Raika Studio

Went to see Kathleen a month ago for a standard chin length bob and bangs and she gave me exactly what I wanted, despite my vague description. The atmosphere is amazing — the lather room is super relaxing and there’s nothing quite like putting your feet up (literally) while you get a scalp massage during a deep conditioning. Also, they usually offer beverages, but they didn’t offer me a single thing during my second visit, which left me feeling pretty miffed.
Then, when I went to see Kelsey a few days ago, she jacked my hair up. I came prepared with excellent photos from multiple angles of an undercut pixie (including a buzzed nape /​back of head). She didn’t buzz it, and chose to use her comb and scissors instead, which maybe should have worked but instead now the back of my head is super uneven and not nearly short enough to my liking. I had to leave without asking her to fix it because of time constraints but when my friends saw me they frowned and told me «it’s okay, you can go to someone better for a touch up.» I’m pretty sure if I had seen Kathleen again, I would have gotten what I actually wanted. Now I have to wait for my hair to grow out to get the piecey undercut pixie I showed Kelsey.
Ultimately: Request Kathleen. Don’t settle for a junior stylist if you want a precision cut. Kelsey was really nice and friendly, and I’m sure she’s competent with other things, but ultimately I needed someone with more technical skill for this cut.

So I went back again… Another fantastic experience. One of the apprentices did my hair, Olivia… and wow what a learning experience I had with this young lady. She told me stories of how she followed Raika for a time while in school and how it was a goal to work there. She was a wonderful young Landy who is so willing to learn and so excited about it. She made me leave Raika feeling just as beautiful as her talent is. Congratulations to to the owner, Kathleen for hiring such an ambitious girl as Olivia! And thank you for making me feel beautiful Olivia!

I don’t get into NYC as often, but visit Raikastudio when I can. Kathleen and her stylists are the ultimate professionals. Today I had color with Kelly… so pleased! Jen cut my hair for the second time… Even though I hadn’t been there in months, she remembered everything about my style preferences, excellent cut. Everyone making you feel welcome. For a great salon like this one… prices are very fair in NYC and they never push for extra treatments you don’t need. Highly recommend!

Overrated for the price. I could get the same haircut from my regular salon where I pay $ 25, and I paid almost $ 80 here. It’s nice they have lunch specials for cheap but those are really just touch-​ups. They do have good service and seem well educated in hair dressing.
I just wouldn’t come here if I wanted a great look for the right price.

I rarely write Unilocal reviews, but I think Nelli deserves a shout out! I had a cut done two months from another place where I thought the cut was very short. My hair eventually grew into this awk phase and it was difficult to maintain it while having it still grow out well. I recently moved into the city and thought I should give this place a try! I was scheduled for a level 4 stylist but since I came earlier I was given the opportunity to take a level 3 stylist. I wasn’t getting any major changes so I agreed to the level 3 stylist which happened to be Nelli! I am sooo glad, I said yes! She really listened to my complaints about my hair and she gave me her suggestion. I’m very picky as to who I trust but I decided to go with what she told me. As she cut my hair, she would pause, and re-​evaluate her work and TOLD ME of any changes she wanted to make to the original plan before further cutting my hair. She really engaged me in the entire process and I am so satisfied! Although earlier In this post I said I wasn’t coming for any major changes… It now definitely feels like a major change! My hair is better! She did exactly what I wanted and much more! THANK YOU NELLI !

I just moved to NYC about a month ago and was terrified to find a new hair salon because I am very picky with my color and have been going to the same hair stylist for years. I found Raika because I wanted a studio that used Paul Mitchell hair products because I believe them to be the best for color.
I had an appointment with Kelly and he is AMAZING! He knew exactly how to help me and put me at ease. Not only did he match the color perfectly to what I wanted, he also gave me ideas for future appointments and what would work well with my hair. I felt very comfortable with him and will most definitely be going back to him to get my color done. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Like i said earlier, I am very picky and he met my expectations 100%.
Also, the salon is gorgeous. Love that they offer you wine, beer, etc and give you a nice long head massage while getting your hair rinsed.
And the best part… GREAT prices!

A few years ago, I was looking to for someone to make a big change for me: BANGS! I went to Nina at Raika Studio on the recommendation of a friend, and it’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made. She is fantastic! She’s cut and dyed my hair so many times over the last few years, and I get compliments all the time on it. I don’t even live in the city anymore, but I’m visiting soon and have been holding out on a hair cut until I can see her. I trust her with my bangs; therefore, I trust her with my life! Also helps that she’s hilarious and super down to earth to talk to, as you would hope :)

Great stylish pixie cut from Kelsey, great service, warm head towels, and head massage during shampoo. Scheduled a much needed appointment for cut on the fly while visiting New York City — had finished chemo last December, and my normally straight hair had changed, becoming thicker and curly and unruly. Needed to attend meetings where I had to have my hair look more polished. First cut since losing all the hair during chemo and growing a bunch of hair back. Kelsey did a great job and was vice nice, as were all the staff. Visitors will enjoy very clean and trendy salon!

