Rafael’s Beauty Salon

Quick, kind service. I got the Unilocal special with a wash, Morrocan oil treatment and a blow out. They did a great job for the price. Convenient location in Manhattan. Got to meet Rafael and he’s a sweet heart. My girl Sandra hooked my hair up and it looked fantastic for my weekend in NYC. I’d definitely go back. Lost one star for pushing other services a bit too much and no beverages being offered…

I come here every week for a blow out and love it! Nadia is the best and not only does a fantastic job on my hair every time, but works fast without you feeling rushed. The place is organized and staff is friendly. The price is reasonable for the area, and they offer packages that make it even better! I cannot comment on the nail section, since I have never gone, but there always seems to be a steady number of customers. I highly recommend this place, especially Nadia, who also does cuts and color!

Worst experience! For many reasons! Terrible place, bad haircut, harsh staff and on top of that they wanted to charge me way more than they told me before and also didn’t want to accept the Unilocal coupon with which they advertised on Unilocal

Eye browse Threading — only $ 10, they did an amazing job! Very fast, took at most 5min and she followed my directions. Flawless. Definitely going back to check out other services.

**U P D A T E**
To add insult to injury, the poor guy that’s there all day on his feet handing out the flyers asked if I forgot to mention his name. I said no, I’m sorry I forgot though he confirmed with the nail tech that I was there & she said yes so that he could get his commission. The owner Rafael denied him his commission because I didn’t give him the name.
ALL TO SAVE $ 2.00! YEP, A TWO DOLLAR COMMISION FOLKS.

I went to Rafael’s for 2 years and was a faithful customer to Arjan (who has now left and moved to Tribeca Hair Studio) — and one day I needed a shampoo and blow dry, and the owner charged me $ 15 — which is ridiculous. Some of the people who work in this studio are very nice, but I do not care for the way the owner runs his business.

Despite having to wait 20 mins for my blow out after making an apt the service here was very kind. The woman agreed to my strict timings as I must be at work by a certain hour and guaranteed me to be out by then.
Also she knew exactly how to blow my hair out with the curls I like as its some times difficult with extensions.

My first time going to the 46^th Street location. Olga welcomed me with open arms and a smile. They have excellent customer service, very professional and caring. I will recommend this place to everybody. My manicure looked awesome. Olga massaged my hands and arms. I wanted to fall asleep at the chair. Unfortunately, I had to get back to work. lol.
Next time I will get a pedicure. I will return.

I review tons of places, and it takes a lot for me to only give one star. I’m going to make this as constructive as possible. I work right next to Rafael’s and decided to finally test this place out after getting so many $ 5 off coupons on the street. I was in a serious need of a manicure and really wanted to get one before my vacation. When you walk upstairs to this place, it’s a hair salon to the left and a nail salon to the right. I immediately noticed the place looks run down– taped up wrinkly posters and just dated all around. Not a big deal, I don’t need the pizzazz, just a good manicure.
I wait about 5 minutes and then get called and I decide to go with the $ 40 gel manicure. I pick my color and notice the tech opens it, notices it’s thick (old) and immediately puts it in the towel warmer to melt it/​loosen it up. That was my first red flag but I didn’t say anything. As she starts my manicure I notice that all of the tools, files, emery boards etc all seem old and worn down. Yes she pulled the metal tools from a «sterilizer» but the papertowel holding the tools was discolored and clearly hadn’t been replaced in a while. The emery board and nail file both look like they haven’t been replaced in years– they’re peeling and the logos are worn off. I look around and notice there are crumbs, an old coffee cup, nail polish stains all over the station. The whole nail salon area is disorganized and there are cotton balls, plastic cabinets, random stuff thrown about the area.
Now onto my manicure, with every nail she painted it took her twice as long to «clean up» the polish that was painted onto my skin. I think this was mainly because the polish was old and thick and it was hard to distribute. A professional nail tech would have noticed this before starting and discarded the tube and told me to pick a different color. The acetone dispenser was broken so the tech poured acetone from the bottle onto my nails and spilled it all over the station, didn’t even bother cleaning it up. I’m looking at my manicure now and there are a few things I noticed– the polish is not evenly distributed on my fingers making some sides thicker, she didn’t paint my full fingernail so both sides of almost every nail is missing polish, and my cuticles were cut unevenly.
While my nails were drying, she took the tools that she just used on me (without sanitizing) and started touching up her own nails– BIG RED FLAG that sterilizing is not taken seriously! After that I really just wanted to get out of there. I don’t mind paying $ 40 for a gel manicure if they do a great job, but I feel robbed after experiencing this manicure. I did, however, see some good hair cuts walk through there, but I would not recommend this place for a manicure. I hope the owner takes my review seriously and upgrades their cleanliness and buys some much needed new polishes/​tools.
***UPDATE– To add insult to injury, my gel manicure (which should last 2+ weeks) only lasted seven days.***

