John Gabriel Salon

I had my hair cut by John Gabriel several weeks ago, after a series of bad haircuts caused me to doubt, and to nearly abandon my haircutting mantra: that a good haircut should look just as good the day after you’ve gotten it, and that you can sleep on it and it will still look great the next day. Let me say that John Gabriel has renewed my faith in the hair industry. I can sleep on it, do a bad styling job on it, ignore it, fluff it, mousse it, and my hair looks better than the day I got it cut. Thank you, John!

I can’t believe this place has gotten any good reviews. I tried to get a haircut with a Living Social voucher. I called multiple times and nobody ever picked up the phone so I decided to walk over there. The website says walk-​ins are welcome until 7pm. I got there at 5pm and the door was locked. A man (I’m assuming John Gabriel) opened it. He was in the middle of cutting someone’s hair. I told him that I wanted to get a haircut and he said he was too busy because he had back to back appointments. I said I would leave then and he didn’t try to stop me or offer to schedule me for another time. He was a weird guy and very rude. Why would you treat potential customers that way? And he obviously has to be hurting for business if he’s offering discounted vouchers. I decided that I don’t want to get my hair cut from such a weird rude guy who doesn’t want my business anyway so I called up Living Social and got a credit for the voucher instead. Thank goodness.

I have very curly hair and for years had been seeing the same stylist — who specializes in curls — but felt like I needed a change, so after reading reviews on Unilocal,I bought a Living Social voucher for a cut with John Gabriel. My experience was slightly different, it seems, than others (who seem to adore him), which isn’t to say it was horrible, but, well, kind of strange. First of all, I called twice to make an appointment, both times during regular business hours — that is, the hours stated on his Web site — and he never called me back. Finally, after more than a week, I filled out the online appointment scheduling form on his site and got a curt, almost rude email back from someone who appeared to be his assistant, saying he couldn’t see me at the time I requested and offering two other options on the same day. Neither were convenient, but I was tired of waiting, so I wrote back, choosing one, and received another note, from the same person, also extremely curt, telling me that I needed to bring my voucher with me and that I was obligated to tip John for the full amount of the haircut. The thing is, if you know anything about salon etiquette, well, you never tip the owner of a salon, as he’s keeping the full proceed from the cut (or color, or whatever), so I found this a bit odd, and, again, kind of rude.
When I arrived, John was finishing up with someone else. There was no one else there — no assistant, nothing — and he didn’t say hello, barely acknowledged my presence. When he was ready for me, we chatted, but he didn’t ask me what I wanted at all, in terms of a style, which was actually fine with me, as my usual person tends to just do what she thinks is best and it’s always great, so I assumed it would be with him. In the end, the cut was fine, okay, but definitely not great and also, well, slightly dated looking. He seemed, also, to not really take into account the shape of my face, which is slightly long, and needs shorter pieces around the front to frame it. Instead, he gave me a sort of puffy bob, the sort you saw much of in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It’s not *horrible*, but I don’t like it and will now simply have to let it grow for 4 or 5 months before I can go back to my regular stylist and have her truly shape it.
I suppose the worst thing about it was that rather than defining the curls, he blew dry my hair so that it was kind of frizzy, so I left the salon feeling like I just needed to go home, wash my hair, and style it myself, as it looked embarrassingly bad.
John himself is a real character. He had a continuous monologue going the entire time I was there, which was funny, but got a bit exhausting, as much of it was about how great he is and how annoying other clients are and how well he runs his business and so on. I have to say, I found it slightly unnerving, listening to him go on and on about the annoying things other clients do. But also: My life is very busy and when I get my hair cut, I look forward to some time to just sit quietly and read magazines and relax, or even just to have a pleasant conversation (which this was not; I didn’t say one word!).
As you’ve probably guessed, John confessed that he doesn’t have an assistant and he was the one sending the emails, which is also kind of weird. I ended up tipping him, as instructed, in part because he kind of freaked me out, which meant that the hair cut didn’t end up costing that much less than it would have if I hadn’t had the Living Social voucher, which really bothers me, as it feels like a bit of a scam — to offer the voucher, then insist people tip, when he’s the sole proprietor.
All in all, not the best experience and I won’t be going back. But I will say that I’ve tended to go to slightly larger salons: Arte, on Elizabeth Street; Eva Scrivo, on Bond; Prive; Devachan; and the fantastic K.E. Haas, on Clinton. So maybe I just prefer being pampered a bit — given tea and magazines! — and having time to myself, and maybe John Gabriel’s approach and personality is right for lots of others!

I never really give 5 stars — I guess I’ve become a Manhattanite after all. John wins 5 stars for giving me the exact cut I asked for (not a fraction of an inch shorter than I wanted beyond split ends), evening and fixing the imperfections from another salon and talking me out of bangs (why do I always think that is a good idea?!). He has a strong sense of opinion from years of experience — I listened to him, and have not been happier. I’ve been twice now and I’ll go back.

