Maria Bonita Salon & Spa

I got a brazilian bikini wax, and it wasn't the best experience. The tech was obviously skilled at what she was doing, but she wasn't very friendly or anything even though I kept trying to make conversation. She used a honey wax, you know the kind you pull off with a strip of cloth which I was kind of surprised by because stripless wax hurts way less. She also left some hair that I suppose didn't get pulled out by the wax. She started tweezing but I dont know... I guess she gave up in the middle??? I was also all red and bumpy for like a week.

Posted 03/17/06

I went to Maria Bonita for the Package of the Month...what a wonderful and put together package...for only $135 I got my hair conditioned and a scalp massage, then Roger cut my hair with a lot of layers in the back...now even if I don´t style it , it looks stylish...and what a great time you have with him...Then Fernanda took care of my hands and foot making them feel new again...Heads up for the whole staff...I´ll be checking for more packages soon so I can come back...

Pros: cheap, great staff, one place has it all

Posted 03/13/06

I had my first Bikini wax here ever. The staff was so great. Really knowledgeable and made the experience as enjoyable as possible. I highly recommend it.

Posted 02/04/06

It will be difficult to write about this place with only 150 words. This is "really.. "heaven on earth"!!! I have been around the world as far as salons are concerned but this one has a "je ne sais quoi" that I have never encounter anywhere else.
At Maria Bonita you can sip a glass of wine while having your nails done by one of Fernanda's wonderful manicures or having Regina massaging you way after the hour you booked..
Try having your hair washed by Evelyn or any of the others.. they massage you scalp with so much care its almost like you are leaving behind all your worries entering a dreamland..
For all the hours you took care of me.. Nanda, Evelyn, Roger, Pedro, Su, Mariazinha, Regina a big OBRIGADA!!!! xoxoxo Celia

Posted 01/16/06

Worst manicure I've ever had - don't think they were trained. Even worse....they charged $22 for it. I'm disappointed and will never go back for a manicure. Wish someone would've warned me.

Posted 01/12/06

I love this place!!! besides the people there fromt he owner to the staff are fun and very lively.

I cant help but love the beautiful women that come in, especially some super models!!!

I get the best hair cuts here, hands down and love my coffee!!!

You gotta try it out!

Pros: Welcoming, Comfortable, Great Value

Posted 01/11/06

Getting downtown was a commute for me, but after going to various spas in downtown and midtown I am running back to Maria Bonita and Regina. She is so nice and so professional.

Posted 01/09/06

I started going here last year and the service was wonderful, and still is. I have since left NYC for the time being, but everytime I come into town one of the first places I go is Maria Bonita to see Regina! She is amazing and I have yet to find another place in the country that has brazilian waxing as good as Regina! She is truly one of a kind!!!

Posted 11/23/05

I went to Maria Bonita last week and had an excelent pedicure with Fernanda. She's very nice and careful!!! I will definitely ask for her next time i come back!!!

Pros: great service, friendly, on time

Posted 11/17/05

I went to Maria Bonita for a Pedicure and enjoyes the whole experience. My new feet look and feel amazing. Fernanda was very skilled and fast...I'll come back to try new services and to get my feet in good shape again.

Pros: inexpensive, fast, knowledgable

Cons: none

Posted 11/04/05

I felt compelled to write this review...I've been going to Maria Bonita Salon for massages and facials for a long time...maybe 2 years now ... Liliane gives such a good massage. It is very relaxing! Regina have excellent skills. She has changed my skin from very dull with large pores to a much smoothier complexion. Keep up the good work...

Pros: hours, skilled people, friendly

Cons: none

Posted 11/04/05

I don't recommend the massages at this spa; i suffered from back pain two days after my massage. During the session, the therapist just didn't listen to my needs.

Pros: good reputation

Cons: bad massages

Posted 11/01/05

Thank you Fernanda!!!! My old feet feel like new, and I'm going back to Florida a happy girl! Glad I have business in NY every month!!!

Pros: good price, good hours, Fernanda!

Posted 10/14/05

This is the best place for brazillian waxes! You must see Maria for this service, she is quick, painless and perfect! The reception staff is very nice and I have never been kept waiting for my appointment. The salon is beautiful, clean and open. The price is great too, not too expensive and not too cheap that you are scared that they are cutting corners. The hours are great, too; they are open late pretty much every night of the week so it is east to get an appointment late if you work.