Superb customer service… starts as soon as you make an appointment till the end of your appointment. They work as a team, and help one another. The place is always clean. Jennifer thanks so much, love my haircut!

5 stars all around! I am loyal to Paul Mitchell products. I’m also new to the Big Apple so I Unilocaled «Paul Mitchell salons» and this one came up. I am very particular with who does my hair and Deeana was awesome! I’ll definitely be booking my next appointment with her. Very attentive and nice. The staff was over all very friendly and welcoming. Olivia was so sweet and I loved the lather lounge! Cool spot. You should check it out!

Went to Raika Studio for the first time tonight and had a great experience. Ask for Kelly, he was amazing! Love the cut! Kelly is a true artist and he’s super nice as well. In fact, everyone here was super helpful and nice. Can’t go wrong with this place. Very happy.

We got married in NYC and myself and my family all got our hair done here. I couldn’t recommend this place enough! They bent over backwards to make my family and I feel special and my hair perfect! And the lather lounge is something else!

I LOVE Raika Studio but most of all, I LOVE Nina. She is so fabulous and amazing! Besides the fact that she is amazing at what she does (especially color), she is so fun and easy to talk to. The first time I went to Raika and did my hair with Nina, I felt as if I had known her my entire life. She is such a cool person & so down to earth.
When you make the appointment, definitely ask for her!

Wonderful. Deanna gave my grown out pixie just the right amount of clean-​up in my growing out process. Will definitely come again. Paid $ 65 for a cut.

I have gone to this salon to see Nina for many years. She has taken me from a redhead to a platinum blonde, to ombré, to any other color you can imagine. She also is amazing with haircuts (I’ve rocked the pixie to super long Barbie hair), and styling. Raika’s staff is super friendly, warm, and feels like a second home to me. I highly recommend Nina as a colorist and stylist.

Love it. Nina is awesome. the staff provides a lot of attention. loving my haircut and color.

I just happened to make an appointment with Kathleen as I looked for a decent salon around my office.
The salon is very stylish and clean, all of the staff very attentive and helpful.
I got offered drinks (from water over soda to even beer or wine), had two treatments in the «Lather Lounge» which were very relaxing;
Kathleen took the time to suggest (after asking what I wanted) what options are possible and what would look good.
All in all I really enjoyed this salon-​experience, the price-​to-​service in this salon is very good;
hence I booked my next appointment already!

I’ve been getting my naturally curly hair cut and colored by Kathleen for a couple of years. I don’t come in that often, but every time I do, she remembers me. She’s a total pro, and I don’t trust my hair to just anybody.
The salon itself is a beautiful space, and the shampoo room is like a spa experience, with your feet up, getting a serious scalp massage. Everyone that works there is down-​to-​earth and welcoming. Also, they never pressure you to buy product, come in more often, or do anything you aren’t ready for.. . it just makes me want to give them more business. I have sent several friends here, all with great results. And the prices are super reasonable.

Raika gets 5 stars on account of the amazing staff, convenient location (half a block from the subway!), and the super relaxing lather lounge. Personally, I always most look forward to the shampoo and scalp massage that precedes the haircut itself, and Raika never lets you down in this regard. Getting your shampoo in a comfy leather chair with your feet up in a dimly lit, warm room is infinitely better than the standard middle-​of-​the-​salon-​action experience. Apparently they do aromatherapy based «experiences», too, which I’ve never tried but sound awesome.
And it’s not even an expensive haircut! $ 60 is pretty standard I think, even somewhat inexpensive for NYC. Nina is my stylist, and she’s awesome. Other reviewers have mentioned her disarmingly friendly nature and it’s 100% true, she is one of those special people with whom you’ll be happy to chat even if you normally hate the hairdresser chit-​chat. I genuinely love catching up with her every time I come in! She’s also great with hair, which is of course the reason you go to Raika. She listens to what you want and will come up with a great plan for you if you’re not sure yourself. I’ve never been disappointed!

This place isn’t just a wash, rinse, repeat joint. Oh no. From booze at the door to a relaxing shampooing experience, Raika is a great salon that makes you feel like the posh New Yorker you are.
The Lather Lounge here alone is worth a visit, as for 25 wonderful minutes I received a scalp and hand massage that totally melted my brain. If you check in on Unilocal you can get a free one! Yay!
Deeana was a total sweetheart and gabbed with me as she trimmed my locks. Everyone in the salon was super nice, from my hairdresser to the girl sweeping up the area.
I think I’ve found my hair place in the city, as I doubt anyone will put me in a more blissful state.
Tip? You can’t tip on a credit card (so bring cash).