Barber poll: Jean Paul
AOA Greg was in a long-term haircutting relationship for the better part of the last decade. And then he wasn't. Suddenly unattached, Greg was at a loss for where to get his hair cut. So he asked the AOA crowd -- and it had a bunch of good suggestions. Now he's playing the field, in search of a new shop.
Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions. I'm looking forward to checking out a bunch of them (though, sorry Siobhan, there will be no weaves).
The first stylist up suggested herself: Rebecca at Jean Paul in Stuyvesant Plaza.
Update: Rebecca has since moved down the street to V Salon.
I chose Rebecca first because she's a longtime AOA reader and I met her in person at the Midtown party. (And despite the offer in her comment, I paid for the hair cut.)
The cut
A few hours afterward
The shop
Jean Paul is pretty much what you'd expect from an upscale salon -- good lighting, lots of staff, shelves of expensive beauty items and... almost all women. As one friend (a woman) said to me of Jean Paul: "Yeah, it's pretty femme."
That wasn't really an issue for me. No one gave me a strange look when I walked in (I suspect a fair number of guys do get their hair cut there). And it was kind of funny to get my hair cut with the ladies who lunch.
The stylist
Rebecca was great. She asked me a bunch of questions about how I usually get my hair cut and how I style it. She suggested a few different ways to keep my hair from frizzing and becoming unruly. And -- bonus -- she was interesting to talk to (ask her about her connection to the Joe Bruno trial).
Price
$35 -- included a pre-cut wash
Results
I was very happy. The cut was exactly what I was looking for. Mrs. Greg was also a fan. She said the cut looked "better than usual."
Would I go back?
Definitely. My only reservation is the price. I had been paying $16 for a cut at the old place, so $35 is a big jump. But Rebecca's a total pro and the cut looked great.
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Comments
Lookin' sharp, Greg!
... said Duncan Crary on Nov 24, 2009 at 12:17 PM | link
I'd agree with your assessment. I've always used Jean Paul as a economic gauge to determine how well I'm doing at any given moment. When I'm doing well financially, I'll drop 20 bucks at Jean Paul to be treated like a celebrity and have my eyebrows done in a soothing environment by wonderful people. When I'm not doing well, it's the 7 dollar special at Super Mario done by the angry woman whose hands smell like an ashtray.
... said Mrs. M on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:12 PM | link
I must admit, Rebecca did an excellent job. Greg, you show it off well with the Blue Steel pose!
(I do think flowy blond locks would still look lovely. Maybe for next time...)
... said Siobhan on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:19 PM | link
Greg, you look so dapper!
... said Katerbirch on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:20 PM | link
Wow! You look great with your new 'do!
... said kerosena on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:32 PM | link
@Siobhan: Derek Zoolander was definitely an inspiration.
... said Greg on Nov 24, 2009 at 3:04 PM | link
Just in time to look respectable for the holidays! Very Nice!
... said Pam on Nov 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM | link
Nicely done. Short enough to be straight on the sides, while leaving some fun waves on top. Looking smoove!
... said Albany Jane on Nov 24, 2009 at 3:35 PM | link
Haha - > @"Mrs. Greg"
... said Matthew on Nov 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM | link
Is it just me or does Greg look like a superhero's alter-ego in the after photo? I can't put a thumb on it...
... said B on Nov 24, 2009 at 4:20 PM | link
You definitely get what you pay for!... Very sexy!
... said Sarah on Nov 24, 2009 at 7:11 PM | link
Great haircut., Can you put a dollar amount on looking good? I`ve been going to a guy named Bob there for years. He`s a genius with my hair and even though he`s expensive I`d never go to anyone else.
... said Pattybabe on Nov 25, 2009 at 1:03 AM | link
So, when you says "The first stylist up" does that imply you will be trying different suggestions each time you need a haircut, and then rating them? Is a Tournament of Hair Stylists in the works?
... said Jessica R on Nov 29, 2009 at 3:36 PM | link
@Jessica R: That's pretty much the idea. More like a series of first dates than a tournament.
... said Greg on Nov 30, 2009 at 12:51 PM | link