STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — There’s no shortage of incredible hair salons on Staten Island, that’s for sure.
Following our coverage of readers’ top five bagel stores, gyms and yoga studios and pizza places on Staten Island, we asked our readers to tell us which hair salons on Staten Island had the most lavish studios, the best products and the most attentive customer service, and they nominated 124 — yes, 124 — standout spots through thousands of emails and comments on social media.
The top-five vote-getters were Di’Nostri Salon, City Curl Studio, Allison Hair Studio, Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio and Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids.
George Caggiano and Nick Lula of Di’Nostri Salon.
1. Di’Nostri Salon, 4108 Hylan Blvd.; dinostrisalon.com; 718-966-6116
Nick Lula and George Caggiano opened their salon four years ago this month — and haven’t looked back. “We wanted to bring something new and different to the neighborhood,” said Caggiano, who has over 25 years in the industry. “[Some place] small but attentive to the clients.” That attentiveness has been rewarding on several levels. Between their tangible passion to create a great experience for clients, and their hiring of top-notch staff, this extraordinarily personable pair has reaped both booming success and a reputation as a solid salon option for Staten Islanders (and others). Speaking of passion, Lula and Caggiano have loads of it. “You have to do everything that you do with passion,” said Caggiano. “If you do everything that you do with passion, you will not work a day in your life.”
Nick Lula and George Caggiano, center, owners of Di’Nostri Salon, are flanked by their staff.
This full-service salon offers cutting, extensions, hair botox, blowouts, color services, texture services makeup application and so much more — all done with the aid of the best products on the market, of course. Lula, an 18-year hair veteran, noted how he, Caggiano and the staff are constantly traveling for classes, and puts education as a “No. 1 priority,” all in the name of doing right by their clientele. “It’s the greatest feeling when they [clients] leave excited,” Lula insisted.
At Di’Nostri Salon, clients won’t just get any ol’ haircut — they get an experience second to none.
Di’Nostri Salon is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To watch the Advance/SILive.com’s visit to Di’Nostri Salon, click here.
City Curl Studio owners Melissa Hernandez and Rachel Urrico.
2. City Curl Studio, 692 Bay St.; citycurlstudio.com; 917-445-2017
Have curly or textured hair? We’ve got the perfect spot for you. City Curl Studio is wholly dedicated to those who don hair that perhaps needs a little bit more attention and special care.
Owners Melissa Hernandez and Rachel Urrico have more than two decades of experience in the industry; they worked at a salon in Manhattan for about 17 years that specialized exclusively in curly hair before deciding to venture off together to build their own brand — and the move has certainly paid off.
After beginning their business in a small space down the street, they soon expanded to their current location, which they’ve been in for nearly three years.
From left: Clients Jenna Nicolosi and Jessica Mancuso, City Curl Studio owners Melissa Hernandez and Rachel Urrico, and client Monique Perreira.
The chic salon — which was at one time a children’s salon in the 1940s — radiates good vibes from top to bottom; you’re in for an incredibly positive experience from two incredibly positive individuals whose goal is to make you feel comfortable and confident. Hernandez and Urrico do everything curl by curl, and cut while the hair is dry to ensure an end result any person would be thrilled to have and proud to show off. As Urrico put it, “These [people] aren’t just clients, they’re friends. They’re like family to us.”
A point of pride for Hernandez and Urrico: Their monthly event for kids, where they welcome youngsters and their parents in to show them how to properly care for curly locks.
So, if you know anyone who struggles with their hair, send them City Curl Studio’s way.
“It’s OK to wear your natural texture,” insisted Hernandez. “We’re here for you.”
City Curl Studio is open on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hernandez and Urrico also open the studio for two Sundays a month.
The studio is by appointment only, so be sure to give them a call ahead of time to check availability.
To watch the Advance/SILive.com’s visit to City Curl Studio, click here.
Allison Shiffman of Allison Hair Studio.
3. Allison Hair Studio, 2935 Veterans Road W.; @allison_hair on Instagram
Allison Shiffman wants you to know: You are welcome in her studio as you are, regardless of your age or your gender, or how you identify. The former commission stylist-turned-business owner opened her warm and inviting space, Allison Hair Studio, four months ago in Sola Salons’ South Shore location (in suite 14, to be exact), with the goal of creating a safe place for all.
“I wanted to be independent,” said Shiffman, “I always wanted to have that creative freedom. … I can give my clients the love and attention that I really want [here].”
An artist at heart, this color specialist — who also cuts and styles — doesn’t just love the creative aspect of her chosen profession.
“There’s art in this. … besides creating art on people, you’re meeting people and you’re making them feel really great about themselves. That’s something I really love.”
