Rita Hazan Salon

I am no easy sell when it comes to a salon, I like the best of the best & not because I’m stuck up in any way but mainly because I have a sick obsession with having great hair. I moved from NY to LA and then back to NY, in LA I thought I had found the perfect hair team that could never be topped… till I came to Rita Hazan and met Carlina.
I walked in with a botched dye job (thank you Charlotte, NC) and basically a head full of red hair that was supposed to be a light brown. Carlina spent ½ the day doing process after process and I’ll admit I was extremely nervous because I know how hard it is to make red back to any shade of blonde.. . A few processes and several hours later I left the salon with the most amazing head of golden blond hair, she is a true artist and a miracle worker!
Fast forward 4 months later my hair still looked amazing, carlinas techniques make it so that even when your hair grows out it still looks like you were just at the salon (show me another colorist who is that good, please I dare you). This time I went in and decided to go a little lighter and brighter & as always I was a little nervous. My appointment was at 7:00pm and Carlina met me at the chair with her warm genuine smile on her face not phased that I was going to be the last appointment in the entire salon, I felt awful that I was keeping her there past everyone else but she has such a positive energy and never let it phase her! When we were finally done with color I was ready to go home with a wet head but nope she wanted me to leave feeling and looking great so although every other stylist, colorist and assistant (including her own) were gone she kept the same smile on her face and asked if she could curl my hair since she knew I was going out when she could have just sent me on my way and went home herself.
Not only is Carlina A-​M-​A-​Z-​I-​N-​G at blonde color (hands down the best at Rita Hazan… and in all of NYC) but she is by far the most genuine and caring person and I am so happy I have the pleasure of sitting in her chair & getting to look fabulous while doing so.

The best salon in NYC!!! Hair/​cuts/​and over all customer service !!! Rita is amazing!!! Love love love

I have been trying to get my hair blonder for 2 years. It seems wherever I go, I say «blonder» and walk out either darker or the same shade. I have been so highly frustrated, so decided to go to one of the best salons in the area. I did tons of research and found Rita Hazan salon. I researched the colonists at Rita who do blondes the best. I made an appointment with Nicole and I’m so happy that I did.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I almost cried happy tears when I saw the final result. I literally could not stop looking at my hair on the way home. Words cannot describe how good this looks.
Call me vain, but when your hair looks amazing, you feel like you can conquer the world. Never ever will I go again for lengths of time being unhappy with my hair. It is well worth the money spent. No question.
Nicole is simply wonderful. She listens. She knows what to do to get you where you want to be color wise. And she delivers 100%. Talking to her about color, it’s very clear she is on her game. Also is very fun to chat with. Highly highly recommend!

I am absolutely in love with my hair, best color and cut I’ve had in ages! I was anxious because it was my first time at a new place in years, everyone was welcoming and friendly. Carlina is a true artist, I knew even when my hair was wet that these were the best highlights I’d ever had, the perfect light beach-​y blonde I was after. Christine H. not only gave me a beautiful cut, but talked about a plan for my hair as my former too-​short side swept bangs grow out and the blowout was just gorgeous. Yes it’s expensive but these are true professionals at the top of their game, the boost in confidence alone is worth every penny, I’ll definitely be back!

I went back a second time it was the worst experience in color. I was disappointed and felt rushed.
In love with my hair!!! Carrie is the best blonde colorist I have ever gone to in New York City.
Let me tell you my story incase you don’t believe me…
It has been a two year search. I have been to the best of all the saloons, from John Berret on 5^th Ave, who had to re-​dye my hair 3 times to fix what he did wrong… Warren Tricomi which is the worst service I have ever had and horrible color and the list goes on but let’s talk about this amazing find!!!
I was surprised because for the first time everyone was friendly, kind, and ready to help in every way. Everyone from the lady who hands you a robe, the guys in the front, and all the assistants.
My hair looks so beautiful and healthy, I Bought all 3 of the products they recommended. Not only is the product amazing but it is not that expensive which was a pleasant surprise.
I am following up with Carrie for touch-​ups and I am so happy! I recommend her for all blondes!!!

