Astor Place Hairstylists

OK I went to this "salon" based on the reviews from this site about Rita. She was friendly but a few things bothered me about the experience. First when I approached her about cutting my childs hair she said 15 minutes because there was only 1 more person she had to cut before my turn. I returned in 15 minutes and she when she finished cutting that persons hair she said "oh no no, let me just take one more person before you." Fine I waited another 15 minutes and then finally it was our turn. The haircut came out ok but it wasnt anything spectacular and it wasnt the way I or my child wanted. Then when I asked how much would she charge for putting colored streaks in my childs hair, she refused and said she wouldn't do it because it would destroy the hair. I found that rude. I'm the customer and if I'm paying for it i should get what I want, not be told no. And $40 for that cut is way too much, in my opinion. I won't be going back to that "salon" again. more

Count me in as another completely satisfied client of Rita's! She is more than amazing. I wanted a radical change for me, something very different. I let her know I was ready to try something new and she transformed me perfectly through a step by step process of completely changing my hair color from a very dark brunette to a gorgeous Blonde with amazing highlights that makes me look like I was on vacation! She knew exactly what to do and I could not be happier with her work and attitude. Then to top it all off, she gave me the cutest haircut that I really needed to complete my new look. I am amazed at her talents! I thought I would be scared to do this, but she made me feel at ease the entire time. I am so happy I went through with it! Thanks Rita, I will definitely be coming back regularly. Pros: very reasonable rates more

i had more hair than you can imagine. i was going to lose it shortly so i decided to cut it off so as not to get too freaked out. i sat down in lennys chair and just let him do whatever he wanted, i had nothing to lose. i loved it!!!!!!! now my hair is finally growing back and i can't wait to see him again. trust his talents, he is a n artist! Pros: great haircuts at great prices Cons: none more

All you girls out there- listen up! Rita is the Rock Star at Astor Place- she gives you what you want and is so awesome! She could be at any high-priced salon in Manhattan- but fortunately she's at an affordably priced place where you can get gorgeous highlights or color, a fantastic cut, and one on one attention from her! She is way zen in her approach to beauty. You'll love her! Me and my whole family go to her and we lover her! Rita- promise to never leave us! Pros: Rita is sweet and knowledgeable more

Rita is priceless! I was recommended to Rita by a good friend who had her sunny highlights done by her- and I am the happiest woman in the world! Rita's color work is so precise, and she colors to the individual- not a one-size- fits-all bleach job. The cut and style she gave me was as well specific to me--not like other places that don't care. This girl works with love. She takes her time and creates a beautiful look for everyone. Rita is worth 20 stars and I hope she never leaves Astor because I'll be a customer of hers forever! Pros: Rita is the reason to go to Astor Cons: none more

I have lived in NY my whole life and have had a haircut in every borough, and the only person that I have gone back to consistently is FRAN. I first got my hair cut by her with my sister 4 years ago and she has been my hair stylist ever since. When I totally screwed up my hair color (tried bleaching it at home and became a streaky neon pumpkin) Fran worked with me patiently to make sure I got the exact hair color that I want. She is awesome. Definitely ask for her! Pros: Later hours, positive vibes and afforable coloring/styling prices Cons: Sometimes overcrowded/too busy more

All the great reviews here were no lie... Rita is a gem! She gave me the best haircut and color I have ever had. She literally took 10 years off my face! I now have the trendy, stylish look I have always wanted. I have gotten so many compliments on my new cool look from friends and co-workers. There is no need to go to one of those over priced stuffy salons when you can get someone as talented as Rita in a place you can afford. Rita is also extremely friendly and personable which is a real bonus. She also gave me great tips on taking care of my hair in between appointments. There must be over a dozen recent stellar reviews written here about here in Citysearch which is why I decided to give her a shot. Evidently the buzz about Rita is contagious and catching on. I would highly recommend her to anyone! more

I left the city after 10 years and still go back just to get my hair done. I couldn't find a more affordable price anywhere. Considering I do my hair 3 times a week i have to be able to see someone who can get me in and out and do my hair exactly the way I want it. With my busy life I sometimes only have a small window to get my hair done. Rosa will make the room. She takes such things into consideration and treats loyal customers like royalty.:-) Go to Rosa if you need a quick wash and blowdry. You'll be in and out in a blink of an eye and for less than you'll pay for a dinner and a movie! more

