this place to me because my hair was screaming for help. It was a totally different experience for me walking into this salon from the others I have tried, super cozy and a warm friendly reception from everyone there. Olga highlighted & styled my mangled nest into something that couldn't stop me from staring in the mirror because my hair looked amazing! which it hadn't in ages...The color & style was exactly what I wanted, so I went back before my vacation and am going again next month. If you get a chance definitely give this place a try-you won't be disappointed. Pros: Professional staff & environment, great service, location (close to F train) more

After my experience at this salon, I will never trust another magazine or online review again. Lesson learned. Pros: Arnulfo, receptionist, decor, and NO WAITING Cons: over-priced ""trims"" - essentially what I got! more

I have followed Rena around for fifteen years here in new york, from salon to salon, finally her own salon arena, reflecting warmth,and calmness, and very friendly and efficient staff. especially Erica who would always wash my hair, now a stylist and color. more

I have been using Rena for about ten years now. I was so happy when she finally opened her own space. It is the epitome of who she is. Cozy in feeling, very personable, and wonderfully easy going. I have never felt that she has sacrificed professionalism to create and encourage this environment. I feel like I am part of the family when I enter her shop. It's rare to experience this in New York. I was referred to her by a colleague years ago and have been addicted ever since to her great cuts, and her warmth. Thanks Rena. Keep up the good work. Pros: Lovely environment in a great neighborhood worth exploring more

I have never written a review of a salon before, but felt I had to after my last visit there. I was referred to this salon by a friend who got a great short haircut from one of the female stylists there at a good price (I think around $70.) After I made my first appt. with one of the male stylists, my friend had another haircut with the same person, and this time, it wasn't good. The stlist didn't listen so well the second time around, and her short hair looked muchmore matronly the second time around, so my friend never went back. Despite the caeveat she gave me, I went anyway, and had a pretty bad first experience. The stylist was 30 minutes late, and did not cut my hair anything like the photo I gave him. Still, I went back, and the second cut was much better, so I thought, good! We're on the same page and I have now found someone who can cut hair well at a decent price. So I just recently went in for a trim, and -- like the first time! -- the stylist did not listen to me or seem to care about my concerns, and cut my bangs completely differently from how I came in with them. They were sideswept, but he chopped them short and very piecey. I now look like my fifth grade photo with bangs so short I have to slick them back. (FYI - at one point, I said, ""Stop cutting!"" I have *never* used these words with someone who is cutting my hair!) I tipped the dude anyway, but I won't be back. I will be paying for my haircuts now -- a $70 NYC haircut isn't worth it if you have to feel like you're bothering someone to get them to give you a decent haircut. *Very* uneven service. Cons: I almost fell on hair that hadn't been cleaned off the floor prior to my haircut more

This place is a gem. I have been going for years and never had a disappointing haircut. My stylist is Arnulfo. He truly listens to what you want and delivers a beautiful cut. I have pin straight hair, yet he is able to make it come to life with gorgeous soft layers. Plus, the cut tends to have lasting power and very easy to style when you are on the go. I love this place! Pros: Attentive, Cozy Space, Quality Cut more

When I first moved to the East Village from Maryland, I had no idea where to get my hair done. I tried a place next to my apt called ""Parlor"". The woman did an awful job and my hilites turned out brassy and orange. $150 later I was not happy. 5 months went by and I decided to give another place a try. I randomly picked Arena on citysearch, based on everyone's awesome reviews. They were right. This place is non-pretentious, cozy and do the most amazing cuts and color. I go to Arnulfo. I bring in a picture and he will match it exactly. I recently moved all the way uptown but refuse to go anywhere else. Prices arent cheap, but every dollar is well worth it. You must go! Pros: cozy, great stylists, warm atmosphere, amazing cuts and color Cons: nothing! more

I've never gotten so many compliments on my highlights (Erica) and Cut (Arnulfo). Having a great salon on the LES is a bonus Pros: Great environment, no attitude, nothing but great things to say about Arena Salon more

I go to Arena once every two months for highlights, retouching, or a complete overhaul. more

