TIGI Advanced Hairdressing Academy

We live in Virginia Beach but came to NYC for a weekend Visit. My daughter is working to be a stylist and really loves TIGI. We had to make a special trip to come see the school. The staff was so friendly. The instructor came and got us and allowed us to tour the school as well as watch a little bit of the class. I know she is inspired to go back for continuing education once she is fully licensed.

I am originally from Georgia and there Toni and Guy is more prevalent. When I was in high school I used to do the model exchange program and always had the most «in» haircuts — ie faux hawks, a-symmetrical…all sorts of colors.etc. When I moved up here I grew my hair out and became plain Jane. When I wanted to get a fresh new shorter cut I was surprised to see that there aren’t any Toni and Guys in NYC — but I found the Tigi Academy… and found CHRISTOPHER. I already trust the Toni and Guy/​Tigi family — because they are always on top of the latest trends.
I did not do the model exchange — I wanted to pay for an amazing haircut and have an amazing experience. That, I did. Not only is the Academy in a really cool and ritzy party of town — with a great view — But it was clean, modern and every single person there was friendly to me. I am always nervous about paying a good chunk of change for a haircut — but wellll worth it! The first time around Christopher cut 9 inches off and he made me feel confident and he took control and I loved the result. It was cute right then, and was cute when it grew out. I’ve already gone back for a second cut. He’s my man!

I read about TiGi’s model calls on Fridays 6−7pm and decided to stop by to see if anyone was interested in using my super curly hair. I met an apprentice Jessie who agreed to do either relaxing or highlights. She set up an appt for a Sat a week away.
I decided to go with highlights and lowlights. She did full head, which took around 3 hours, and did an amazing job. She was very helpful in picking out colors and pretty much doing exactly what I wanted. And she was great to talk to as well. I don’t think I could have asked for more even if I was paying. However, this was free too! This was an absolutely fantastic experience for me! I hope they’ll want to use me again in the future (another apprentice offered to cut my hair soon).

I have been hair modelling for Tigi here for about a year now and I ADORE it.
You apply to come in as a model — I believe open call is Friday nights at 6 or something — they’re a bit picky, but generally as long as you’re somewhat hip looking and cute-​ish and enthusiastic about letting them cut your hair, it’ll be fine. Usually they’ll call you within a few weeks, and on the day they have open, you’ll show up obscenely early, drink some free coffee and OJ, and spend hours sitting around doing nothing, and then one of the higher-​ups in the creative brand (NOT students, these are the people who represent Tigi and are teaching the classes) will cut and colour your hair in front of a class, for free, and you get to go home with a bunch of free products of your choice. It’s not convenient, per se, but that hair cut and colour, combined with the products, would set you back at least $ 400 otherwise, and they are consistently AMAZING. I get complimented on my hair at least once a week, and it’s all thanks to them.
The staff is super hip and friendly — and definitely personally remember me every time I go in. They are incredibly cooperative with what you want and will work with you to find a cut/​colour combination which will suit their needs and what you want — and teach that to the class as part of what makes a good hairdresser.
You need to be open to change — if you want a trim and wear your hair very simply, this is NOT what you are looking for — but if you like ediger hair cuts and colours (and if you like not paying for them) I would recommend going here to no end. I love it :)

Went here last week to get my hair trimmed at a friend’s recommendation. I think the guy did a good job — I might need a week or two to grow it out — at which point I’ll update depending on how it looks. The place is quite minamalist which works since it has a nice view of Madison from the second floor — the entrace is on 59^th rather than Madison FYI. I guess I’m not head over heels about the hair. The guy was distracted when I sat down since he’d just finished with a client whom he was into — not that I care but I’m paying and sitting in your chair so I sort of expect you to be professional and pay attention.
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Ok, so after a couple of weeks of trying out this cut, I’ve decided that it’s okay but I will not be going back again. I don’t think the guy really understood my hair. The search for a good hair guy/​gal continues.

I am super anal about my hair. After getting terrible haircuts growing up, I finally found a stylist I loved and went to her for 8 years … unfortunately, I left her back in San Francisco.
Christopher is my NYC hair angel! I went to Toni & Guy based on Unilocal reviews and he so did not disappoint. Not only did he tame my unruly curly hair into a beautiful new style, but he was super entertaining and helpful.
FIVE STARS to Christopher and my fantastic cut.