Excel Hair Salon (upper east Lexington Ave) NYC

Jan 16, 2025

Excellent service from this salon I get my hair done every week here and the prices are very reasonable especially compared to the Manhattan prices and for the service given it is more than worth it

Jan 06, 2025

Extremely disappointed with my experience at this hair salon. I have visited this salon pretty regularly for the past 4-5 months and have spent $900+ between keratin treatments, haircuts, and blowouts. My first blowout at this salon two months ago I was charged an amount which was agreed on prior to my coming to the salon and comparable to other salons in the area. I came in for a second blowout and was charged $20 more which I thought was excessive but I overlooked it since the stylist I requested was not available and I was appointed to a more senior stylist even though her work was nothing remarkable. Last time I came in for a blowout, I was serviced by the most junior stylist and was charged nearly $100. Ridiculous. This was not the price agreed on when I arranged this appointment, and when I expressed my frustration at the register, I was completely gaslit by both the stylist and her manager. They insisted that I was told previously that that was the standard price for a blowout for my hair but they made an accommodation previously since I “didn’t know.”I told them this was not the agreement made prior or even remotely within the range quoted on their site for blowouts, and I was hard pressed to understand how they believe someone could “not know” the price of a service they’re paying for. Then, they finally insisted the surcharge was for the “added service” of using a flat iron to achieve my desired look. Mind you, the flat iron was the suggestion of the stylist, and my hair is short, treated by keratin, and the flat iron was used for all of 4 minutes in the whole process. I have been to many a great deal of salons and have never experienced this level of price needling and dishonesty. In the end, I was too frustrated to continue arguing, so I ended up paying the full charge anyway. As I was leaving, I expressed to the stylist and her manager that I was disappointed and I would not be returning to which they basically shrugged. Wow. For a salon whose main selling point is that it’s local, they have no issue treating their most regular customers as dispensable. They truly offer nothing exceptional that you can’t get at a much cheaper salon in Harlem without all of the price padding and needling. Save your money and go somewhere that actually values the business of their patrons.

Jan 06, 2025

Kessy Gucci is a great hair stylist! She has a good personality and makes her client feel very comfortable!! The place is neat and a hidden gem!

Oct 06, 2024

UPDATE: Nancy helped me fix the cut and I am genuinely obsessed with it. She helped even out the layers and update the shape to be better with my hair/head. I think I just got unlucky last week, I would be so happy to see Nancy again for my next cut. The staff was super friendly and helpful in getting me scheduled as soon as possible to fix up the haircut. I would definitely recommend her!! Thanks Excel :) I went here for a quick cut since they had the $40 walk-in special. I didn't get my hair blow dried so it was still damp when I left the salon. When I left the haircut looked fine because the wetness in the hair weighed it down, but after it fully dried I think that the cut was not done well. I asked for long layers, but all my hair bulks at the bottom and is cut at the same length, with some very choppy layers that i can pick out in chunks. It feels really heavy and looks bulky, exactly what I was avoiding. Overall I feel that while the deal is very cheap I would have rather gone somewhere else.

Oct 06, 2024

Walked in off street, had amazing haircut from Daisy, complete re style as I wanted. Amazing. And all for special price of 40 dollars plus tax.

Jun 06, 2024

My favorite hair cut and highlights in the NYC so far! I request multiple layers haircut, and the owner did my hair cut and highlights. Supper satisfied with the look!

May 06, 2024

Always Happy after Deysi do my hair…… always advise me about the change that I want. I have about 4 years doing my hair in this place because she always keep my hair healthy and strong. Deysi really care about me and my hair. Everytime I visit this place I felt as I am a home because of the service. Great location, close to the train station, great prices, quality of people. 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

May 06, 2024

I have been having my color/highlights/cuts and blowouts done my Violet as long as I remember. Not only is she a doll and so easy to work with but, as someone (me!) with naturally curly hair who always wanted straight hair, I now have what I want!! The blowout lasts until the next time I go back. She has also done fabulous Keriden treatments in the summers which keep my hair under control the whole (humid NYC) summer. Violet also took care of my sister’s hair (before she moved) which is super thick and she likes “movement.” She and I regularly get/comments from others asking where we have our hair done!! Highly recommend Violet!!

May 06, 2024

Violet has been my hairstylist for many years. She is absolutely perfect! Kind, talented and competent. I would say she is the Picasso of colorists! In addition, she is a super stylist (amazing cut). I received compliments on my hair all the time. I am so grateful to have her to take such good care of my locks! Thank you, Violet for everything you do!

May 06, 2024

Stay away. Made an appointment and arranged the price in advance. When I got there, they decided to increase the price in 10$. Never experienced such lack of professionalism and bad customer service.

Apr 06, 2024

Great staff. Friendly and very professional. Always happy with the results.

