Samar Spa

**As of February 2016, it looked like the salon was closing down. Not surprising!
I was truly, truly disappointed with the service of this salon.
I usually like to support all local businesses in my local neighborhood to give everyone a fair chance. When I reviewed the previous Unilocalers mediocre reviews of Samar Salon, I thought I would try them out. The owner, Samar, seemed nice so I thought let me give it a try. Maybe she looked at her reviews and made some improvements?
Unfortunately not.
I went in for a blow out, it was $ 35. A bit more than what I pay for at the salons on Second Avenue. I went for the splurge. I though it’s a blow out right? They can’t mess this up… Wrong! The blow out was equivalent to what my regular hair dresser does when I DON’T want a blow out. The hair stylist literally gave my hair no shape, no body, no style, NOTHING! She put no effort into it. I could have done the same thing by myself for FREE.
And to add insult to injury, I was rushed out of the salon because the owner and hair stylist were in a hurry to leave! It wasn’t even close to their listed closing time of 8PM. They made me feel like I kept them their later than they had to be!
Overall, I was highly disappointed with my visit at Samar. They really need to work on their services and customer service.

All the of the special Samar has with Groupon and other discounted deals are not worth it. Samar finds a way to charge you more than you are supposed to pay for. I was charged 80 dollars more for my highlights and not to mention that I had to pay extra when I came back to get my hair fixed. Her skills as a hair stylist are subpar. She trained at Super Cuts…
I would never go back and don’t recommend her to anyone.

I have been to Samar Spa on two different occasions. The first was to get a simple manicure. The facilities were not very clean and the girl who did my mani actually made my cuticles bleed! It really hurt! They didn’t have a great selection of colors, which was disappointing. But the ladies were super nice and I could tell they were doing their best at a location which is just sub-​par.
I even went back… brought my own nail polish, to give it another try. This time I got a manicure and pedicure. The pedicure was not the best, and they put the polish on SO fast that it took it hours to fully dry after I left, and in that time, I ended up ruining one of my toe nails.
I think they’re obviously doing the best they can here but its just not up to par with what it could or should be. Definitely and unfortunately won’t be going back.

I have been going to Samar Spa for more than 5 years for color, cut and styling. I am always extremely satisfied. Dorina does an excellent job. She is thorough and precise. And, she has good ideas and suggestions for styling. Samar has established a warm, friendly, and still very professional salon. Many of the neighborhood residents have been going to Samar’s for years.

I went to Samar spa, as it the closest to my work place. For last 8 yrs I have been to one salon for my hair cut, so I was kind of unsure as to what I was getting into. But with the current busy schedule, I could not go to my usual spa.
I first I was told that they are very busy and couldn’t take me in on that day. I wasn’t too happy, but looking at my dejected face, the owner told me that they close at 8pm, but she will willingly cut my hair before they close.
I was given a nice hair wash and got my hair cut taken care off. She worked clean and was very hospitable. I will definitely go back to them again.

This has got to be my least favorite business (not just nail salon) in the city. I bought 3 mani pedis more than a year ago and have only been able to use one (which I had to make an appointment for 3 months in advance). First time I called to reserve a spot, I spoke to a very sarcastic and rude woman who I later found out was the owner. I figured she was having a bad day as — we all do once in a while — so I kept my high spirits going to the place. The woman was extremely unpleasant as I arrived and almost made me want to cancel and leave. Since my boyfriend’s birthday was the next day I stood and toughed it out. I was very happy to see that the manicurist herself was extremely delicate and did a terrific job. Now a year after that first experience I have yet to book my other two appointments (apparently their manicurist either calls out or is on a month long vacation every time I’ve called). As soon as I get to use up my other two mani pedis I’m never going back to this place.
If you are ever considering even passing by this nail salon (let alone purchasing a Groupon), my best advice is: STAY AWAY.

