Haircuts on the Upper East Side

What makes a haircut great

Anyone can make hair shorter. A great haircut does more than that. It should:

• Work with your texture. Fine, thick, straight, wavy and curly hair all behave differently. The right cut uses your natural texture instead of fighting it.
• Fit your routine. If you air-dry most mornings, the cut should look good air-dried. If you blow-dry, it should be quick and easy to style.
• Balance your features. Where the length falls, where layers start and how the hair frames your face all change how a cut looks on you.
• Grow out well. A well-designed cut keeps its shape as it grows, so it looks good at week six, not only on the day you leave.
• Work with your color. Layers and lines can show off balayage and highlights, or soften the look of regrowth between appointments.

At The Salon Project, our stylists focus on cutting and finishing, while our colorists focus on color. When you book a cut and color together, each specialist does what they do best.

Haircut services on Madison Avenue

Women's haircuts

From a clean trim to a complete change. Every women's cut starts with a conversation about your hair, your routine and the look you want, and finishes with styling so you can see the real result.

Men's haircuts and grooming

Contemporary cuts with clean structure and natural movement, easy to style at home and quick to fit into a workday. Many clients book early-morning appointments before the office.

Kids and students

Patient, comfortable cuts for younger clients and age-appropriate styles for students.

Bang trims

A quick shape-up for bangs between full cuts, so your fringe always sits at the right length.

Cut and blowout

Add a polished blowout to your cut for a finished look. See our Upper East Side blowout page.

Cut and color in one visit

Book both and we will schedule your stylist and colorist back to back, so you leave with everything done in a single appointment.

Popular women's cuts on the Upper East Side

The polished bob

Chin-length or just below, with a clean, precise line. A bob is one of the most elegant cuts there is, and it suits sleek blowouts beautifully. It needs regular trims to keep its shape.

The lob

A long bob that sits around the collarbone. Versatile and modern, it works straight, wavy or tucked behind the ears, and it is a good first step for anyone thinking about going shorter.

Long layers

Movement and lightness while keeping length. Long layers make thick hair feel lighter and show off dimensional color. Face-framing layers brighten the face.

Long, one-length cuts

A strong, blunt line at the ends makes hair look thicker and healthier. Especially flattering on fine hair that can look thin with too many layers.

Curtain bangs

Soft, parted bangs that frame the face and grow out gracefully. A low-commitment way to try bangs.

Textured shags

Layered, piece-y cuts with built-in movement. Ideal for wavy hair and for anyone who wants an effortless, undone look.

The pixie and short crops

Bold, chic and easy to style, with regular trims to keep the shape sharp. A great choice for strong features and anyone who wants to spend less time on their hair.

Men's haircuts on the Upper East Side

Many men on the Upper East Side need a cut that looks right in the office, at dinner and at the weekend with minimal effort.

• The classic taper: clean at the neckline and sides, a little more length on top
• Textured crop: short and piece-y, easy to style with a small amount of product
• Side part: polished and timeless, ideal for business settings
• Longer, swept-back styles: more length on top with refined sides
• Natural, low-maintenance cuts: shaped to air-dry and look good without product

Most men book every four to six weeks to keep the shape sharp, and about a week before a big event so the cut looks settled in photos.

Cuts by hair type

Fine hair

Fine hair can look thin with too many layers. A blunt or lightly layered cut keeps the ends full. Bobs and lobs often make fine hair look thicker, and a few face-framing pieces add movement without removing weight.

Thick hair

Thick hair benefits from internal layering and texturizing that remove bulk without losing shape, so the hair sits closer to the head, dries faster and feels lighter.

Wavy hair

Layers placed to encourage your natural wave give shape and movement, so you can skip the blow-dryer on most days. Some wavy cuts are refined dry so your stylist can see how each section falls.

Curly hair

Curls shrink and spring up as they dry, so curly cuts are often shaped dry or with extra length allowed. Tell your stylist how you like to wear your curls: defined, voluminous or smoothed.

