AKS Salon

I have been indulging in the best haircuts for over 10 years now. Susanna Romano has magic in her shears. The shampoo head massage is superb. Everyone on the staff from the front desk to coat check greet you with a smile and warm hello whether its your first visit or your hundreth. I highly recommend you call and see for yourself. You will thank me.

Posted 12/08/08

After trying many top tier salons, I finally found J.Anthony at AKS Salon. J.Anthony took the time to talk to me before my first appointment, consider my goals and consider what would look best. He was genuine, friendly and I felt comfortable and confident in his ideas. Thanks to him, I now have the most gorgeous, blonde hair in the world.

Pros: Best services, highly trained staff, focused and fantasic, centrally located

Cons: Expensive, but worth it.

Posted 12/06/08

AKS has one of the best colorists in town, Jay Anthony; I've followed him from one salon to another over more years than he or I would care to admit, and am thrilled that he's now the head of the color dept here. He has a wonderful sense of what is tasteful, appropriate and flattering, and I have sent everyone from my daughter to the women in my office to him. The results are always superb: natural-looking but beautiful. I have used a few of the other people at the salon, and have had some excellent haircuts and blow-dries. Niree (spelling is probably way off) is one of my all-time favorites, with huge talent and a warm, engaging personality to match. The assistants are all well trained, courteous and affable. They have late nights, so I usually go after work, which is very convenient. They even have some very good product lines (Dr. Gross), so it feels like one-stop shopping. Plus It is centrally located, which is convenient, and has some great views of the city.

Posted 11/25/08

J Antony is the very BEST hair colorist. My hair looks natural and makes me feel like I did as a teenager. My clients and friends ask where I get my hair done and I always tell them J Anotony at Salon AKS. He is the best.

Posted 11/23/08

Thank god for John, my hair was butchered when my regular hair dresser went out on maternity leave at my local salon. I work in NYC, and couldn't style or stand to look at my hair. I was recommended by 2 friends to go to see John and he worked magic with what he had to work with. Thanks to him, I have a much more manageable cut and can't wait till it grows out to go back and work with him some more!!

Posted 11/10/08

I love this salon. It's my favorite in new york city with the best hair stylists. I have been using J. Antony for the past few years and my mother is also a faithful client of his.

Posted 11/02/08

This is my first time to write a review, But not the first time I've told everyone how wonderful Salon AKS is.First let me tell you that women - perfect strangers- constantly stop me and ask where I get my hair done...and because of that I now carry their business cards with me and hand them out with pleasure . Now regarding the care and service in the salon; My shampoo is an experience in itself Linda or Nancy give a scalp massage that totally and completely relaxs you, its out of this world!!!!! Alain cuts my hair and I never have to worry, I tell him what I like - he tells me what he thinks - but most important he LISTENS ! And I'm always happy & thats the bottom line. Kathleen does my color and it is always a masterpiece what an eye she has... The staff is great always attentive,helpful and kind. I always look forward to my time at the salon to see everyone, feel so relaxed and leave looking like a million dollars what more could you ask for.
Sincerely, Eileen Weaver

Posted 10/29/08

JAntony is an exceptional colorist at AKS Salon. I have been a client of his for 20 years, from henna treatments in the early years, to highlighting processes. I was born a redhead and he has kept me in the most natual color for all these years. His brunettes are warm and beautiful, and of course he can achieve any tone with blondes. I find his personality so enjoyable and he is always attempting new and creative ways to keep my hair with many textures.....not just one solid color. For many years, I would describe JAntony as the REMBRANDT of color....so gifted and talented.

Posted 10/28/08

I've been going to AKS for a decade and have NEVER had a bad haircut. Absolutely professional service. And all the staff are personable and warm. Couldn't recommend it more highly.

Posted 10/27/08

Salon AKS is simply the best all around experience I have ever had at a salon (I've been to many of them in Manhattan and elsewhere over the years). I have nothing but good to say about this place: the staff is warm and helpful when you arrive and makes sure you are comfortable. Nyree Busby, my stylist, met with me for my consultation, which she took her time on and then brought me to get shampooed. The talented lady who washed my hair and massaged my scalp did an amazing job and did not rush. I was half asleep by the time I was escorted back to Nyree, who gave me a fantastic cut. She really is an artist and is joyful in the way that she cuts and styles - you feel as though she is enjoying the experience as much as you are - a welcome relief from some of the uptight and frosty stylists I've encountered at other salons. The whole experience is wonderful and you feel truly pampered and never intimidated or unwelcome. Yes, you can get a scalp massage and a water with lemon at any high-end salon in Manhattan, but Salon AKS has the sweetest and most professional staff and in my opinion, their pricing is very reasonable. I can't recommend this place (and Nyree) enough. It is a delight every time I go there.

Pros: Good value, great atmosphere, talented and professional staff, good product recommendations, but no pressure to buy them

Cons: Snippy Upper East Side ladies abound and are annoying

Posted 10/20/08

I found AKS salon on Citysearch and loved it. I was meeting some friends in midtown over the weekend for dinner after a day of shopping and wanted a place near the restaurant. AKS was able to accomodate me for a cut and 1/2 head of highlights. I ended up loving my stylist as well as the person who did my color! Everyone was so nice an accomodating. I will definitely recommend AKS to anyone looking to get their hair done.

Pros: Great cut & color - true professional salon

Cons: Not cheap but worth every penny!

