Art Plus Science

I haven’t had a haircut since the Las Vegas Supercuts Disaster of 2013. When it comes to salons, let’s just say I have issues with commitment. Art Plus Science in Manayunk has won my heart. I walked in flustered and mumbling apologies about lateness and motherhood and my new hairdresser, Heather, said, «I have three kids. I know what you need.» I had a 15-​minute deep conditioning, scalp massage, HAND massage, haircut, and style. Heather was intuitive, awesome, and the kind of person who makes you feel like you’ve know her for years after the first 15 minutes. Beautiful space, great people, great price.

So tonight was my first time @ Art plus science & I must say I am so pleased, the salon is stylish &very inviting. I found the staff extremely hospital. I was styled by Kim, I booked a hair & scalp renewal. The deep condition was exactly what My hair needed. First let me give background on my hair, im AFRICAN American with loose c curl pattern natural textured hair. Typically stylist blow dry & flat iron me which leaves my hair bone straight & lifeless, which is NOT what I like. I asked her to blow my hair out so that it still looked full & bouncy, and that is exactly what she did. No heavy products nothing to weigh my hair down. Just a beautiful full blow out with minimal direct heat, my hair feels & looks great, I will be returning soon for color & I’ll update the post, book Kim she’s incredible.

Ok This might be a bit rambly, but Im over the moon about this salon.
I have been living in the Manayunk area for a few years now, and until today have had yet to have a good experience in a hair salon. Every place Ive gone in the area has just been ok, or so-​so. My search for somewhere that I would actually like to go to get my hair done stopped today.
I called this morning not expecting to be able to even get in, but they were able to fit me in, and I was ecstatic, yet apprehensive because well like I said I’ve had issues in the past. When I arrived the gentlemen at the desk checked me in, took my coat, and took me right up to where John (My stylist today) would be coloring my hair. I color my own hair usually because of previous issues at other places, and always explain that I know my hair is damaged, but please don’t judge me. Usually I get some sort of comments from the stylist about how terrible my hair is as they cut or color it. John just asked me some questions about the color I wanted to be, and didn’t give me any negative nods or attitude about the sad state of my hair. That was refreshing!
He took his time and found the perfect color for me, did a great job of applying it without getting color everywhere (Again, Ive had issues elsewhere in salons), and they had plenty of reading material for me and everyone else at the salon while my hair set. He took his time drying my hair and just did a great job in general.
I didnt feel rushed, or as if any one there was trying to get me out so they could get the next client in, and the finished product is AMAZING! I will definitely be going back! (The color looks so good, some random guy walking down main street a few blocks away complimented me on my hair color!) I highly recommend this salon!

Michelle is the best! I first got my hair cut with her at Art+Science in August 2013 when I moved from Boston. She’s been cutting my hair since, and I even decided to stop dying it out of a box and have her do it with that fancy Aveda hair color. She is so lovely to spend time with, and really talented. And patient. And good looking! And remembers my hair plans («long to the floor plz help me grow it!»)Michelle will be doing the hair for me and my friends of honor at my wedding this June. If you’re looking at Unilocal reviews to figure out where to go, go to Michelle!

I tried this salon for the first time today. I have a hard time going up lots of stairs, so I researched before to make sure it was accessible. Google Earth made it seem so and Unilocal said it was. However when I got there my heart sank as I saw only the reception on the ground floor and the salon up a huge flight of stairs. I explained my issue with this and they were very accommodating. They have one styling booth on the ground level and were thus able to do my hair there. Luckily I had washed my hair so all was well. Erin my stylist did a really great job on my hair. She did exactly what I asked and kept checking that I was happy. She was a very sweet person too. I will definitely go back again and thank everyone for being helpful and understanding. The value at $ 50 was good too!

I went in to see Michael for a haircut. I was greeted by very friendly front desk associates and was taken up stairs right away. There was little to no wait time and I was taken to the shampoo section and received a scalp massage before my shampoo which was fantastic. The shampoo was just as great. Michael did an amazing job on my hair and I absolutely love it. I rebooked and can’t wait to go back!