Don’t believe her passion? Just gander down at her right wrist, which displays a tattoo of hair-cutting scissors — a reminder for Shiffman that she is pursuing what she loves.
Allison Hair Studio is unique in that it does not price its services based on gender, rather by the amount of hair any one client is looking to have colored, styled or cut. Bring Shiffman an inspiration pic, and she’ll customize it to your face shape, your features, your personality and your lifestyle.
That’s all to say, Shiffman is focused on you — and is willing to travel to make you look good.
“I love listening to people and their inspiration and the things that they want. … besides coloring and cutting, outside the studio I do bridal hair, special events, photo shoots. … I love working with other artists and bringing their whole vision to life.”
Allison Hair Studio is open Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only.
To watch the Advance/SILive.com’s visit to Allison Hair Studio, click here.
Shane Sorrento and Jennifer (Jenn) Christie Sorrento, the husband-and-wife team behind Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio.
4. Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio, 1281 Arthur Kill Road; salonmerakinyc.com; 718-966-6601
“Meraki” is more than just a name, it’s a philosophy for husband-and-wife team Shane Sorrento and Jennifer (Jenn) Christie Sorrento. The word of Greek origin means “love, soul and creativity,” according to Jenn, herself of Greek heritage. “I wanted something that represented who we are as a company and as a team. … this is who we are.”
Added Shane, “It’s also the essence of yourself put into your work … we strive to put everything we can into every single thing we do … we want to deliver the best service possible in everything that we do.”
The pair, who took over and rebranded an existing salon in this location five years ago, operate Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio with aplomb, offering corrective color, balayage, high and low lighting, precision haircutting, formal styling — deep inhale — perms, Japanese thermal reconditioning, eyebrow tinting, microblading and a whole lot more.
Put simply by Shane: “You name it, we do it.”
Jennifer (Jenn) Christie Sorrento and Shane Sorrento, owners of Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio, are flanked by their staff.
But, he insisted, every service is executed by a staff that is held to an exceptionally high standard, and must attend Meraki’s training academy and constantly learn new trends and develop their skill set in order to advance within the business. “There’s the expression: Jack of all trades, master of none. We are actually specialists in everything that we do,” he added.
Their priority is your comfort, and you can trust that anything they use to beautify you is top-tier. “Every product we have here, I support 100{5c5ba01e4f28b4dd64874166358f62106ea5bcda869a94e59d702fa1c9707720},” said Jenn, a 20-year hair veteran/extension artist. “I don’t carry things just to sell things, if I don’t believe in the product, I don’t carry it. It’s just that simple.” That includes using ethically sourced hair for extensions.
Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio is open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To watch the Advance/SILive.com’s visit to Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio, click here.
Christina Gilsenan of Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids.
5. Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, 4885 Arthur Kill Road; sharkeyscutsforkidsstatenisland.com; 347-838-6966
Those with little ones: This one’s for you.
Christina Gilsenan, owner of the nearly 1-year-old Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids on Staten Island, has worked hard to create a bright and fun environment that will make children of all ages want to get a haircut every single day of the week.
That’s not an overstatement.
This hair-cutting paradise for kids provides more than just friendly service: Nearly every hair station is equipped with a TV (age-appropriate shows can be played for each “little shark,” who can also choose which vehicle-themed chair they want to sit in. BTW: The jeeps, cop car, race car and firetruck chairs all make noise to keep the young kiddos occupied).
And for clients who are a bit older and into video games, Gilsenan has hooked up individual Xbox consoles so they can practice their gaming skills.
To the girls wishing for a grown-up beauty experience, Gilsenan has thought of them, too: A “glamour station” dressed in pink promises a glitzy experience, one which can be capped with a “minicure” (file and polish).
It should go without saying: If you’ve been looking for a place to bring your little ones for a fresh look and a positive experience, look no further.
Christina Gilsenan of Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, third from right, is flanked by her staff — and Sharkey.
The team at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids sticks to a line of in-house products heavily endorsed by the always affable Gilsenan, who added that her business offers first-haircut packages among other deals: The child will receive a certificate that includes a lock of their hair and an after-photo — a priceless memento for parents.
Gilsenan’s generous spirit extends beyond the walls of her salon: A portion of each haircut is donated to one of two causes, Autism Cares or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Kids are given a token after their cut and are allowed to choose for themselves where the donation goes. Additionally, Gilsenan does giveaways every month via her social media.
Making sure each client genuinely enjoys their time at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids is important to Gilsenan, who offered a piece of heartfelt advice to those looking to begin their own business: “Follow your heart, follow what you’re passionate about.”
While Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids focuses on cutting hair for kids of all ages, Gilsenan said adults can also receive a stylish ‘do at the salon.
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are encouraged, especially on the weekends. And keep an eye out: You might also be treated to a surprise appearance by Sharkey himself!
To watch the Advance/SILive.com’s visit to Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, click here.
THE NOMINEES
While only the top five salons were given coverage, we still want to shout out the remaining 119 businesses that were nominated by their loyal clients.
A Touch of Tone Studios, 2935 Veterans Road W.; atouchoftonestudio.glossgenius.com
A F Bennett Wellness Spa Inc, 350 New Dorp Lane; afbennett.com; 718-979-9000.
Allure Salon, 4011 Hylan Blvd., Suite C; Allure Salon on Facebook; 718-317-7800
Allure Salon, 2381 Hylan Blvd.; alluresalonnyc.com; 718-934-8585
Always Beautiful Hair Salon, 4081 Hylan Blvd.; alwaysbeautifulsalon.com; 718-737-7021
Art & Soul Hair Studio, 2935 Veterans Road W.; @hair_by_amytaylor on Instagram; 917-596-6299
Ash + Gold Salon, 2965 Veterans Road W.; @ashandgoldsalon_ on Instagram
Ashley Nicole Hair Salon, 85 Guyon Ave.; @ashleynicolesalon on Instagram; 718-351-6655
Aura Artistry, 2935 Veterans Road W.; @auraartistrystudio on Instagram; 929-216-1706
Avanti Salon, 2051 Hylan Blvd.; avantisi.com; 718-979-9500
Bamboo Salon, 3487 Richmond Road; bamboosalonsi.com; 718-351-3068
Beachwaves and Balayage, 1553 Forest Ave.; beachwavesandbalayage.glossgenius.com
Blown Inc, 1582 Richmond Road; blown-inc.com; 718-980-3888
Blue Velvet Beauty Lounge, 155 New Dorp Lane; bluevelvetspa.com; 718-979-7546
BM Hair Studio, 4162 Victory Blvd.; @bmhairstudio_ on Instagram; 718-524-6610
Bohemia Hair Salon, 6054 Amboy Road; Bohemia Hair Salon on Facebook; 718-967-5185
Boho Suite, 2935 Veterans Road W.; @meaghangalileo_beauty on Instagram
Capelli Nv, 1243 Woodrow Road; @capelli_nv on Instagram; 718-356-5028
Cheveux Blowout Bar Salon, 1250 Hyland Blvd., Suite 6B; cheveuxny.com; 718-447-4247
Chic Blowout Bar, 4864 Arthur Kill Road; @chicblowoutbar on Instagram; 718-948-2442
Christina Coppola, 2935 Veterans Road; @christinas_chair on Instagram
Christopher Michael Salon, 644 Forest Ave.; Christopher Michael Salon on Facebook; 718-273-3384
Classique Salon and Spa, 1961 Hylan Blvd.; @classiquesalonspa on Instagram; 718-667-7600
Color & Faith Hair Studio, 1553 Forest Ave.; @colorandfaithhairstudio on Instagram; 718-612-4490
Curl Transformations Salon, 1473 Richmond Ave.; @curltransformationssalon on Instagram
Cut & Dry Hair Salon, 896 Huguenot Ave.; Cut & Dry Hair Salon on Facebook; 718-227-6532
D’Pascual Hair Salon, 3 Nelson Ave.; @dpascualsalon on Instagram; 718-948-0149
Élan Hair & Nails, 1605 Forest Ave.; elanhairandnailssi.com; 718-816-6016
First Impressions, 1975 Victory Blvd.; nyfirstimpressions.com; 718-698-6288
French Twist Salon, 20 S. Bridge St.; @frenchtwist_salon on Instagram; 718-967-4231
Fringe: The Art of Hair, 1891 Victory Blvd.; @fringehairny on Instagram; 718-524-8196
F&G Family Barbershop, 1406 Forest Ave.; 732-850-1240
Gentmode Barbershop, 400 Forest Ave.; @gentmodebarbershop.ny on Instagram; 718-815-5838
George’s Hair Station, 66 New Dorp Plaza; hairstationsi.business.site; 718-682-1365
George’s Twisted Sisters, 1149 N. Railroad Ave.; georges-twisted-sisters.business.site; 718-351-1490
Gina Michele Hair Salon, 1358 Clove Road, gina_michelle_hairsalon on Facebook; 917-444-1914
