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AR Hair Salon
Category: Beauty and Spas Hair Salons Hair Salons [Edit]
249 W 23rd St(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10011
Neighborhood: Chelsea
(212) 645-1800
- Nearest Transit:
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23 St (A, C, E)
23 St (1, 2)
18 St (1, 2)
- Hours:
Mon 10 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Karen A. said: "So, my hair has never looked this good in my whole life!!! Sally is a rockstar! She is a truly gifted and sweet professional. She makes you feel incredibly comfortable in the chair. She put extensions in my hair today and I have to…" read more »
21 reviews for AR Hair Salon
21 reviews in English
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Review from Elaine C.
10/7/2010
Booked my appointment on lifebooker. For $25, this was a pretty good haircut.
If you are looking to get pampered while getting your hair cut, this is probably not the place. If all you want is a decent cut, go here.
I'll probably go back. -
Review from Heather S.
Boston, MA
8/5/2011
Houston, we have a problem. I booked a spontaneous same day blow-out using http://LifeBooker.com for $25 (fantastic deal, I know), so I didn't go in with crazy expectations. I thought, honestly, it's hard to mess up a blow-out. Well, just you wait.
BIGGEST PROBLEM:
I sit down and when I ask what I'm looking for I say, you know, just a bouncy blow out. Fantastic, easy enough, she gets to work with her round brush. Oh but wait. Five minutes later she stops and tells me that if I want my hair to be bouncy that that requires an extra tool which will be an additional $25. Um, no. I have gotten 1 million (exact number) blow-outs in my life, and a round brush does just fine. Thank you but no, I say politely. She rolls her eyes and says fine, and proceeds to give me a STICK STRAIGHT BLOW OUT and uses NO product to set it. I actually think it took more effort than if she had just used the round brush as it is normally used.
SIDE PROBLEMS:
This terrible blow-out took an hour and fifteen minutes from the time I sat down in the chair. I have shoulder length hair.
The rude stylist was passive aggressive from the moment I said no to her extra "tool". She told me I really needed to do something about my grey hair (I am 26 and have 2 grey hairs - I know because I asked her to show me where they were).
The rude stylist ASSUMED I wasn't from NYC and asked me if the city "overwhelmed me"!? Sorry lady, I may live in Boston but I was born and raised in Park Slope, thank you very much.
Finally, the place was gross and looked like a dirty barber shop.
As soon as I left I informed three friends who had asked me to let them know how it went that they should NEVER go to this place. Trust me, they won't. -
Review from Carol S.
New York, NY
10/11/2010
Bleh. I booked my appointment on LifeBooker and took a cab ride over to get there on time during my very hectic day! I arrive and the girl looks at me as if to say "umm what do you want?" I say I have an appointment and she looks at the other guy, who says "Are you sure?" I show him my confirmation on my phone to verify everything exactly. He says to wait for a minute.
They're both so obviously right smack in the middle of coloring people's hair, so I wonder who the heck was going to give me my blow out? The guy looks everywhere but says he can't find my appointment! Great. So he says to just wait for a few minutes and they'll get to me after they finish. Buttt... I know for sure it'll be about 15-20 minutes longer. By this time, I'm already 15 minutes over my appointment time, so I literally have no time to make my wedding -- the reason I wanted to get a blow out!
So I ask the man "how long exactly do you think it'll be? I have a wedding to make at 3pm." He is SO RUDE and snaps, "I don't know, ok? Just WAIT a few minutes." Wow, really? Do I really want someone touching my hair when I know they hate my guts for interrupting their day?
I take a seat because I realize there's no arguing this man and he goes back to his customer. They were so disorganized and didn't keep my appointment AND didn't even apologize! In fact, they made it seem like I was annoying them (by giving them business!??!) so I decide to grab a drink and tell the lady. I go outside and find another salon right across the street that can take me in for a blow out for only $5 more. Ugh.
SOOOO I call Lifebooker and explain the whole situation to them and they are very apologetic and say that I won't be charged.
NOTE!! Go somewhere else!! They may lose your "appointment"! -
Review from Natty B.
New York, NY
8/14/2008
Sample conversation:
Roger: So. What do you want?
Me: Oh, I don't know. Whatever you usually do.
