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GiGi Salon Styling Studio - Aveda Concept Salon
Category: Beauty and Spas Hair Salons Hair Salons [Edit]
3417 30th AveAstoria, NY 11103
Neighborhood: Astoria
(718) 777-7755
Announcement
City's Best has chosen GIGI SALON as The Best Salon in New York CIty!!
http://www.citysbest.c...
- Nearest Transit:
-
30 Av (N, Q)
Astoria Blvd (N, Q)
Broadway (N, Q)
- Hours:
Mon 12 pm - 8 pm
Tue-Fri 10 am - 8 pm
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
129 reviews for GiGi Salon Styling Studio - Aveda Concept Salon
129 reviews in English
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Review from Whitney J.
Queens, NY
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
My roommate and one of my best friends steered me here and I'm so glad I finally went. As a broke grad student, I went two years of getting my hair cut for free at Bumble and Bumble Model Project, but wanted to get a cut that I desired for once. So I made an appointment and off I went down the street to GiGi
My stylist was Aleta and she was really nice. I told her what I wanted (low maintenance, not too much off, wash-and-go) and she delivered in a chic way that I can actually recreate. Couldn't ask for anything more! I asked about a color appointment at a later date and she said that's her specialty, so I'll probably go back to her again.
Everyone at the salon was attentive and polite and was on point. Even though the salon was busy, everyone was genial and polite and made a point to offer me tea or water and make my appointment pleasant.
I think I've found my new place. Affordable and a great environment? Win.
Also, I've got thin, fine, straight/wavy hair and my roommate has really thick, curly hair and they've managed to make us both extremely happy. That's some skill! Thanks, GiGi's! -
Review from Leah B.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 11/28/2011
Changed stylists to TENZIN, cannot say how thankful I am for her. Been going to Tenzin for over a year now, she is the most talented stylist in that place. Enough for me to come to Queens from Manhattan to continue seeing her.
Make an appointment with her, you wont be disappointed.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/8/2010
Just moved to Astoria 3 months ago and I have super short Audrey Hepburn like hair which requires… Read more »
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Review from Lauren B.
Manhattan, NY
11/18/2011
I visited today for the first time.... and I'll definitely return.
Scheduling: SUPER easy.... you can do it online! I love that... because of minimal human interactions.
Salon: Very nice...trendy looking. HILARIOUSLY AMAZING PLAYLIST going on in the background -- seriously it was a playlist from when I was 16 (Nsync, Christina Aguilera, Spice Girls - HA!) The receptionists are friendly and helpful.... and NOT pretentious. The girl who washed my hair was also very friendly...very gentle. I liked it!
The stylist who cut my hair was fast, efficient, didn't waste time gossiping about trivial things.
I couldn't be happier. I'm not into frills... and this place really knew how to rock my socks. -
Review from irene v.
Holtsville, NY
11/12/2011
NO BUENO. NO! STOP!
(!) Bad (!) (bad) experience with scissors. I honestly can't call it a hair cut. My hair was butchered. I went in based strictly on a referral from a good friend who had a bob.
Her hair looked great. Mine - worst - ever. To the point colleagues kept asking if I was ok as I looked "frazzled". If you have a minute, please look at my picture. Looking bad it still makes me cringe but if I can help someone else with my public shame I'm all for it.
To understand the risk you are undertaking I besiege you to take a look.
I scheduled my appointment 7 weeks in advance in order to secure a spot with GiGi. I was (incorrectly) of the mindset that more money equaled better service and haircut.
When I walked in I was greeted by ... oh, that's right no one. That's because 5 of the staff were all huddled around the reception desk with their backs facing the front door. When I repeated myself for the 3rd time ("Hi!" - nothing draconian here.) One of the women turned and barked," What?"
I figured, Irene, this is Queens - and then I thought to myself - excuse me - even in the uber competitive land of mani/pedi's of Astoria no one (and I mean no one) has ever been this rude to me.
I had arrived early (20 minutes). 45 minutes after my appointment time I inquired with the same unoccupied staff if someone would be available to wash my hair. Nope. The shampoo personnel were "out". I eventually realized it was cover code for "We don't know where GiGi is"..because the minute he walked in everyone scattered. (Where I have no idea.)
I recognized the opportunity (as I did not want to wait forever) and asked," Hi! Are you Gigi?" Yep. He gestured towards a seat and I off I went.
I explained how I had spent the prior 5 months growing my hair (with minute trims every 3 weeks by a stylist friend) and how I wanted to soften my existing bang line [lip length] into my shoulder length hair. He pulled, tsk'd bad mouthed my prior stylist (not new in a salon. or with a dentist for that matter.)
Someone appeared at that moment and whisked me off for the shortest shampoo ever. I was returned to my seat and introduced to a very nice woman - who was apparently there to cut my hair. Before she even placed the comb in my hair I highlighted that my appointment was with Gigi. She explained to me Gigi would be in towards the later part of the session. Whaaat? I asked if this somehow would mean a lower price of a haircut. N o p e. Standard operating procedure.
Fine. Did she have any idea of what I had discussed with Gigi? No. All she had to go on was the uncombed pile in front of her. Again, fine. I figured I was in the hands of experts as my friend's haircut was so fitting.
I kept raising my hand pretty much every time she was about to cut (after the first 10 swipes). Why? Each time she cut 2 inches hit the floor. T W O. When she started sectioning to blow dry I inquired as to when Gigi might return. She assured me he would be on his way. (Mind you I could see | hear him bouncing around to his other clients.)
When my hair was dry and I kept tilting my head left and right in front of the mirror - aghast at my crooked hedgehog - Gigi performed a drive by. He said," Wow. That is a look! Here .."