I thought this place was supposed to be a steal of a deal when it came to hair? If it was in the past, it's not any more. I was told by a female stylist the base rate for a cut (even though I just wanted a trim, and she confirmed that I just needed a trim) was $40. The first time I went there, I asked for a roller set, but was informed by one stylist that she only blow-dries. I noticed another stylist who was doing a roller set and found myself almost regretting my stylist choice until she did a decent job with my hair. I still wish this stylist was versatile enough to be able to accommodate a client when they want a particular dry-setting. During another visit, I saw another stylist (the one who told me about the $40 base price) who either didn't want to put in the time to roller-set or she also only did blow-drying. Both times I paid for the services because I was desperate, but I know better now. I understand that this is a no-frills spot, but don't call these prices bargains. And the stylists really are not the best around. New York City is a hair mecca of a city... there are better stylists. Pros: Evening Hours Cons: Prices are not shown anywhere more

I have finally found the stylist I have been searching for! Rita at Astor Place Hair is without a doubt the most talented and gifted hair stylist I have ever been to. She is equally brilliant at both cuts and color and she really puts you completely at ease when you are in her chair which is so important. She is very caring and has a calm, confident way about her that is so rare. The city is so full of below average stylists that once you find someone as great and sweet as Rita, you just feel wonderful. She is a real Pro and judging by all the great reviews she gets, many people are discovering her talents. Thanks to Rita, I now have the look and confidence I have always wanted. Pros: Reasonable prices for cuts AND color - Rita! more

I have been going to Astor Place since 2001 and won't go anywhere else for one reason -- Suzy!! Prior to finding Astor Place, I'd had my color and highlights done at various high-end salons in the West Village and Miami. But, ever since finding Suzy, I won't let anyone else do my hair! A couple of times, when I've been out of town, I have had someone else do my color out of necessity -- only to then have Suzy correct their work! No one has ever done my hair as well as Suzy -- she is the best in New York City, hands down. And it's not just me -- I've seen her work on others' hair and she does a fantastic job on everyone. Not only is she a genius as a colorist, she also gives a fantastic cut and blow-dry. The staff is also so friendly -- they really make you feel so welcome. So... go and you'll see what I mean. You'll leave Suzy's chair loving her work! Pros: Suzy; friendly staff Cons: none more

I've been traveling out of state for 3 years now to get a haircut just b/c I have a fear of trying someone new. Finally I gave in and decided to try Astor after a friend recommended Rita. I couldn't be happier with the results- she was really great. The haircut came out perfect, she did awesome layering and made sure I was ok with the amount she was taking off. Also I have naturally curly hair and she blew it out rather than fluffing it up like some other places that don't know how to deal with curls. If you're looking for a high-end salon don't go- the place is like a barber shop in a basement. But they're great at what they do and its so in-expensive! Finally found my new salon! Pros: Great haircut, super friendly stylist, incredible value, knowledgeable staff Cons: I miss having a glass of wine with my cut but the cheap price is worth the loss more

I went to Astor Place Hair as a walk-in after reading reviews here. My hair was brown with honey blonde highlights (way too many on top) and I wanted dark brown all over with red highlights and angled bangs. Anna did exactly what I wanted and I love the way my hair looks. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it. She told me to call ahead of time when I need to come again since I was having so much done so that she could arrange her schedule well. She also straightened my hair after she dried it, which has proved to be a difficult task even for really great stylists. She did a great job and my hair looked awesome. All of that cost $140, though Anna said that she didn't charge me for the hair cut (I'm not certain how that's possible judging from their price list). I would definitely recommend Astor Place Hair. Pros: Great service for less than most salons. Cons: Everything on their price list says a certain amount for each service "and up." It seems that everything that I had done was "up." more

I have had my hair cut and colored at so many high-priced places, but the very best cut, color, advice and attention comes from working with Rita at Astor Place Hair. Rita listens, advises, works fast and accurately, and is so lovely and helpful that when you are done and look like a goddess, you don't want to leave because she is so great to talk to! Rita is a real angel, and worth any type of trip to get to Astor Place to see her. Highly, highly recommended, particularly if you are looking for a big change in your look, Rita will steer you through the decision with great skill, and she does not talk you into anything, or into any high-priced hair products at the end of the session. Thank you to Rita for helping me to look better than I ever have, and long may she wave! Pros: Great cut and color Cons: None more

