Manhattan is so taken by the cult of the hairdresser that it sometimes seems there’s nobody between Garren or Fekkai (at $350 a trim) and your local barber. But plenty of up-and-coming hair wizards – the kind who do “the shows” and pop up in major fashion magazines – charge $100 or less to work their magic. A few of our favorites appear below; for further bargains, consider their staff stylists, who charge as little as $50.
A bright, pretty salon with sixties barber chairs, Glow Salon New York is a favorite of editors at Elle and Paper. It’s homey and unpretentious; a single stylist may wash, cut, color, and dry your hair. The salon gets top ratings for its sharp, modern haircuts, but it’s known for extensions – pop singer Monica and models Kiara Kabukuru and Melania Knauss are all fans. $65 to $85. 36 E. 23rd St., tenth floor (212-228-1822).
Warmly decorated in mahogany, crimson, and gold, the three-year-old SoHo salon Space is a surprisingly well-kept secret. The four owners tend to clients like Christy Turlington and Ed Burns (when they aren’t busy on shoots for InStyle and Harper’s Bazaar) and have ten stylists on staff. Haircuts are $75 to $95. 155 Sixth Ave. (212-647-8588).
Tired of minimalism? Red Salon is done up nineteenth-century-boudoir-style, with deep-red curtains and chandeliers. The atmosphere is low-key in a downtown way, drawing everyone from Lou Reed and the Cardigans to Vogue and Allure editors. You’ll pay $70 to $100, depending on the cut, not the stylist (so it’s great for a trim). Highlights are $135 to $175. 323 W. 11th St. (212-924-1444).
Don’t be put off by the industrial elevator – the two-year-old Vega is ground zero for trendy cuts, color, and extensions. Owner Creighton, who’s worked for The Face and Italian Vogue, snips many fashionable manes, as do the four up-and-comers on staff (loyal clients include Tommy Hilfiger and Jane Pratt). The vibe, he says, is “Welcome to my party – let’s do your hair.” Haircuts, mostly $50 to $65; $100 for Creighton. 36 W. 17th St., fourth floor (212-366-1792).
In spite of – or because of – its goofy name, Dop Dop is packed with scenesters: the Mercer hotel crowd (it’s across the street), plus Patti Smith, Rachel Hunter, and Gavin Rossdale. Co-owners Jo Blackwell and Antony Sabateir don’t need a publicist – word of mouth keeps magazines like Marie Claire calling for stylists. The $63 to $85 haircuts don’t hurt, either. 170 Mercer St. (212-965-9540).Picks of the Week
Language, the ultrahip purveyor of Chloé, John Bartlett, and other lines, is offering most stock at 50 to 80 percent off, mostly from $20 to $500. 238 Mulberry St. (212-431-5566); A.E., M.C., V.; Tues.-Sat. 11-7, Thurs. till 8; 8/1-8/5.
Metromom is clearing chic maternitywear at half off – $40 to $148. Sizes XS-L. Maternal Fitness, 108 E. 16th St., fourth floor (914-472-9223); A.E., M.C., V.; Wed.-Thurs. 8-8; 8/2-8/3.
R 20th Century’s warehouse sale has tons of Knoll and Perriand furniture at up to 30 percent off, from $200 to $10,000. 67 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg (718-599-4385); A.E., M.C., V.; daily noon-7; 8/2-8/9.
Urban Outfitters is clearing a vast showroom of cute summer and fall clothes for next to nothing – $3 to $25. 209 W. 38th St., seventh floor (212-302-7166); cash only; Thurs.-Fri. 10-5; 8/3-8/4.
Joel Name Optique de Paris’s sale means 20 to 70 percent off frames by designers like Armani, Moschino, and Persol, from $75 to $320. 65 W. Houston St. (212-777-5888); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 11-7, Sat. 11-6; 8/1-8/31.