Studio 34

Mela is an artist! She’s the best stylist I’ve had in +20 years of haircuts and 5 years of having a pixie. The pixie part — now, that’s saying something. She’s cut my hair over five times and given me highlights twice. Every time my hair came out *exactly* as I wanted it. That’s rare, even with the best stylists.
When I had a true pixie she helped me maintain it. As anyone with a crop cut knows it can get kind of boring after awhile. I didn’t want to nix the pixie but I wanted to mix it up. Somehow she always kept it interesting (at my request). There was one time where I just wanted to keep it the way she was and she did that, too. With every haircut she listens to what you want while also taking your cash shape and hair behavior into consideration.
Growing out a pixie is usually painful but she has made it painless. I did it once before and it was awful. She’s helping me grow it out now and I’m actually having fun with it.
She’s fantastic with highlights, too. They’re subtle but fun. Not streaky nor chunky nor invisible. Just perfect. She takes her time and it shows.
Giuseppe is also wonderful. He cut my husband’s hair and it turned out exactly as he’d hoped.
The cherry on top of this delectable cake of a salon is the cost. Both cuts and color are cheap, yet I’d pay more for a hairstyle here than I would any other salon, ever.
¹⁰⁄₅ stars. All the stars.

I have been meaning to leave a review since my visit in October where I’d booked in for balayage with Mela. I had high hopes as her reviews were so good. After a trying conversation over the phone (with who I assumed was the receptionist since she didn’t understand what I meant by balayage and thought it could only be done using foils) I was concerned to discover that it was Mela I had been speaking to.
All I wanted was some brown hair dye to be brushed into my highlighted hair, but this seemed to be an issue. I was told she would have to bleach all my hair before she could do this (completely ridiculous!) or I could have highlights. I settled for highlights as it seemed the easier option and asked to see a color chart. I was told there was no point because I could only have the same color that was already in my hair, and there were only three shades of blonde anyway.
I’ve never experienced such limitations when visiting a salon and I walked out as it was clear that I wasn’t going to have a positive experience. I found Mela to be condescending and patronizing, with no ‘can-​do’ attitude whatsoever and she was very unpleasant to deal with.
I walked up to Hairspray and the ladies in there were great, understood exactly what I wanted and I left happy. It wasn’t that hard! If it hadn’t have been way out of my way, I’d have gone back to Mela to show her what balayage is!

I just got home from getting my hair cut at Studio 34 and realized I have been getting my hair cut here, by Mela, for 4 years and never left a review?! Shame on me.
I love coming to Studio 34: the atmosphere is friendly, professional, and Mela does absolute wonders with my hair. When I first started coming to Studio 34, convinced by all the great reviews I had seen on Unilocal to give them a try, I had long, thick, wavy hair, and Mela did a good job layering it to help me make it more manageable. 3 summers ago, I convinced her to cut it short (14 inches off! Yes, I donated it.) and I haven’t looked back since.
She takes time every appointment to make sure we’re on the same page about what kind of cut I want, and if I want to take a risk (aside from going short 3 years ago, I got an undercut this past summer that I loved), we talk it out to figure out what will look best with the shape of my head. The cuts always look great walking out the door, and grow out insanely well.
I highly recommend you check them out if you haven’t already!

This review is for Mela. Blond highlights
Wow! Every time I see 5 star review I question whether was that review honest, or friends and family did someone favor.
But let me tell you that this was my first time ever at this salon. I got recommendations from customer from work. Made an appointment for highlights (blond/​half head). Was late for my appointment and Mela almost couldn’t take me. She didn’t want to rush through my hair (which made her so awesome and professional– quality over quantity). Lucky I was able to move appointment for later the same day. She did my hair so throughly and easily, it was pice of cake ! But the outcome is what get 5+ stars! Beautiful, even, golden — blondish highlights that I was alway looking for. I left the place happy and satisfied! Finally found hair stylist that gets my hair.
Highly recommend!
Will be back.

I got to say that the people who work in Studio 34 are rude racist and most of all discriminant. However after booking my appointment over the phone for my three girls and myself, I was not greeted upon entering the salon, second of all I had to wait about half an hour after arriving, and the worst thing, THE STYLIST LEFT MY CHILD HANGING ON THE CHAIR WHILE CHATTING WITH ANOTHER CLIENT FOR 20 MINUTES, and came back to me to appologize about not being able to continue with me because she has a client who is in a rush. I PAID 30 BUCKS AND LEFT THE PLACE SO DISAPOINTED WHILE MY OTHER TWO LITTLE GIRLS WERE CRYING FOR NOT HAVING THEIR HAIR DONE AS I PROMISED EARLIER.

