The Wayne Thomas Salon

Among the many things I liked at this sleek and stylish Chelsea salon: the customer service is impeccable and no one tries to push products. Their promise: We will bring your distressed, fragile, or damaged hair back to life. We don't just do hair, we create looks; and we wholeheartedly stand behind our work.

elp! was my thought as I entered the Wayne Thomas Salon in New York City; the help I sought would be a salvage operation, conducted on what was left of my hair after a particularly bad cut. I knew full well that a bad haircut is a nuisance rather than a tragedy, but it made me wince to see what looked like two or three different haircuts fighting with each other every time I looked in the mirror. Could it be fixed? Or would I be stuck with this mess until the whole thing grew out?

When Brian Meehan greeted me, he didn't wince. Nor did he do that Oh, my God, you ve gone and ruined your hair and only I can make it better number that so many stylists do to impress you with the gravity of your situation--and maybe to punish you for seeing someone else first. (Ironically, the unfortunate haircut had been done at one of the city's top salons.)

Brian remained friendly and thoughtful as I explained that I needed to grow out my too-short haircut and at the same time get some shape and structure into it. I was embarrassed as I also explained why my roots didn't quite match the rest of my hair; that was because I had made the mistake of doing a needed touch-up with a drugstore product that wasn't quite right. I've been traveling a lot, I said a bit defensively, and I didn't have time to go to a salon. Brian nodded. None of this fazed him. There were no operatic gestures of distress, nor any suggestion that my condition was beyond help.

He assured me that in time, all would be well. As my hair was very short, he could not create perfection with just one cut, he said, but he could and would get me back on track, and after another cut my hair would be even better. I liked and trusted him already.

Brian asked the all-important question. How much time do you spend on your hair?

None, was my reply. I wash my hair every third day and I expect it to drip dry into some coherent style. Brian pointed out, ever so gently, that the cut I had needed to be blow-dried otherwise I d be faced with the flyaway mess I was dealing with. Funny, I thought, I had told the other stylist that I wanted a no-maintenance haircut. I guess he just wasn't listening.

Brian went to work, telling me exactly what he was doing and why. Given his 22 years of experience as a master stylist and colorist and his calm and reassuring manner, I knew all would be well. And it was.

Among the many things I liked at this sleek and stylish Chelsea salon: the customer service is impeccable and no one tries to push products. Their promise: We will bring your distressed, fragile, or damaged hair back to life. We don't just do hair, we create looks; and we wholeheartedly stand behind our work. I believed it. Bridal services and complimentary consultations and styling lessons are also offered. A haircut and blow dry at the salon starts at $80 with a junior stylist, $100 to $110 with a senior stylist.

When I left the salon, I looked and felt much better. Next time, when I returned for another restorative cut, I d get a professional touch-up, too. (Single process color costs between $80 and $110, depending on who is doing the work.)

Wayne Thomas Salon

www.WayneThomasSalon.com

133 West 25th Street
New York 10001
(212) 366-6612