I’ve been a client for about 10 years now. I have never had a bad experience at this salon and highly recommend it to everyone. Emily is my go to for eyebrows and Terri is an amazing hairdresser. Even though I live in Center City now, I still come out to Manayunk for their services.

The front desk is incredibly friendly and helpful.
Michelle and Kim are the absolute best stylists I have ever gone to, hands down!
In the past, I’d get anxious before each hair appointment because it seemed like the color and cut would be different every time, even with the same stylist! Here, I love not only their expertise, but also their consistency.
You can bring in a photo of any hair color you want and Kim will create a mix that matches perfectly. In that past at other salons, it seemed no one could get my hair color right! It would be different every time — sometimes caramel, sometimes really red, sometimes dark brown, sometimes copper. It was bad.
I brought in a picture of an auburn color (not too brown, not too red) that I thought would be impossible to re-​create, and Kim somehow did it perfectly. They store the color in the system, and I have been alternating between Kim and Michelle for about 2 years and it is PERFECT literally every time. We have tweaked it along the way and really — they both give me exactly what I’m looking for without fail.
I often switch between Kim and Michelle due to my schedule because they are both amazing.
Michelle is a true stylist when it comes to cutting hair! She is a perfectionist and I love that! She will cut your hair, blow it dry, and then tweak it multiple times until it looks exactly the way you want. She somehow cuts my thick, frizzy hair in such a way that it lays perfectly by framing my face and layering only the crown in the back. In the past, that has come out too choppy or too layered so that it frizzes up. Michelle has transformed my look by cutting it exactly right for my hair.
Finally, ALICIA for eyebrows! She’s such a sweetheart and does an amazing job!
I have been going here for 2 years and I have literally never had an experience where the front desk «doesn’t care» — so to any reviewer who had a bad call, just let them know and I can guarantee it will be a one-​time thing.

This was my first time at this salon and I have to say I loved it! I always tend to bounce around from salon to salon because my favorite stylist lives in California and going there every time I need a cut is not happening. Since being in Philadelphia I have not been able to find a place I love until now!
I had originally wanted an appointment for Sat but they were completely booked. But I was able to be seen on Sunday.
I met with Erin and she did a perfect job on my hair and I will definitely be back! I went in with a clear idea of how I wanted to color my hair and a not so clear idea on how I wanted it to be cut. I wanted Khole Kardashian’s ombré color. Erin listen to how I wanted my hair and discussed how we could proceed. Let me first say I have never gone lighter on my hair color so I had no idea how difficult my hair was going to be. Well, unfortunately for me my hair is «stubborn». Erin spent time putting the color on my hair, waiting for 30+ mins and after washing it out… NOTHING! My hair did not move a shade lighter. I was disappointed and having second thoughts. Erin already had a back up plan ready and started the process completely over. Erin was determined to get my hair the way I wanted it. Well, the second time around was much better. Erin was able to get as close to possible to the color I wanted! I was and still am super impressed. The only negative was the 6 hours I spent at the salon– however no one could have known my color was going to be so difficult. But Erin was so patient and made my hair look great– it was worth all the time at the salon.
Overall, my visit to the salon was amazing. I also have to say all of the staff working that day were super friendly and accommodating.

New to the area. Hoping to establish a long term relationship here. Unfortunately I called to set up an appointment and was asked if in could hold. Proceeded to wait for 10minutes. I thought perhaps it was just an error and someone got busy. Mistakes happen. Called back and again was asked to hold and did so for another 5minutes. Didn’t feel like a valued customer. Not interested in finding out if the same lack of service is placed in their hair care.