I thought about going to Rita Hazan for at least ten years. I went there yesterday, March 30, and was terribly disappointed.
First off, she was cold and remote. She met me by standing behind me. She didn’t smile or say hello. It was right to business – what was I looking to do, all the while speaking through a mirror at me, not TO me. I know some colorists may be used to this, but many clients are not, especially the first time they meet you. Se had zero empathy for my needs as a new client and not one drop of warmth. In fact her facial expression appeared angry. I was praying I didn’t catch her on a bad day. I can’t tell you how matter of fact, bordering on rude, she was with me. I was shocked.
I was nervous to begin with as I knew I wanted a big change and would have to spend a good amount of time and money there — making the stakes high for me. I might even incur some hair breakage as well as disappointment if the resulting color wasn’t exactly what I wanted. So you can appreciate my nerves.
A smile or warm greeting would have gone a long way to establishing trust. But I don’t think she cares about people’s feelings. She treated me no differently than she treated her assistant – direct, brusque and rude. No please or thank you’s with them. Barking orders to them in an unfriendly tone. I felt embarrassed to witness her treating them like machines.
Let me mention here that I teach leadership skills, emotional intelligence and conversational intelligence in the graduate program at a first tier university in New York so this is both my professional and personal observation.
After explaining to Ms. Hazan that I wanted to go from dyed black to warm chocolate brown with honey highlights, she told me this was her favorite thing to do but then rightfully explained to me everything that could go wrong. But, not once did she offer me a viable option to accomplish this feat she says she loves to do where I could leave feeling somewhat satisfied. As she said «I don’t want to lie to you. You could be here till 8 pm tonight and spend 1500 to 2000 dollars and leave looking the same as you came in». What professional speaks in such an indifferent manner? Wow!
I asked her to please consider highlighting just the crown of my head as a test and I wouldn’t hold her liable. Ms Hazan didn’t believe my five years of dyed roots could lift. The little experiment worked and the test crown area lifted to auburn. I was pleased for the change. Rita thought the highlights too bright and toned them down to a dark brownish auburn.
As she had warned me, I did leave her salon looking like nothing had been done. Only a professional discerning eye could see that my flat black crown was softened a tad. To add insult injury, i suffered slight hair damage which I knew might happen. Not her fault. It’s always a risk.
Here is the real kicker about how emotionally unintelligent Ms Hazan and her front desk are. When I went to pay they attempted to charge me for three services: a full head of highlights, a single color process and a blowout.
I questioned the invoice as I had not received two and a half of those three services. As mentioned, Ms Hazan did only a test run — partial highlights on my crown to see if my dyed black hair would lift. I was being charged or a full service even though I only received a partial service.
After conferring with Ms Hazan they came back and charged me for a single process with highlights for $ 650 which was inappropriate under the circumstances. They just don’t care. It’s all about the money. They asked me if I’d also like to buy product as if I knew what hat meant.
Even though I left dissatisfied I personally went to say goodbye to Ms Hazan and tipped her $ 120.
I strongly suggest Ms Hazan and her team develop their emotional intelligence, learn to treat all clients with warmth starting with a «hello» of some sort and that she learn to speak respectfully to those learning from her even if she may not be as capable as her yet. They are learning. They do t deserve to be spoken to as though they don’t have feelings.
So you know, I am not a stranger to luxury. Frederic Fekkai (among other industry greats) have cut and colored my hair for years. My experience has been that they are trained in how to connect respectfully with people. I was shocked to be slapped with the Hazan effect. To pay close to a thousand dollars including all the tipping had me feeling used up emotionally.
And then the clincher is that she asked me as I left «Do you need product?» No thank you for visiting me, no eye contract, just «Do you need product». Ha!

Carlina is the best colorist I’ve ever seen — she never fails to do a perfect job. She is attentive, warm, highly skilled and very efficient. Ive never had a bad experience with Carlina and always feel very «heard» when I sit down in her chair and discuss what I’m looking for that day! Best blonde colorist in New York and a far better experience at Rita Hazan than at some of their comparable competitors.

I strongly believe there are those that simply apply hair color and then there are those which create color. Carlina is most definitely a master of the trade!
Entrusting your locks to a new colorist is often an anxious yet exciting experience, this was me 6 years ago.
I have been a client of Carlina’s ever since.
I would always go to a salon with high hopes that I would walk out with that ‘perfect’ shade of blonde, yet later I would notice bands of different blonds, heavy handed highlights, yellowish/​brassy shades etc. Blondes out there know what I am taking about…
With Carlina I have always felt confident to try anything, whether it’s lowlights, a more golden tone, beachy blonde, balayage, honey, ash, or baby blonde coloring, and never once in 6 years have I been disappointed. She is has an amazing ability to know what colors work for you and how to mix and strategically place coloring to add dimension and blends it beautifully.
I am not sure how she does it but even as it grows back it blends so flawlessly with my natural shade that I am still feeling confident and getting complements 8 weeks into a color (no joke)!
As if her skill wasn’t enough, Carlina’s personality is one that the world could most definitely use more off. She is so gracious and amicable, and listens to make sure that that your expectations and her coloring are in sync. It’s apparent that she truly loves what she does. If you need a colorist (not just blondes obv!) you most definitely should pay her a visit. You’ll be impressed, I am sure of it!