Pros: brazillian waxes, hours/location, availability of appts

Posted 10/10/05

Roger is my man! He rocked my world and made me the prettiest new barbie in town. I went to Maria Bonita with dull, lifeless hair...Roger advised me to do some highlights and to change my haircut...We ended up doing a full head of highlights...and a new haircut...people can't stop stopping me on the streets to know the name of the professional who did such job...Thank you Roger...the whole staff is plain competent...I'll recommend this place to everyone who wants to fell fabulous!

Pros: cheap, convinient hours, fiendly

Cons: none

Posted 10/08/05

Regina is the best for waxing! I would never think of going anywhere else. She is warm, kind, and does everything possible to make a Brazilian bikini wax as painless as possible! But really, everyone here is great - professional, clean, and personable. As I am leaving the city, I really feel like I'm losing a friend!

Pros: Brazilian Waxes

Cons: None

Posted 09/20/05

I went to this salon because it received such high ratings on Citysearch and hoped to find a great new place. I never realized I'd end up with the worst highlights I've ever had and a mullett that I never wanted even after I showed pictures of what I wanted. I splurged and got a pedicure. I'm just happy that I still have feet even if they look horrible and hurt. I was so stunned by everything that I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I demanded they fix the highlights since I paid for them which they did but the cut I will get fixed somewhere else because it's just so unbelievably awful that I will never trust that place again. Talk about a waste of money, time and energy for something that should be a good experience. It is just plain BAD!

Posted 09/19/05

Comfortable, professional, quick & knowledgeable, great value. This is the place to come to for any type of bikini wax...but the best place for the brazilian. No sales pressure...very down to earth & friendly atmosphere.

Posted 09/09/05

Regina did my first ever Brazilian wax and while I can't say it was completely painless, she made the experience very comfortable for me. We chatted, she gave me some aftercare advice and general skincare advice without trying to sell products.

Carlos gave me a haircut that made me look and feel beautiful. The staff is friendly and unpretentious. I will keep coming back and have recommended this salon to everyone.

Pros: Friendly, Skilled, Good price

Cons: None

Posted 08/30/05

I went in for a bikini wax about 3 weeks ago after reading all the great reviews about Reginaand it was WONDERFUL. I was a bit early and was taken right away. The room was very clean. Regina was VERY nice, quick and very in tune with me asking me every couple of seconds (It seemed like) if I was ok. In no time I was bare as a baby. TRULY THE BEST WAXING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. They have won me over.

Pros: clean, quick, cheap

Cons: none

Posted 08/17/05

Lemme tell you, I had many bad haircuts. Pedro is the first person to make me so beautiful that I was smiling for the whole day. My first impression of him was, omgosh he looks conceited. But after talking to him, he was just an average guy making a living. So I showed him a picture that I wanted, and let me say, I look hot!!! Pedro is fantabulous!!

Pros: Great atmosphere, Gives out beverages, Makin' you sexy

Posted 08/15/05

After hearing such great reviews I HAD to try this place. Unfortunately my experience was less than desired.When I called to ask if they did a special waxing service & asked for a price, the receptionist said, "X dollars and if she does a good job you give her a good tip,ok?" I tried to ignore it and chalked it up to a language barrier. After I got my waxing done, I gave my esthetician 20%+ tip, they charged me incorrectly on my card, told me next time I could make it up, and after settling up asked "Are we good?" The receptionist was like" I GUESS..." My esthetician then FLASHED her the tip I gave her to indicate that with the error they had either had the bill covered or not! I was not happy about that. The waxing itself was fine. The table was a bit stained.

Pros: waxing , location

Cons: service

Posted 07/13/05

Carmem did a full head of highlights for me and she did a great job! They have grown in well without a harsh line and I got tons of compliments on my hair. I am definitely going back for more.

Pros: great performance, reasonably priced, comfy atmosphere

Posted 07/10/05

I've learned a thing or two in the 20 plus years I've been waxing. From the "Cera Negra" of Sao Paulo's "Instituto de Depilação Vanessa" (best waxing in the world, IMO) to Germany's "Rowenta" machines I've tried everything.
Maria at Maria Bonita has perfect technique, works quickly and with no unnecessary pain.
It's as good as it gets outside Sao Paulo.