Update: Ayonne no longer works here :(
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Original review:
This review is for stylist Ayonne :)
I couldn’t get an appointment at the previous salon I used, which was fine by me. I’m not usually one to stick to a salon, because I’m never ‘wowed’ by anything done to my hair, thus far. I’ve been satisfied in the past to return to salons, but it was never a love-​at-​first-​cut sort of thing. I’ve basically been a drifter for the past how many years.
Anyway, I made an appoint at Art + Science because they had an opening. Came by for my appointment, was kindly offered a drink by a few people. My stylist, Ayonne, came over and got me and asked what I wanted done to my hair. I told her I love lots of layers, face framey, choppy, piecey, so it has natural volume when I straighten it (because my hair is very fine); and sometimes I wear it kinky/​curly because it naturally does that and I wanted a cut that could also compliment that on my lazy days.
Because of my request for layers, piecey, choppy, volume, in the past I have been given mullets or just blunt chop cuts that don’t look natural– they end up looking weird mod, which is not what I want.
Usually when I go to salons, it’s kind of awkward and difficult to keep up an engaging conversation and so I stay quiet for most of my cut. Not with Ayonne. I had so much fun chatting it up with her the entire time. She was so easygoing and easy to talk to– and it wasn’t that fake superficial conversation; I was having a great time!
So the cut– oh my goodness. It was EXACTLY what I wanted. I was so thrilled with the cut. Not mullet-​y, not mod blunt– just piecey perfection! My boyfriend even said to me when I got home, «Wow, she actually cut it the way you like it!» And I received plenty of compliments on it. It really does compliment my face shape and it’s MY style. I couldn’t shut up about how much I love it and I still can’t. I was also pleasantly surprised when I received a ‘thank you’ post card from Ayonne in my mailbox because I had been meaning to call the salon to rave about how amazing of a job she did!
AYONNE– I will be coming back when I need another cut! I am wowed by this haircut and I’m finally loyal to one salon! Thank you!

Some changes have occurred with my fav salon, so I wanted to update my review.
Amy is no longer a stylist here. While I was devastated to learn that a few months back, I remembered a fun, perky employee named Michelle who did my shampoo a few times when she was training so I booked an appointment with her. I have been going to Michelle for half a year now and she is a truly talented stylist. She is always willing to go above and beyond to meet my requests. I no longer have my asymmetrical hair but I do have an undercut and sexy layers that Michelle snips into perfection. She has never rushed me or second-​guessed my ideas and always makes sure I have a full glass of wine in hand. Recently, I went from my natural brown/​black color to a blackened burgundy that shines bright red in direct light. Michelle gave me the exact color I wanted sans damage which is no easy feat on hair as dark as mine. Since my hair had to be lightened first, the process ended up taking way more time than we had alotted for. Michelle took her time and made sure that I wouldn’t leave the salon with a wet head and that her next client wouldn’t be left waiting. I just went to her for a cut yesterday and couldn’t be happier. I even got a nice massage before my shampoo and some samples of Aveda’s new Moroccan oil-​type product. For a grand total of $ 40? Hell. Yes.
On another note, if you’re like me, you know that some salons are shady and have friends and employees make up Unilocal profiles to write positive reviews. Rest assured that none of these shenanigans go on at Art+Science. The other side of the coin are those people below who seem to have created Unilocal profiles solely to bash on this business, maybe based on one (possibly exaggerated) experience. Personally, I have been coming here for years and will never go elsewhere unless I move several states away. If you want awesome hair and a relaxing, pampering experience without dropping $$$, Art+Science is for you.

Went back for one last Aveda haircut before leaving for my summer job in Europe. I saw Samantha Waronker, chosen partly because she was the only one who had availability at the time I could come (I was super sad Claire Day was all booked up), and partly because I liked her name :)
The haircut was fine I suppose, but my appointment was booked for 1 hour. The whole thing took only 30 minutes, so when she got ready to finish my hair and I asked her to blow it out (which has never been a problem before) she looked at her watch and said there wasn’t time. I’m sorry… what??? Haven’t I paid for you for a full hour? For that reason I’m changing my review from 5 stars to ~3.5 (though that’s of course not an option). My first time here I left the salon looking like I was wearing a magical wig made of unicorn hair (i.e. the most luscious, beautiful hair on earth), but this time I left with wet hair, looking like I’d woken up hungover and late for work.

