Hair by Ivana

Ivana is fabulous! The first time I came to see her she was able to give me the cut and colour I had been searching Manhattan salons for for a while! I have since visited her several times and always received an excellent service at reasonable cost. I would highly recommend her.

Ivana was so kind and knowledgable. She accommodated me the same day for a haircut and blow dry, and I absolutely love my hair. Ivana was honest about what she was doing and why, suggested styles and didn’t just do her own thing (which I have experienced before). I would highly recommend her to anyone!

Ivana is a very sweet and extremely knowledgeable about her work. However, my hair has definitely seen better days. I came in with a groupon after reading all the good reviews. I have used groupon vouchers in the past for my hair and its usually hit or miss. Because the stylist I usually see is out of the country for some time, I figured this would have to suffice until then. I purchased the deal for a single process root up. After sitting down in the chair, Ivana recommended I get highlights through my roots instead for a more natural look that would be able to grow out better. She said this process would be an additional $ 50. I told her I was all for a more natural look but hesitant because I absolutely hate the color of my natural hair (my hair is blond but my roots are a very ashy dirty blond/​light brown.) She assured me that I would hardly see any of my base color and showed me pictures on her phone of what it looks like when she highlights her clients with blond hair who have a dark base color. After seeing the pictures and how you could barely see their roots after the highlighting, I agreed to take her opinion because after all she is the expert and I trusted her judgment. After the process was over and she dried my hair, I saw the highlighting she did was very minimal and I grew a little weary. After coming home, my boyfriend didn’t even notice I got my hair done and neither did any of my female coworkers the next day. My roots look almost identical to what they were when I first entered the salon. The main reason I opted for a touch up is because, like I told her, I despise my natural color. Now, I’m stuck looking at it still and its even worse when my hair is pulled back. What bothers me the most is that I paid an additional $ 50 for the highlights (because I bought a root touch up) and then I go back on groupon and she has a deal for $ 59 partial highlights. $ 10 less than the groupon I bought… go figure. I feel ripped off above all. I didn’t mind paying the extra money but I expected nice results… not to be back at square one.
EDIT: Ivana’s comment below is something I expected, to say the least. If you scroll down to reviews «not recommended» you’ll see an additional bunch of 1 star reviews in which she talks down to her unhappy clients and belittles them. The extra star I gave her for her kindness will now be reduced to one because its clear she only likes you when you’re in her chair so she can get her tip. Coming from the service industry, it’s very sad to see this kind of behavior from someone who is supposed to be a professional. Unilocal is a place to leave an honest review of a business, and I and everyone else has the right to leave their honest opinion. If you were any good at reading facial expressions, you would see that I only said I liked my hair. my face AND tone showed the exact opposite. It would have been extremely uncomfortable to tell you I didn’t like your work after you were doing my hair for 2 hours and when blow drying it out was praising your own work. What was I going to say at the point? No? I also wanted to give the benefit of the doubt and live with it for a couple of days/​wash and style myself. Also, as for your comment about calling me «sad» because I didn’t receive «praise» from the people I know. when did I ever say I was looking for a compliment? I don’t believe any person gets their hair down for anyone else or their opinion. they get it done for THEMSELVES. I was merely stating that if people I am with every single day said to me «I thought you were getting your hair done yesterday?» that’s clearly an issue. I shouldn’t leave a salon with the same hair I walked in with. I didn’t reach out to you because I’m not looking for any free handouts and I wouldn’t return to a stylist I wasn’t initially happy with. Plain and simple. I’m sorry that you get so offended and defensive whenever someone disagrees with you, best of luck with improving that distasteful habit in the future.

Let me start of my saying that I used to have long long hair (see pic below) and it used to be what defined me. I was the friend with the long hair. Couple of months ago, I decided I wanted a drastic change. I wanted something different. So, I set out on a mission to find what would set my face the best. I came across a long bob (short in the back and long the front — a LOB :)) Then the next task was to find a good hairdresser. I searched for about 5 days and called various salons. But most of them couldn’t see me when I was available (I was impatient!). Then I found a lifebooker deal for Hair by Ivana. I was apprehensive about going to her since the deal was not for an established salon. So, I gave her a call, told her what I wanted to do and took a leap of faith to schedule an appointment with her.
Experience during the cut: Ivana really listened to what I wanted, carefully examined the pictures that I had presented to her and took her time to walk me through the entire process. Whenever she was getting ready to do something drastic (aka cut off 15 inches from the back of my head), she would give me a heads up and get my agreement. She meticulously shaped my bob and made sure that I was in the loop of every step of the cut. After she dried my hair, she and I worked together (as a TEAM) to perfect the bob. She was so attentive, so careful and so patient. My bob turned out PERFECT! It’s only been a day and I cannot count how many compliments I have gotten. I LOVE IT!!! Thank you, Ivana!
I will be going back to her for «peekaboo» highlights :)