Roger: Do you want some wine?
Me: Yes.
Roger: (to assistant) Get her some wine.
Me: Thanks.
Roger: Ok. Now we make you beautiful and sexy.
End of Story. -
Review from Romanie G.
New York, NY
Updated - 4/25/2009
No seriously- go to the 15th and 8th Ave location and ask for Mark.
I went in one day, my hair a lion's mane disaster after growing out my last encounter with Mark for 6 months. I actually made an appointment to make sure this dude cut my hair. (and I NEVER make appointments to get my hair cut.)
While I was getting my hair cut, the shop was pretty empty, but 2 different guys stopped by to set up appointments to cut their hair- one even waited as he tediously and awesomely blow-dried my bountiful head of hair.
As usual- dude was cordial and asked where his one-time customer, my mom, was. Mark did his hair and cut my hair to be awesome and chic both straight AND when the humidity/laziness hits and goes wavy. That's all I ask- it is not easy, but he totally does it awesomely.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2009
OK so I have gone to this salon at their 25th and 8th Ave location since I was in college and only… Read more »
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Review from John S.
New York, NY
12/5/2008
Ugh.
God, this pains me. I hate--HATE--giving bad reviews to hair stylists. I have this weird complex about it. As a writer/actor, I feel like I'm critiquing someone's "art" or something. Which is dumb, I guess. But...the guilt! The guilt! I hate it. But, it must be said.
Yelpers, you really steered me wrong here. Now granted, I didn't have the eponymous Roger like most of you seemed to, so maybe I just had the misfortune of being paired up with the wrong person.
But Mike, the guy who cut my hair, although really, really nice and friendly and whatnot, gave me precisely the haircut I told him NOT to give me.
I grew my hair out starting summer 2007 (*makes mental note to update profile picture*), and it took about a year for it to finish growing out. As of yesterday, my hair is now about the length it was 4 months into the growing-out process. I look like a photograph in a late-80s French textbook of some guy named Didier, with a caption where he explains in French that he is 18, lives in Paris, and likes to play soccer, which you are then asked to translate into English. Remember Didier? Yeah, put me in a Naf Naf pullover and I would be him. Either that, or a lesbian PE teacher.
DO NOT WANT.
Not at all what I asked for. I'll be wearing a hat for at least 3 weeks. I'm very sad. Particularly because today is my 30th birthday and I was really hoping to look good for all the obligatory photographs :( (Though that's my fault partly--who gets a haircut the day before a big event? That's just dumb.)
Now, in Mike's defense, I will say this--the haircut itself that he gave me is great. It's not like he chopped off great chunks in odd places or anything. The cut is fine. It's just THE DIAMETRIC OPPOSITE OF WHAT I ASKED FOR.
So, that's my two cents. I'm sorry to piss on the AR parade. Should you need me, I will be curled up fetal in my bed mourning the loss of my luscious golden locks *breaks down* -
Review from Kathleen R.
Manhattan, NY
1/11/2008
I love AR. They have three locations (I go to the one on 8th Ave between 25 / 26) and Arthur cuts / colors my hair. The staff is always super friendly (albeit casual -- known to take phone calls or cig breaks mid-session). They offer complimentary wine during your services. Arthur has always done a great job, and at one point transformed me from shoulder-length so-so to pixie cut cutie. Clientle varies from models to mere mortals, and everyone is treated with respect.
I had one negative experience, but it was my fault. Arthur wanted to try a much more daring highlight approach, and although he counseled me on what it would look like, it didn't sink in until I saw (and hated) it. Fortunately, I came in the next day and he worked with me until I was happy (no attitude / charge). And the cost is not bad ($150 for a cut, color and style for me), considering Arthur is one of the owners (The "A" of "AR"). Roger is also cool and I've seen his very satisfied clients. If you are looking for a reasonable and fantastic hair salon in NYC, give AR a try!Listed in: Getting Your Glam On
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Review from Dolores C.
Manhattan, NY
10/7/2011
I went to AR today to get a blow dry. The sign in the window says $30 blow dry / $25 hair cut. I'm a walk in and at first they didn't seem to happy about that. After my wash Michele begins to blow my hair....automatically I know it was not going be good.
