Salon Seven

Upon walking into Salon 7, I was shocked to see that it was very small and casual — NOT the look of an upscale salon. Location is not bad, just a few blocks from the F train — 2^nd Ave I was a little bit worried considering the price, but decided to sit down and take the risk. Leslie greeted me warmly and instantly started playing with my hair. I explained that I wanted something like a feathered do, but to keep the length and make it modern and edgy, but not too crazy because I work in an office. I have been dying for a stylist that creates a style that can go either wild or conservative depending on styling — this means that they have to inject their personal creativity. I was also happy that she didn’t say «well you have long hair so style is so limited» — I have heard this at so many salons.
She started cutting my hair dry (which was really scary for me) and explained that she was seeing how it would react when blow dried (smart) depending on the curl. She then gave me a shampoo and went back to cutting. I have never received such a fantastic, stylish hair cut that I can actually do myself. I didn’t even have to use the pictures which I brought — she knew exactly what look I wanted (as if she was reading my thoughts). I was also really happy that she wasn’t pushing product on me, but did show me what she was using. I have never left a salon so happy and I feel fantastic and still got compliments after styling myself. It’s sooo versatile. I can’t stop raving. Love it and love Leslie — please go, even if it’s not close by.
UPDATE: This was my review from another site…5 years ago. Still great service. Still love Leslie every time!

i have to say — i was hestitant to write a review of this place, cuz i don’t like to spread bad news, but honestly, it’s been a year since i went there & i’m still struggling to get my hair back to looking decent again.
i heavily researched where’s best to go for curly hair. between citysearch & Unilocal,this place got fantastic reviews. went to the salon & mentioned to the owner that i wanted due to the glowing reviews for curly hair she had gotten online. he looked quizzical, but i thought that was just salon ego at work.
cut to the day of the fatal chop: i show up, sat with the stylist whose name i have since blocked (a woman — lori? leslie??) & went over numerous pics on my phone of exactly what i wanted. i’m not going to go into every gory detail of how i turned out, but suffice it to say everything, and i mean everything, i said i did NOT want, she gave me. when your head is down & someone is cutting the back of your head, it is near impossible to monitor what she’s doing.
when she did raise my head, i was shocked. then she took out the thinning shears & started thinning out the under layers like i was Pinky Tuscadero. i know next to nothing about hair cutting, but i do know you don’t thin out the underneath of really curly hair. i almost shreaked.
i paid her, tipped her & walked out. i’ve been paying for it ever since.

I have been meaning to write a review forever. I have been a loyal client to Saori for about 10 years now. I had really long hair and only got my hair cut about 2x/​year. She’s layered it, given me bangs, made it super sleek, then when I decided to go short I knew that I could trust Saori to give me the precision angled cut that was in my head. I went in and got 22 inches cut off and a couple of days later I decided that it wasn’t short enough and went back and Saori re-​cut my hair for free!
I really trust her because even though I’m Asian I have naturally wavy textured hair and she has naturally curly hair so I knew she would know what to do. She really listens to what you want and makes suggestions on the most flattering options.
Though I’ve never gotten my hair cut by Mark, I’ve seen him work and he really listens to his clients. Every time I’ve been in there, there has been a hot guy sitting in his chair, I would sent any boyfriend of mine to him!
Salon Seven is worth leaving Brooklyn for a cut!

Mark first started cutting my hair in 1997 and has ALWAYS done an incredible job. When I moved out of NY I would come back to see him every time I was in the city. He’s the only stylist I’ve been able to trust 100% to make my curly locks look wonderful. Seriously. I’ve even sat down and said — do some of your magic, I trust you completely and voila! a great style that wears well and grows out nicely. I can’t afford 4 – 5 trips a year so Mark can cut my hair but if I could, I would. So glad they are still there in the E.V.

This really is a pretty good place to go. I have really long, thick and wavy hair so I’m always worried someone will butcher it. Fortunately, Leslie knows her stuff and always manage to thin it out and highlight the curls. Given all the places nearby, this is definitely my favorite!

I’ve been going to Salon Seven for a few years now and have always seen Mark. He is absolutely the genius that everyone claims him to be. He’s calm and quiet and listens to what you are looking for but really is best at helping to bring out the best in your hair.
I’ve had a long and terrible history of haircuts, never went back to a salon more than twice because I have tricky hair. My problem is that my hair is EXTREMELY thick. I love it but most stylists get overwhelmed by it and have actually told me flat out that they’re non qualified to cut it.
I used to live on 7^th street which is how I stumbled upon Salon Seven. I did some research and decided to try a cut with Mark.
Mark makes simple, well planned movements, takes his time, steps back, analyizes and repeats. I never thought I could have light and airy hairy that looks full and has movement. I also never knew I had wavy hair. He helped me to find a style that I always wished I had and never thought I would have. As long as Salon Seven is around I’ll never go anywhere else.