Posted 10/06/08

Master colorist (and salon creative director) J Antony has been enhancing my locks for 20+ years (we were both adolescents!). I've followed him from salon to salon, till he landed at AKS when it first opened -- and there we have both happily remained ever since. He is simply the MOST talented colorist out there -- an artist at his craft -- and also a wonderful person. A perfectionist with great taste -- perfect combo. And despite the salon's tony address and clientele, the entire staff is warm, friendly, unassuming, and unfailingly helpful to all. They also sell a great line of products. As far as I'm concerned, our hair is NOT the place to go bargain-basement -- if you want to love your locks, check it out.

Posted 10/03/08

This salon has seen better days. At one time the
stylists were all very good, the assistants were
trying their best, the blow-drying team were as
good as to be expected. This is all in the past.
The salon is run like K-Marts, the standards are low,
the best have left for higher-end salons--still there
are mediocre technicians and clients that are
actually falling asleep in their chairs because the service
is sooo slow. As far as I am concerned the place
is history--and I too am heading for a high-end salon.

Pros: None

Cons: Incompetent stylists, blow-drys, colorists, service

Posted 09/15/08

First let me say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Color. I have been going To Allison at AKS for Years ... She always gets my hair just right. I have never been happier with my color. She does beautiful and natural highlights on my dark blonde hair, I get compliments on a daily basis about my color. She makes you feel like your her only client, taking her time to make you feel confortable and relaxed. It is always a pampering experience being in her chair.

Pros: fabulous color, great staff

Posted 04/20/08

Allsion is by far the best colorist I have ever been to and I have been highlighting my hair for 16 years. Salon AKS is fabulous. It is no wonder that it is all the NYC socialites go-to salon.

Posted 04/10/08

if your one of those people who believe your hair can make or break your look, you can trust AKS will make your look. Allison Gandolfo is now the only one i trust with my hair color, and has been for at least 4 years now. no matter who styles my hair following color, my hair always looks its best. there is no reason to go anywhere else.

Pros: allison gandolfo, free/fantastic blowout

Posted 04/07/08

I have been a client at AKS for years now and Christopher has been one of the reasons why. Christopher has always given me a great cut and has made suggestions to keep my style fresh and current...he's also just a really nice guy..no attitude like I have found at other salons in the area. I am always impressed by the overall experience I have at AKS. They know how to provide people with a great salon experience from the moment you walk through their doors. Real professionals!!

Pros: Professional, No Attitude, Great Stylists

Posted 03/17/08

I have been a customer of Salon AKS since inception. I am very familiar with the staff & can honestly recommend the entire AKS Team as they are all well trained, & polite & most importantly an expert in each of their indivudual field.
Kathleen Flynn Hui is my colorist. . Kathleen is on top of her coloring game at all times. Her technique & masterful color blends will leave your hair radiant. She is a consummate expert that pays attention to detail. Your hair will glisten & shine.
Kao Hui is a Master Hair Designer/Stylist. Kao is well versed in the latest styles. He always pays attention to expectations & always delivers outstanding results. The Salon environment is a total feeling of well being & pampering. You will absolutely feel & look special!!!

Pros: Ambience

Cons: none

Posted 03/10/08

I had been to AKS several times years ago and then began using a local hair stylist/colorist that was less expensive. The fact is, AKS may be pricey--but that's because you walk out with EXCEPTIONAL hair.
This past fall I decided to try a new salon when I moved to Hoboken to have the roots of my highlighted hair touched up (not a difficult task since my hair is blond with natural highlights as it is). The owner of the salon destroyed my hair....literally turned the roots orange and then after 2 attempts of fixing it, I walked out as a bleached blond with bright orange roots/highlights. I was devastated. Then I called AKS because I know they are the experts when it comes to hair. Carolyn was able to take my horrendous, overprocessed hair and make it look fantastic. I thought it was beyond repair but she fixed it completely. Now I know that it doesn't pay to even consider another salon....because I had to pay for the damage done and then the repair....not to mention the time and tears wasted! Carolyn will be my colorist for life! Thanks AKS

Posted 02/15/08

I've been going to Christopher for years. I prefered their old location, with the large windows overlooking Madison Ave., but when Christopher moved, I was going with him. I've strayed here and there to try to save money, but I'm always disappointed and come back to Christopher. He always remembers me, even though I only get my hair cut 2-3 times a year, and he knows how I like it styled. He's also a cool guy. The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars, is because I like the other location better (I felt more pampered there), and Christopher used to always do the styling himself, and now only sometimes does, depending on how busy he is. I still always feel like he truly cares and wants me to be happy. If Larissa is still there, I highly recommend her for highlights. I no longer color my hair--can't afford it--but I got constant compliments when I got my color by Larissa.

Pros: Talented staff. Modern but not trendy.

Cons: Fifth Ave location not as special as Madison Ave.

Posted 10/11/07

I went to them just prior to their relocation two years ago. On the phone with the receptionist I described my hair (long, blond, with long, loose layers) and asked for a stylist who would listen to what I wanted and who was not scissor happy. I went as far as asking for someone who would cut off only an inch if I asked. They gave me an appointment with Christopher - who is capable of leaving anyone with a life-long fear of the stylist chair. He butchere my hair cutting chunks out of it with layers starting 1-1/2 inches from my scalp. He responded to my look of horror with the the comment,; "I see the look on your face, don't worry you will still have long hair" and " I am psyched about this cut" Probably because he did not have to be seen in it publicly. When he got done I had a mushroom with strings. 80% off the thickness of my hair was cot in a bowl like configuration but with hundreds of choppy layers, underneath were wosps that eneded slightly past my collarbone. I had to wear my hair up for a year. This haircut was a night mare to work with. Clearly all the owners who have defected from F Fekkai, have lost their touch. When I called to complain, the repsonse was we have never had a complaint about him. NO offer to fix what was worng. If you want to destroy your hair book immediately!!

Posted 01/22/07