I normally go to a Dominican salon and for $12 (yes!) I walk out with straight hair. Not today...my hair was frizzy in some places and had no style. I went home, blew out the frizzy parts and ran a curling iron on my ends.
THE KICKER or what really got me ticked off.....
The sign says $30...I go to pay and the stylist tells me its $36. Why...because the small print says "and up". I look at the sign and don't see any small print. On top of that a woman came in after me and asked about the $30 and they said that's the price. Her hair was thick and past her shoulders. My hair does not reach my shoulders and is thin.
I hate places that try to gauge their customers. Honesty is always best.
I will not be going back there especially since I had to go home and fix what she did. I did not walk out of there with ready to wear hair. Needless to say I did not leave a tip.
I'd rather hop on a bus and go up to spanish harlem and pay $12 for wash/set & blow. Better results :-) -
Review from Philip W.
Brooklyn, NY
7/14/2008
It's sad when you're impressed that a salon DOESN'T have floors that look/feel like the floor of a taxi cab, but that's how I felt when I walked in AR (+ *2). AR is more appointment-based than walk-in (- *1), but the hairstyler's professionalism is worth the prep-work. He sat me down and described what he was doing every step of the way, educating me so I could have "a good haircut no matter what city I'm in" (+ *2, unless that was some sort of hint to never come back?).
Not that I would go anywhere else anyways: three people complimented me on my new haircut today (+ *1, because I'm egotistical like that).Listed in: Haircuts: Cutting through the…
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Review from Tara H.
New York, NY
12/21/2008
I would give this place negative 5 stars if I could... it was an absolute nightmare -- do NOT go here. Your money is better spent thrown away than at this parlor.
Yesterday afternoon, after having had a fantastic haircut at Projet F, I decided to pull the trigger and get a full head of highlights before the holidays. I went back to http://lifebooker.com, found (what looked like) a great deal at AR and booked an appointment for 1.45pm today (Projet F is closed on Sundays).
So I trek up to Chelsea at 1:45pm only to be told (quite rudely) that Roger is running AT LEAST 30 minutes late and I should come back later. First observation: the receptionist is absolutely terrible. She did not apologize (let alone call me to let me know my appointment was delayed) and did not offer to call again to let me know when (if) to come back.
At this point I am rather peeved and start telling her maybe I should reschedule or cancel when Roger himself comes over and we decide that the receptionist will call me 15 mins before he is done, so I can come back.
I leave to run errands and have essentially no belief that I will get a call... until 245pm when the receptionist calls and tells me to come back IMMEDIATELY. Wtf?? I should've just walked away at this point but given that I'd already provided my credit card details over lifebooker, I was a little concerned that ol' AR would go power tripping at my expense.
I come back and am promptly smocked and locked into a chair. Roger talks to me for about 2 mins (TWO MINUTES) about what I want before scurrying away and returning with a bowl of gunk and hundreds of foil strips which he hands to me and instructs me to continually pass to him. At this point it is worth mentioning that Roger speaks very little English and understands even less. Talking to him was incredibly painful and he seemed more interested in where I live and whether I have a boyfriend than in my hair itself.
It just gets worse and worse.... the foil was left on my hair for all of 5 minutes before I was pushed into a chair by a gruff Russian woman who washed out sections and left my head in the basin while she waited for Roger to okay washing the rest of my poor hair.
My highlights came out "natural" -- they were hardly visible. Roger refused to blow dry my hair as part of the package -- saying it would cost me $35 more. The gruff Russian lady (who was also quite rough) dried parts of it and I ended up taking the brush and dryer and styling the rest of my hair myself.
All I can say is i've never in my 25 years had this bad an experience at any salon and I would not wish AR upon my worst enemy.
Its incredibly down-scale, with ugly interiors, pushy, rude staff who barely speak english and worst of all, their work sucks (I wouldnt care as much about the rest if they did a good job).
Avoid this place at all costs and opt instead for a Soho / LES place where people at least know what they're doing and will hand you a glass of wine, give you a head massage and do your hair cheerily with a lengthy discussion on what you actually want. -
Review from Kathryn M.
New York, NY
1/31/2008
After discovering this salon while studying at FIT, I have been a loyal client for the past 4 years and refered many satisfied friends!