[He turned my chair away from the mirror towards him]
I felt him pick up my bangs
I saw the scissors
Swoop!
He picked up a few other areas around my head
Chomp, Chomp
And he said...
Presto!
Spun my chair towards the mirror and walking towards the back of the salon. I was so surprised I didn't know what to do. I could see damage. Not only had my lip length bangs been chopped upwards, they were on a 45 degree angle. (Again, if you have not looked at my picture I beg you.)
My ability to breathe was restricted. I have never felt light headed in my life. Not even when giving blood, running long distances on empty or the next day after New Years. If someone had tapped me in either shoulder I am pretty sure I would have fallen over.
When my quasi-unquote stylist started untying my robe I gasped so loudly she stopped. I literally just sat there fingering and fluffing what was left of my hair. Either someone said something to Gigi or he noticed but he stopped at my chair. I heard him ask if I had somewhere special to show off my hair. (Right.)
At check out there was (of course) an issue the final price. At that point I just nodded, signed and fled.
The picture was taken 2.5 weeks after the visit to the hair butcher and 1hr+ wrestling with a blow dryer and flat iron. -
Review from Audrey B.
Astoria, NY
1/4/2012
This was my 4th time visiting Gigi and my 3rd time with Kat as my stylist. My previous visits have all been for a hair cut and a blow dry. The staff is always friendly, the place is clean and I never feel uncomfortable or impatient.
This last week I visited Kat for some blond highlights and a trim. I could not be happier with how the color turned out! It was also done relatively quickly which was great! The cut looks great too and I look forward to coming back. -
Review from Memphis F.
Astoria, NY
12/21/2011
I've been going to Gigi's on and off for about 2 years now after discovering them on Yelp, but I've never written a review before. Today, however, I am breaking that habit.
I just returned from receiving a phenomenal haircut from Tenzin, and I literally can't stop beaming over my hair. I wear short-to-very-short styles and I grow them out because I'm usually too busy/distracted to get regular haircuts, so stylists think I never want to go shorter than an inch or half. Tenzin took one look at my shag today (I've been sporting a quasi-90's shag as of late) and knew exactly what it was, and that I preferred my hair much shorter! That was just the start.
The cut was quick, the service was pleasant as always, I was immediately offered coffee/tea/water and the assistant who did my shampoo (I think he said his name was Juan? I'm pre-caffeine so do excuse my memory lapse) was very nice and excellent, my hair feels clean and soft and my color doesn't look faded at all! There was no need for any finishing product, and the style holds great.
What really won me over was when I was sitting in the chair, waiting for a pause so I could take a sip of my water, Tenzin somehow could sense this and stopped and handed it right to me. That kind of attention and ability to read those slight cues is what really ties together amazing customer service, and can really make a great haircut turn in to a fantastic one. (I work in retail/customer service, and I know it's not easy when the holiday is starting to settle in and everyone's stressed out!) Gigi's was just what I needed this morning to set me in this fantastic mood to carry me through the week.
And my hair looks spectacular! Tenzin took one look at a photo I had of how I wanted the length to be, but adapted it, taking out the unnecessary shortish fringe bits, and giving me a beautiful, soft, A-Line bob that I cannot stop looking at! My hair feels so soft and light; and I still have enough length at the sides to run a flat-iron through it, but it's not long enough to touch my neck or start bothering me. She was also sensitive to the fact that I do not mind going shorter at all, something that my stylists in the past are always shy about! I've always had to ask the stylists to take the back shorter before leaving the chair--Gigi's or otherwise--but Tenzin got it right the first time! She didn't have to timidly ask if it was going to be too short, or if I minded the edging clippers in the back, she just did what I wanted exactly!
I usually don't work with the design stylists at Gigi's, and again, I've been perfectly happy with the stylists that charge $30 or $40 for cuts; but for how fantastic my hair looks at feels, I will definitely pay more to see Tenzin! She really is a fantastic stylist, and I can't thank her enough! I'll just chalk this up to an early Christmas gift to myself this year. :D -
Review from Helen G.
Manhattan, NY
11/6/2011
Loved this place. It was my first visit.
I had Kat, who gave me beautiful color that fixed a terrible double process that I got a few months ago. The color was so good, I think it is one of the best color jobs I have ever gotten. I also got my hair cut, which looked great. I was slightly hesitant because it seems like most stylists here cut hair dry but it turned out great. I really could not be happier with how my hair turned out. For cut and color (long hair) it was still under 150 with tip, which is cheaper than I usually pay.
Other pros: very clean salon, the interior was great, all the staff was friendly that I talked to, I made my appointment same day and didn't have to wait long
Cons: There really are none, if anything the guy who shampooed my hair was a little rough on my scalp that was sensitive after the dye, but it wasn't very bad and he was very friendly. -
Review from Jenny B.
ASTORIA, NY
11/21/2011
I have been to GiGi's twice now and have had a very good experience both times. The stylists are quick and the cuts are consistently good. Not the best cut I've ever had in my life -- hence the 4 stars -- but really very good. And I get nervous so I like to know what I'm going to get. My only real complaint is that they don't take American Express. But what they lack in AmEx love they make up for in hot Oolong tea and someone asking me if they can please take my coat and spending a lot of time massaging my scalp while they're washing my hair. I like the trendy look of it, too -- When I walk in, I invariably don't feel cool enough to be there. But that's always changed by the time I walk out. I would definitely recommend it.
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Review from Yasmine H.
