FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our downtown location at 50 Bond St. is our flagship salon. It is an opulent store-front space, with a large retail/reception area, twenty styling stations, and a separate spa area. In addition to performing regular salon and spa services, here we host large bridal and other parties, as well as our coloring and cutting classes for stylists from around the country. Our uptown studio is just that – a small and exclusive third floor boutique with four styling stations and a separate room in the back that is used for facial services as well as a gathering place when we host small private parties. Its large movie screen/projector setup and a 400 square foot outdoor patio add a special touch to the experience. Here we do many photo and video shoots, host small bridal parties, and perform hair and makeup services for those who prefer a more intimate salon setting.

We place tremendous value on education and consider it to be a never-ending process regardless of how much experience one might have. All of our stylists, who join us immediately or soon after beauty school, typically go through a two to three year apprenticeship before starting to take clients. Once on the “floor,” the training continues as they progress to the most senior level. This process usually takes many years. Our senior stylists are proficient with both scissors and razor, while the colorists are experts with the balayage hand painting technique as well as traditional foil highlighting. You can be assured of top quality work regardless of whom you see – work that we stand behind as a salon. In addition, if at any time the stylist you regularly see is not available, you should feel confident in scheduling your appointment with one of her/his peers. All client color formulas are stored in our database.

Our haircut prices range from $90 to $200, based on a stylist's level of expertise, versatility, and years of training. Haircut with Eva is $350. All of our stylists and colorists receive the same training, primarily with Eva but also with other leading institutions. A few of them joined us after already having acquired years of experience, but their education has continued since. Each of our colorists assisted and trained directly with Eva prior to taking clients.

We take walk-ins based on space availability, but recommend that appointments are scheduled in advance to reserve the date/time of choice. If you have specific requirements regarding the person you’d like to see and when you’re able to come in, please schedule your appointments as far in advance as possible.

We have found that many people are uncomfortable with expressing dissatisfaction with a salon experience. For example, they may be afraid of being perceived as a nuisance or hurting the stylist's feelings. However, by holding back you are doing a disservice not only to yourself, but also to the stylist who loses out on the opportunity to learn from the mistake. Hairdressing is a very technical craft that is refined over many years. Your feedback allows our stylists to continually grow as professionals. In addition, dissatisfaction is often the result of simple miscommunication between the client and stylist, and the issue can be easily resolved once the stylist better understands your expectations. Therefore, please let us know about any problems by calling the front desk and asking to speak with a manager, who will happily rectify the situation.

If trying to grow your hair long, you should have it trimmed about every eight to ten weeks. Since hair can stretch up to 30% of its length when wet, be careful if yours is being cut in that state, as you may later realize that too much has been cut off. At our salon, we typically cut the hair only dry if someone is trying to grow it out. It's like giving the edges a light dusting to get rid of the split ends which can lead to breakage and lost length if not removed.

Proper use of the razor to cut hair does NOT cause frizz, and the right razor can be used on nearly any hair type. Frizz is caused by using the wrong type of razor and/or the wrong technique. The razor blade must be brand new and very sharp, and a razor with a guard should NEVER be used, although often it is to protect the hands of the stylist. Either a dull blade or a guard will cause the hair to be tugged on, dragged, or scraped, and will create frizz. Improper cutting techniques can do the same damage, even with scissors. In the right hands, the razor is an amazing tool, but can be very dangerous to everyone involved if used improperly or without adequate training.

The UnCut™ is an Eva Scrivo wet/dry cutting technique that utilizes both scissors and a razor to create a look that appears to be slightly grown out rather than freshly cut. It is great for most hair textures and allows the hair to fall beautifully into place whether dried naturally or with a blowdryer, as well as to extend one's time between haircuts. All of our stylists are trained in this cutting technique but since it takes years to become proficient with the razor, we recommend that you see at least a senior level stylist if you are specifically interested in this technique.

Using foils to highlight hair is the most commonly used technique throughout the world. Balayage (French for “sweeping”) involves “free-style” hand-painting of highlights without the use of foils. For blondes, foil highlights typically give an overall sense of lightness with a more mono-chromatic look, while those done with balayage result in greater dimension to the hair, making it look sun-kissed and more natural. For brunettes who like warm highlights (honey, caramel, coppery-blonde), balayage is a good option. For brunettes who do not like reddish tones and want their highlights to look more cool-toned, foils are best since aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat that allows for more lift.

If you feel that your hair color looks too light, too solid, or just plain boring, adding some deeper tones can make it look the way nature intended. In its natural state, hair has a combination of lighter and darker tones. Choosing a shade that is one to two levels darker than the overall color and applying it in thin sections throughout the hair, gives your hair color more dimension. Adding lowlights also helps bring definition to your haircut, accentuating its shape and layering patterns. An extra bonus is much needed shine since darker hair reflects more light.

Formulating color is a process that takes precision, good taste, and years of training to do successfully. A good colorist is both a chemist and an artist. There are so many nuances to color that are beyond a simple "one part of X and two parts of Y" formula. Much of how color turns out and affects your hair also has to do with its application. In addition, we frequently adjust color formulas based on seasons and the condition of a client's hair. All of our colorists are trained by Eva and operate within our salon's support system, where formulas are frequently reviewed by Eva herself or by our other senior colorists before being applied. These formulas stay in a client's file, not only for the benefit of the colorist who created it, but so that any of our other colorists can refer to it if your regular person is not available. We regard our color formulas as trade secrets that we do not share with the world. Therefore, although it is our policy to not give away formulas to clients or to other salons, they always remain in your file.

Keratin (often referred to as the “Brazilian Keratin Treatment”) is the only treatment available today that effectively eliminates frizz from the hair for an extended period of time, without removing the hair's natural wave (as opposed to the “Brazilian Straightener” which does just that). Keratin is a protein of which the hair is mainly composed, and this process infuses an extra layer of keratin to smooth out the frizz. There are numerous formulations on the market, most of which contain formaldehyde – the most controversial ingredient in this product. At our salon, we offer a zero percent formaldehyde option which also contains collagen to make the hair not only frizz-free, but also soft, silky and shiny. The results typically last 3 to 4 months.

We are widely regarded as one of the top salons in NY for bridal hair & makeup – having been honored as such in Allure's Directory of “Bridal Beauty Experts” and New York Magazine's “New York Bride's Ultimate Listings” for beauty. We perform these services in our salon and on-location. It is best to have your trial services 3 to 4 months prior to your wedding day. This allows you to secure the stylist and makeup artist for the date of your wedding, as well as giving you time to make any changes to your haircut or color, should you choose to do so. Please call us for more information or to set up a complimentary consultation at 212-677-7315 x 4 or contact us by email.

We do not list our service prices online because we feel that it is better and clearer for the customer when we go over prices on the phone or in person. This also helps to prevent any confusion since prices may vary, especially for color, depending on what you and your colorist determine your hair needs at the time of service. However, if you would like for us to email you our services menu, please contact us.

This is actually a question that we frequently receive. Yes, Eva is a real person who usually takes clients at the salon 4 to 5 days per week, in addition to training and inspiring our staff.

Eva Scrivo on Beauty is published by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, April, 2011. With her first book, Eva’s mission is to empower women by integrating all elements of beauty into one comprehensive resource that demystifies insider secrets, debunks age-old myths, and reveals the range of possibilities for looking your best at any age. For the first time, an all-around hands-on beauty expert provides the advice and guidance to help you attain the looks and confidence you’ve always dreamed of.