I’ll admit to being one of those people who used to think I had to go to Manhattan to get a good and «cool» haircut, but after a while I got tired of spending a cool $ 100 to do so. Sometime last year I read a review on here that said that Mela was great with short hair, so I gave her a shot– and now she’s my girl! She does a great job, doesn’t take forever (you know how sometimes you get your hair cut and it takes like 90 minutes and the hairdresser can be overly chatty? she’s a no BS woman), gives you her honest opinion and doesn’t take liberties with your hair. I’m in and out in under 45 mintues and the price is right at $ 35.
I even got my barber-​shop-​only boyfriend to start coming here (thank god). He goes to one of the male stylists there (whose name we don’t know– the bald guy). I recommend this place for men as well– every time I’m there I see men getting similarly great haircuts!
A couple weeks ago someone asked me where I got my hair cut, saying «you probably go to one of those fancy expensive places in Brooklyn!» and I was very happy to correct her :)

I can’t believe I haven’t written a review for this place yet. Been coming here for almost two years now, and I won’t be going anywhere else as long as I live in New York City.
I’ve got that weird curly hair that’s more aggressive than wavy, but not super curly. So in general, it just looks kinda messy. Mela did wonders with my head, and has consistently given me beautiful cuts each time I’ve gone in.
What’s really impressive is the care and attention to detail she gives. I go to get a trim/​shape up (re-​define layers, etc.) since I’m growing my hair out. Other stylists will spend ten minutes and then I’m out the door with an ok haircut, but after a month or two it looks pretty bad. Mela checks her cuts and the lengths of each layer at least two or three times, making sure my haircut is exactly as it should be. Her cuts grow out great, which means I come in only every 5 months or so.
And how much do you pay for such attention to detail and a fantastic cut? Almost half what I’ve spent at several other «mid-​range» salons. Not to mention, everyone else at Studio 34 has always been extremely pleasant and thoughtful. The lady who took care of the bill and washed my hair (sadly I don’t know her name) is lovely.
Please go. These people are awesome and deserve as much business as they can get.

I’ve been to this salon 3 times now. The first time I had Litsa, she was very good with my curly hair. Next I had Giuseppe and I wasn’t wild about the haircut, but he did such a nice blow-​out and I was grateful to just get any sort of trim. Next I finally took the recommendation of all the other Unilocal reviewers and made an appt with Mela for my curly hair. She was amazing. She gave me recommendations on how to style it for my natural curl and she really took her time and care in my haircut.
Definitely recommend this salon overall, everyone is so very nice, and if you have curly hair — definitely go to Mela!

It was a very small salon, but as soon as I walked in I felt welcomed. My jacket was taken and hung up for me. I then met Mela. She asked me what I would like, and having not had a trim for 9 months– I needed a trim. In the end, it turned into a haircut. I wasn’t very picky about what I wanted, I merely wanted it to stay long. She gave me a suggestion and after reading so many positive reviews I figured she knew best. I have very curly hair and she even went on to help make it more volumized. I loved it. She really is an expert with curly hair! I’ve been getting soon many compliments! I am def going back to her for my next trim!!!
I heard of Mela through Unilocal reviews. I read on here that a trim was 25 $ and that they only accept cash. I don’t usually carry cash on me, but I took 40 $ I figured — - 25 $ trim and 10 $ tip. (I never pay for more than 20 $ for a haircut, in the same neighborhood) However, it came out to 35 $. It was def worth every penny!!! But now I only had 5 $ for her tip! How embarrassing! MAKE SURE TO TAKE EXTRA CASH !!! They don’t accept credit cards!
All in all, GO TO MELA!!!

It’s been 5 years since I’ve had a good haircut. I am thrilled to announce that ended. I don’t even remember how I heard about Mela but I am so excited I did. Not only did she listen to me, get this SHE HEARD ME, I love my hair cut, I love my color. Mela I love you.

Really excellent place. I was 100% satisfied with my hair (got an updo) and everyone was extremely extremely nice, totally felt comfortable coming here and definitely coming again.