Morgan Hill, CA
12/20/2011
Came here for the reviews. Dont know what all the rave is about. Its an ordinary salon with arrogant employees who give ordinary haircuts. I've been to plenty of high-end salons with stylists who have celebrity clients. And this salon by far had the most stuck up employees
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Review from Alison C.
NY
8/7/2011
Short Story:
Bad single process job, my crown is stained, the color did not match the swatch nor my actual hair color which is what I asked for to cover my grays, oh and last but not least... my shirt is ruined with black hair dye all dripping down the back. Amateur hour to say the least. If you are going to hang a "City Search's best salon in the city 2010" sign in your window... be able to at least do a simple single process.
Long Story:
I made an appointment here because I couldn't get an appointment in time for my vacation at my normal place in Flatiron. I figured, mehh, I just need a single process hair color to cover my grays before I go away on vacay.
There were decent enough yelp reviews, I'd pass by this place on my way to the gym often and it seemed clean and nice. Also heard about it from a Yelp event at DiWine, so I figured it couldn't be bad.
Think again.
I walk in there and am greeted promptly and taken for my consultation with Diana right away. I tell her I just want to match my own color (dark brown with slight redish undertones) and to cover my grays. That's it. She brings some swatches over, shows me a color to match my own, it looks good. As she mixes up the color, I'm prepped by an assistant (towel around my neck, hair in a clip, and a smock)... no Vaseline around my crown as I'm used to.
As Diana starts to apply the color to my hair/scalp.. she is getting the color allover my crown... I ask her "is this going to stain, because it seems like it is.." She replies, "no don't worry i have something to remove it, don't worry, don't worry". mmmkay went against my better judgment and let it go. She finishes up my head, and by head .. I do mean head.. my scalp was beyond itchy and burning because instead of taking the time to apply it close to my root, she thought it would be faster to do it this way.
I sat for 25 minutes .. counting down until this could be rinsed away already and I could feel some relief. "Did you make a blow dry appt too?"... "umm well I'd like it dried after its washed?"....RING RING, great. My hair gets washed... and sure enough the hair washer is SCRUBBING my forehead and ears till they're red... because of course... she stained me. As if I wasn't in enough pain already....
Reveal time, how did it turn out? Well... black, with redish tones. Much darker than my normal hair, does not look like the swatch. My ends are darker bc they should have sat less time than my top. Awesome. "It looks so natural, right?"... yeah if jersey shore hair color is natural.
She asks the hair washer to dry my hair while she finishes up another girl... who by the way turned out pretty well (I think she got a trim). After my hair was brushed from all the knots caused by the "spice girl" look Diana gave me with my color... it is then being finger dried for quite sometime and the girl is in la la land not paying attention to anything she is doing to me.
Diana returns, to run a roll around brush over my head about 6 times... and "WALA looks so good"... ITS STILL WET and it looks atrocious. Wow... so disappointed. I tried to give a courteous enough smile but it was apparent I was not pleased. I couldn't wait to leave and could barely make eye contact with the receptionist when she asked me if i liked everything.
As I walk home seething at what a waste of money that was... I walk through the door, my fiance tells me... "whats on your back?"... OH! You mean the all the black hair dye allover my pink shirt????? ARE YOU SERIOUS? You let me walk out the door with black dye on my shirt??? Incredible.
I will never come back here. I hate giving bad reviews, but I hate a crappy hair dye job for $83 even more... oh and my shirt is ruined. Thanks.
I can only hope that in a few days of constant washing it gets a little better before I look like a complete tool to meet my fiance's family in Greece. Fingers crossed for that one. -
Review from Natalie S.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2011
Kristina is hands down a top notch colorist. Recommended to me by a co-worker I've been going to her ever since until I recently moved away. Kristina could make me a natural blonde in under an hour! She gives fast, natural highlights and uses those amazing Aveda products that don't damage my hair. In fact, my hair feels much healthier after I leave the salon. She's super sweet and really understands color and chemistry. Also probably the only girl who can pull off a short silver pixie cut! Do yourself a favor and go to her.
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Review from Fifi G.
Astoria, NY
11/2/2011
I've been to Gigi's a number of times since 2008 but in between I've also gone to other salons (I like to try different places) but I leave those places & always go back to Gigi.
His other stylists are great too - I've had haircuts by Nem & Edita - but I prefer Gigi's unique expertise - he cuts hair in a way that I've never seen anyone else ever do. When I go in for haircuts by him, my hair gets washed, blown out, then Gigi cuts dry hair using an unusual but wonderfully effective scissor technique. I love how my hairstyle comes out beautifully shaped & tapered with precision accuracy - the kind of results I expect from someone using a texturizing razor but he does this w/scissors & much better! His prices are very reasonable IMO, esp. considering that he's the owner & artistic director - he could charge Manhattan prices but I'm glad he doesn't. I've been to Manh stylists who charge $90-$100+ but never gave the same kind of expert results I get here. Their cuts were unmanageable at home & quickly grew out badly (within 2-4 wks), which really ticks me off. I guess they just charge more b/c they need to pay higher rent...or something.
My haircuts by Gigi always grow out beautifully & can go months without needing another haircut - that's the sign of a quality cut. I'm not often able to coordinate my schedule to his (Tues, Fri, Sat) but I don't think I'll be taking a chance on other salons again. Gigi gets it right & I appreciate that his services are affordable. I'll happily work out my schedule so I can go again. My visits there are always enjoyable & Gigi even fixed a haircutting & highlighting mistake made by someone else I used to go to (in Manhattan!). -
Review from Annie S.
7/19/2011
I am debating between 3 and 4 stars, but I think I am going to go with 3 for now; just call it a 3.5.
