Studio 31

I am so disappointed. I went to studio 31 after my friend had a good experience with a haircut and color there. I went for a very different cut than I normally get: long inverted bob with bayalage highlights. I showed her several pictures and she said she would cut similar at my shoulder but I asked for longer in the middle of my back and she cut about 8 inches of my hair off before asking again to double check with me. So as I’m hearing snip snip I asked wait did you just cut it without asking. I did not want to start crying but a good hair dresser always asks before cutting especially with such a drastic cut like she made. To top it off the highlights came out less than natural with obvious demarcated lines. See the pictures to see what I mean. My hair looks nothing like the pictures I showed other than the angle of my cut. It’s definitely the worst hair salon experience for me. I have to have my hair colored again now. She offered to fix it but I don’t really trust her after the first time. I should have gone to my Japanese salon Kiwa in Manhattan.

Natalie knows her stuff! She takes her time to listen to what you’re asking for, consult with you on options and finally, makes sure you leave happy.

Nancy has been cutting my hair for the past year already and she always makes it how I want it!!! She is sooo good at what she does and makes you feel comfortable! All the ladies here are awesome and so friendly and sweet!!! I’ll be back for sure!!!

I figured i would write up and updated review on this place since I still visit this hair salon.
Never have I ever been disappointed. From the positive attitudes to the professional haircuts and the right price, this place id definitely worth a visit. Especially if its for a special occasion, a haircut, or just a night out. I have never had highlights but my sister visits Athena for highlights. She is never disappointed.
Recently I had my Bridal Shower and Nancy styled my hair. She mentioned I needed a trim (im horrible with upkeep) because my ends were dry and split. I will post a picture of my hair and let me tell you, I was extremely pleased and the amount of compliments I received were a lot! She helped me choose the hair style and made sure my bump was at the perfect height. Of course I was nervous so she managed to calm me with the some wine. Yum!
I cant wait for my wedding day and see what the outcome will be. I am sure I will be pleased even more than my hair do for the shower. I will make sure to post a pic of that too.

I’ve been coming to see Nikki for years now. She always makes my hair look great. She charges reasonably for cuts and color and is always friendly, along with the rest of the staff. Every time I come here I have a good experience and I always recommend my friends and family to get their hair cut here.

Studio 31 used to be my go-​to place for a cut and color. It’s been almost 8 months since I last went there and while walking past it today in need of a haircut, I felt that I had to vent on Unilocal to justify to myself why I should not return. Athena deserves 5 star reviews for some of the haircuts she has given me and her color work is always on point. But, my last haircut with her, back in April, was poor and I had to go to another salon 2 weeks later to get it fixed. And then there’s the atmosphere of Studio 31. Athena and the «girls» talk. A lot. And about other clients or former employees. During every visit, I wondered whether when I left, they would sneeringly dissect every thing about me. While Athena is at least polite when she is working with you, the other stylists are rude — their sole activities, other than gossiping, appear to be checking their phones, loudly smacking their gum, and eating.
So while I walked by today and contemplated on giving Studio 31 another chance, I have now decided that hoping that Athena will do a great job was not worth the other unpleasantness.

Today I decided to lighten my previously dyed («deepest most intense burgundy») hair. Very dark, very red. But my roots were starting to show. I ended up with blonde roots and the rest stayed red. Oops. So I find Studio 31 on Unilocal and call to see if they can take me, they can.
It’s rare that you can walk into a salon, hair a mess, and be told «I’m going to strip away all the red from your hair and then dye it after you’ve already dyed it today, and your hair is still going to be on your head» and you completely trust them without question. Bring on the chemicals! Everyone there, especially the master of miracles, Athena, made me feel so comfortable. They were friendly and professional and I would let them do whatever they wanted to my head any time.
I also got a cut, just a trim of my previous cut, and usually this would mean it would look no different than before. However, it looks so much better.
Renewed, rejuvenated, and beautiful. This is how I feel right now because of Studio 31 and the wonderful women who work there.

I was around the area running errands. Instead of going back to Brooklyn to get my color and haircut, I decided to Unilocal a hair salon around the area I was in. Studio 31 was the very first on the list. I called them and asked for pricing, and if someone was available to take care of me right away. They said yes, and I told them I would be in 5 minutes being that I was a block away. I walked in the place and instantly was greeted by my hair stylist Natalie. She took my coat, and sat me in her chair. I had a million colors on my head, and wanted to go lighter. Natalie gave me the best advise how to go lighter without bleaching my hair. We did semipermanent color, according to her, in 2 – 3 colors, I’ll get rid of all the permanent dark color, and would be able to start having highlights. Also, I had long hair, and decided to go short again. She cut it in an amazing bob cut, and made sure the back was completely straight and neat. I didn’t want much of an angle from back to front, she delivered the way I wanted it. I’m in love with the job she did on me. Definitely worth coming from Brooklyn to Queens to get my hair done by someone who showed care and put a lot of input into consultation. You can tell she loves doing hair. $ 135 later I came out looking and feeling brand new.

