February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Olivia Tracey
An Irish bar in New York is nothing new. An Irish hair salon in New York has a different twist. But an Irish hair salon that serves chilled wine with a main course of pampering is what I call a lucky brush with fate. And quite a "mane" course it was down at the Gina Thomas Hair Studio as I found myself swept up in a dazzling do of unadulterated indulgence. Needless to say, I languished in submission.
"Is that alright for you?" asked Franky, my stylist with genuine concern as he massaged my head with a deep conditioning "juice up," a sort of smoothie for the scalp. I could have had, among others, the "Grapefruit Kicker," for limp deflated hair, or the "Avocado Drench," for dry hair, but I chose "Tamarind Life Saver" to put back the shine and preserve the color of my blonde-enhanced locks. Surely you didn’t take me for a true blonde. Well, what can I say? Now you know.
He also included an "Energy Up Bionic Hair Tonic" with Vitamin H, which helps to reduce hair loss and promote growth. The products used are the Lifetex line by Wella, which contain natural fruit extracts, are non-chemical-based formulas, are not tested on animals, and are DEA, MEA and sodium free. An added bonus was Franky darling massaging not only my scalp, but also my neck, shoulders, arms and hands. And to think he wanted to know if it was alright. If it got any better, I’d be asking him home.
Of course, just as I was cooling down on my Cuvee Du Long, served in an elegant wine glass, I was then introduced to the "Big Sexy Hair" products by Keely. They came with the charms of Clare-born and bred Thomas Downes, who attended meticulously to my mane while chatting away joyously. I got the lowdown on his time growing up in Kilmihil, Co. Clare, his training at Paul Martyn’s Hair Salon in Ennis, his four years at The Hair Shop on Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx, another four years at Salon Headlines in Chelsea and, finally, three years at Bang, where he worked with stylist and colorist,Gina Marchiony.
Now Thomas is one of four partners in the Gina Thomas Hair Studio, along with Gina, and no other than Philip Quilter from Failte’s Irish bar, and Philip’s wife, Loreta Kenny, whom we all remember as the bartender extraordinaire at Fitzpatrick’s Hotel a few years back. Considering that colorful fusion of ownership, it’s not surprising that the Gina Thomas Hair Studio is alive and very much happening.
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Indeed, its location is equally happening, right in the heart of the up-and-coming meat packing district of Manhattan, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues at 350 West 14th St., only steps from the subway station.
It had been many years since I’ve been down in that area of the city, and my return recently left me very pleasantly surprised. In fact, it was Philip and Loreta who discovered the space and suggested it to Thomas as a venue for his own salon. However, at the time, Thomas had other plans. He was heading back to Ireland after 11 years in New York. Nonetheless, he suggested a meeting with his colleague Gina, whom he thought might be interested in opening her own salon. Well, the quatro met in Failte’s, the return to Ireland went west, and it became a case of "they met, they talked, they opened." That is, six months later, on Jan. 5, 2001.
"It was a shell," said Gina, who hails from Matawan, N.J. "There was nothing," she continued, "no plumbing, no lights."
Months of hard work put an end to that . The total renovation resulted in white walls, charcoal marble tile floors with matching chairs, and a mix of royal blue and white Spanish-style pebble tiles surrounding the mirrors and reception desk. The Gina Thomas statement is clean with a capital C, right down to the immaculate bathroom.
On my arrival at Gina Thomas at 7:30 on a recent Thursday evening, I was struck by the energy. The place was alive and bustling with clients, while Jennifer Lopez sounds added to the va-voom. Referrals and positive word-of-mouth, along with strong community support, has the clientele fast growing, grooming Gina Thomas into a very healthy business indeed. A hair salon with a difference, plus a delight in going the extra mile, is only part of the salon’s secret to success. Along with cut, color and conditioning, not to mention the massage and that complimentary glass of wine, you can even have your makeup done by charming manager and make-up artist, Affan, who, incidentally, has the best blue eyes in the business. A makeup lesson is also part of the service, as are special events from brides and bridal parties to photo shoots and film. The broad range of services and added treats are mostly entwined like a perfectly coiffed chignon, with prices more than reasonable for Manhattan, $40-55 for a cut, $60-150 for color and $10-15 for deep conditioning spa treatments. Product purchase ranges from $4-21. All in all, the client is made to feel like a star, at non-star prices, hence the salon’s gold star logo.
And like a star is exactly how I felt. A visit to the hairdresser for me is usually one of those items on my "to do" list. Well, this time it was different. It became a night out in itself with over two hours of pampering followed by a candlelit gathering in the nearby Chingalle’s restaurant. I emerged with big sexy hair that could certainly have given Cindy Crawford a run for her money. I was ready for a night on the town. And so was Thomas’s brother William, over on vacation from Ireland with his elegant girlfriend, Marion, who was even more elegant after her new hair cut. And, of course, the party could not be complete without the delightful company of Loreta, who amused us all no end while her Italian-Irish stylist, Lynn Midolo, coiffed her to sheer glamor. In fact, according to Gina and Thomas, Lynn’s help was indispensable to the establishment of the salon.
Barely five months in existence, Gina Thomas employs seven stylists, one manager and four assistants. They are open six days a week, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, with Monday a day of rest. At Gina Thomas, they aim to please. Believe me, they succeed. For reservations, call (646) 336-6151.