After a terrible haircut in the city that had to be fixed while I was in New Orleans, I've been dreading getting my haircut again because I'm not going home (to Boston) to see my trusted stylist any time soon. But the time came where I could not wait any longer. I made an appointment for a Sunday afternoon with Tenzin, as I had read pretty good things about her and didn't want to pay top dollar when I wasn't sure if I was going to like the place.
Upon walking in, the salon is very clean and sleek looking. I like tha thte front is all windows so it lets in lots of light.
I walked in behind a woman who went up to the counter and asked what they could do about her hair because she'd recently had it cut by Tenzin and while it looked great that day, she can't style it and it looks like it hadn't even been cut. I sort of agreed with her, though who am I to say since I don't know what her hair looked like before. The woman at the counter informed her that Tenzin was out, but she could make an appointment for that week.
I heard her say Tenzin was out and got confused since that's who my appointment was with. When it was my turn, I asked her if this was true and she said yes, that she was out sick. I got a little annoyed because I didn't receive a phone call. I told her I had an appointment with her and she said someone else would do it for me. I made it clear I did not want to pay for an artistic director and she said it would be same price. I still think it warranted a phone call because I'm sure there are customers who would not want a different stylist. Anyway, I obliged.
She asked me to sit and literally five seconds later said, "Actually, I'm going to do your hair." Her name was Irina. She was very friendly and brought me over to her station to talk about what I wanted. I told her about my previous hair trauma and said I just wanted a trim. We agreed on a style and then she brought me over to have my hair washed.
A young-ish girl washed my hair and it was unbelievable. By far the best hair washing/massaging I've ever had (and why I was debating 4 stars). I can't even complain that I had to tip two people because it was that good.
Irina started to cut my hair and she asked me a few questions about how I found the salon, etc. She was very good about the amount she cut off in the back, though she ended up taking off quite a bit in the front. When she asked if I wanted my side "bangs" (I don't, well, didn't, really have bangs) shorter, I said just a little trim, and she took off more than a little. It looked great when she did it, but I am no stylist and it's going to take me a couple weeks to get used to how to dry them and let them fall.
I will say I was happy she cut my hair while it was wet. I've heard that a lot of them cut it while it's dry and that would not work for me. However, when she was, what I assumed, done with the cut, she said she'd dry it straight and then cut more. In my head I'm thinking, WHAT, you cannot possibly cut off more in the front than you already have. She dried it and it looked great, and then she took sheers and thinned up my ends since I have pretty thick hair. There was no more cutting involved, thankfully.
Overall, what she did looked great when she did it, but it is not ideal for me since I do now have side bangs that I need to bobbypin back when I run and I have yet to be able to dry it and wear it down because I'm still getting used to drying it (and the humidity isn't helping).
I will definitely go back to her because I think she's good at cutting hair and I valued her input (and the price wasn't bad -- $47), but I will be a little firmer about length next time.Listed in: AstoriaLove, Pampered
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Review from Pattyann B.
ASTORIA, NY
10/19/2011
I really recommend this place. Kristina cut my hair and she did an EXCELLENT job. I had some concerns about cutting my hair into a pixie cut because I have thinning hair and bald spots but she styled and cut it so that my bald spots are so much less visible! A liiiiittle pricey for Queens but I can honestly say this is the best haircut I've ever gotten.
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Review from jonathan a.
Astoria, NY
1/19/2012
had a couple haircuts here, and have always been fairly happy- good service, decent prices, and always a good cut.
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Review from Alice J.
New York, NY
10/13/2011
This place was incredibly unprofessional. When I asked for advice on booking an appointment, they immediately started pushing the master stylist services on me, not asking about my hair type, what I want out of the cut, etc.
So I went with one of the regular stylists, told her exactly what I wanted, layers and a little volume to give my thick, curly hair a boost, and she practically gave me a bob! Took too much off, way too angular, almost like a triangle. I was obviously upset, and although I paid and left nicely, I later emailed the manager to voice my disappointment, to which I got no response at all.
If you have a particular style or even a hair type that takes a little bit of finesse, I'd truly suggest going somewhere else. -
Review from Stephanie G.
Astoria, NY
3/21/2011
I went to cut my hair at Gigi's about five months ago based on the amazing reviews I read on Yelp but I must admit, I wasn't as blown away as I thought I would be. I have long, layered hair which is NEVER cut right. Stylists just love to cut into it and make unnecessarily short, unblended layers that I spend months trying to grow out in the hopes that in time I will find someone to cut it properly. I can't say my experience at Gigi's was much different. I won't say my stylist damaged my hair or made it any worse (I think she did what SHE thought I wanted) but I was no matter how bad I wanted to be, I was not 100% satisfied.
I went on a Saturday and it was a bit crowded, but nothing terrible. After about a 15 minute wait, my hair was washed and I was sat in the chair where I met my stylist. She was nice, but the consultation she gave me was very brief and I didn't feel like she really knew what I wanted. It was a bit awkward because she didn't talk to me at all throughout the entire haircut. I guess it's because I look much younger than I am and she didn't think she'd have anything to talk to me about. Well anyway, when the cut was done, I was relatively satisfied, but I noticed she had shortened my upper layers, which is exactly what I didn't want but never had the chance to tell her. Don't get me wrong, It looked good but I knew that the way it was cut, It would be a pain to style and maintain. When I went to pay, the price was not bad but I didn't feel like the cut was entirely worth it.
I went back for a bang trim a few weeks ago, which was free because the stylist who cut my hair trimmed them, and she kind of messed them up. Again, I don't think she was clear about what I wanted and now they look choppy and straggly, but I think she did her best.