Apr 06, 2024

I have been a devoted customer of Jody Jordan for close to two decades, and Excel is the fifth -- and I believe best -- salon I have followed her to. Jody is a wizard at color and a talented stylist. As of this writing, she also takes good care of my sister, my daughter and no fewer than five of my friends (that I can think of right now, possibly more). She has landed now at Excel on Lex, a convenient, well-lit, clean and cheery space. Best of all the pricing is not stratospheric. Check it out! Spread the word!

Apr 06, 2024

I've been going to Jody for almost 15 years and wouldn't consider seeing anyone else! She listens to what I want, offers expert advice (and talks me down from something she knows I wouldn't like - and is ALWAYS right), and delivers phenomenal results every time. I completely trust her with my cut and color. I've followed her to a few salons, and Excel has been wonderful! Clean, bright and everyone is very friendly.

Apr 06, 2024

If you are looking for a top high-end hair colorist and stylist at reasonable prices, this is your place. I have been coming to Excel on Lexington since they opened. The reason I come here is because of Violet who has been my hair colorist and stylist for over 15 years! I am 53 years old and have been getting "heavy" highlights since I was a teenager. I am extremely picky and particular. I have been a client of many of the high end salons (fekkai, Orbe, John Frieda, etc) after following around my original colorist who left the city over 15 years ago. I was devastated and needed to find a new colorist. I tried a few new ones from the high end salons and just was not happy with the results. I then decided to try my local neighborhood salon on the upper east side, and this is when I came across Violet. The first time she did my highlights, I couldn't believe what an amazing job she did and plus her prices were so reasonable. I have very long, thick hair and it's not easy to do my hair. She blew me away and I haven't used anyone else in 18 years. My sister travels in to the city every 6 weeks (religiously) to have her color, cut, and blowout done from Violet too. And my niece too who is 30 has been coming to Violet since she was 14 and gets heavy highlights too. I highly recommend Violet to anyone looking for an expert colorist and stylist. I have a handful of friends that have been coming to Violet too. My picture on yelp is of me if you want to see how my highlights look. You will be very happy with Violet.

Apr 06, 2024

Jody is excellent. As a guy, it's hard to find someone who consistently gives a haircut that looks great and is easy to maintain. Jody is amazingly helpful, flexible, and works beautifully with my suggestions. I live down in Soho but I keep going uptown because there is nobody else like Jody.

Apr 06, 2024

Violet has been my hair dresser for 15 years.

Mar 06, 2024

I’ve been going to Jody since salons opened back up from the Covid shut down. Took a leap of faith after seeing a friend of mine rave about her on social media. Jody is terrific!!! A wonderful technician. No ego. Works with you. Is kind and funny and down to earth. And if there’s a tricky thing — like how to keep my white streak white, not blonde or yellow looking — she will not quit ‘til she finds the solution. She genuinely cares that she gets it right. The salon has a good vibe. No frills, just nice people doing good hair and gettin’ her done. I look forward to seeing Jody every time I book an appt.

Mar 06, 2024

Jody is the best! I have been seeing her for years, and she is an exceptional stylist and colorist. I often get compliments on my hairstyle and highlights, all due to her! I recently followed her to Excel (pretty sure I’d follow her to CT if need be…) and have been very happy with the salon. Jody is always very accommodating, and provides expert suggestions and consultation, while at the same time being very responsive to my needs and requests. Thanks Jody!!

Mar 06, 2024

Walked by and saw a $40 walk in hair cut special. Waited only about 10 mins, everyone was very friendly. Daisy cut my hair and was super professional and the cut exactly how I asked. I will definitely be back!

Feb 06, 2024

First there and everyone was friendly and professional. Very happy with my blowdry.

Feb 06, 2024

Found this great salon on the way home from work. They were super friendly give me exactly what I wanted. Would highly recommend anybody looking for a new salon

Feb 06, 2024

Good service, color beautiful, excellent Skill. Love it.

Feb 06, 2024

I’ve been seeing Mambo here and his other location for at least 15 years now. Great service. Great haircuts. Great person. Not sure I’ll ever go anywhere else.

Feb 06, 2024

La Mejor experiencia muchas gracias Dasy eres la mejor.

Feb 06, 2024

Went and got a men’s haircut from Violet. She did a good job. The reason I’m giving 3 stars is their shady business practices. I called a couple hours ahead to make my appointment, and asked the cost for a men’s haircut. They said $35. When it came time to charge me, the woman at the front desk charged me $40. I told her that I was quoted $35 earlier, and she replied, “it’s $35 for walk ins, $40 if you make an appointment.” Yikes. So, now you know. Don’t make an appointment here. Just walk in!

Feb 06, 2023

Best hair salon on Carnegie Hill.

Feb 06, 2023

I’d like to thank you Daisy for the best cut that I’ve ever had! 😁 she’s awesome

Feb 06, 2023

They did a great job with my hair! Great customer service. Highly recommend!