Was there yesterday for a partial highlight and haircut. Ivana was really good at getting the color right-​best color I’ve had. She was patient very patient and took the time to explain my hair’s need for toner (additional $ 40 was worth it).

I usually get my hair done by my parents’ house in Long Island, but when I got a semi-​last minute party invitation, I had to look to handy dandy Lifebooker to get an affordable appointment in my area. Hair by Ivana popped up, had good reviews, and that was good enough for me.
Ivana is so sweet and accommodating. She really takes care of her clients and you can tell she is passionate about hair. She also gives really good hair care tips and recommendations. My hair has always been a disaster zone and she did a great job making it look neat and polished, just in time for my party!
Just a heads up people, she operates within the Isaac B. Salon so don’t go looking for a storefront that has Hair by Ivana written on it like I did. Silly me.

She did an AMAZING job on my hair! I purchased the ‘Partial Highlights
Includes Haircut and Blowout’ from Lifebooker. She took her time, gave me her opinion and my hair looked AMAZING after!

Ivana always does SUCH a great job. I can’t tell you how many compliments I get on my trendy bob and vanilla blonde highlights. Ivana takes so much pride in her «masterpieces» and you will too. I’ll definitely keep going back. Best stylist I’ve been to in the city, for sure.

I wanted to update my review to say that I am still with Ivanna and now my partner goes to her as well! He and I both love our cuts every time! I also love her color work as well as a keratin treatment we did. She was very clear on what to expect from the treatment (and what not to) and my results did not disappoint.

She i great. Best hair stylish I’ve met in NYC. Love how she cuts my hair and the products she uses. Price is great for the service. I’ll always go back to her to do my hair!!!

Ivana is great – she listens intently to her customers’ wishes, makes careful suggestions for a plan of cut & color. I especially appreciated that she was patient with me, even though I was a bit pressed for time and needed to move as quickly as possible. It’s now been ~2 months since I visited and Ivana and I’m happy to report that the cut has grown out very nicely – a true sign of a professional’s handiwork!
If it matters – I initially found Ivana through a Lifebooker deal, which made my experience all the more reasonable.

I LOVE my highlights and cut and will definitely be going back! I have lived in NYC for a little over two years and have been really disappointed with the numerous hair salons that I’ve tried — that is, until I found Ivana. She took the time to discuss my color and cut and wanted to make sure that I was going to end up looking my best. I’ve been getting highlights since I was 14 (I naturally have dark ash blonde hair) and Ivana is the first stylist to suggest adding golden highlights along with the lighter (whiter) highlights. What a difference this made! My hair looks healthier and has much more shine while still having the light blonde color that I want. I love it! I didn’t have anything drastic done to the cut, she cleaned up the dead ends without making it too short. She is extremely meticulous and attentive without being pushy or taking too long. Definitely go!
Small suggestion — I purchased a Lifebooker deal for partial highlights, cut, and blowout. I wish the Lifebooker deal would have specified that the partial highlights are only 10 foils. So I ended up paying an extra $ 50 for a half head of highlights. However, Ivana was very upfront about it and was not pushy at all. Not sure why a couple people said she pushed them for toner and extra things because I definitely did not feel pressured at all.

Ivana is AMAZING! I have curly hair and I’ve bit to a lot of ‘curly’ salons, Devachan and Ouidad included. I didn’t realize how bad my haircuts from those salons were until I left Ivana’s chair. My hair is curlier and healthier than ever and I’ve been getting nothing but compliments!
As for the highlights, they’re ridiculously good. No one knows they’re not real and I can already tell they’re going to grow out beautifully. She checked with me throughout the entire process and really made me feel like I could tell her if I didn’t like something. She spent 3+ hours on ONLY my head. I’ve never felt so pampered in my life.
Go to her – there’s no possible way you’ll regret it! Btw, profile pic is before Ivana – don’t go by it :).