Maybe it's my fault for not vocalizing what I wanted done to my hair both times, but either way I don't really know If i will go back for another haircut. If I do, I will go with a different stylist. -
Review from Lauren E.
Astoria, NY
6/11/2011
I had no idea what to expect with all the mixed reviews this place gets, but I decided to give it a try anyway because I badly needed a hair cut and I couldn't afford the $100 that I paid for my last one, which I got in Manhattan and grew out really quickly. So I called GiGi up yesterday in my annual "It's so freaking hot outside and my hair is so freaking long" panic, got scheduled with Tenzin for today (I didn't request anyone specific), and I had an overall great experience.
I came in with long, curly/frizzy/wavy hair that looked terrible from being out in the misty rain all day. My hair is very fine for curly hair. Stylists often do something misguided with it like give it chunky layers that are supposed to "frame my face" in the front while leaving the back much longer, which would look great if my hair were straight, but it isn't. It just looks awkward once my hair curls in its natural state with that kind of shaping - it looks like floppy dog ears, like those of a cocker spaniel, while the rest of my hair sits separated in the back. Anyway, Tenzin agreed that chunky layers don't work with my hair type, and she said she'd give me a more blended cut.
After that, the girl washing my hair spent ample time getting it all clean and conditioned. She asked me if the water temperature was comfortable, which was nice, though the hair washing sink was painful on my neck. I don't understand those things. The one here hurt more than most, for some reason. That's my only complaint about the whole experience: painful hair-washing sinks. Not sure if that's just me or if that's a common experience here.
Then Tenzin gave me the hair cut. I loved that she was not chatty. I don't like feeling like I'm being interviewed while I'm having my hair cut. And she was not cold or unfriendly; she was focused on giving me a good cut and making sure I liked what she was doing. She didn't push any products on me either. YAY! I found the price for a cut and style reasonable at $52. -
Review from Blaise F.
Astoria, NY
10/8/2011
Monica has been cutting my hair for more than a year now. She's really talented. I've been to a number of Aveda salons, and this one is certainly my favorite. Better haircut here than you'd get at any bullsh*t Toni and Guy in London or Paris. Best $35 you'll ever spend.
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Review from Kristen B.
Astoria, Queens, NY
2/13/2011
I made an appointment to have my hair cut here using their online system, which was pretty convenient. The only downside was that the online system made it impossible to figure out which stylists are senior stylists and which ones are just regular ones, which could matter if you are trying to get a haircut for a certain pricepoint.
However, I took a chance and scheduled an appointment for a Saturday morning with "any stylist". I arrived on Saturday to learn that Nem would be cutting my hair, and I was secretly super happy because I had read in previous reviews that he is awesome with short haircuts for women.
....and he is! I took in a recent photo of Emma Watson and I left the salon looking exactly like her.
The salon was super packed and it seemed like they were cranking people through rather quickly, which made me a little bit nervous at first. I started to feel more at ease once my name was called and the girl who washed my hair did an awesome job. Then Nem took one look at my Emma Watson photo and the scissors started flying. Again, I was a bit nervous because he was working so quickly, but my fears were soon assuaged when I saw my hair turning into an awesome new 'do.
I was in and out the door in 20 minutes!!
The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is because the prices could be a bit more reasonable, but the quality is unbeatable.
Short-haired ladies: visit Nem! He rocks! -
Review from Claire S.
Manhattan, NY
2/14/2011
Thank goodness for this salon - or more specifically, for Nem!
I have long, straight hair, but since I moved to New York I'd been putting off getting a haircut because I really dreaded spending close to $100 to get a cut that I either hated, or looked the same as what I had minus an inch. (Which is what always seemed to happen when I got haircuts back in Boston.) And sadly, I've had plenty of awful haircuts that reduced me to tears. But it got to the point that I couldn't stand it anymore, so I took a deep breath and made an appointment with Nem, based on the reviews here.
Nem was fantastic. When I sat down in his chair, I told him that I mainly just wanted it a few inches shorter. He told me that he could definitely do that, but then he politely suggested that it would look good with some layers (my layers had all grown out), though he made sure to tell me that it was just a suggestion and of course he could do exactly what I asked. But layers were definitely what I wanted, so I gave him the go-ahead. He warned me that it would look like a lot of hair was coming off, but I shouldn't be worried, because he was definitely keeping the length. I also appreciated that he reassured me a few times while he was cutting that overall, my hair would only be a couple inches shorter.
The result was the best haircut I've had in my life. He did an absolutely phenomenal job with the layers. Some of them were shorter than anything I've had before - but I LOVED it! He also made my side-swept bangs blend in perfectly with the top layer, so it looks like the bangs are part of the haircut, rather than an afterthought (which is really how they had looked before). Amazing! He did get rid of a lot of hair, but that was great - my head felt lighter, and my hair looks so much better and is so much easier to deal with. But yet it's still at the length I wanted.
I actually kind of wanted to go back and have him cut it again - just to see what other wonderful things he could do. I can't wait to go back again!
I paid $60 + tax and tip, but that's a total bargain for such a fantastic haircut, especially in a city where the average price for a woman's haircut has to be at least that, if not more. That's money well spent, in my opinion.
Thank you so, so, so much, Nem! -
Review from candy k.
New York, NY
3/14/2011
AMAZING! I have never ever left a salon with a smile on my face, except today! I LOVE this salon and everyone working there.
They were extremely respectful of my request to keep my long hair. They totally gave me an amazing style while keeping my length! I have always had "long layers" but not like this! It looks full, flowing, and healthy.