I went to Natalie for a hair cut last Saturday. It’s always a bit scary to try a new stylist but I am super happy with the way she cut my hair. She is also so nice and very helpful. Based on the great reviews that I had read about Natalie on Unilocal helped my decision to go to her. And I glad that I did!

First time I ever came here was two summers ago for an ombré. I absolutely loved my hair, she did exactly what I had asked for. For my second hair color about 8 months after, I decided I wanted to try a different place because it was cheaper, big mistake! I asked for blonde ombré highlights and instead got ash highlights. Everyone thought I had gray hairs =(I called Natalie right away and made an appointment to see what she can do to fix the disaster I had in my hair. She listened to what they had done to me and what I had actually wanted and also gave her input. I should’ve known better then to go anywhere else, I had loved my ombré I did with her before, I should’ve trusted she’d do the same amazing job; Surely she did. I received so many compliments after Natalie fixed my hair. I recently went back to touch up on my roots and she always delivers. She’s very confident in what she does and I trust her with my hair colors 110%. I don’t mind paying the extra bucks every few months because I’m always happy with my results.
I’ve only had Natalie work on my hair so I can’t say much about the other ladies, but they all seem nice.
So if you need a hair color, Call Natalie.

I have been coming hear for over three years now! Natalie is absolutely amazing! Everyone who works here is so nice and pleasant. Coming to get my hair cut is like coming to hang out with friends. My hair always comes out fabulous. I highly recommend this place!

Got my hair cut by Nancy yesterday and couldn’t be more pleased. It was exactly what I wanted and the blow out was amazing. Nancy was super sweet and very professional. She really took her time to make sure my hair was perfect. So happy to have found a hair dresser so close to where I live.

I have been going to Natalie for the past year or so to get my highlights done. Let me tell ya, she is one of the best around. Finally someone has enough patience and takes the time to do such a thorough job with my thick hair. Natalie is very consistent with her work, and really focuses on what you are asking for, while providing her own input and expertise.
Everyone else there who I have spoken to is also very hospitable, and the décor is elegant and welcoming.
Highly suggest!!!

Nancy did my hair for my bridal shower and she was AMAZING. So sweet and professional. I showed her a picture of a style I wanted and she did her best to replicate it, My hair stayed the whole day and night and everyone complimented how fabulous it looked! I will be going to Nancy for my up-do’s going forward.

I love this salon and Athena is amazing!!! Today was my first time at this salon. As soon as I walked in I was greeted and acknowledged (hate when you walk in somewhere and the staff just ignores you!). The décor was zebra and very modern and chic! The place was clean (no hair on the floor or cluttered stations) and no overwhelming smells of dyes or chemicals.
Going in my hair was a mess and needed a lot of work! I had blonde high lights with red undertones and really dark brown roots. Athena took her time and really analyzed my hair. She explained my hair and the looks would work best with my hair and what I can expect. We decided on a color and style. She was awesome! She didn’t push anything I didn’t want and she really took her time to explain things.
The cutting, snipping, coloring and bleaching began! She did an excellent job and explained what she was doing. She always made sure I was comfortable. After the color another woman (forgot her name but she has chin length blonde hair) blow dried my hair and styled it. Athena even went back and perfected my cut after my hair was dry to make sure it was all even.

Long story short the salon is great and Athena really does magic on your hair! I highly recommend this salon.

Let me start by saying, I am NOT one to be picky about my haircut/​color, and I’ve never even spoken up to a hair stylist before when they didn’t give me what I asked for. That was, until I came here…
This was absolutely the worst experience I have ever had at a hair salon. I came here about a month ago, and hadn’t gotten my hair cut/​colored in about a year. I was letting my hair grow out to it’s natural color (very basic brown) and decided it was finally time for a change. I had just moved to Astoria from Connecticut and came here because of the good Unilocal reviews, but it couldn’t have gone worse. The cut wasn’t terrible, but the color was so bad that I left holding back tears. I showed the hair stylist a picture of honey brown/​blonde highlights (I’ve attached a picture, along with the finished product), and stressed the fact that I HATE chunky, color-​contrasted highlights. She told me she was going to do a nice combo of low-​lights and highlights, and while I assumed this meant some sort of honey brown and blonde (like I asked for), she decided to give me practically black and BLEACH BLEACH blonde highlights.
I left the salon completely speechless, not even knowing what to do since this had never happened to me before, until I finally built up the courage about half an hour later, went back, and politely asked her to fix it. I told her once again that I hated the contrast, and all she did to ‘fix it’ was make the blonde look less chunky. So I was left with black hair and random, awful, bleach blonde highlights. I didn’t say anything the second time because I had already spent about 4 and ½ hours in the salon, and couldn’t be there another minute. After spending almost $ 200 there, I ended up just buying a cheap box color at Rite Aid to salvage what was left of my hair.
As I said, I am VERY easy to please and a very easy customer. And in their defense, the hair stylist was extremely apologetic and fixed my hair free of charge. I still tipped her 20% and left with a smile on my face because I hate conflict, but I just feel like if you’re looking for a decent salon to spruce up your hair, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE! There are plenty of other great salons in the area.
To respond to Pax F.,
That is absolutely, completely untrue. I have never once gone to a hair appointment without a picture, ESPECIALLY when it is my first time at a salon. And my hair was by no means corrected, it was just as bad when I left the second time.
As a business owner, I also find it wildly unprofessional to falsely accuse a customer.