I bought a Groupon for 3 many/​pedi as other people wrote in previous reviews it was the WORST MISTAKE!!!
The lady who does the nails is polite and provides a good service but the owner and the other hairdresser have a terrible attitude, rude, don’t even offer a smile if you say you have a Groupon they treat you like they are giving you for free!
The place is a s. hole! not a SPA!!! I was doing my nails and there goes the parade of roaches! DISGUSTING!
Save your money, not worth the hassle! not even with a groupon or any other offer.

DON’T BUY ANY GROUPONS FROM THIS PLACE. They will tell you (as they told Faith) they have no reservations for months, then when you contact groupon for a refund, it will take MONTHS to get your money back… in the form of a groupon.
Terrible business. Can’t believe they are a place that gives you such a headache is a spa…

I am SO disappointed! I bought a Groupon for 3 mani/​pedis for Samar Spa. I called to make my first appointments (the Groupon says call 7 days in advance of when you want to make an appt) and the first appointment they had was a MONTH OUT. I later found out this is because they have 1 chair, 1 person doing nails, and only do mani/​pedi for a couple hours in the MIDDLE of the day. In order to use this voucher, I need to take an extended lunch break at work, because they don’t have any appointments after working hours. That is ridiculous.
Ok, a month goes by and I go for my appointment. I go in the middle of the day, during my lunch break. Got my mani pedi done (brought my own polish) and it was fine… definitely not as good a Bloomingnails on Lex or Dolce on 3^rd, but they are in a different league price wise. So I make an appointment for my next mani/​pedi while I am finishing up my first session, but I had to cancel (which I did a few days in advance). I called 3 times to reschedule and left 2 messages and never heard back.
I will say that the person did the actual mani/​pedi was very nice and professional.

I bought a GROUPON from this place for a mani-​pedi and called in July to make an appointment. I was told the next available appointment would be in OCTOBER!!! While the wait was a bit long, the woman who did my nails did a great job. Overall this is NOT the place to go to with girlfriends, or for that matter, anyone but yourself. They only have 1 chair for pedicures and 1 manicurist, and the whole thing took 60 minutes.
I didn’t get any wine, or drinks for that matter, but I’m just glad I finally got my Groupon redeemed!

I purchased the three manicures/​pedicures on Groupon. I have been going to the same salon for years, so I only bought the deal because it was such a steal and I’m glad I did! Samar has one manicurist, Celina, and she is superb. Because they only have one station, you don’t feel like you’re on an assembly line with people breathing down your neck. The owner, Samar, makes you feel like you’ve come to her home — offering green tea or coffee and creating a warm and cozy environment. As long as you make an appointment, the salon is yours and you get individual attention. This place has an old neighborhood feeling… they’re happy to see you and they deliver great results. Thumbs up.

This has got to be the worst waxing experience in my life, and I’ve only waxed my legs from the time I can remember. Let alone not having any idea of technique the owner has no idea in which direction to apply the wax or pull and she literally poured the wax on me, and she is reluctant to work. Also, according to her, a full leg wax ends at our ankles — never heard of an extra charge for toes but here I paid $ 5 extra.
By the time you realize, and it takes only 5 minutes, what a terrible service you’re being subjected to, you’re already sticky and figure you should just finish. A salon with two chairs and an unhygienic back room does not qualify as a «spa». The owner is not professional and it’s surprising this business still runs. She literally handed me a dish rag to wipe of the extra wax. On my train ride home, I discovered specks of wax in my hair… the hair on my head i.e. A Ludicrous Experience!
I’m going to stick with curated Gilt vouchers from now on — they may cost a bit more but at least I know I get quality. Groupon’s just putting up anything that comes their way.

Very Friendly and Flexible. I liked the Brazilian waxing, was well done, and I AM a brazilian, so I CAN judge that… I went because I bought a Groupon but I woulg come back.

My manicures from here never last!
I only come here because I have a groupon set of three mani and pedis.
The manicurist is professional and very nice– She doesnt rush and is very attentive. Unfortunately my mani never lasts– it chips the next day… I assume they use very old nail polish or they dilute it.
Also, getting an appointment here is a nightmare!