Straight hair

Straight hair shows every line, so precision matters. Blunt cuts and sharp bobs look striking, and soft layers add movement where straight hair can fall flat.

Gray and silver hair

Gray hair can be coarser and drier, with a different texture from the rest of your hair. A cut that controls volume and shows off silver tones looks modern and polished. See our gray blending page if you want to soften the transition.

Cuts by face shape

Your stylist will look at your features in person, but these principles help.

Oval faces suit almost any cut, from a sharp bob to long layers.

Round faces look longer with length past the chin, side parts and face-framing layers that start below the cheekbones.

Square faces soften with layers around the jaw, soft waves and side-swept bangs.

Heart-shaped faces balance with fullness around the chin, such as a lob or chin-length bob, and soft curtain bangs.

Long faces look balanced with volume at the sides, bangs and cuts around shoulder length.

Diamond faces are flattered by soft fringe and chin-length volume that widen the forehead and jaw.

A guide to bangs

Bangs are one of the easiest ways to change your look without losing length.

• Curtain bangs: soft and parted in the middle, the easiest to grow out
• Side-swept bangs: a gentle sweep across the forehead, flattering on most face shapes
• Wispy bangs: light and textured, good for fine hair
• Blunt bangs: bold and graphic, best on straight hair, and need frequent trims
• Micro bangs: short and dramatic, for a confident, editorial look

Bangs need a trim every two to four weeks to stay at the right length. Ask about a quick bang trim between full appointments.

What to expect at your appointment

1. Consultation

Every appointment begins with a real conversation. Your stylist will ask how you wear your hair, how much time you spend styling it, what you like and dislike about your current cut, whether you color your hair, and what you want to change. Bring photos.

2. Shampoo and preparation

Your hair is washed and conditioned with products suited to your hair type, to prepare it for cutting.

3. The cut

Your stylist cuts section by section, checking balance, weight and shape as they go. Some cuts are refined on dry hair to see how your hair falls naturally.

4. Finish and styling lesson

Your stylist styles your hair and shows you how to recreate the look at home: which brush, which products and how much.

How to get the cut you want

• Bring photos of cuts you love, and of cuts you do not. Photos of the same hair type as yours are most useful.
• Be honest about your routine. If you will not blow-dry every morning, say so.
• Describe length specifically. Point to where you want it to fall, rather than saying "just a trim."
• Talk about what bothers you about your current cut: flatness, bulk, frizz, a cowlick.
• Mention your color plans. A cut designed alongside your color looks better.
• Ask how to style it before you leave, and which products to use.

Making a big change

Going from long to short, adding bangs, or switching to a completely different shape?

• Start with a consultation and talk it through before the scissors come out.
• Go in stages if you are nervous. A lob first, then a bob next time.
• Think about styling time. Shorter cuts often need more frequent trims and daily styling.
• Pair it with color. A new shape is a great moment to refresh or add dimension.
• Give it a week. New cuts often settle and look even better after a few washes.

Caring for your cut between appointments

• Wash with lukewarm water and a shampoo suited to your hair type
• Condition every time, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends
• Use heat protection whenever you blow-dry, curl or straighten
• Air-dry when you can to reduce heat damage
• Use the right brush: a paddle brush to smooth, a round brush for volume, a wide-tooth comb to detangle wet hair
• Sleep on silk or satin to reduce frizz and breakage
• Avoid tight elastics that crease and break the hair
• Book trims on schedule so split ends do not travel up the strand

How often to get a haircut

• Pixies and short crops: every 3 to 5 weeks
• Bobs: every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the line sharp
• Lobs and medium cuts: every 6 to 8 weeks
• Long hair: every 8 to 12 weeks to keep ends healthy
• Men's cuts: every 3 to 6 weeks
• Bangs: a quick trim every 2 to 4 weeks

Signs it is time for a haircut

• Your ends feel dry, split or tangle easily
• Your cut has lost its shape and takes longer to style
• Your bangs are in your eyes
• Your layers have grown out and the hair feels heavy
• You have an event or trip coming up in the next week or two

Haircuts through the seasons

Spring: a good time for a fresh shape or a shorter cut as the weather warms.

