It’s Official—These Are the Absolute Best Hair Salons in NYC

Fringe was one of the first salons to open in the Lower East Side 15 years ago, and it's stuck around for a reason. Founder Amy Schiappa was on a mission to create a space that was inspiring and inclusive, and that’s exactly what she’s achieved with the salon’s cute vintage barbershop-esque look and her staff of creative and considerate stylists. When one Jetsetter editor visited, the salon had a relaxed, intimate feel and everyone from the receptionist to Amy herself was welcoming—the complete opposite of the intimidating vibe some NYC salons are known to show off. On top of her easygoing attitude, Amy executed the most gorgeous, beachy waves, her personal specialty.

At Spoke & Weal Soho, you don’t tell Master Stylist Kelsy Osterman the exact length you’re going for—she lets your hair's natural texture dictate that for you instead. After listening to your locks (by seeing where your curls and waves start and end), she snips to perfection, delivering modern cuts full of body and volume. Meanwhile, on the lower level of the two-floor salon, Master Colorist Madison Rae Garrett excels in bold hues and beachy balayage, creating dreamy shades every time. Another Jetsetter editor says her chop and color with these two talents was the best hair makeover she’s ever had.

One simple click to their rainbow-bright website is enough to show you that Fox & Jane’s five NYC salons are unlike any other in Manhattan. Founded by hairstylist Lorean Cairns and entrepreneur Billy Canu, F&J embraces fun and community and prioritizes salon culture to the point that Cairns even wrote a book about it (in addition to hosting stylist education classes and events). We love that their pricing is uniquely based on hair length and service difficulty (rather than gender) and all products used are cruelty-free and accessibly priced. Undecided on whether you should make an appointment in the Bowery, the East Village, the Lower East Side, the Upper West Side, or Brooklyn? We suggest checking out their inspo-heavy Insta to find the right stylist for you.

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With locations in hotspots like Soho and Brooklyn, plus a residency at the Arlo SoHo hotel, it’s no wonder Cutler is a favorite among the fashion crowd. (Its celeb and model clientele doesn’t hurt either—one look at Cutler’s Instagram will reveal lots of famous faces.) Make an appointment with colorist Ryan Pearl for a dye job worthy of the runway (he’s worked with Hailey Bieber, Kelsea Ballerini, and more) or Melissa Parizot for a cool model-girl cut.

Inspired by founder Kattia Solano’s Costa Rican heritage, Butterfly Studio Salon in the Flatiron District is a space that emphasizes confidence, personality, transformation, and artistry. While services with Solano herself can be pricey (a cut will cost you $400, thanks to her 25+ years of experience), you can book with another skilled stylist for far less; check out the salon’s Instagram to find your fave. Of course, there’s always Kattia’s Corner—the founder’s step-by-step tutorials available online for any and all to follow.

Saving the environment is the m.o. at Soho’s Ion Studio NYC, one of the few sustainable hair salons in the world. For them, that means using 100% renewable energy, recycling everything (even hair!), and incorporating only eco-friendly products (the salon is exclusively affiliated with clean beauty brand Davines). If that’s not enough to convince you, maybe the celeb support will—clients include Sandra Oh, Taylor Schilling, Olivia Wilde, and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name a few.

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Celebrity colorist Marie Robinson’s eponymous Flatiron salon, co-founded with stylist Abell Oujaddou, has been the go-to for dozens of fashion and entertainment industry superstars (including Anne Hathaway and Elizabeth Moss) since 2010. The salon may not have a shiny new website or social media presence (Robinson intentionally deleted the company Instagram account a few years back), but who needs modern marketing when you have something better? In this case, that's word-of-mouth praises from Hollywood’s glossy-haired elite.

White Rose Collective , in the East Village, celebrates individuality and creativity—the team even makes mood boards together to keep the inspiration flowing. In addition to founder Teddi Cranford’s styles for the stars (we’re talking Behati Prinsloo, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and the like), the salon has a knack for tousled dry cuts and beachy blonde colorings, plus chic modern bridal looks.

Head up to the fifth floor of luxury retailer The Webster SoHo and you’ll find David Mallett’s swanky namesake salon, designed by renowned French architect Charles Zana. Mallett, an Aussie-born, Paris-based hair stylist who has two other salons back home (one’s located in Le Ritz Paris), counts Natalie Portman and Penelope Cruz among his clients and also boasts his own cult-favorite product line, so it’s safe to say you’re in good hands here.

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Native New Yorker Maria Barca opened her first salon, Self, in Williamsburg when she was just 23 years old. The space is both minimalistic and open and puts a focus on beauty—a philosophy that follows through in her work, where she specializes in hair painting, dry cutting, curly cutting, and extensions. With an additional location in Bushwick and her own Self brand of hair products in the works, Barca's reputation won't be on the down-low for long (so we’d recommend booking with her or one of the other talented Self stylists while you can).

You’ve probably heard of John Frieda (his best-selling Frizz-Ease may ring a bell) and Serge Normant (he’s got a product line, two books, and has led dozens of fashion show hairstyling teams). However, at their beautiful Serge Normant at John Frieda salons in the Upper East Side and Chelsea (set in a restored 19th-century townhouse), there are far more less-famous names you ought to get to know—Normant’s whole team is highly skilled, well-trained, and, yes, a tad bit cheaper than his own $600 cut.