F S Charlie Salon

Best Salon in NYC. Started with Ruth and have been with Fatima for years, can’t say enough about both. They. and the entire staff. treat every client with such respect… and are so good at what they do. From the moment you walk in you feel a part of their FS Charlie family, super accommodating and super talented. I’m a reporter/​anchor and Fatima always makes sure the cut/​color works on TV. Been a regular for 15 years. highly recommend.

FS Charlie is wonderful! I am continually impressed by their consistent professionalism and accommodating staff. Truly a Tribeca gem! — Kim

This review is based on my second and last time at this salon. I live 45 min outside of NYC and had an appointment mid day, middle of the week. I arrived 15 minutes late due to travel issues (subway, UN in session uptown…) but spoke to the receptionist and explained I was late and would be there as soon as I could. As I arrived I was told that they cancelled my appointment and would not see me. The stylist would not even come out of the back to explain herself. BTW there was only one other person in the salon and no one else was waiting to be seen. Obviously I was furious after rushing to the appointment, especially after the stylist (who is also the owner) made me wait over 45 minutes at my first appointment at the salon, she also knew I was coming from far away. I don’t know what kind of a business these people are running, but if you have a small salon, canceling an appointment in the rude manor that they did, is not a good way to keep clientele. Don’t go to this place unless you want to be treated like crap.

This place is awesome! I came across this place on google as a hijabi friendly salon. Its a bit pricey for me, I used to pay 40 $ tops for haircuts and blowouts. But decided to go for it as I will prob be getting less haircuts over the year.
So they do hijabis on tuesdays as the male hairdresser as his day off on that day and you have to tell them when you make your appointment as they will cover the windows for you (felt so special!)
Melissa did my hair and she was awesome. I wanted to cut my hair short with movement and layers and that is what I got and the shampoo she used on me was beyond amazing. I couldnt stop smelling my hair. Would highly recommend it

Alana gave me a short cut and I love it! I had really long curls but this short cut is wonderful. She took her time and handled my hair with the best care. Even put some blonde in it.

Went in with a gift card to get a restyling on my overly choppy short hair so that it could grow out better. My hair dresser was understandably late due to subway delays. She listened to what I wanted and treated me with care. This is not my favorite haircut. But how often do you get a fav haircut when you’re just trying to grow your hair out?
Not sure I would have ever gone here if it were not for my gift card. Not sure I’d ever go back if it weren’t for that gift card. I’ll be back… to use the rest of my gift card.

Addam is the most patient and professional stylist I’ve ever been to. I had never had my hair colored so I had it done by someone else but badly needed it corrected. Addam considered my hair and the inspiration photographs I provided, affirmed that I had communicated my wishes and hit the nail on the head. He turned my first (ish) color experience into a success– exceeding my expectations for what anyone could do to correct the color and actually achieving a better result then I had initially hoped for. I followed up 3 weeks later for a hair cut and he demonstrated the same excellent care and skill in the cutting department. Tip: if you are going for a new color/​1^st time color or a new style that you need to figure out let them know, and be sure to book a senior stylist– it helps to ride into a new look on a big wave.

I’m not very picky about my hair, but have still struggled to find a good place to get a haircut, and one that doesn’t need a lot of daily fussing with. F.S. Charlie is that place at long last! Not many stylists cut Indian hair well, but I finally love my haircut after years of disappointments! Thank you!

Great customer service at the reception and Addam was incredible. He’s confident about what he does while listening to you and communicating with you during his process. I feel like sometimes that can be a hard balance to strike. Not once did I ever feel like I was unsure of what he was doing or afraid he wasn’t listening. He is also super friendly and has wonderful energy! One of the best salon experiences I’ve had. Thanks Addam! See you in a month or so.

I loved this salon and was a long time client. Nice, relaxed environment. Professional staff. Young, cool stylists. They use high quality products but don’t pressure you to buy them. The team was always friendly and welcoming.
I used to see Bradley back when the salon was called Rare and after he left, I switched to Kevyn who is fantastic. I’ve seen Kevyn for almost 4 years. He recently moved over to the salon Laicale in Soho so as much as I loved the team at FS Charlie, I had to move over with him.
FS Charlie is a great place so I definitely recommend it.