I went to Rita at Astor Place based on the recommendation of 2 of my best friends who have been now been going to her for a while and have been raving about her haircuts and color work. I must say, my friends never looked better. They have been urging me to try Rita for quite sometime and I only wish I had sooner. I just had my hair cut at another salon that completely butchered my hair. I went from having long beautiful hair to a very uneven, shorter cut with no style at all. I was not happy to say the least. I needed something done fast so I could feel good again. They told me if anyone could fix this mess, Rita could. Well, they were right! I don?t know how this girl did it, but she turned a total disaster into the coolest haircut I have ever had! Her work is pure magic. Not only did she fix my awful hair, but she actually somehow made it look longer than before I walked in. I couldn?t thank her enough and she now has another client for life! She also made me laugh the entire time about my prior bad experience. Thank you Rita, you truly are one talented girl and you are also a pleasure to be around! I will be coming back again and again? Pros: Rita is a TRUE PRO! more

I moved to the city about 3 wks ago, and Astor Place Hair is the first place I got my hair done. I have a lot of hair and Fran did a great job highlighting and cutting it. Really good prices and you can just walk in! I highly suggest going, and definitely ask for Fran, it's worth it! more

I never imagined that a haircut could make me embarrassed to leave my apartment. I needed a last-minute cut (job interview that, incidentally, I wouldn't be caught dead at after getting this cut), and my normal stylist wasn't available. Since my style is easy and basic, I figured "what the heck?" and went to Astor Place Hair since it's a "New York tradition." As it turns out, it's a "New York tradition" like street cart coffee is a "New York tradition"--sometimes NYCers specifically like things to be terrible show how "tough" and "real" we are. Having a shockingly bad haircut says "I don't mess around with no hoity-toity kinda place." And, indeed, hoity-toity this place ain't . I told the "stylist" (read: man who owns a pair of scissors) very specifically what I wanted. He nodded and proceeded to chop all my hair off more or less at random until I didn't have much left. I kept saying things like "What are you doing?" and he would respond "Giving hair cut." Finally, I guess he got tired, because he put his scissors down and said "Is good?" I told him that no, it was not good, and asked why he hadn't done any of the things I asked him to. In his broken English, he tried to convince me that this WAS what I had asked for--because, you see, I had asked for a #3 on the sides and in back, and he did, at some point, somewhere, use a #3; also, I had asked for it to be 3 1/2 inches on top, and he found a few strands of hair right at the top of my head which were, well, not 3 1/2 inches, but at least 2. Bottom line: if you like the idea that you don't need "fancy stuff" like a hairdresser with aesthetic sense or rudimentary competence, by all means, go here. All others, avoid my fate. Do yourselves a favor and forget this "street-cart barber." Pros: Cheap--until deep depression sends you to a therapist Cons: Worst haircuts on planet Earth more

Very simple ? If you are looking for the best stylist you have ever been to ? go see Rita at Astor Place! I found Rita based on all her glowing reviews right here on City Search and other places. I figured it was worth a shot. Now I feel I need to let people know too. Let me tell you something, this girl is unbelievably talented and a great person to talk to as well. She listens, she cares and she is a wealth of information on beauty and wellness in general. Her haircuts and color are off the charts ? the first response I usually get from my husband and friends after going to see Rita is - Wow! Now my husband is also a regular client of hers so we both can benefit. Someone else wrote here that Rita is more than a stylist - she is an artist ? I completely agree! Let?s face it, great hair is everything and if you want the very best ? Go see Rita! Pros: Great haircuts, good prices more

I've been going to Rosa for 10 years and she is by far the best hairstylist I have ever been to. I've paid big bucks to have my hair done at chi-chi salons and never been as happy with the results as I am with Rosa. I have curly hair that is difficult to cut and also difficult to blowdry - but Rosa knows exactly how to cut curly hair and dries it perfectly. I now go to her every week for a blow-out and every 6 weeks for a hair cut and can not imagine having my hair touched by anyone else. more

I hate going to salons..and being a woman..I guess it's out of the ordinary by most women's standards. But this place fulfills my dream salon visit of getting in and getting out, without stupid conversation..so I can get my other sh!t done. I love it..no frills, no selling products, great on my wallet and the cuts have been great. Don't expect any shi shi poo poo decorating. The proof is in the cut and the time saved!!! Astor Hair is an EXPERIENCE. Not for snobs or yuppies who need everything catered and or who live a life in an dis-illusion to materialistic decor. more