I've been going to Rena for many years. I've had more compliments on my highlights than I can even begin to count -- I wouldn't go to another salon (well, there was that time while we were living in Paris but I was miserable and my hair was orange). I've sent friends to Arena and only ever heard great things back. The salon is marvelous, the people lovely, the neighborhood great -- and Rena is a very special woman indeed. I highly recommend this salon! Pros: great conversation Cons: can't think of one..... more

I could not believe the personal attention at Arena. It was amazing. Unlike many other salons, Arena is small, quaint and the staff is very friendly. I felt like I belonged the minute I walked in. And, while I was having my hair done, I wasn't bothered by people constantly walking around distracting me. No one was pushing other services on me either. It was all about my hair. As a 55 year old woman, I had decided that the constant dying was unhealthy, and the vistits every 4 to 5 weeks to the salon was becoming too much a part of my life. I met someone who had been to Arena and she looked so great that I just called and made the appointment. Then I took the plunge and decided to ""embrace"" my grays. Rena talked to me about my decision, and she's fantastic, by the way. Arnulfo, my colorist and stylist was very sensitive and he did an absolutely great job with my color. When I got home, I called to tell him and thank him. Oh and by the way, my haircut was the best haircut I've had in years!! Actually, I can't remember a better haircut. I come from Long Island. I took the LIRR and the subway down to 2nd Avenue. It's was completely worth it! Pros: Personal attention, professional staff more

Hey NYC. ok I have been having my hair cut...and yes even colored occasionally (I am NOT a metrosexual!!!) by Erica at Arena for a few years, before Arena in fact. I am a man. I do not spend a lot of time thinking about my hair. Sports yes - hair no. I go once every 6 weeks when I start looking scruffy, buy whatever she says I need out of the shower, one product is my limit thanks, and thats it. I dont style it, blowdry it, nothing. Id like to think I look pretty good, girls dont laugh at me I get dates and that is good enough for me. But I recently had to go to London at the last minute for a big meeting, I didnt have time to get a cut so I went to a respectable looking salon there. Pros: She has this incredibly HOT tall blonde friend who visits on occasion its a bonus! more

I just got the fiercest cut and color EVER!! I am asian so getting color to come out right is tricky. This chick went off on my locks the color is insane! I honestly didnt think it was possible on my hair. And the cut...lets say I am miserable to be around these days because I think I am sooo hot. Ha Ha shes the best Pros: I look Awesome Cons: I feel like Im cooler than all my friends....well more

I could not say enough good things about this place in a month of Sundays. I know that it is just HAIR but when its not right it throws off your whole game, you know. My hair was over processed to the point of being a color not known to nature ....which of course meant it was in horrid condition, plus it just wouldnt lay right. A friend recommended ERICA POTENTE at ARENA. I couldnt be more thrilled to have found her and this place, not only did she fix my whole 'dreadlocked Barbie' thing I had going, she did it BEAUTIFULLY! This is hands down THE BEST COLORIST I HAVE EVER BEEN TO! no lie. Besides that my haircut is phenomonal! I dont know what she did, but all of a sudden my hair falls in just the right place. Everywhere I go people are gushing about my hair...and you know I love every second of it. And I cant stop gushing about ERICA. The whole salon is fabulous. Small but cool with a great vibe. more

My daughter insisted I come to see a colorist at this salon named Erica. I was reluctant at first. It is a very nice place but a little funkier than where I would normally go. When I walked out of there I felt like a new woman. Erica was wonderful. She colored it in a whole new way. Not only does it look natural and gorgeous, but she explained that with the method she used I wont have to come in for a touch up for 6 to 8 weeks as opposed to every 3 weeks. I had to see that to believe it, but she was right. I plan to continue to have my hair cut by my regular stylist but I will never go to anyone else for my color again, she really is that good. Pros: I look better than I have in years Cons: Not a lot of parking more

I used to see Serene at this salon and I was happy with her, not thrilled but it was sufficient. When she left, my color was startin to look scary so I tried Erica. %@?!&! I couldnt believe it, she blows Serene out of the water!! Thats all I can say, shes a friggin genius. And I know I have paid 3x the price for a not even a quarter of the quality, not even close. Salon is real cool too. No attitude, hip, you can get an appointment. Not for long. That bites but oh well. What am I gonna do her hair coloring skills are right up there with God's Pros: Erica Rocks Cons: I didnt find out sooner more