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Salon Ishi

70 E. 55th St., New York, NY 10022
nr. Park Ave. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-888-4744 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
7.0 out of 10
|
9 Reviews | Write a Review
Type: Hair Salon
Services: Hairstyling, Makeup Application, Manicure/Pedicure

Photo by Elliott Kaufman

Map Rate & Review

Hours

Mon, 9am-5pm; Tue and Thu-Fri, 8am-7pm; Wed and Sat, 8am-5pm; Sun, closed

Nearby Subway Stops

E, V at Lexington Ave.-53rd St.; 6 at 51st St.; E, V at Fifth Ave.-53rd St.

Payment Methods

MasterCard, Visa

Profile

Salon Ishi takes hair care beyond the standard cut and color, with advanced treatments designed to heal and protect damaged locks. The slick, sophisticated space, done up in halogen lights, orchids, and acoustic panels that absorb sound, bustles with clients, many of whom swear by Ishi’s renowned hair-straightening procedure, which lasts for six months. The street-level salon has a second floor with additional style stations, as well as small private areas where clients enjoy signature Shiatsu head, neck, and shoulder massages with shampoos. (Shiatsu manicures and pedicures are also on the menu.) Since opening the space in 1992, pony-tailed owner Ishi has been importing the best Japanese treatments, as well as ionic blow driers and a salon-wide water purification system designed to remove chemicals. Clients fill out a questionnaire before one of fifteen stylists suggests a cut or a procedure; the latter could be the Water Treatment, during which the level of moisture in hair cells is measured and balanced, or the Intensive Keratin Treatment, in which keratin, protein, elastine, and collagen are applied to hair to eliminate frizziness. Many Japanese products are exclusive to the salon, including the Seeds Tea Clay Hairpack by Armino, which unclogs the scalp to control dryness and oil, and Collabo’s Thia conditioner, a rich protein treatment. — Chrissy Perisco

Extra

Packages of four are offered for many treatments, including the Protein Treatment, Water Treatment, Intensive Keratin Treatment, Ionic Treatment, and Straight Treatment (for in between straightening).

Quality:	7

Service:	5

Selection:	5

Value:	3

I've been going to Salon Ishi for many years. Ishi gives a great haircut. However, there are two serious complaints - the outrageous cost for a haircut and Ishi's attitude. He charges well over $200 for a basic trim. Plus, he only spends 30 minutes with each client. And he often has one of his "assistants" blow out my hair. Ishi is also obnoxious and inflexible. He acts like he is superiour to everyone else and is not very accomodating around scheduling. On a brighter note, Eli is fantastic with blonde highlights. He is upbeat and listens to his clients. His mentor, Idalia, is another story. Don't go to her! She used toner on me when I specifically asked her not to and my hair turned yellow, not the ash blonde that hightlights are supposed to look like. When I complained, she kept saying that it would look better when I got home. Needless to say, I had to go back to get it fixed. I went to Eli. I'd go to Eli over Idalia any day.

Hair Straightening poorly done and causes damage

Vita from | Posted on 1/26/06

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)


Quality:	4
Service:	8

Selection:	6

Value:	2

The first couple of times I went to Salon Ishi to get my hair straightened ("stick straight" Japanese method), they did a great job - I was reasonably happy despite the $700 cost. The last time, however, there were several sections of my hair that remained wavy and I had significant breakage around my hairline. When I went back to see if they could fix it, I was told it happened because I had colored my hair. I use a 6-week-temporary color which I had also been using the first few times I went to Ishi as well. I have been using this same color on my hair for 3-4 years consistently to cover a few grey hairs and to brighten my hair and know for a fact the color was in my hair every time I got it straightened, including when I had a strand test and had had no problems. Besides, I had specifically told them I had colored my hair each time I went! Now I have to contend with growing out lots of short pieces of hair which looks awful and not have the benefit of completely straight hair which I had paid $700 for!

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