Lisas Unisex Beauty Salon

No appointments are needed because there are enough women there to take you without too much trouble. Yes, there can be slightly extended wait times during the peak days and times but they're not bad enough to warrant creating an appointment system. They open every day and have long hours.



After you find street parking (which may take a while), just walk right in and head to the back where one of the women will wash your hair with some sort of wonder-shampoo and conditioner. Feel free to bring your own shampoo/conditioner but it'll cost you a few extra dollars. After the wash ritual, someone else will set your hair in the magnetic rollers and sit you under one of their VERY HOT driers. A word of warning for those who are intolerant to the heat...don't be afraid to ask to turn it down a couple notches because you will be uncomfortable the entire time and that is no fun at all.



Grab a magazine or dig for the book you brought with you and hunker down for the next 45 minutes to an hour. I would recommend checking the dryness of your hair to make sure that it's completely dry when the timer is near its end because there is nothing worse than sitting under the drier, thinking that you're all dry and then when the stylist gets you 10-15 minutes after the timer has ended, she sits you back under the drier for another 20 minutes.



When you're finally dry, be prepared for yet another hot blast where the stylist blows out your curls and roots. Yes, you'll want to cry when the heat is on your scalp but your hair will look so good. :) If you want a doobie (hair wrap), have your pack of bobby pins ready for your stylist to use as she works her wizardry of wrapping your hair around your head. If you forgot to bring hair pins, they'll use their own but that will cost you a little more but not much.



Oh what I would give to be able to go to Lila's every week! Why don't they have these kind of salons on the west coast??? Lila's is one of the top local spots I miss the most about NY (yes, I'm easy to please). It's cheap enough to go every week if you have the time as it costs no more than $25-$30. And that is after tips...and please do tip the women.