I honestly don’t know where to start! F. S charlie hair salon was the best experience my sisters, mother and I ever had in a hair salon. We have finally found the spot! They make the impossible possible! Love the hospitality, the great staff and area! You gotta go!

I love Fatima. Her professionalism and full dedication to this place is something else! My hair is finally like I want and I go all the way from New Haven to NY just because of her! Overall 5 stars!

I love this place! I use Adam and he is just fantastic. I came in four months ago with damaged over processed hair from another salon. He brought my hair back to life. Not only was it healthier each month but he always got the color spot on. I like to do an ash blonde. We even started doing hair extensions too, to give me the volume I was lacking from the previous damage. They are amazing! So easy to take care of and no one can even tell they aren’t my natural hair. The receptionist Mavi is so nice too very easy to schedule or re-​schedule need be. They really know how to take care of you and I can’t recommend this place more!

I absolutely love this salon !!!
It is small, comfy and everyone is really friendly…
Adam has been coloring my hair for a 1.5 years now. He were able to fix my blonde colored hair (that went wrong in another salon) to a beautiful shade, then take it to all shades of brunette and back to blonde. And he does exactly what I have in mind each time I come in. Adam is truly talented artist and I’m so happy I found him and this salon.
Also it’s a big plus for me that this place, even though it’s small, has a lots of day light, so when I’m finished with my color, I know exactly what I’m going too look like when I go out to streets and my daily life .
It’s called Rare for a reason ;)))

I finally have the hair I’ve always wanted.
Addam is an Artist. There’s no other way to put it.
There aren’t superlatives enough. He’s the only stylist who has taken the time to get to know my hair, it’s texture, the way it falls, what it wants to do, how it behaves, and then cuts accordingly so it falls into place, and looks the best it can look. He listens, he takes his time, he’s very Zen about the whole process. So many great things about his cut: blow-​drying on the day I wash it takes about 5 – 7 minutes. He showed me how to have great second-​day (and dare I say? third-​day!) hair. It just falls into place with a little tweaking with dry shampoo and a blow dryer.
I was delighted to learn that Addam is a color expert. My color is perfect, both my monthly single process and my twice-​yearly highlights. I’ve gotten more compliments on my hair since going to Addam than ever before.
I’d been to only one other stylist in NYC, and when I was ready for a change because I wanted something different that my old stylist just couldn’t deliver, I looked on Unilocal.There’s a reason why Rare is at the top of the list of Highest Rated salons. Everything is great. Friendly staff, great customer service, talented stylists.
I love Rare, and if I ever move out of NYC I will have to budget for trips back here to have my hair done by Addam.

I’ve been in NY for a couple of years and had yet to find MY salon and stylist – I’m now considering that search over. I was going for a big change, chopping off my loooong hair to a very short look and Kevyn spent a good 10 minutes talking through everything I wanted, looking at photos and made fantastic suggestions for the shape and length. He was incredibly personable and warm and, knowing I was a little nervous about such a big change, really talked me through every thing he was doing.
Top to bottom I had an amazing experience at Rare (their customer service over the phone is as good as in person) and suggest it to anyone, especially someone considering a major change or who needs a little guidance.

I’ve been going to Rare for nearly eight years and can’t recommend it more highly. The salon is beautiful and inviting and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. It is a truly welcoming, «no attitude» zone. While Fatima (owner) is my main stylist/​colorist, I’ve also had wonderful work from Emmy and Alana. I love this place!

Addam is made of magic. That is all.

I’m leaving this review after my 3^rd visit to RARE so you know this place rocks!
I was originally recommended to come here by a coworker.
For a while I was thinking about going deep cherry red, but was hesitant to trust anyone with the job. Addam (who is not only a stylist but a hair educator) made my dream of gorgeous red hair come true! (thnx Addam! =D)
I also had a cut appointment with Kevyn. I asked for layers, but also to maintain the length of my hair as much as possible. Kevyn did just that. I got beautiful layers and my length was barely altered.
Rare is a wonderful salon and I will continue to come back for all of my hair needs!
Thank you Rare!