I can't believe it, but I've found a salon I trust and would recommend to anyone in the NY area! It's worth the short trip to astoria!
Also, side note- I went today for their free Monday morning hair cuts...I had a sweet Romanian girl, and Gigi instructing and doing part of my hair style as well. I will go back from now on as a paying customer to Gigi. Everyone should go! You'll fall in love! -
Review from Kate S.
Astoria, NY
Updated - 2/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Read again... a $10 AND a * 20%... only the 20% was applied according to the man behind the counter (it had no expiration date). Not both, which is fine, I even started by saying, "I don't even know if I can use both but...." and the response was, "oh, well, I can't overwrite the computer because it's not your birthday." At no time was I asked for ID to prove my date of birth because I could certainly see people trying to use something like this a month after their birthday, but this was actually the day after. Additionally, the usual response to even "oh my birthday was yesterday" is "Oh! Happy birthday!"... Didn't get even that.
*I think I previously stated it was 10% but actually I just checked the archived email and it was 20% so if he was truly using the one without the expiration date, it should have been $76 and change but instead, he--I guess--magically overrode the system so that I could get $10 instead of 20% and um... I don't know, make me feel like I was getting a discount even though it wasn't my birthday? Thanks for the math lesson, I feel better now. AND if he actually used both... well, I don't think I would have put $$$ under price range. For that price, I should have gotten a glass of champagne (which, I've actually gotten at less expensive places).1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/30/2011
I've been to Gigi twice. The first time I was given to a stylist named Monet, which if they had… Read more »
Comment from Arman D. of GiGi Salon Styling Studio - Aveda Concept Salon 2/2/2011
Hi Kate, we are sorry if Mone's physical appearance (Health… More » -
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Review from Maria H.
Jersey City, NJ
11/30/2010
I'm an idiot.
I've lived in Astoria for 6 years and have stressed over finding a 'good salon'. So I've been going into the city and spending $150 / haircut, afraid that anything less would be ghastly.
Finally, the fates collided and I was desperate for a cut in a hurry. After checking Yelp I booked my appointment at Gigi online, got the text confirmation, and a stylist called to confirm my appointment (technology!).
I am SO HAPPY I went. My stylist was professional, quick, and did a fantastic job for $45. And now I'm crushed that I'm moving away from Astoria, after just finding her.
*sad trombone* -
Review from Olivia G.
New York, NY
12/11/2010
The storefront for Gigi's is nice and welcoming and great for Astorians such as myself who don't want to go across the bridge (or pay across-the-bridge prices). However, the good stuff stops there.
I went in for a small trim a couple of weeks ago. I explained very clearly to the stylist that I was getting married at the end of December and wanted to keep as much length for styling but needed a trim to keep the ends and layers healthy (it had been a while). I got a very unsure stylist who cut my hair dry and kept asking for help from her supervisor. Very cold and impersonal service left me cold as well, but it was a reasonably-priced cut and, while she didn't give care to the layers, it was good enough to last through the end of the year.
Bolstered by my mostly-positive experience, my fiance just went there today to get his pre-wedding cut and, while bridezilla isn't my personality and I haven't been stressing at all over our wedding, I literally took one look at him and sobbed.
First, they made him wait about 45 minutes because the stylist he'd booked took another customer just before he walked in for his--confirmed!--appointment. They were straight with him so he felt comfortable enough to stick around. My man is a pro with getting his hair cut, knows exactly how to articulate what he wants so a stylist can understand, and even brought in a photo of himself at the length he wanted. The stylist completely ignored all of this and cut his hair SO SHORT. He generally wears his hair chin-length and with some layers to frame his face and embrace the natural shape of his hair and the stylist went against all of this. When he voiced concerns, she ignored him. He even told her he was getting married and didn't want any drastic changes because his hair only has three weeks to grow. At least it grows fast, hopefully we can salvage some of it for the big day.
But thanks, Gigi! You netted about $100 from both of us and have given me my first (and presumably only) case of wedding angina! -
Review from Alexandra K.
Astoria, NY
7/24/2011
I made an appointment with Nem on a whim. I read a review by my friend Kristen B. and it made me want a haircut. He was so friendly, and so clear about his vision for my hair. He was really gentle because he knew I didn't want several inches off. I am thrilled with the style. The cut cost me $73, about $10 more than I paid in the city, and $20 more than I paid when living in Detroit, but it was well worth every penny. The online booking process was pretty neat, too.
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Review from Ali L.
Astoria, NY
12/20/2010 4 Check-ins Here
So happy with this place. I go to Nem...I love that guy!! I usually drink red wine while my hair is getting done. The last time I was there, a mouse was running around (not gonna lie) but hey...it is NYC. If your scared of a mouse, you can't live here.
I always leave Gigi Salon looking great, feeling great. And the owner is nice too. He always says hi and last time he was handing out homemade treats.
*Rated best salon in NYC for 2010*Listed in: Must Try Places in Astoria
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Review from Daisy P.
Manhattan, NY
1/19/2011
When I first moved here from LA, I was scared that I might not find a new person to do my hair. Luckily, the Gigi Aveda Salon is on my street and reluctantly gave it a try. I read some reviews that Edyta was really good so I made an appointment with her and was really impressed!
I have now been going to her for a year and a half and she has cut and highlighted my hair multiple times and my hair always looks great. I love that Edyta is really professional and not super chatty who wants to hear your life story.
I can't speak for anyone else who cuts hair there but I'm always greeted with a smile. Great service and cheaper than other fine salons in Manhattan. -
Review from Ayaz A.