As a transplant to New York, one of the most important and most stressful decisions to make for me was where to get a haircut. A friend of mine who pointed out that I was waiting too long to make this decision suggested I join him for a haircut at Salon Seven. He made an appointment with Lori and I was to see Mark.
Having dated a hairdresser in the past, I am pretty picky about my haircuts. Moreover, I am also picky about all the other details including the energy, cleanliness, décor, and professionalism. Salon Seven gets high marks on all accounts.
First off, Mark’s haircut was great. Just the right length and writing this a few weeks after the review, I should report it grew out perfectly. The energy in the salon was high without being stressful — I particularly hate a salon that more in common with a mosh pit at a punk concert. Lastly, the place was sharp without being pretentious. I felt instantly comfortable in the salon and will be returning soon.

Mark is the best, been coming here for over 15 years

poor service. in and out, off and on. not nice.

mark is the man and will give you exactly what you want, and is a super chill guy as some have mentioned. started going here in the late 90s and still love it. his partner (wife?) gives greats cuts too. love this place

love this nondescript salon. usually has good music playing but not in a loud «we’re trying to be cool» way. i go with Saori — she’s awesome with helping you find the best color (s) for your hair. she convinced a brunette friend of mine with blond highlights to go black — we would have never known how amazing it would look. i went in with strands of bleached blond hair that was pretty damaged — less than a year later my hair is more healthy and shiny than ever despite the color work i get done every few months.
i think everyone working at the salon leans toward the choppy /​messy haircuts, but they won’t go there if you’re not into it. i trusted saori to give me bangs for the first time and she didn’t disappoint. she quickly realized straight bangs weren’t best for me, but side-​swept. i get more compliments on these bangs than all other past haircuts combined.
in short, love it, trust it, but hate the prices!

I have been a loyal customer of Salon 7 for over 6 years now. Mark is my stylist and Leslie my colorist. Mark has given me everything from faux hawks, psychobilly ducktails to neat work friendly mature coifs that go very Rock when night falls. It’s a very comfortable intimate salon. Mark changes the art work regularly so it is always an interesting visit. Aside from my fabulous cut and perfect blue black color, they all love my little pug. She among many other local animals are always welcomed with friendly hands and doggie treats. But we all know Pretty Boy rules the establishment, with Roxy as his side kick! My perfected style is thanks to Salon 7. You guys Rock!

No. Just no. I don’t even remember the name of the woman that cut my hair, but besides hearing about Sarah Palin’s retarded grandson, and about how she «only eats at *insert lame hotel restaurant here*», I couldn’t help but shake my head. Not because my short hair that was cut in a rediculous fashion, but because the woman asked me to take the product myself and put it in my hair. She spent about 10 minutes on me, and then expected $ 80.
Am I blaming her? Absolutely not. I’m the idiot. Just. don’t go here. OH, I remember her name now. Lori.

I went here after going to another salon and getting a horrible version of a graduated bob. I saw Amerah and she was great. She took her time and gave me a great cut. I was so happy. However I called to make an appointment recently and apparently she’s left! Does anyone know where she’s gone? I have an appointment with another stylist, but I’m nervous, even though I’m sure it will be great. I was just really happy with Amerah’s work. If anyone knows where she’s gone to, I’d love to know.

There is a double-​edged sword of being hip in New York: You get too cool and you’re overwhelmed with young scenesters blowing up your proverbial spot. You stay under the radar and you never get the attention you deserve.
Salon Seven seems to straddle that line in the most 90’s-pre-real-estate-explosion– way they can. A small, three-​chair operation, the owner rotates new art work on the back wall every month. Animals, namely Pretty Boy the 18-​year old cat that lives down the street, and a Chihuahua named Roxy wander in and out inspecting the hair cuts. The stylists have the hip sort of hair you secretly drool over but would never ever in a million years have the guts to pull off. And they chat with you like you’re old friends for ten years… Even though some of us were bebes ten years ago…
My latest hair cut looks amazing. I always go to Amerah and give her a few notes (long, layered, funky) and then she always goes to town with her scissors like a style magician. When she asks a question about length or symmetry, I always defer to her opinion. And when she’s finished, voila! I say stupid shit like «Wow, you aren’t a hair stylist, you are an ARTIST» and I mean it.
It’s a bit pricey, but it’s a fierce hair cut in the depth of the East Village where Madonna and Blondie have gotten cut. 15% off for new customers helps sweeten the blow-​out.
I left Salon Seven feeling lighter, hipper, cooler, and beautiful. For just a second, I thought it was 1997 again…

I went to Mark (the owner) for a haircut… I’m half Asian and have long, straight hair. Mark did a great job at keeping the length, but adding nice layers that added body to my hair. Mark is very chill and nice to talk with. There are only a few chairs in the salon so you get excellent attention. I think he specializes in layered cuts with «messy» parts that look sexy, but not like you’re trying too hard or over-styled…Cost for the haircut was $ 80 and well worth it.