I’ve been to most of the best known salons in this city but I still haven’t found anything that compares to the talents at Rita Hazan. She certainly has a special formula… friendly and upbeat staff, great products and talented people (Eugene, Cristina B, Jennifer M) who make it all seem so effortless.

Nicole has been my colorist for a few years now, and this review is long overdue!
Here are a few words to describe my experience «Exceptional», «Masterful» «Amazing».
Yes its expensive, but in Rita Hazan’s Salon you actually get what you pay for– Experts at their craft.

So happy that I decided to come to Rita Hazan’s. Salon was fabulous — high class all the way.
I had seen Maddison when she was at her previous salon and went on a search to find her. I have very dark brown almost black hair and she does AMAZING caramel highlights that no one can achieve in NJ. So glad I came today I LOVE my hair and my colorist Maddison. I will never let else anyone touch my hair.

Didn’t know what to expect coming in, went with Carlina for highlights/​balayage/​ombré and very happy.
Carlina is 5 star colorist– very detailed oriented and used multiple techniques very well. Really focused on delivering the best results.
Salon (while beautiful) felt snooty to me (not Carlina), no one said hello past the front desk and a vibe of arrogance coming from other stylists. Did not feel too welcome.
…but Carlina was great and I’ll be back for my retouch.

This is the best hair salon for color for sure! I’ve been going here for many years. I had Rita and Adrian both do highlights for me. They work miracles! The best in the industry! As for cuts Mylo and Sean James are the best! I had 2 other people do cuts that I didn’t like, but your in great hands with Mylo, Sean James, and I had Jennifer trim me before and she very nice and awesome too!

Overall I had a great experience with Carlina Ortega. She is masterful with color and really understands how to achieve the right color for your complexion. She is also amazing at looking at photos and matching that to your expectations. She really knows how to apply color and her reccomendations are excellent. It takes tremendous skill to look at a picture and replicate that on a client. Carlina is also good at explaining why a certain color won’t work for you or why a certain process is done.
Here are all the things that make this a 5 star salon:
1) The colorists are really really talented and good at their jobs. They are truly artists.
2) Runs like clockwork. I was nervous that a timer would be missed or that my hair would be over processed but that didn’t happen.
3) The assistants are great and work to make the client comfortable.
4) The master stylists work in tandem with their assistant and appear to teach them. But it never feels like the master stylist is absent.
5) They use high quality products and tools.
Cons:
1) For the price I was honestly expecting a take home package of products that I could use on my first wash and condition after the color. Even if they were sample sizes, that would have made me feel confident about caring for my hair. There was no sort of after care tips. It was really odd since Rita has her namesake line so it would have been great advertisement and a way for the client to try the products that were used in the salon.
2) For the price of my blowout, I was expecting a bit more. My roots were not as sleek as I normally get them. And my hair was quite poofy after leaving the salon. I didn’t feel comfortable asking for my hair to be flat ironed or trimmed as I felt it would have resulted in an exorbitant charge/​been told that there wasn’t enough time. If you’re paying $ 85 for a simple blowout you should get your hair styled the way that you want.
3) They should have runners to get the clients drinks, food etc. The assistants have enough to focus on and I had to ask several times for coffee that I never got.
4) I came from DC to visit the salon. After spending so much money, I sort of felt like I was being nickel and dimed. Everything is ala cart and that was a bit frustrating since you are paying so much. I never received an itemized receipt for all my services. I wish I knew what exactly I paid for.

Carlina is a hair color goddess! She transformed my 8 years of jet black hair into a bombshell brunette ! She was patient and took extra care in not only giving me perfect color but very careful not to damage it. I would recommend her for any coloring you need she goes above and beyond to deliver and will make sure it comes out perfect !!
Jenny gave me a beautiful cut and styled to perfection taking extra care in catering to my fragile hair. I received many compliments and felt absolutely amazing !!
Ill be sure to visit both of them for my color And styling needs !

I went to Carlina for the first time this Thursday and she did a phenomenal job on my hair! I went to a different salon previously who didn’t do what I wanted at all and she was able to give me exactly what I wanted and my hair isn’t dry or damaged at all! Not to mention she was super sweet. No one else will ever touch my hair. The salon was clean the staff were all friendly and welcoming definitely a 5 star experience start to finish. 6 weeks can’t come fast enough

Carlina Ortega is a fantastic colorist!
She was able to take my naturally dark hair and lighten it to a medium brown on the first try.
She did the color exactly how I liked it; I don’t have any red undertones and my hair still feels healthy and strong, unlike other experiences I have had in the past.
I love seeing Carlina, she is very sweet and listens to what you want and really delivers!
If you need a great color, definitely see Carlina! you won’t be disappointed.

