I started going to Hector at Misin Shin Salon for root touch-ups. He was always very careful to get things exactly right. I followed him to Lali Lali and we started working on revamping my ombré look, which he painstakingly labored on. My haircuts with him are some of the best I’ve ever gotten. They totally transformed my hair and made the color much more dynamic. The main point is that if you want an artist who is a perfectionist to do your hair, and you are willing to take the time and spend a moderate amount of cash, this is the person to go with. Hector is not a product pusher, but recommends something here and there to be bought outside the salon — something he has full faith in for hair type/needs. He has also offered very helpful styling tips to help reduce damage and increase the efficiency of my morning routine.
Alexis M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
Hector did a great job on my hair! He was very focused and made sure I was happy with the results. I brought some photos of what I was looking for and we agreed on a combination of ombré and balayage. The color turned out perfect, exactly what I was looking for and very natural.
Haj da P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brooklyn, NY
Love my haircut. It’s true. He works slow. He takes his time and he seems to be a perfectionist. I have thick Asian hair and for a trim with a lot of layers, the whole haircut and blowdry process took 2.5 hours. Whoa. That’s a lot of time to be spending in a salon chair. So make sure you’re not in a rush when you go and see him. Days later, my hair is low-maintenance and lookin’ fab.
Deepika V.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Stony Brook, NY
Apart from being the sweetest guy, Hector is wonderfully detail oriented. He listens, asks what you like, makes sure you are involved in the process. OTOH, he also makes suggestions for what will look good for your hair type/face etc. Highly recommend. I think the reason he is a pricey is because he is good AND I get the sense that Lali Lali(the salon he rents a chair in) maybe charging him steep fees. I’m all aboard for the idea of him opening his own place.
Karen B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Cedarhurst, NY
Such a sweet person! I don’t just trust just anyone with my hair, but because I moved here a year and a half ago, I had no choice but to take a chance. I read the reviews before going, so I knew that he is extremely slow, and that is true, but it’s totally worth it. as everyone said, he takes pride in his work, that is why it’s a longer process than the usual. I am so happy with the results, it was def worth the long time I spent there. make sure to set aside 3 hours, you don’t want to rush the master, he knows what he’s doing! besides being amazing with hair, he is also a real sweetheart, which is just an extra bonus! also, his assistant is great too! I just wish his regular prices weren’t so expensive. I booked through lifebooker and don’t think I can afford his regular prices. I would def like to go again.
Whitney W.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Manhattan, NY
Yes, he gave me a good haircut BUT… — Hector Vargas is NOT a salon but rather a guy named Hector Vargas in the Lai Lai salon — he is painfully slow. It took him an hour just to wash and comb my hair. The whole haircut and blowout took 2 hours and 15 min and I asked him to rush — he is so gentle he does not use his fingers when washing your hair. He pat on the shampoo and let the water wash it all out without ever using his fingers to speed it up! It was painfully slow. — while cutting my hair I had to stand up. I have never seen this before and I was the only one in the salon doing this. — if you have a place to go do not book an appointment with him before
A C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Arlington, VA
Hector is wonderful — a gentle soul who takes his time on your hair. He has an assistant, who is also really lovely and seriously did my shampoo and wash for like 20 minutes. Plus a killer head massage. The only con, if it’s a con, was that the haircut, wash, and dry took 2.5 hours, and that’s with me rushing a bit at the end because I had another appointment. I would set aside 3 hours to be comfortable here if you’re doing anything more than a trim. Hector takes his time with your hair, but the results are worth it. Another thing to note — he works in a salon that I don’t think, honestly, is as good as he is. The receptionist was polite but not welcoming per se, and the stylist next to me kept talking really loudly about all sorts of baby-mama drama and herpes and other random things that just were really inappropriate for a salon. Let alone for 3 hours of a haircut. Also they played this like teeny bopper pop music from the late 90s, which doesn’t sound so bad, but it was all sad emo teen girl angsty stuff, which after 3 hours just got annoying. So, Hector is great, your hair will be great, but maybe bring earplugs? Unless you like listening to Avril and Britney and Mandy?
Devi D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Salem, NH
I bought a deal through Lifebooker and I can’t be happier with my hair! As a new mother, styling my hair is not a luxury I have time for most often so I needed a short cut that could work styled as well as right out of the shower. It looks great styled and natural just as Hector promised. Yes, he did take about three hours to cut my hair but it made me feel like he really cared about the result. I would absolutely go back to him but his regular price is pretty steep for me at $ 150. I wouldn’t think rice to go regularly if his prices were a around $ 75 or $ 85. I am one satisfied customer!
I K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
My hair is curly and takes forever to cut, that is if you want to do a good job. Hector spent about 2 hours cutting my hair, was very polite, and made sure that I got exactly what I wanted. I am very happy with the haircut– he did not just get five stars from everyone, he deserves maybe ten.
Sarah T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
Like others have said, Hector takes great pride in his work. He wasn’t finished until my hair was perfect, even if it took a little longer than other cuts. Highly, highly recommended if you want a beautiful cut that looks great styled or undone.
Monica Q.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
Hector is absolutely amazing. Went to him for a cut/blowdry and he truly did a wonderful job. I honestly admire the fact that he took his time on my hair and takes pride in his work. Yes, he does work a little slowly but the results are well worth the additional hour in the chair. I highly recommend Hector!
Diane G.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brooklyn, NY
Hector Vargas did a beautiful and meticulous job– cutting, coloring and highlighting my hair and is a genuinely nice guy– quiet soft spoken and accommodating. I impulsively decided that in addition to the single process I had an appointment for, I wanted partial highlights. Hector stayed much later in the salon to make this happen. I loved that he chose the color for my hair based on my skin tone and it truly is lovely. Even though I purchased the service through Lifebooker, I will return without«a deal» because I love the way my hair turned out. One thing I think I should mention is that he works pretty slowly — that said the results are worth the time commitment.
Cooper B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of my hair, the long 4 hour process was well worth it. His precision paid off. I am very picky when it comes to my hair but he did a fabulous job making my highlights look natural and it was best blow dry Ive ever had.
Carrie W.
Rating des Ortes: 5 East Village, Manhattan, NY
Hector is wonderful! Highlights took a long time but look great. Got lots of compliments. And they look very natural. Book through life booker for a discount.