The atmosphere is very LOUD and busy, and everyone’s very friendly. When I called earlier, the person on the phone was also very thorough and nice, unlike some other reception desks I’ve experienced in the past. Natalie did a great job of giving me pretty much the exact cut I was looking for, when I supplied her with pictures, and was very thorough to make sure everything was even and perfect, and transparent about what to expect afterward with styling, maintenance, etc.
Also, I personally am the kind of person who’d rather zone out than chat while getting my hair cut, so I’m glad she didn’t feel the need to force too much small-​talk. It was $ 55 for a cut & blowdry (shoulder length to chin, not including tip). I have a good, cheaper place that I’d probably alternate with this place, but I’d definitely go back to Studio 31 again.

I had a very mixed experience at this salon when I went in for the first time last night.
I called ahead to make an appointment for an hour later. When I arrived, my stylist saw me right away. I was a little taken aback by the fact that she did no consultation, especially given that I was a brand new client. I decided to roll with it, though. After a shampoo, she asked what I wanted (long layers) and began clipping. For whatever reason, we didn’t seem to have communicated well and I wound up horrified with the chunky, disconnected layers I was left with. In the moment, I was too shocked to say anything, so I paid, tipped, and left.
About half-​way home, I caught a glimpse of myself in a shop window and started crying; I completely hated how my hair looked. After a few minutes of sulking, I mustered the strength to walk back to the salon to express my dissatisfaction. My original stylist was on her way out, and kind of put me off, seeming pretty angry with me for complaining and saying that it was «what I had asked for.» That only upset me further and made me feel like my money, time, AND HAIR had been wasted, and I began to cry again.
Why, then, did I leave 3 stars instead of 1 or 2? Another stylist, Natalie, told my stylist to go home and that she would work with me to even the cut out and make it work. I was impressed by the time and care she took to adjust the haircut, especially given that it hadn’t been her work. Although I was hesitant and angry, Natalie calmed me down and walked me through everything she was doing. The result was a totally cute, wearable bob. I’m still really sad that I lost the length (my hair was just past my shoulders before) but at least I can stand the way it looks. And, as Natalie pointed out, hair does always grow back.
To make a long story short: What could have been a horrific experience wound up being not that bad. Although I probably won’t be returning to Studio 31, if I did, I would head straight to Natalie. Her dedicated customer service and careful eye was not only impressive, but highly appreciated.

Athena is a GODDESS.
See what I did there?
I discovered this place after searching Unilocal for a good place to get a short hair cut. My hair used to be down to my waist, and I had chopped a good six inches off a few months prior — but I was ready to make the plunge to pixie. When I called to make an appointment, whoever answered the phone was extremely personable and super, SUPER nice.
I was excited but nervous, and I brought a whole bunch of pictures for reference. Athena was right off the bat the most friendly human being, and she got really excited about chopping off my wild locks. She and I hit it off right away and chatted and laughed for the first twenty minutes straight. What a wonderful woman she is! So friendly, so accommodating… as we went along I told her to go shorter here, keep this long there, and she gave suggestions as well. I ended up with a very cute, retro meets edgy short cut that I feel amazing with. You could tell she really enjoyed her job! She and the other ladies chat a bit while they work, and they seem to be just a great fun group of women.
I walked out feeling so light and beautiful. Thank you Athena!!! I highly, highly recommend her — the pricing is reasonable (I paid $ 45 not including tip for wash, cut, and light styling) and you will not be disappointed.

I am never going to another salon!
For the past year and a half I have been on a search for the perfect hair salon. I have dealt with tons of overpriced, bad, or mediocre colorists, and so-​so hair cuts. Yesterday, I decided to take a chance and follow the advice of my fellow Unilocalers and try Studio 31. As usual my fellow Unilocal reviewers did not lead me astray.
Studio 31 is a cute, boutiqish kind of salon. The studio has such a welcoming and hospitable feel, and one of the ladies brought me a cold bottle of Poland spring water while I waited.
It’s amazing to me how many salons in New York just do not know how to properly color blonde hair or proper highlights. Penny is wonderful! She is really a master of color. She takes her time and really brings your hair to life, she matches your hair and skin tone, and gives honest and helpful «hair advice». My blonde hair has never looked so perfect.
They have the most convenient hours of ever heard of… closing at 10pm! This is great for people who work long hours, have lives, and want to do things besides sit in a crowded hair salon over the weekend.
Prices are fantastic. At the salon I visited before I would pay almost 80 dollars for a mediocre root touch up. At Studio 31 it was 45 dollars! However, just be aware they don’t take plastic and only take cash. It’s not a problem if you forget though, as there is an ATM next door.
Studio 31 offers all the style and sophistication of Manhattan’s hair stylists and colorists without the exorbitant price tag. Plus all of the ladies genuinely care about making your hair look its very best.