I recently moved to Manayunk and was recommended by a couple of people to come here. I made an appointment with Nancy, and I am very happy with the results. She was very consultative from the beginning, asking me what I like/​dislike and offering great suggestions. She was extremely friendly, and I felt comfortable from the beginning. She also made multiple suggestions on what we can do next time, which I really liked.
I also really enjoyed Nicholas, who did a hand massage while I was processing and washed my hair for Nancy. He was extremely friendly and funny, and I enjoyed chatting with him.
I’m looking forward to my next visit in a couple of months!

I came here with a gal pal to get a pin up for a wedding that day. Art + Science was very customer friendly and really made me feel comfortable. Ayonne was super sweet and quick! I have very fine and thin hair a.k.a. difficult to stay up. Ayonne managed to style my hair beautifully and at a fairly decent price. I will definitely return if I need another up do!

Michelle is an excellent stylist! I wanted to cut several inches off my hair and was nervous about how it would look. I brought a few pictures with me and she helped choose the one that best suited me. I love my new cut! The salon is beautiful and all the staff are kind and enthusiastic. I didn’t have a set salon in the area before I came to Art Plus Science but I definitely will return again to Michelle!

THE WORST salon experience of my life! I love to try new salons, I’ve been to most of the best in Philadelphia, and I figured I would give Art Plus Science a try since I was living in Manayunk at the time. Big mistake. HUGE.
I have brown hair, dyed a darker brown at the time of the appointment and I wanted to go lighter. When I booked the appointment the receptionist asked me «what we would be doing, and that’s what I told him– I wanted to go lighter.» So making the appointment was easy, but when I showed up I was greeted by the owner, who is by far one of the rudest people I have ever encountered.
He didn’t say hello or introduce himself, he just plopped me in the chair and asked what we were doing. When I told him that I wanted to go lighter, he freaked out and said that «he only had thirty minutes and there was no way he could do my hair, that I must have made a mistake when booking the appointment because I would have been told that this would be a double process, thus requiring more time.» You’re the stylist, not me!!! Surely it’s the job of the receptionist to book enough time for an appointment. He didn’t try to help me out at all, didn’t say I could wait around for a little to see if anyone cancelled or see if any of his other stylists could work with me. Nothing!
I was so shocked that I just walked out. I warn all of my friends about going here, by far the worst customer service I have ever experienced. This place is really a shame.

Went back to see Riley and happier this time than I was last. When my regular stylist at another salon was booked a month out, I got a last minute appt with Riley who did an amazing job on my short haircut and color. Everyone art+science is super nice and welcoming, and there’s no holier than thou attitude found at some of the salons downtown.
I also think that the prices are super, super reasonable.
I’ll be back again!

So, just FYI: I went back to get a new haircut (a rather drastic change). And just after having put the black hair dye in… The power went out. Seriously. No lights. No electricity.
Sam (the stylist working with me) had already hacked off a ton of my hair and put the dye in so we were committed. By candle and cell phone light (as assisted by the kick-​ass and enthusiastic Michelle) she rinsed out the dye (thoroughly!) with cold water and then she cut my hair (BEAUTIFULLY) by what little light was available from the windows on a stormy day and, again, cell phones. Sam is a ninja master and deserves nothing but selling-​pictures-​of-​her-​at-​the-​airport props for this Survivor-​esque, X-​treme haircutting challenge. Aces all around!
So, the moral of the story is: if they can give me a kick-​ass haircut in the dark with no electricity, just imagine what they can do when they’re not in post-​apocalypse mode.

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
I’ve been coming to Art+Science for a year and always leave with a grin. Terri is the best stylist ever, and the rest of the girls (and guys) are sooooooo nice too! I get a complimentary hand massage, a lip gloss touch up, some wine while I’m getting my hair done, and even a little snack. What’s not to like?! But talking strictly hair; they’re tip-​top. Well trained and customer service driven. I can’t tell you how glad I am to have this as my salon!
Oh, and it’s in Manayunk, which means after you get your hair done, you can hit Main Street with your new ‘do, and have a couple drinks with friends while feeling like a million bucks: D