ASTORIA, NY
9/20/2011
This is one of the BEST haircuts I have had in the neighborhood or anywhere in NYC. Miguel, my guy in the East Village, was not available and I needed one desperately before my flight to Europe. I got an appointment with Monika. All I had to tell her was, "please do something that lasts three weeks". She came up with her own ideas about my wild curly hair. I was one of the three male customers there, and looking at their hair, a great job is being done whether you're a man or a woman. I give it 5 Stars and now I know exactly where to go for a cut.
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Review from Katie D.
Northvale, NJ
12/21/2010
The first time i went here, my experience wasn't that great. The internet had gone down and no one could figure out how to get it back up to pay with credit cards. So, they also didn't have their reservation system up. I ended up sitting there for well over a half hour before anyone came up to me to ask who i was seeing. Turns out, my girl was waiting for me the whole time too. With that said, Tenzin was friendly and I loved the way she cut my hair and that was enough to bring me back.
I love my haircut and got so many compliments on it. She even gave me a glamourous blow out that look like she curled it. I will of course be going back. The prices are also reasonable. -
Review from Dijana j.
Manhattan, NY
10/30/2011
I received high lights, haircut, and blow dry from Kat. Really loved my experience. She took her time and did everything that I asked her to do. She fixed a terrible haircut that I got previously. Definitely recommend this salon and this stylist.
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Review from Erin O.
Manhattan, NY
5/29/2011
I moved to NY a little over a year ago and had gone to Gigi 3 or 4 times for basic trims and single process coloring with no problems. As a natural blonde, I've been dying my long hair red for about 4 years now and decided I wanted to go back to blonde for the summer and take off some length. Knowing that going from red to blonde is a difficult task, I asked for a senior stylist when booking the appointment.
When i arrived I was told that Gigi himself would be doing my hair. Great! So I felt really confident and comfortable that things would be done well. Things started off ok. The color took awhile to do.... stripping the color, then dying my roots, then adding highlights. And it all somehow turned into this weird, striped, unnatural orange/yellow hybrid color. But I thought that maybe it was the best they could do without totally damaging my hair. Then came the really fun part. Before doing the color, we had cut off a few inches of length, so that my hair was now maybe an inch or two below my shoulders. When Gigi came back over to finish the cut, this is the conversation we had, verbatim:
Me: "So, I've been waffling between keeping it this length and doing some layers, or maybe going shorter, around chinlength."
Gigi: "Oh no, you should definitely keep it this length and we'll do some fun layers."
Fantastic! Except it turns out that Gigi's version of shoulder length hair with layers is actually a 70's, punk-rock, Farrah Fawcett, shag, mullet, graduated bob disaster. The first cut he made was taking the hair at the crown of my head and cutting it to about 3 inches in length. Perhaps I should have spoke up, but I assumed (being the freaking owner) he knew what he was doing.
In short, I have never felt so ugly in all my life. I've gone to multiple other reputable salons who say that my hair is so overprocessed, and so thinned out and short that there is nothing they can do to fix it right now. I have to wait awhile until some of it grows back.
NEVER LET THIS MAN TOUCH YOUR HAIR. I cried for days and will have to spend hundreds of dollars more to get this all fixed.
The only plus is that they've agreed to refund my money, after multiple emails and phone calls. I've yet to actually receive said refund though. -
Review from Sara H.
Astoria, NY
5/12/2011
KRISTINA is simply the best. She is very sweet and gave me exactly the haircut I wanted. She listened very carefully to what I needed and even stopped 1/2 way through the cut to ask "so far so good?". LOVE you Kristina. Thanks. She is the reason for the 4 stars.
However, I am compelled to write a negative review about LIANA. I had gone to her a week prior. I got the haircut I wanted (it was my choice to go shorter and come back to see Kristina...), but she was very rude and made me feel uncomfortable. That haircut was my first trip away from my 7 week old son. It was supposed to be something nice and indulgent that I was finally doing for myself. Liana pointed out that she knew I just had a baby because she could see my breastfeeding pads underneath my shirt. This immediately made me feel embarassed. She then proceeded to style my hair completely differently than the picture I showed her, to which she frowned and said this is an "unusual style". She also made nasty faces when I told her my son's name. As a new mom finally taking the plunge to get out of the house without my son and do something special for myself, this totally ruined my experience. DO NOT SEE HER. -
Review from Lindsey A.
ASTORIA, NY
5/23/2011
I recently moved to Astoria from the suburbs of Detroit and of course had to leave behind my amazing hair stylist. Since my last salon visit, my highlights had long grown out and I colored my hair back to my natural base color. I was nervous about letting someone new do my hair so I turned to Yelp to find a new stylist. Based on her previous good reviews, I chose to make the appointment with a specific "senior stylist" for highlights and a cut, fully expecting to tip well and pay plenty more than I did at my salon in Michigan.
I brought in pictures of ME right after the last cut/color I got and told her that it was exactly what I wanted. She said she couldn't see the color very well in the iPhone pictures so I pointed out a stylist who had a similar natural blond that I was looking for. I also requested she start the highlights about halfway up the back of my head, to look more natural with my short cut. The consultation was VERY brief but I just assumed she got all of the info she needed from the pictures. That's where the appointment started to get awkward.
A full head of highlights takes a while to apply and throughout the whole process, she hardly said anything to me. I tried to make casual conversation but she just kinda chomped on her gum and seemed slightly annoyed to have to be there. I assumed she just wasn't very talkative, which I can understand, but the silence did feel uncomfortable. I could also feel that she started my foils at the base of my neck rather than halfway up as I requested but with the awkward silence, I decided not to say anything and assume she knew what she was doing. Once the foils were in she took me back to the back to process and to start rinsing out the color in sections. Back there I got to witness a few employees joking around and teasing each-other (one of them even made a joke doubting my stylist's skills) which I found pretty unprofessional. The assistant who rinsed and washed my hair was super sweet and really the only friendly person I encountered that evening. Once washed, the highlights seemed to look right, as far as I could tell.