Posted 06/14/05

I have been going here reguarly for over a year for Brazilian bikini waxes. The staff is always extremely friendly. I always have Lily do my bikini waxes - she is fabulous, and she is very friendly and always make me feel comfortable. She will chat with you, but only if you chat first which is nice because then you do not feel forced into conversation. I have also been to Maria (if Lily is not available) - she is great at the bikini wax too but not very friendly or chatty (which some people would prefer), although she didn't seem to have much sympathy when she hurt me with the tweezing.

I HIGHLY recommend this place for a Brazilian bikini wax - it is clean and a good value.

Pros: Friendly staff, clean, ok price, always on-time or early

Cons: None!

Posted 06/04/05

The best thing about this place is how unpretentious it is, despite its location. The attitude at other salons in the area can be over the top. Everyone at Maria Bonita is down-to-earth and just plain competent. There's no pressure to buy anything or get unnecessary services. They play nice music and keep the atmosphere light and airy. THe other customers I've seen there are real regulars who seem to be addicted to the plac.e

Pros: Inexpensive, On-line booking, Open Late

Posted 05/25/05

It is not bc I am brazilian that I believe that this is the best place in NYC! I went to other place but at Maria Bonita everything was perfect. I still have to go back there to have massages and other things, but Manicure/Pedicure with Fernanda and my new hair look with Roger were PERFECT!!! I will definetely become a regular at Maria Bonita!
Great Job guys!
Dani

Posted 05/23/05

I went to Maria Bonita for a pampering day and left feeling like a princess... I started the day going for a brazilian bikini wax, which I thought would be the worse part of my day, I find out later that Regina was an angel that could make it painless. Greeted with fruits and a glass of champaigne, I moved downstairs to have a massage and a facial...went upstairs for what I can say the best man/ped of my life...it lasted about 2 weeks...Roger highlighted and blowed dried my hair to perfection ans said I was gorgeous in the end. Yes, I was...

Pros: cheap, fun, exciting

Cons: none

Posted 05/17/05

The waxing at Maria Bonita is excellent. I use Maria and she is professional, friendly and does an EXCELLENT job. It's the most painless Brazilian waxing you are going to find. The salon is light, airy and clean. I would highly recommend the Brazilian waxing at Maria Bonita, and Maria in particular, to anyone!

Pros: excellent work, relatively painless, price

Cons: none

Posted 05/14/05

What a great salon!
Convenient location, friendly employees, very nice ambience, but my favorite is Mariazinha's brazilian bikini wax. She is the best! She is very nice, sweet, very professional and fast. I loved her newest greatest idea, which I can't reveal because you have got to check it out yourselves. I promise you won't regreat.

Posted 03/29/05

Love the atmosphere at Maria Bonita Salon. If you need an excellent brazilian biquini wax just ask for Maria and she will do a great job on you.

Posted 03/16/05

Very close to Soho, with great ambiance and wonderful staff, Maria Bonita makes me feel more beautiful than ever. Waxing is the best in town, Brazilian manicure and pedicure are very good. The hair color and highlights are stunning!

Pros: waxing, color & highlights, music

Cons: busy schedule

Posted 03/14/05

I have no idea how is Brazil because i was never there, but if people there treat you as nice as people at Maria Bonita you should definitilly go there. Not only to get things done, but to fell good.

Posted 03/09/05

Maria's waxing is the best!!! She's sweet, caring, very professional and clean! She's an example of professionalism. On Chirtsmas Day, Maria was waiting for me to get my nails, waxing and pedicure donne until 8:00pm (my flight came in late)! The salon was supposed to be closed already! Now, THAT'S GREAT service! Can't get any better then that. The salon and the whole staff are very friendly e caring. Music is always great, it's always a relaxing and enjoyable experience!

Pros: Professional, Good Price, Nice People

Posted 03/05/05

I read about Maria Bonita Salon in Citysearch and decided to give it a try. I saw Roger for a haircut and was very impressed! I showed him a few pictures of what I wanted, and he gave me a great cut that suits the shape of my face. Everyone was really nice and friendly, and I plan on going back for other services.

Posted 02/27/05

What a wonderful little salon! The staff is always cheerful and the salon itself is nice and bright. They make you feel very comfortable and relaxed - you leave feeling like a new person!