Summer: a trim before you leave for the beach removes winter damage; another in September removes sun-damaged ends.

Fall: many clients go back to a more polished shape for the busy season of events and work.

Winter: dry indoor heat and cold air cause static and split ends. Regular trims and a little extra moisture keep hair healthy.

Cutting techniques, explained

Your stylist chooses the technique that suits your hair and the look you want. You may hear them mention:

Blunt cutting. Cutting straight across for a strong, clean line. Makes ends look thicker and suits bobs and one-length cuts.

Point cutting. Snipping into the ends at an angle to soften the line and add movement, without removing much length.

Slide cutting. Gliding open shears down the hair to remove weight and create soft, flowing layers.

Razor cutting. Using a razor for a soft, feathered, lived-in finish. Best on certain textures; your stylist will tell you if it suits your hair.

Dry cutting. Cutting or refining on dry hair to see exactly how it falls. Especially useful for curly and wavy hair, and for precise bobs.

Texturizing. Removing bulk from inside the haircut so thick hair sits closer to the head and moves more freely.

Haircuts for a New York schedule

Many clients on the Upper East Side have very little time in the morning. A good cut should work as hard as you do.

• Five-minute styling. Tell your stylist how much time you really have. A cut shaped to your natural texture needs less work.
• Long-lasting shape. A precise cut holds its shape longer, so you can go more weeks between appointments.
• Office to evening. A cut that looks polished sleek and can be tousled or tucked for dinner.
• Travel-friendly. If you travel often, ask for a cut that looks good with hotel hair dryers and minimal products.
• Early appointments. We open at 8 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, so you can fit a cut in before work.

Haircuts for kids and teenagers

Younger clients need patience and a cut that is easy to manage.

• Book before the school year starts. Late August and early September fill up quickly.
• Plan around sports and activities. A practical length makes ponytails and helmets easier.
• Book a trim before school photos and the holidays.
• For teenagers, bring a photo; many know exactly what they want. If they are interested in color, start gently with a gloss or a few soft highlights after a consultation.

Haircuts for special occasions

For a wedding, gala, interview or photo shoot:

• Book your cut about one to two weeks before, so it looks settled rather than freshly cut
• Avoid dramatic changes right before an event
• Book a blowout on the day for a polished finish
• Pair it with a gloss for extra shine in photos

What affects the time and price of a haircut

• Length and thickness. Long or very thick hair takes more time to cut and dry.
• The type of cut. A precise bob or a complete change takes longer than a trim.
• Add-ons. A blowout, bang trim or treatment adds time.
• Your stylist's experience level.

You will see pricing when you choose your service online, and every service is 10% off when you book through our link.

When you book

When you book online, choose the service that matches what you want: a women's cut, a men's cut, a cut and blowout, or a cut with color. If you are planning a big change, mention it in your booking notes or when you call, so your stylist can plan enough time.

Questions to ask your stylist

1. What length and shape would suit my face and hair texture?
2. How will this cut look when I air-dry it?
3. How long will it take to style each morning?
4. How will it grow out, and when should I come back?
5. Which products and tools should I use?
6. Will this cut work with my color?

Why book a haircut at The Salon Project

• Specialist stylists who focus on cutting and finishing
• A real consultation before every cut
• Cuts designed for your texture and routine, not just for the day you leave
• Cut and color in one visit, with your stylist and colorist scheduled back to back
• Notes on how you like your hair, so your next visit picks up where this one ended
• Convenient location inside the Warren Tricomi salon at 969 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, a short walk from the 77th Street station on the 6 train, with early 8 a.m. appointments Tuesday through Thursday

Clients come from Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, Midtown East and the Upper West Side. Explore all our cuts and styling services, or read our guide to choosing a hair salon on the Upper East Side.

Book your haircut

Book online and 10% comes off every service automatically. Calling to book? Mention code WARREN for 10% off.