The Girlz Room, 1553 Forest Ave.; girlzroom.glossgenius.com
Glamour Room, 2935 Veterans Road W.; beautybylianarose.glossgenius.com
G’s Salon, 1111 N. Railroad Ave.; @gssalon on Instagram; 718-979-8776
Hair Essentials, 3279 Richmond Ave.; @hairessentialssalon_si on Instagram; 718-356-8300
Hairway to Heaven, 1134 Targee St.; Hairway to Heaven on Facebook; 718-442-1988
The Hair Parlor, 1553 Forest Ave.; @thehairparlor.nyc on Instagram
Hair Sanctuary Salon, 97 New Dorp Plaza; Hair Sanctuary Salon on Facebook; 718-351-7300
Haven Color Bar, 291 New Dorp Lane; havencolorbar.com; 718-667-2160
Heather’s Salon 72, 72 Jefferson Ave.; heatherssalon72.com; 718-351-4422
Hello Gorgeous Hair Salon, 2317 Richmond Ave.; hellogorgeoussi.com; 718-477-1011
High Society Salon, 207 Old Town Road; highsocietyhairsalon.com; 718-667-0811
House of Trends Salon, 21 Prall Ave.; thehouseoftrends.com; 718-317-6741
Infinity Hair Salon; 3295 Amboy Road; @infinityhairstudio_si on Instagram; 718-667-8098
International Hair Cutting, 988 Bay St.; 718-447-3277
In The Mixx Salon, 3960 Richmond Ave.; inthemixx.net; 718-317-1730
Isabella’s Hair Salon & Spa, 588 Richmond Road; isabellashairsalonspa.business.site; 718-802-8883
J&Y Hair Salon, 105C Page Ave.; J&Y Hair Salon on Facebook; 347-562-4178
Jessica Matthews Studio, 2935 Veterans Road W.; @beautifiedbyjesss on Instagram
Jodi on Mane, 1553 Forest Ave.; @jodi_on_mane on Instagram; 347-408-5227
Joseph Ashley Salon & Nail, 2541 Victory Blvd.; josephashleysalon.com; 718-698-9383
Juniemoon’s Beauty Box, 1553 Forest Ave.; juniemoonsbeautybox.glossgenius.com
Just Jas Salon, 3555 Victory Blvd.; @justjas_salon on Instagram; 718-682-1161
Kelly’s Hair Spa, 6 Giffords Lane; Kelly Hair Spa Li on Facebook; 718-608-1133
Kiara’s Beauty Salon, 696 Bay St.; @kiarasbeauty on Instagram; 718-815-5550
Laura And Arba Barber And Beauty Salon, 373 Manor Road; laura_arba_ny on Instagram; 718-698-4400
Lauren Cicero Hair Studio, 2935 Veterans Road W.; laurencicerohairstylist on Instagram
Lauren Michaels Salon and Spa, 3874 Richmond Ave.; 718-356-1299
Layers of Beauty by Ness, 2935 Veterans Road W.; @layersofbeautybyness on Instagram
The Locks Loft, 6228 Amboy Road; The Locks Loft on Facebook; 347-983-4002
Love Hair Studio, 136 Fingerboard Road; lovehairstudiony.com; 718-980-4247
Mane Bar Salon, 160 Main St.; @manebarsalon on Instagram; 718-966-6263
Maneandtayl, 2935 Veterans Road W.; maneandtayl.glossgenius.com
Mane Champagne, 1553 Forest Ave.; @mane_champagne on Instagram
Manuela’s Hair Art Studio, 19 Liberty Ave.; Manuela’s Hair Art Studio; 718-980-5002
Marucci Hair Design, 128 Watchogue Road; maruccihairdesign.com; 718-477-5051
Mancini Giuffré Hair Salon, 1348 Hylan Blvd.; mancinigiuffresalonandspa.com; 718-980-4633
Mia Passione Salon, 4906 B Arthur Kill Road; miapassionesalon.com; 718-605-0030
Mike’s Barber Shop, 4085 Hylan Blvd.; Mikes Barbershop on Facebook; 718-966-0244
Modern Male, 2965 Veterans Road W.; modernmale-ny.com; 718-317-5000
Molto Carino, 335 Sand Lane; Molto Carino on Facebook; 718-273-5556
New Golden Touch, 266 Watchogue Road; newgoldentouchsalon.com; 718-983-0331
New York New York Hair Salon, 532 Forest Ave.; @gigisnewyorknewyorksalon on Instagram; 718-448-8009
Oak & Honey Hair, 1553 Forest Ave.; @hairbytorre on Instagram
Ooh La La Hair Salon, 1918 Victory Blvd.; oohlalahairartists.com; 718-727-2694
Painter & Mane Hair Studio, 1553 Forest Ave.; painterandmanehairstudio.com; 732-701-7684
Perfect Image Hair Salon, 238 Sand Lane; Perfect Image Hair Salon on Facebook; 718-967-2255