My personal favorite their is Roger, but Arthur is also great. They treat me like family, yet are professional and I have NEVER left without looking FABULOUS. I always go see Roger before a trip or big day for the perfect cut, color and blowout.
Get a glass of wine and prepare to be beautified! -
Review from Marja M.
Fremont, CA
Updated - 1/6/2009
Well, kids, per my original review, I came back between Christmas and New Year's for a haircut with Roger. He talked for several minutes, giving me basically the same advice I received in March (he's consistent, which is promising) but going into more detail on the color. So, this time, I allowed myself to be talked into getting some highlights TOO!!! My hairdresser back home will be thrilled that I've reverted to the blonde.
Roger continues to be friendly and chatty, offering me a drink and some candy, yet also brusque with the hands to the head. I have no issues holding the foils (as mentioned in someone else's unfavorable review) as he didn't have an assistant. Also, because I kept balking at the additional, recommended services, he apparently cut me a deal here and there. It wasn't that I was trying to haggle, I was just juggling my cash flow in my brain!
And, while it's true that people speak primarily Russian in the salon, I had no trouble understanding Roger or the receptionist, any more than I would other citizens of New York.
Anyhoo, great location, very easy to get to, and across the street from a movie theatre. I went to see "Doubt" after the salon visit. Please check out my profile for my new look.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/4/2008
I was coming into town for a 4-day dance convention, and wanted to get my hair "done" for the event,… Read more »
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Review from Cherie S.
New York, NY
4/30/2009
Id give negative stars if i could.......
I went to the 8th ave location and 23rd street....Its my own fault i did not come on here first and read these horrific reviews. I thought a simple bang trim would be fine........NOT
First of all i dont know the fat gentleman who (barley spoke english) that decided it was my lucky day....he sits me down acting as if he had never cut hair before and i specifically say angle my bangs down please dont make them to short.......oh yes yes.....NO NO........he proceedes to cut them straight across and make them look the guys bangs in the movie dumb and dumber.......i am now forced for the next few wks to put my bangs back till they grow out! I could have killed him........and he says they are angled i said sir look in the mirror they ARE NOT!
I got up and left ill be damned if i paid for that.
DONT GO HERE!! -
Review from Laurie C.
Newton, MA
7/15/2007
Amazing cut and color in this shop! The stylist, Mike, was just awesome. He didn't keep me waiting at all and helped me decide on the perfect shade. The cut was fast and flawless. I had a great experience here and love my new style- highly recommended!
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Review from Katy D.
3/17/2009
I've been to AR Hair Salon on 23rd btw 7th and 8th 3 times now. THe first time was with a man I just FELL in love with and who gave me a great, trendy cut. The next two times have been with Michael. When Michael asks you what you want, he wants you to tell him, and sometimes I've not a clue in the world. That caused for a moment of anxiousness when he just started to cut, but the more he got into it, the more we "meshed" and agreed with the best look. I've never had a hair cut style that has lasted me SO long; I usually get the funky, grown out look 6 weeks out, but I've lasted over 9. Search around for coupons print from their website), and definitely sign up for their emails (they email some out on different holidays). Mention yelp for a discount, too!! Definitely recommend Michael and the cast of characters at this location.
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Review from jen t.
New York, NY
4/8/2009
Ugh. I would give this place ZERO stars if i could.
So i booked an appointment for a single process color here after reading some positive reviews here and finding a deal on life-book. I should have know better when i walked in and the salon was DESERTED. I was the only client in there...and its a big space... I was seeing Rebbecca, who was very sweet and took my coat for me...that was the last nice thing that happened while i was there.
After i sat in her chair, i told her i just needed my roots touched up...i have had my hair the same shade of chocolate brown for about 5 years and I'm really happy with it. She proceeds to tell me that it is much too dark and ACCENTS the dark circles under my eyes and brings out the redness in my complexion too much. HEY LADY, THANKS FOR MAKING ME FEEL GREAT ABOUT MYSELF. she then tried to convince me to get a full head of highlights. NO, I SAID I JUST NEEDED MY ROOTS TOUCHED UP, THANKS.
so after much back and forth, she finally agrees and applies the color to my head. Half way through the processing, i notice my roots are MAGENTA. she notices too and without a word, slops another color on over it.