As many reviewers here, I purchased a certificate to this salon. When I called to make an appointment, John was very nice and friendly and was able to fit me in for the following day. I went in with some idea of what I wanted to be done. John analyzed my hair and my face and made recommendations on what would and would not work for me. I got a great haircut and a blow-​dry and left the salon with a smile on my face.

I’d actually probably give this four and a half stars.
It wasn’t remarkable, but I was satisfied and he gave me a haircut that didn’t differ much from the one that I had before. That said, I didn’t want anything drastic done anyways.
He basically cut the dead ends off an shaped my hair a little bit as it had been growing out for a year without a trim. What I found interesting is that when I asked for that side bang thing, he analyzed my face and since I have a small forehead, he concluded that it would be better to keep my hair/​bangs equal and long on both sides. This was impressive because he clearly knew what he was doing. After the fact, I totally agree with him.
For some reason, I felt like something was lacking from the appointment but I can’t quite place my finger on it.
My hair turned out looking good, if not much different.
PS, the temperature was steamy in the salon.

I went in to my appointment having no idea what I wanted. My only guidance was that I wanted it short, but that my last cut had been «a little too soccer mom.» John somehow read my mind and gave me a great cut that fit my personality and my face. I love my new haircut and it actually still looks decent when it’s humid! I’ll definitely be going back.

I purchased a half price cut from Lifebooker, and was able to schedule my appointment online that same week. John was very friendly and knew what he was doing — I have straight hair and just wanted long layers. I never felt rushed, and in fact just after he finished blow-​drying my hair it began to pour outside, and when he heard i didn’t have an umbrella John gave me one of his!

I think the other Unilocalers that got fantastic cuts went to another guy named John Gabriel. I purchased a Lifebooker Loot to get a haircut for $ 39, which is originally $ 90. It was difficult to book the appointment as he is a one man shop and does not answer his phone, so it was a constant back and forth of voicemails prior to being able to even book an appointment. Then when I got to his salon, there were flies throughout buzzing around. EWW! That’s disgusting! Also it was pretty uncomfortable as it was just him and I in the salon most of the time (except when his girlfriend came into chat — who he loves to ramble about).
After sitting down, he tried to talk me out of getting my hair blown out even though the Loot included that. How awful is that? Then, I asked him to cut my hair in a particular way, and he actually did the opposite! He did not apologize, rather laughed when I had told him that’s not what I had asked. I now have to go and get my haircut again in order to fix this mess! Then when I tipped him slightly less than 10%, he actually complained and I told him that he did not cut my hair the way I asked. Seriously, how hard is it to cut long layers — the most basic haircut ever. This guy said he has been cutting hair for over 35 years, if he can’t get it by now — he should just give up already.

I have unruly, curly hair (it’s curly, straight in some places and frizzy all over). I found this hidden little gem through another website, Lifebooker. John accepted an appointment with me for the same day. It’s an adorable little space with with the feel of being in someone’s dressing room, not a generic, flavorless assembly line you find at franchise hair salons (i.e. Dramatics or Jean Louis David). He knows how to cut hair and mentioned to me he started at Vidal Sassoon studied different techniques (including French and Italian), so I trusted him. I asked him to cut my hair short — and to style it however he saw fit. I didn’t give him a picture from a magazine, nor described what I wanted other than stating I wanted it up to my chin when it’s straightened. He gave me the most adorable bob — I received 8 compliments the moment I walked into work on Monday — I’m not exaggerating. I won’t ever go anywhere else as long as John’s around.

My last haircut was traumatizing (probably because it wasn’t from this salon). So much so that I have been trimming my own bangs for the past 3.5 months while the rest of the train wreck grows out. I don’t recommend razor cuts (not for my type of hair at least). I met John G. JUST in time. He was able to cut my hair in a way that hid that made you forget about the hot mess I walked in with. It helps that he’s a hop skip and a jump away from my front door. I’m so excited to have a hair stylist in my hood who I trust.

John really knows what he’s doing. I got a great haircut from him and I’ll be back. I’d been going to Bumble and Bumble, but he does a much better job and «fixed» some of their past mistakes. He’s also very friendly and doesn’t rush you. I had a great experience with John Gabriel Salon.

The John Gabriel Salon recently opened at 508 East 12^th Street in Manhattan. I stopped in one day for a consultation with John Gabriel, and soon after made an appointment for a hair cut and color. I finally found someone who knows how to cut my curly hair. I liked the color so much that I made a second appointment for highlights which came out beautifully. The salon is small, low key and friendly, and the prices very reasonable. I saw another customer with a beautiful straight hair cut so John Gabriel can evidently cut any kind of hair. Highly recommended!