Hair salons that make the cut

M’side’s serene haircut oasis

Scott J. Lifestyle Salon and Spa couldn’t be more conveniently located. Next to Starbucks on 114th and Broadway, its proximity alone makes it the most accessible relaxing getaway in Morningside Heights. The staff does everything in its power to make sure the salon feels as much like a spa as possible, while still being in sight of Lerner. Employees offer water and tea upon customers’ arrival. With any haircut, they shampoo, condition, and massage, and they’re not skimpy about using their own Aveda products in fun scents like rosemary mint. But the service is almost annoyingly good. Turning down chamomile once isn’t a problem. Turning it down a couple of times in one visit can get awkward. It’s great that they want to wash hair so much, but for students in a rush, being shampooed twice can get tedious. So definitely consider a trip here an event. Since Scott J.’s charges around $30 for a basic guy’s haircut, it sort of has to be.
—Joe Daly

UWS salon provides Attentive service at student-friendly prices

In terms of convenience, the Scott J. Lifestyle Salon and Spa across the street is ideal, but in search of a more upscale experience, students can try the other location at 72nd and Columbus. Not too surprisingly, the service there is significantly better, most likely because this Scott J. caters to a more posh Upper West Side clientele. Getting a same-day appointment is unlikely to be a problem during the week. Even when there is a line of customers waiting at the front desk, a hostess greets new patrons as soon as they walk in. The hostess checks patrons in, takes their coats, and sits them down in a roomy waiting area with plenty of magazines. Within minutes, they are whisked away by a haircutter’s assistant, who washes their hair and follows it with a brief yet relaxing shoulder and neck massage. The haircutters take the time to listen to what cuts customers want, offer suggestions, and work quickly—the whole experience may be over in 20 minutes. The haircut might not necessarily be superb, but for $45—plus tip for the hairdresser and her assistant—it is a pretty great deal. Just a 10-minute subway ride away, this salon offers better service than its Morningside Heights counterpart.
—Helen Werbe

Barbershop with local flair

Melvin & Pat’s Barber Shop dispenses with luxury and instead provides haircuts with character. Set along a colorful yet dingy block of cafés and stores on 110th and Amsterdam, this shop appears an unlikely spot for a great trim. Make no mistake, Melvin & Pat’s is no salon, but the vibrant atmosphere, friendly service, and low prices make this barber shop a hidden treasure.
Unlike competitors in the Columbia neighborhood, Melvin & Pat’s primarily caters not to students but to the other denizens of Morningside Heights. Spanish music plays loudly, nearly drowning out the raucous banter from the barbers and the roar of blow dryers. On a sunny day, the street comes alive with women pushing groceries and lounging teenagers who shout to customers and employees alike. For men, stylists famously ask whether the back of the head should be cut “round or square,” and after this brief inquiry, customers simply sit back and let the entertainment commence.
—Jason Bell