Ivana is wonderful! Not only is she a great stylist, but she is also so kind and thoughtful throughout the entire process. I first went to her with a Lifebooker deal for highlights, and they are the best I’ve gotten in the city! I just returned to Ivana for the second time, and I am just as pleased! She even offered a slight discount since my first visit was with the Lifebooker deal. Ivana is a perfectionist, so she will not let you leave the salon until your hair is absolutely perfect! Highly recommended.

I was not happy with her work. It was very mediocre, fast and she did not listen to me. I had balayage on my hair and wanted a little more and a retouch, instead she just went ahead a did highlights. I was very specific on telling to follow the style I previously had. Not only she criticized my look, and what I had, and the way it was done but also had no problem being sarcastic about the whole thing. I ended up paying around 50 dollars more for a couple of things (whatever chemicals) she said it would make my hair look different from what I had. Honestly, I did not see the difference. Let’s not even talk about the blow out. Just flat and liveless, although once again I did explain to her, what was my preference. She. Did. Not. Listen.

I love Ivana and will def be going to her again! I usually get my hair done based on whatever loot is on sale on lifebooker (which is how I came across ivana) but I liked her so much that I’m willing to bite the bullet and go back to her and pay full price for another haircut.
So her setup is a little weird, i think she rents out space at isaac b. but that aside, she doesnt make you wait like other stylists. she is very warm and down to earth and friendly and not patronizing at all, unlike a lot of other younger hipper stylists, so if you are one of those people that gets intimidated by nicer salons, she’ll make you feel at home. She explained everything to me and asked my opinion on what I wanted and really listened to me and I trust her and my hair turned out great. It is actually probably one of the best haircuts i’ve ever gotten! my hair felt so light and effortless and beachy-​sexy and now i’ve started to wear it down all the time! I definitely recommend her for haircuts because she knows what shes doing and what will work for your hair. Ivana is definitely a subscriber of the «natural» look when it comes to hairstyles. so if you want a beautiful flattering haircut– go to her, if you want a neon blue mohawk– go to the village.

What drove me crazy about this haircut/​color was that Ivanna basicaly makes you put a toner in your hair which means you have to pay extra for it. If she is going to make people put toner it should be included in the Lifebooker Deal I came in to get my hair done and I was really hesitant to put the toner in because it cost me $ 50 extra. She said it needed to happen though.
So for a $ 100 deal I basically walked out paying close to $ 200 which was a bit ridiculous to me. I also asked for blonde-​ish highlights and my hair looks darker then before. I am very unhappy with my cut/​color and will not be coming back to Ivana.
Updating to 1 star and would probably put 0 stars if I could!

Ivana gave me an AMAZING haircut and blow out. I have long wavy/​frizzy hair that I had not had cut in probably 8 months. I don’t like to spend too much time doing my hair each morning, so I’d most often find myself throwing up the hair in a ponytail or bun, but I’d wished for a haircut that would enable me to look good with the hair down and without having to spend much time on prep. Ivana gave me the hair I wanted. She just trimmed the bottom, as I wanted to keep length, but she added layers and also some texture (cutting both before and after she’d blown out my hair). It may be the best haircut I’ve ever received (it is the best one I can remember, that’s for sure). I can wear my hair down wavy or straight now. The upkeep is very manageable, and my hair has so much bounce, volume and shape. I will definitely be going back to Ivana– best haircut EVER!!!

After moving to New York I found it hard to trust someone new with my hair because I’m quite fussy. After five five months of searching I found Ivana. She really listens to what you want while giving you a professional opinion. I got a full head of highlights and a cut, it looks really natural and doesn’t have an awful processed yellow look that a lot of salons leave you with. Highly recommendable.

I booked an appointment for ½ highlights with Ivana and she was fantastic!!! She did a great job both covering my roots and making my highlights look shiny and natural. Getting blonde highlights is always a risk because there is a fear that they are going to turn out brassy and orange, but Ivana made my highlights light golden blonde and shimmery! She quoted the price up front which was nice (no surprise charges), and she really listened to my thoughts regarding my hair and then made her own suggestions. She also seemed to really love her job and in a city like NYC a little kindness along with a polite and respectful demeanor goes a long way!!! Brava Ivana!!! I’ll definitely be going back to her again.