She then washes my hair with scalding water and brings me back to the chair to inspect the color. It seems MEH to me, but whatever...you get what you pay for.. so i go home, and in natural light, realize to my horror that my roots are in fact, STILL MAGENTA. I called the salon back, and told the receptionist that in this light, i was no longer happy. He was very polite and told me to come back whenever and they would fix it free of charge.
The next morning, i walked into the salon and attempted to explain the situation to the man at the front desk...appears he was the manager. I was halfway through explaining it when he cut in and basically told me i was lying and that he had spoken to Rebecca and she said, she told me she needed to fix it while i was still at the salon the day before!!! Actually, what she had said to me was, "it looks so good, you are going to love it" NOT "oh man, i screwed up. lets fix it ASAP"
i tried to tell the manager this, but he refused to listen and told me he would "take care of me this time, but in the future i should just listen to the stylist the first place" The attitude he took with me was appalling. I worked in an upscale hair salon for 5 years when i lived in Boston and WOULD NEVER HAVE TREATED A CUSTOMER THIS WAY. I was so disgusted with his behavior that i decided i would rather have to pay someone else to fix my hair than let this arrogant, sub par stylist touch me again. I have never in my life felt so unwelcome in a place where i am A PAYING CLIENT.
If you expect professionalism, courtesy, and skill in a salon then i would strongly suggest you stay away from AR salon. -
Review from Heather D.
New York, NY
3/21/2009
I visited the 8th and 25th location and I have to say I'm pretty satisfied. before I continue I have to say that I have big hair. with the right products and a gallon of hairspray, I could rival a texas beauty queen in 1983. BUT Arthur did a great job, turning my shapeless mass into a cute, updated bob, without giving me triangle hair, or anything too bizzare for work, without a whole lot of time. the atmosphere of the place was very swanky, deep red walls, gold trim and free booze. (which i declined thinking i should keep all of my wits about me when undergoing big hair changes) i got the yelp discount, but i'd probably go back just the same.
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Review from miriam h.
Brooklyn, NY
11/15/2008
I agree with Alexandra, ROGER IS THE MAN! Every time I go here, I get a wonderful haircut and shnockered on white wine. Reasonably priced and relaxed environment.
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Review from Seth C.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 3/12/2009
Just returned for my second cut at AR, this time it was so quick, and even turned out better. Usually you get a little nervous when a cut only takes 15-20 minutes, but Mike just know his shit! Went really well, totally recommend it, great price for Manhattan too.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/4/2008
Went here based on all of the good YELP reviews and I have to say I wasn't let down. Finding a… Read more »
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Review from Rupi H.
New York, NY
5/12/2010
If I could give it zero stars I would. My appointment was at 10am and tell me why I was still standing outside the salon at 10.10am. Yes thats right they weren't even open by the time I got there. I was five minutes early so I ended up waiting around for 15 minutes. Very annoying!!!!!!
Then the lady who cut my hair Blanca or whatever her name was sucked. When she was washing my hair she got water all down my face. The cut was the worst cut I had. I don't care if I only paid 40 dollars that doesnt mean you do a bad job. She cut it a lot shorter than I wanted her too. She kept putting her own agenda into the whole thing and not listening to me at all. I would NEVER and I mean NEVER recommend this salon or go there again!!! -
Review from Emily F.
ASTORIA, NY
7/12/2010
Just had my hair cut tonight. I booked through Lifebooker as it was cheap (half price), seems like most here did the same. I got there just as the girl before me was being finished. There was only one stylist, no biggy. So I waited a little bit. I normally rely on the stylist to give me suggestions etc...but not this guy. He acted annoyed the entire time. The shampoo (which is usually my favorite part) was terrible, and there was no conditioner (weird). I don't know a lot about hair cutting, but I do know dull sheers, and these were some DULL sheers. My hair looks ok, not great, but for $37 before tax and tip, not too bad for the city. He asked if I wanted it blow dried, but he said it in a way that it would be obsurd for me to want my hair blow dried. He kept stopping to talk to the men working in the shop - I think they were working on the air conditioner, not sure. It was a very weird experience overall. I might go back, but probably a different location if I do.