«I feel pretty, Oh So PRETTY!»
Yeah that’s basically how I feel every time I have left this salon. The space is great and it is located close to the ACE and 6, Chinatown, Little Italy and shopping. I got my hair colored and cut by the fabulous Fatima (also the salon owner) and she is a rock star. Her entire staff are ROCK STARS! They are sweet, helpful, always learning and fun to talk to. If you are planning to dye your locks please be assured that you will be in great hands with anyone here. They take their profession seriously and want you to feel refreshed and beautiful/​handsome in the end.
#iamrarenyc

So I felt bored with my hair, walking in here wanting to get a single process dye. Rocio sat me down, and instead of diving straight to what color I want, she studied my hair, and asked about how I prepare my hair every day — I’m a big wash and go, I strive to spend minimal time on preparing my hair in the morning. After she learned that, she said single process requires a lot of maintenance, need to have regular touch-​ups, and need to care for the hair better. She asked me the million dollar question, are you ready to make the commitment? And I said no.
Rocio showed me more options, and recommended colors, and in the end, I decided to have partial highlight. I think the color stayed on me for 30−40min, then gloss for another 10min. After that, they washed my hair, Rocio blew dry it and I instantly saw the color was a little lighter than expected. Instead of not mentioning it, Rocio also acknowledged that. She put more tone to my hair, glossed it, did it all over again, and my hair turned out to be perfect!
The whole time, I felt very comfortable, and I was very happy with the results. Definitely will be back for hair cut.

I was super bored of my black hair for a long time and inspired by summer, I wanted to go lighter. After searching and reading reviews on Unilocal,I was super curious with Rare Salon and took a leap of faith on them. I’m glad I did…
I made an appointment with Fatima and she made me feel so comfortable. I walked in incredibly nervous, told her how this was my first time getting my hair colored by a professional, told her what I didn’t want, and emphasized that I wanted subtle (a bit too much), and she thoroughly listened. However, once I was done, it seemed a bit too subtle – and I think she noticed this. She told me that if in two weeks I wasn’t in love with it, to come back and she’d spruce it up and do it all over again.
So, with that being said, a couple of days later I realized that I wasn’t in love with it and made said appointment. I came back, no one shamed me, and I talked to Fatima. She was absolutely understanding, super attentive, and never interrupted. She knew that I was nervous and didn’t want me to regret anything and wanted to give me that option of coming back. She was super happy to go back to work on my hair. The end result was AMAZING. My hair is the perfect brown and has different color (but subtle highlights) — not those chunky streaky ones I was fearing. It’s been more than a week and I haven’t stopped getting compliments. I’m IN loooooove with my hair color.
Fatima is very professional, involved with her customers, and pleasing with the results. She definitely knows how to run her business the right way, has great work ethic, and it can show by the clientele she has. Even though I had to come back twice to get my desired color, I will definitely come back because they’re so professional (and FUN) and she is determined to make you love your hair — which is the most important. HIGHLY reccommend.
Perks – Amazing background music, very clean, open concept, and fun personalities. Different variety of drinks (would have liked some alcohol-​based, like champagne, but will desist.) Awesome hair washes.
Pits-Can’t think of any… well, it would have been nice to be offered a drink. Felt weird asking for one at hair salon. But that sounds kind of cocky. None, really!
Shoutout to Sasha for communicating with me via email so I could book my appointment and answer other questions I had!!!

Kevyn was reco’d to me when I moved to NYC from my stylist in SF. He’s amazing — his cuts are sexy and beautiful. I can’t recommend him enough. Go to Rare. See Kevyn. You wont be disappointed. And if you are, there is something wrong with you.
EDIT** Kevyn’s moved to Laciale in Soho, so I go there now.