Great service, great people, great haircut. This is the kind of place you want to keep going back to. Great for walk ins and just an all around good experience.

I bought a LivingSocial voucher for a mens haircut and shave, and was completely satisfied with the experience and end product. Cesar gave me one of the best hair cuts I’ve had and tips on how to style it better for my hair type. I would recommend with confidence.

I got mani pedi and a 10 min chair massage. Very professional, not too expensive, they have two locations, one on 43^rd and one on 46^th and the second one is also open on Saturdays. I broke a foot not long ago and Annamaria did a great job catering to my still visible bruise. Manicure was also great. The massage was much needed after walking around Manhattan on a freshly injured foot! They also offer hair salon services. The décor could be more modern, but everything was cleaned, sanitized, staff super friendly.

A wonderful experience. I walked in and asked for a wash, blow dry and manicure. The manicure ($ 15) was provided by the ever capable Polina. The haiir services — wash, super condition and blow dry. ($ 45) by Anna Marie. Talented people, friendly place… and all around wonderful experience. I live in Washington DC but am in NYC often. This will be my go to for quick on demand salon services.

Ok, I’m lowering my review for Rafael’s which really disappoints me.
I sent a co-​worker over to have her hair cut since she was really impressed with my cut by Stella but THEY CHARGED HER $ 65 for a DRY CUT! No wash, no style, just a trim for $ 65 in under 30 mins– what are you kidding me!!! I am so embarrassed since I referred her to them!!!

Loved this place! Hair took longer than expected but when she noticed the time, she had another hair dresser come over and was blow drying my hair at the same time to speed it up. Super mindful of the time and she didn’t try to over-​sell hair products and extra services while I was getting a blow out like so many other salons do.

Got a gel pedicure and a manicure and eyebrow wax here, Annella was my technician, she was great and the place has a very friendly staff.

Stella… omg she was right! Everyone complimented on my new blonde shade. I will forever be loyal to her as a customer. She’s so friendly, honest and overall just a professional! Although I did leave spending more than I thought (Just because I bought hair products) I have to say that I am satisfied with my experience. I can’t wait to go back to see the final result of the blonde I want. Stella, if you see this, what shade of blonde did you put? — Mildred

I work a couple doors down from Rafael’s and even though there is a barber in my building, this is where I go.
The price is right, the products they use are top of the line and the haircuts are always on point.
I would fully recommend Rafael’s to anyone!

My hotel concierge referred me to Rafael’s Salon for a blow dry when I was in the area to attend a business event. I have to say I am finicky when it comes to coiffure. Liana did a fabulous job, giving me the exact style I was seeking. Thanks Rafael’s!

I bought 2 vouchers for 3 pack manicures and presented both of them to vender (each at different visits) before the expiration date of 5÷14÷13. Nowhere on the voucher nor in the loot description does it state that all 3 manicures need to be used prior to the expiration date. I have since been back twice and did not have any issues with my visit. Today I went back and was told that my vouchers are expired and all 3 manicures for each voucher had to be used by the expiration date. They thought they were being considerate in charging me half price for my visit, after my nails were already done. I was also told that the voucher is «self explanatory» and «no one else had any problems understanding this». That is an insult to my intelligence. I use vouchers quite regularly and know how to read the fine print. IT STATES NO WHERE THAT ALL 3 MANICURES NEED TO BE USED BY EXPIRATION DATE.
Aside from this issue my manicure was rushed as the woman who did my nails had to get to her next customer. There was also another woman having her nails done who didn’t even get to the polish bc she had multiple nails start to bleed at the back of the nail, probably when cuticles were cut. She stopped the manicure and just left.
I will not be returning for any manicure/​pedicure treatments.