For the cut, I once again showed her the pictures and told her how I part my hair and she went ahead and started cutting. This is where I started to get nervous, as she started cutting on one side and parted my hair completely differently than I had explained. Once she had dried and flat-ironed my hair and did a bit more cutting and shaping, my bangs were still weird, which she blamed on a cowlick (I don't have a cowlick there, it was the way she parted them before drying.) At this point, I realized I needed to speak up and point out a few problem areas to be fixed. She went ahead and fixed them but the cut still didn't look anything like the pictures I showed her. I hoped this was all just bad styling because of the way she dried it so I politely smiled, said thank you, paid, tipped, and left.
I got home and took a good look at the cut and I wanted to cry. The highlights in the back looked stripy and unnatural (think 1990's men's frosted tips) and the layers at the top were SUPER short and sticking up everywhere. The cut wasn't so bad, just shorter than I wanted on top and very choppy. And the highlights seemed to emphasize the choppiness. I calmed myself down and told myself it would look better once I washed out the product and styled it myself, which it did. I only slightly hate the cut now and I think it will look good in a few weeks once it grows back in a little. I thought about going back to get the ugly highlights at the base of my neck fixed but honestly, I felt so uncomfortable and out-snobbed at Gigi's, I really doubt that I will ever step foot in the salon again.
My overall impression of Gigi's? No one was outright rude to me, but they certainly weren't friendly. For what I paid, I should have walked out of there loving my hair, and I just didn't. I don't know how much of my bad experience is due to NYC culture-shock or me not speaking up for myself but maybe a different stylist and I would have been a better fit. -
Review from Melissa M.
New York, NY
1/15/2011
I tried Gigi after walking by a few times and seeing how beautiful it looked - on my first trip my stylist was Nem. He was wonderful, very friendly, and gave me excellent feedback/tips - but I was in a bit of wallet-shock when I realized he was a senior stylist and the cut set me back over $70.
I loved the salon though, (they bring you wine or tea while you wait - so sweet!) so I went back and asked for a less senior person, hoping to save a few bucks. I'm glad I did - my new stylist was Tenzin, who was FANTASTIC. I will say that the first time I stepped out of her chair I was a little nervous (a big change) but I've never gotten more compliments on my hair, and at $45 the price was right.
So sad that I've moved away and am not making the trek to Astoria anymore.. but had to recommend it for anyone who lives closer! -
Review from Silvina G.
Astoria, NY
11/20/2010
Oh man, having been to Toni & Guy loyally for several years prior to moving to NY, I was already hesitant in trying this place but since it's always so packed, I thought it must be good. Yeah, 36 bucks was cheap for a haircut but I expected much... much better. My haircut sucked so much, it was painful to walk the 2 blocks back to my apartment. Perhaps it was misunderstanding or perhaps it was the fact that she took a chunk out of the left side and now there's a strange imbalanced mullet going on. I'm not sure... perhaps it's the style. Although I don't think ugly should ever be a style.
I guess I'll be wearing my hair up for a while until it grows out and I can get a real haircut at Toni & Guy. -
Review from Mark M.
Updated - 11/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
It's pretty much my three year Gigi anniversary and a sad moment (I'm just now returning from a haircut) because I have to take them down one Yelp star from my previous review.
After three years, the service is still exceptional and they do an excellent job. Several friends also now go to Gigi (men and women) and all are very pleased. A couple of aforementioned friends come in from Manhattan.
But why down one star you ask? The prices. They've just gone up and up and up and up and I can't do it anymore. Today, I went to pay (as I've done so many times before) and it is now $32 for a men's haircut. I find this quite unbelievable.
Now I have to find a new haircut place and that makes me want to hyperventilate....but I have no choice.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/29/2009
I'm a typical "dude" with short hair. I live in Astoria and have been here a number of times.
3.75… Read more »
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Review from MoMo B.
Brooklyn, NY
8/13/2010
I came here religiously when I lived in Astoria. I went to Vicki and my roommate went to Kristina... and we were both very happy.
You can't beat the products (big Aveda fan) and the service was great. The tea they offer is delicious, so say yes when they ask you if you would like some.
They are professional, clean and affordable.
Plus, they all speak with accents which I love. -
Review from Maggie P.
Sunnyside, NY
1/30/2011
I give this place a three. The first time I went here, I got the "coolest" and possibly best haircut of my life. I can't remember the stylist's name, but she was from Singapore...and her station was near the door.
Please someone, tell me you know who I'm talking about...and where she's gone too because I don't want to go back.
Upon learning that she had gone, I went ahead and scheduled an appointment with Monica. I had to wait 30 minutes to be seen. Once she found me, she was very apologetic, but I felt like she was rushing through my haircut so as to service another client. Also, my cut looks like I got it done at a place that charges $20.00. That wouldn't bother me if I had only paid $20, but when you pay $50 for a cut... you want it to look damn good...know what I mean? So 5 and 1 average = 3. -
Review from Christina L.
New York, NY
8/25/2011
Visited recently on a friend's recommendation.
Here's what I liked:
- friendly staff & calm vibe in place
- free tea, water, or wine
- Aveda products smell good
- Nem, the stylist working with me was polite and gave me a good cut. I was looking to get rid of burnt ends due to a styling process I had done elsewhere, and he totally helped give me a do I could work with.