I love Samar Spa and the staff there! They are so awesome and professional that I’m always looking for more groupons to patronize their establishment.
While it’s not a big spa, some of us appreciate the small, intimate surroundings and the one-​on-​one treatment that doesn’t feel like you are on a conveyor belt.
The salon is always spotless, bright and open. I’m a vibe person and the vibe here is just right… keep up the fantastic work SAMAR SPA!!!

I scheduled two blow-​outs, two manicures and a pedicure same day for a Saturday. The fact that they could squeeze me in last minute was very impressive. We showed up about half an hour early and they immediately starting working. I was in a bad mood when we first got there but the staff was very professional and ignored my rudeness. Our hair looked great, although we both agreed we wished they had used a stronger holding hairspray, the kind they used was a very light mist that almost didn’t hold down baby fine flyaways. And the girl who did our nails was AMAZING! Will definitely not be my last trip.

Do not go here ever! I purchased a Groupon for a regular manicure pedicure. I assumed this venue was a real spa, but it’s actually a small hair salon with one manicure station. The manicure/​pedicure took one full hour (not including drying time). The nail polish bottle was not shaken thoroughly before application, so the color ended up settling into two different colors on my nails. The actual application was globbed on heavily. Instead of applying in smooth strokes the nail tech applied the polish in swirl motions. Worst manicure/​pedicure ever. There are no dryers for your feet, only hand dryers. There was also a cockroach crawling around the floor.
I requested a refund from Groupon, but they failed to issue me one and instead offered a $ 10 credit toward my account, which I am in process of disputing.
Do not go here.

I am SHOCKED to see some of the reviews on here!
I have been going to this salon for over a year and always leave with a fabulous haircut and in a fabulous mood. It is amazing how Doreena can make you feel after a cut and blow, I leave feeling like a movie star! Many of my co workers have also commented on my cut and I have sent them to her. They have all had positive experiences and have returned to this salon for blow outs and cuts.
The owner often gives small glasses of wine and is always very friendly.
Besides all this, the prices are reasonable for the upper east side area. Love this place and will return again and again!

The first time I came here, I had a nice experience, Samar gave me a nice haircut at a reasonable price. The second time I came, I told her I wanted to follow the same lines as the previous haircut, not only was she rude but she forgot that I also speak arabic and I understood her cursing under her breath because I brought my small dog in with me (who I always brought with me prior).
To top it all off, my normal 1 inch trim turned into a fiasco, she cut off 6 inches of my hair and not only did she chop it off, but she butchered it… so bad that people have stopped me in the deli to ask if I was aware that the back of my hair was cut in three different lengths, as if someone just took a scissor (think mommy dearest style haircut).
When I confronted her about the haircut (I was crying) she had the nerve to yell at me, tell me that my hair looked beautiful and I didnt know what I was talking about because I wasnt a hairdresser. When I told her it wasnt what I wanted she said «well this is what you should get.»
To top it all off, she then went and charged me ten dollars more than she initially quoted me in the begining of the haircut swearing and yelling up and down that «she doesnt simply make up prices.»
I went to another hairdresser four weeks later (after it had grown in slightly) and he said to me… honestly you have to wait a long time to fix this, if I was to fix this now your hair would be as short as a mans.
Take my advice, stay far far far away from this place, there is a reason why she had to downsize, her servic is awful, her salon nothing spectacular and god forbid you don’t like your haircut … well tough shit… Oh! and don’t forget she makes up the prices as she goes… awful, really awful!

I have come here twice. The first time I had a similar experience as the other chick who reviewed this place… I spend 3.5 hours getting my hair done — It looked great… but come on. That is a long time.
The second time: I got the same done to my hair, except that I asked for more lowlights. Well, it only took 1 hour and 45 minutes, but the quality was horrendous. My roots look worse now than when I came in. And I did not get more lowlights. If anything, my hair is more blonde. It was $ 230 this time, and Samar (the owner) was rude, and was not attentive. It was like she had a long day, and just wanted to go home. Oh, and her boyfriend came in half way through, which caused more distraction, and probably added to the poor quality.
She was nice for the last five minutes — probably hoping that I would tip. I won’t be back and I do not recommend. There are plenty of places in the city where you can pay that much and have great results.