The Beehive Salon

08/20/2008 Posted by Jharrism

I first heard about Beehive Salon while interning last fall at BUST Magazine, and since going have not looked back. I remember their old shop on Lorimer, a cute little place with a mega-retro feel and vibe which pulled me right in (free coffee and tea always helps make a girl feel welcome too!), and their new salon has kept the retro spark while revamping it with sleek, modern elements. The big green couch in the front is a comfy place to sit and finish your lunch on your way to get your cut (the staff didn't mind me eating in the salon), and the staff were really friendly as we chatted about various vegetarian sandwiches in the area. I have had the same person cut my hair each time I've visited the salon, Kay, and she has always done an AMAZING job. Kay's approach to hair is an artistic one, framing the hair for your face by gently taking it section by section and shaving (yes shaving! I highly recommend it! It looks hot and daring) and layering to create a unique beautiful style. I can honestly say I have seen no one else with my hair, and in New York that is saying something. I always get so many compliments on my hair, which helps with the confidence one needs when looking for a job, an internship, or just life in general. When I first met Kay, what struck me the most (aside from her own cute haircut) about her was how much in depth she talked to me about what my ideas were for my hair before she even looked at her sissors. I told her I wanted something bold that would play up my facial features, and did I ever get it! At first, I admit, I was nervous about cutting it short (kind of a 20s short, asymmetrical, bobish inspired do) with one side of my head shaved down underneath the longer section, but now it's a look I love! I can tuck the hair behind my ear to show off part of the shave. Most important of all, Kay made me feel comfortable and after all the great work she has done on my hair I really trust her.

Pros: Great hair and cool people!

Cons: Expensive, but worth it if you want a cut from someone you trust with your hair.

08/19/2008 Posted by spkinmymind

I have never posted before, but wanted to share about my experience at The Beehive Salon. I must start out by saying I absolutely love my haircut!! I went in with straight long hair to about the middle of my back looking for a complete transformation and I got just what I was looking for. I now have a short cut a little longer than 'pixie' length with a ton of style. I took in a picture which Bean, my stylist, looked at but tailored the cut to my hair. It's perfect., so easy to manage and I have gotten so many compliments on it!! There was only one downside to my experience...the cost. As Bean was cutting my hair she mentioned lightening it up with some highlights that would be about $65. Granted...she did spend a lot more time than I anticipated and did a fabulous job with the color (and did quite a bit more than I think she originally thought she would), but I ended up being charged the full $150. I was so happy with the way I looked I was kind of in a daze and thanked everyone and left, but several blocks away realized that I had been charged so much and it was just too late to go back and say anything I thought. So....to sum everything up I HIGHLY recommend The Beehive Salon and I am so happy and excited about my haircut and ultimately think it is worth the cost, but just know going in that it isn't cheap. Thanks Beehive! I will definitely be back and will tell my friends to head out to Williamsburg for a great haircut and fun salon experience!

Pros: Great haircut, fun atomosphere

Cons: A little pricey

07/10/2008 Posted by HeadTripper

I went to Beehive, specifically to have my hair cut by Marlene, who had given a friend a terrific cut. I wanted a similar style -- no, I wanted the *exact same thing* (allowing for the differences in our hair type) -- and even came armed with a photograph of said friend, should my own powers of description fail me. Marlene did a beautiful job, was very personable and good humored, and gave me EXACTLY what I wanted. I'm very picky and somewhat of a control freak but I didn't even have to go into my usual spiel. It was like she read my mind. It was a truly relaxing afternoon. My only regret is not taking before and after photographs because the difference is amazing. Regarding appointments: I had one within 24 hours. Maybe I lucked out because it was summer, a weekday, before 5 pm. I was given a complimentary make-up session by Sean, who was also very nice. The music playing was groovy, the temperature comfortable. I liked the bathroom -- blue sky/clouds wallpaper. The cut cost $50. The L train $4. Very worth it. I knew about giving tips in cash from reading all the whiners here but had I not known this in advance what would the big deal have been? If I'd been short on cash I'd have gone to an ATM on Bedford Avenue, not blown a gasket. Had I more time I would have checked out the spa downstairs. My Beehive experience was perfect and I plan to repeat it. Thank you, Marlene!

Pros: Efficient and capable stylist, relaxing ambience.

Cons: None.

06/19/2008 Posted by juliasays

I have been going to The Beehive Salon for almost 2 years now, but I recently had my first trip to the new location off the (yupster) Bedford stop. All I have to say is 2 serious thumbs down! I became a loyal Beehive customer b/c I got an awesome cut and color for a semi responsible price, atleast by NYC standards. Well, when my double process and cut came to $195, I was shocked! I normally pay $165. When I said something to the receptionist she seemed unsure of how to answer and, though, was very pleasant, still looked at me like I had 5 (unstyled) heads. If that is the case, I suppose my old stylist (who has left) didn't charge me for toning. It would make sense for a stylist to take care of their loyal clients or hell, even to get loyal clients! The jump in price wouldn't have bothered me if I received the kind of service I am used too. I am a double process blonde which all your color-fiends know is high-risk. Forget about the damage, it doesn't always take well. It is slight but my roots are not as light as the rest of my platnium blonde locks. Also, while drying my hair, my new stylist tells me there isn't much else she can do to style my hair without using a flat iron and a flat iron is $20 extra. $20 extra for a flat iron! This is Brooklyn...who doesn't use a flat iron? I'm sorry, but that is outrageous! So basically, I left a salon paying $195 with only a mediocre root touch up, a trim, and my hair looking like I should be heading back to a salon. One is suppose to leave a salon ready to show themselves off! I on the other hand, rushed home to style my hair. What one cannot do with a hairdryer isn't my fault and I shouldn't have to pay $20, especially when you are already charging me almost $200! For the record, I blame no one but management. The staff was lovely and charming as usual. You will still get a great cut and color at Beehive, but the home sweet home vibe and high standard of customer is totally gone! It is most certainly not the same Beehive.