This review is for Color & Cut:
I recently moved up to Astoria from FL and am super picky about my hair (I’m a blonde with blonde highlights). After reading all the reviews of all the different salons in Astoria, I came across Studio 34 and read about Mella and how amazing she was. I gave her a call to get pricing and to feel her out, and ended up coming in for a consultation about 15 mins later, and left with beautiful Carrie Underwood highlights, and haircut! She is truly AMAZING and takes her time when cutting your hair to make sure it’s perfect. She listens to what you want, gives great recommendations as to not damage your hair and you will end up walking out feeling beautiful! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND MELLA!!!

Litsa butchered my hair. I walked in simply wanting some layers. I clearly stated that I wanted NOTHING taken off my length. Instead what I got was two absolutely different haircuts on the left and right side of my hair. My left side is DRAMATICALLY shorter and layers look choppy and messy. My right side is significantly longer and thicker and the has less layers. I’ve never received such a bad haircut. Never intend on going back and I wouldn’t trust people who can’t follow directions with your hair.

The last couple of years, ever since my last hairdresser moved out of state, I’ve been having a very difficult time finding a half way decent stylist. I have searched high and low but unfortunately I have not been satisfied with the results. Part of the problem is that I have curly hair and as anyone with curly hair can attest to it is not easy to cut and color it properly. That problem, miraculously, has been solved!!! I put an APB out for a stylist and a friend of mine highly recommended Litsa from Studio 34… so I said, why not? Litsa is amazing! First and foremost, she listened to exactly what I wanted-​and did it! The color and highlights were amazing, beautifully blending with my original color. The cut was spectacular-​my hair has never fallen as perfectly as it does now. I am so happy to have found Litsa — she is superb and I highly recommend her!

Mela truly is the best curly hair stylist in Astoria. Very friendly and only makes good suggestions.

This review is for a men’s cut.
While I love my regular Manhattan stylist, my current financial situation has forced me to intersperse her artistic services with a reasonably-​priced local stylist. Enter Studio 34. I went based on the Unilocal reviews. I was not disappointed.
Giuseppe listened to my needs and gave me a very good cut for the price ($ 25). The price includes a shampoo wash with a conditioning rinse.
Is the best cut ever? Nope. Is it the best cut I have had for $ 25? You betcha.
*** Please note street parking is a bear. Either sneakily park in the shopping center roof lot about 5 blocks away (like I did), or use public transit.

In short: Mella is a GODSEND. She’s been cutting my hair for over 2 years now, and she’s the only one I trust it with, through style changes and length differences. Every cut has started out great and grown out even better, and the communications problems I mentioned before have cleared up completely.
Mella takes the time to really go over the way your hair falls, how it parts, how much effort you’re willing to put into styling in the mornings, and takes her time getting things right. She could be charging much, much more than she is for the talent and skill and time and care she puts forward.
I don’t normally rave, but Mella is fantastic.
(But they still don’t take credit cards.)

Guiseppe is absolutely perfect when it comes to my hair. He always listens and understands exactly what I want done. I never leave with that feeling of, «This looks crazy.» He takes his time and does everything right. Plus, it’s really relaxing conversation with him and his receptionists. It feels like family. I’ve always hated getting my hair cut, even as a child. Not at Studio 34. Thanks, guys.

I got my hair cut by Mela on Thursday evening (the only night the shop is open late). I called a few days ahead of time to make the appointment. I went to her because I read the other reviewers who mentioned that she is great with curly hair. I’m growing my hair out (I had a pixie cut about 2 years ago) and it needed a little something since it was all essentially the same length.
On the night of my appointment, I arrived about half an hour early (oops), but there were two large comfy couches so I played on my phone while I waited. Mela was ready for me right on schedule and her assistant who washed my hair was super nice. Mela took her time examining my curl pattern and getting to know my hair, which I appreciated. She then proceeded to work some magic while making lively conversation and also gave me a damn good blowout, all for only $ 40 + tip. I couldn’t believe it. I will definitely go back to Mela at Studio 34 as I continue to grow out my hair!

Mela is the bomb at cutting curly hair. The service is fast, friendly and affordable. Wash, cut and style were only $ 40. The location is easy to find and they offer free beverages while you’re getting your hair cut. There is also free wifi available if you have someone waiting while you get your hair did. Remember to bring cash with you as they don’t accept credit cards!