Posted 02/03/05

As a 30-something guy I thought I was skilled enough to handle my own personal maintenance when it comes to keeping my nails civilized. However, in true metrosexual* style I decided to lose my manicure innocence at Maria Bonita Salon & Spa and must say it was a sensual, gentle, and deeply gratifying experience. I highly recommend this service/treatment to any and all boys and girls out there!

* metrosexual (met.roh.SEK.shoo.ul) n. An urban male with a strong aesthetic sense who spends a great deal of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle.

Posted 02/02/05

if you say the word "salon" or "spa" that's a recipe for me to run like hell. Running from Maria Bonita would be a big mistake. Not only did they make me feel totallly comfortable, my girlfriend thought they made me look great, too.

Pros: great staff, great atmosphere, great coffee

Cons: not enough of them!

Posted 02/01/05

Great haircut, massage... perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon. They remember your name when you go and always give you personalized attention.

Pros: haircut, massage

Posted 02/01/05

The girls at Maria Bonita know what they are doing, weather you do it with Regina or Maria you'll get the same results as if you were doing it in Rio without having to pay unreasonable prices for it...Also I recommend Maria Bonita Pedicures...

Pros: inexpensive, perfectly done, great

Posted 12/14/04

I love the salon overall, and especially Carmen for haircuts and color. The people are so nice, and the treatments are great. Everytihng is reasonable, and they have great jewelry too!

Pros: Great Value, Late Hours, Nice Staff

Posted 12/10/04

while strolling through the neighborhood, i came across this treasure. so, i made an appointment with Perdro, for which has turned out to be one of the best cuts i have ever recieved. the atmosphere was so relaxing and the staff so welcoming, i felt almost as if on vacation. the service, for the price, was exceptional.

Pros: great service, great value

Posted 11/11/04

My skin felt so soft after the Brazilian bikini and Maria is the best in wax I ever experienced. I recommend her to all my friends.
Keep up the good work !

Posted 11/02/04

If you want a totally expert Brazilian wax, ask for "Maria" at Maria Bonita Salon. She's unbelievably fast, efficient and sweet. Maria Bonita is the best place to go have it done, and Maria is the best person to do it ...

Posted 09/17/04

I am actor and needed a good haircut before I got new headshots. I wanted something versatile, that could be styled into different looks. Roger gave me the best haircut I have ever had. On the weekends I can roll out of bed and run my fingers through my hair and it looks great. It can look great casual or formal. Roger is great -- very talented and a great personality. I highly recommend him.

Pros: Roger, Great Cut, Good Price

Posted 09/14/04

I have been going to this spa since it opened. I have known Regina since she arrived in the USA. She is an amazingly talented, kind, warm and generous person. She is a perfectionist in her work. All the people working at this Spa are wonderful, lots of fun and very hard working. You leave there feeling like you have spent time with old friends. My daughter has her hair done by Pedro. She cannot say enough about his work. Try it you will not be disappointed.

Pros: Inexpensive, Relaxed, Friendly

Posted 09/08/04

The reviews are all right! Pedro gave me an amazing haircut and blow dry! The shampoo girl was incredibly thorough too- my hair was so soft and clean! The staff is super friendly and welcoming. No trendy elitists here! The place is clean and bright with good lighting. I didn't have to wait at all. Go- you will love it!

Pros: Lots of attention, friendly service, no waiting

Posted 08/31/04

I went to Maria Bonita yesterday for my first ever brazilian bikini wax after reading all the favorable reviews here on Citysearch. I've never posted a review before but felt compelled to do so because my experience was such a positive one! Regina is such a sweet person, and so skilled at her job. She made me feel entirely comfortable even while half naked and spread eagle... that region of my body has never looked so fantastic... and it really was not nearly as painful as I expected. Regina asked if I was ok frequently and had a few techniques to help ease the pain. Definitely a great value and a great first brazilian experience. THANK YOU REGINA!! I'll definitely be back...

Pros: Good Value, Great Staff, Very Thorough

Posted 08/17/04

For a real brazilian waxing with no pain you MUST see "Maria" at Maria Bonita beauty Salon.
Maria takes care of me like no one else in NYC and paying a monthly visit to her is essential to keep a nice biquine line. My boyfriend LOVES IT !!!!!!

She is a "must" for your summer time!!!
MARIA, MARIA, MARIA, you rock!!!

Posted 07/26/04