Samuel Shriqui Salon

Profile

Samuel Shriqui eschews the large-windowed opulence of neighboring Madison-Avenue salons in favor of the privacy and comfort of a space that sits slightly below ground level and keeps foil-haired clients safely out of view of passersby. The welcoming atmosphere attracts clients from Tribeca to Turtle Bay, although on any given day, a fair number of stations in the small, flower-bedecked salon are occupied by well-to-do Upper East Siders. Shriqui caters to this clientele, offering up-dos, perms, quick blowouts, facials, and manicures, in addition to cuts and color. The Israeli native describes his style as a mix of classic French (soft, bob-like cuts) and English (short rock-and-roll 'dos), and has also developed a reputation for knowing exactly what to do with extremely curly hair, which, he explains, is "what we work with all day where I'm from." When the weather is nice (and, of course, not frizz-inducing), three alfresco hair stations are set up in the salon's backyard, complete with large mirrors and all the accoutrements needed for a styling far more professional than a back-patio trimming from mom. — Kate Jacobs