Pros: still good cut and color

Cons: not nearly as awesome as the old Beehive

06/18/2008 Posted by peachykeengrrrl

CAROL gave me an awesome haircut three days ago. Waited a few days to post the review so I could be sure that the cut turned out exactly the way I wanted, and it did! Came in with long, unmanageable wavy hair and came out with a short 'do that's cute and very easy to maintain, a cross between a bob and a shaggy pixie. Carol listened to my instructions, gave helpful suggestions, and stopped throughout the cut to make sure I got the length and style that I wanted. I've never had a more flattering haircut. I've been to the Beehive about a half dozen times now, and I've never had a bad cut, but Carol's definitely the best. Will be going back for sure.

Pros: Excellent stylists, pretty new space

Cons: In Williamsburg

06/13/2008 Posted by TheRaptor

I'm not sure if I've reviewed the Beehive here before or not-but I just got my hair cut yesterday and had to rave about it. Marlene has cut my hair half a dozen times since I came to NYC and she has really changed my look for the better. Everyone I know compliments my hair now (which believe you me-is a BIG change). Yesterday, I apprehensively decided that I wanted to go much shorter for the hot summer months. Marlene listened (as usual) to exactly what I wanted and gave me a flattering, cute style. Definitely not too short-but enough that I felt that it was different from my standard cut. I have very fine, wavy, hard to work with hair. If someone can make that work, they're some kind of magician in my book. The new location is way bigger and in what seems to be a better neighborhood. Ask for Marlene! She's super!

06/03/2008 Posted by steelmonkey

My haircut is growing out so badly that I feel compelled to repost this (originally posted on Yelp) as a warning...thankfully, it is almost grown out enough to be cut again. "I'm not gonna lie--this was one of the worst haircuts I've ever had. I was excited to try the Beehive and to get my hair cut--I've heard good things and my hair was getting out of control. But the place was lackluster, and the hair cut was bad. First, the place: it's just fine. Not bad, not nice. Just fine. The people at the front desk are too aloof, in my opinion. And you can't add a tip when you charge, which is really annoying. But I don't even care about those things, as long as I get a good cut. I want to be constructive because I don't like to bash, but I don't recommend Kathy for thick, curly/wavy hair. It just looks bad. I'm not overly picky and I also try to be very specific about what I want, so that there's no confusion. But she managed to cut my hair, which is normally full (but not too poofy) and gradually layered, so that it looks extremely top heavy, straight on top and curly on the bottom. Weird. It's just a very disconnected cut, almost looks like two styles in one. I love to wear my hair down but I can't until it grows out enough to get it restyled. And she gave me bangs that I didn't want, and that are way too short. I was unhappy after I left, and so I went back for a redo, thinking she could make it a bit more even throughout. The salon was pretty accommodating, which is good, but my hair somehow doesn't look any better. For $75 plus tip and two visits to Williamsburg, not to mention a hairstyle I don't feel comfortable wearing, I'm pretty disappointed. So...while it may be very possible to get a great haircut there, be careful who you choose. Kathy may be great for some people's hair, I have no doubt, but not mine."

05/24/2008 Posted by noooners

I have been here several times after being a haircut-phobe for seven years. I have had three different stylists and each time have been happy with my result. The stylists aren't afraid to say, "yo, that haircut you have in mind? won't look good. but we can do something else that WILL look good!" which, obviously, is... good! Recommended.

Pros: great new salon space, good stylists, good music! not hard to get an appointment

Cons: front desk staff were a little slow

05/24/2008 Posted by mkpaul

My 21-year old daughter recommended The Beehive to me and I'm glad I followed her advice. Jayna took her time and gave me a fantastic cut that suited my hair, flattered my face, and captured my style. She was upbeat and pleasant and extremely professional. I also have to mention Sean, the adorable assistant who shampooed my hair and offered excellent coloring advice. In my opinion, the sooner Sean is promoted to a stylist, the better for Beehive customers. Overall, a 5-star experience and I recommend this salon, which is only a short hop from NYC, to the over 40 crowd who want the quality of a pricey New York cut or color, without the price or attitude that usually goes with it....

Pros: Great cut, staff and atmosphere....

Cons: none

04/04/2008 Posted by denouement2323

The reviews here for the Beehive are very strange—people either seem to love it or hate it. I recently started going to the Beehive and had a great experience that I wanted to share. When I called to make my first appointment I told the girl on the phone that I have dyed red hair and wanted a stylist who was good with color especially red. She told me about Casey who has bright red hair and is their resident expert for red dye. My first appointment was back in January and Casey was great—she listened to what I wanted and how I like my hair styled and gave me a great single process and a cut. She recommended some products but didn’t push me to buy them. My second appointment was just last week where I was scheduled for another single process, cut and highlights. Casey looked at my hair and said she would just do a root touch up and face frame cut, which cut the price of my services in half! The highlights did not come out well--we tried to do a brighter red but they got washed out with the rest of my color and were not visible at all. She offered to have me comein a few days so I could have it fixed for free, which I did. That day happened to be my birthday (which I told Casey about the week before) and when I got there I noticed she looks very pale and sickly. I asked her if she was okay and she told me she not feeling well but had come in anyway just to fix my hair on my birthday. She re-did the highlights, this time with two different colors and the results were phenomenal! Then she spent a long time blowing out and styling my hair gorgeously for my birthday evening gratis. I tried to give her a nice tip but she refused, apologizing for making me come back and wishing me a happy birthday. Now that is service above and beyond—she is my new permanent stylist for sure!