The Platinum Project, 2935 Veterans Road W.; @the_platinum_project on Instagram
Positivity Hair Studio, 8 Johnson St.; @positivity_hairstudio on Instagram; 718-356-4247
Pretty & Painted Salon, 1553 Forest Ave.; @prettyandpaintedsalon on Instagram; 718-419-8093 or 917-791-0442
The Right Touch, 3986 Amboy Road; The Right Touch Salon on Facebook; 718-317-0716
Risque Hair Salon, 1907 Victory Blvd.; Risque Hair Salon on Facebook, 718-727-8700
Rockefeller’s Haute Spot, 2271 Hylan Blvd.; rockefellershautespot.com; 718-524-5300
Salon Fé, 900 Hylan Blvd.; salon-fe.business.site; 917-757-3204
Salon Gioia, 1752 Victory Blvd.; Salon Gioia on Facebook; 718-442-5545
Salon H20, 2026 Hylan Blvd.; salonh2onyc.net; 718-667-4140
Salon Illusion, 895 Manor Road; Salon Illusion on Facebook; 718-979-3255
Salon K Hair Spa, 1553 Forest Ave.; @salonkhairspa on Instagram; 347-902-9585
Salon Sogno, 1652 Richmond Ave.; salonsognostatenisland.com; 718-982-9554
Salon Trésor, 84 Guyon Ave.; @salon_tresor_ny on Instagram
Samantha Lawrence Salon & Boutique, 6326 Amboy Road; 718-948-5170
The Secret Garden Salon & Spa, 702 Forest Ave.; thesecretgardenspa.com/staten-island-new-york; 718-815-5900
Serenity Hair Studio, 639 Veterans Road W.; Serenity Hair Studio on Facebook; 718-967-8008
Shades of Color, 30 Jefferson Blvd.; shadesofcolorsalon.com; 718-317-1221
Shadez Salon, 114 McClean Ave.; Shadez Salon on Facebook; 718-981-2326
Shampoo, 671 Bay St.; 718-876-7100
She & Her Hair Studio, 450 Castleton Ave.; @sheandherstudio on Instagram; 718-682-1718
Shelly & Bee’s House of Beauty, 1553 Forest Ave.; shelly_bees_houseofbeauty on Instagram; 917-374-3174 or 917-500-2350
Sorella Hair Salon, 3917 Amboy Road; @sorellahairsalonnyc on Instagram; 718-223-7566 or 718-223-7567
Studio 11 Beauty Bar, 1553 Forest Ave.; @s11beautybar on Instagram; 347-292-9065
Studio A by Alex, 139 Lyndale Ave.; studioa_byalex on Instagram
Style Connection, 1161 N. Railroad Ave.; styleconnection.info; 718-980-1388
Suzana’s Beauty Salon, 1670 Victory Blvd.; @hairartistnyc on Instagram; 718-761-2601
Tangled at Six, 1553 Forest Ave.; Tangled at Six on Facebook; 646-494-9529
Ted & Company Salon, 1444 Richmond Road; tedandcompanysalon.com; 718-987-2482
The Werk Room, 97 Storer Ave.; thewerkroomny.com; 347-607-3023
Transitions Hair Salon, 4005 Hylan Blvd.; @transitionsfullservicesalon on Instagram; 718-227-3204
The Vanity by Angelina, 140 Main St.; thevanitybyangelina.glossgenius.com
Vanity Hair Studio, 822 Jewett Ave.; @vanityhairstudiosi on Instagram; 718-682-1980
Verá Vienna Beauty Bar, 60 S. Bridge St.; @veravienna_beautybar on Instagram; 718-314-2641
Vintage Sol Studio, 2935 Veterans Road W.; vintagesolstudio.glossgenius.com
Visage, 1656 Richmond Road; visagenyc.com; 718-351-2525
Vola Via Hair Salon, 3173 Richmond Road; @volaviasalon on Instagram; 718-979-2220
Zoe Salon, 49 New Dorp Plaza; zoesalonnyc.com; 718-980-7020
HOW DOES ‘BEST OF’ WORK?
Each month features a different Best of Staten Island category: August was bagel stores; September was gyms/yoga studios; October was pizza; November was hair salons; and December will wrap up the year with bakeries.
For each category, there is one week of nominations, one week of voting and roughly two weeks of focusing on the top five winners as chosen by our readers.
The top five Best of Staten Island winners in each category receive individual coverage on the Advance/SILive.com’s social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok — and a collective feature in the Staten Island Advance.