Go see Nicole! Worth every penny.
My hair is light blonde and I had gone to a few cheap salons and experimented with darkening it and then trying to go back to blonde and it looked TERRIBLE. I was convinced my hair would never be pretty or natural looking again.
Wrong. Nicole got it looking just like natural. She was patient and did some touch ups until I was 100% happy — she didn’t want me walking out until it was perfect.
She’s also so nice and friendly — no wonder celebrities love her.
Not sure I’ll be dying my hair again any time soon now that it’s pretty again, but if I ever do I’m going straight to her.
Can’t say enough good things.

I’ve never been one to rave about hair salons — I’m usually (and still) a no-​fuss kinda girl when it comes to hair styling and maintenance. I try and keep my visits at a minimum.
That being said, Carlina has styled and colored my hair to fit my lifestyle exactly the way I want it to. Two ombré sessions with her and I’m convinced I can’t let anyone else color my hair. Carlina’s done it so that no matter what I do — curl, straighten, tie it in a bun, let it loose, or NOTHING at all — I still feel like I’ve got Beyonce-​status hair (ha). And Carlina magically knows how to color it so that even as my hair grows out, the color job still looks good. At the moment, I’m still loving it and it’s been several months.
Not only do I usually leave Rita Hazan completely enamored with my hair but I really appreciate the process too — it’s fast (faster than other salons I’ve tried) yet super precise and efficient. Carlina makes my visit pleasant — she is the nicest and just so down to earth. We can talk about food, music, travels and fashion, amongst other things, and it helps pass the time just fine. Love her!
If you’re looking to splurge and treat yourself like a queen, Rita Hazan is the place to go. Book an appointment with Carlina, my favorite colorist, and you won’t regret it :)

This is going to be a long and truthfull review.
I had (2) visits here both w/​the same colorist (which i wont name).
The first visit was nice-​and pleasant.
I was checked in and seated by my colorist’s assistant.
She was really nice.
However i noticed other clients were getting asked if they wanted anything to drink and i wasnt, so i didnt say anything.
My colorst was nice-​end result was okay, as my final ombré’esq look would take various process-​and time.
I got a cut from Jennifer, and she was really sweet. I have gotten cut and blow outs multiple time and at different places, she didnt make me look glamourous like i had expected tho-​since this place is soo high end.
i looked okay (honestly i got better cut and dry else wear and came out looking like a million bucks).
At the almost end of my hair cut the assistant comes back to ask me if i wanted any thing to drink-​major fail!
I left paying over $ 700 for some thing i could have probably gotten done else where for way better price and service.
Came back again for part 2-​horribe. To begin with, the Colorist had me sitting in the chair for 30 min plus after my appointment and took (2) other clients who came after me… he made me wait while he did their hair and i just sat there.
I did not like the color, felt like crying when i saw it-​had to have them tone it down– and to make matters worse the colorist wanted to argue with me, and i felt like he missed certain spots on my head and it just looked soo awkward-​so all he did was tone it down and didnt even try to say okay lets fix it…
Its suppose to look ombré ish which it does not al all-​and I blow dry my own hair which wasnt part of the service– other salons include cut dry and style etc. thats not the point tho– i am paying $ 500+ for color-​least u can do is dry my hair-​then they passed me on to a NON experienced assistance who didnt know what the hell she was doing TRYING to blow dry my hair-​but pulling it out and noting it all up-​i was soo embarrased-​and just told her id do it my self because i was in a rush.
All in all i spent over $ 1000 on my hair and it doenst look anywhere near what i had wanted and truthfully i hated my experience there– its not about the $$$ but if the service and end results were good then i wouldnt have given this rating.
This place has a rep for being the celebrity go to spot, but honestly i regret taking the plung and coming here– i am soo dissappointed and feel like crying every time i look at my hair.
For people looking for a nice salon– do not come here– its tooo over hyped-​stylist are just over hyped and i didnt see anything exceptional about this salon except for
it’s location in the city.
I willl NOT be coming back– and advise anyone who is to save their hair, time, and money!
sorry!
I hope they see this review and change their ways.
I do not care what kind of credentials your colorist/​stylist have, at the end of the day i am a paying client, and i was not happy with my service.