John Barrett Salon

John Barrett Salon
Highlights, $150 and up
Cuts, $200 and up
754 Fifth Ave.
212-872-2700

Downtown Girl Goes Uptown

Situated on the 8th floor of Manhattan's playground for the rich and famous (Bergdorf Goodman in case you didn't know), the John Barrett Salon is synonymous (at least in my head) with Upper East Side WASP, Ladies Who Lunch and Carry Tiny Dogs in Purses, women who get blow-outs on a weekly basis, the Hamptons crowd, the Bergdorf.....blonde.

Now I am a downtown girl. My playground is the triangle between W. 4th. Bleecker and Hudson Sts. -- all the quaint cafes in between. And yes, I know Plum Sykes' protagonist in her trite and overly hyped book, "Bergdorf Blondes" was also a resident of Perry St., but I do my own laundry for heaven's sakes, schlepping it to and fro my 3rd floor walk-up. And yes, with my Friday appointment looming, I was a bit curious how this downtown girl would fit in among the salon's typical Philadelphia Main-Liner clientele from Manhattan's Upper East Side. I owned no Gucci, after all. No Hermes Birkins (OR scarves). Just one very fluffy, very fabulous Marc Jacobs dress. And yes, I wore it to my hair appointment. Because even when one is covered in salon gown, one wants to feel fabulous underneath the slickie.

You'll Never Know Who'll You'll Run Into at John Barrett Salon

According to Allure, Elle, InStyle, Vogue and Plum Sykes herself, John Barrett salon is THE stomping ground for those in the know and on the make. At the turn of this century, all the Brit young, chic expatriates got their tea and sympathy and blow-outs here. If you're socialite Tinsley Mortimer and you have a Frick Collection ball that evening you get your driver to drop you off at Barrett for a $100 makeup application and $300 highlights. And if you're Catherine Zeta-Jones and you have a wedding of your own to attend to, the man you call for your trio of pre-Big-Day appointments is Mr. John Barrett himself.

Barrett has cut the famous tresses of Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts and many, many others for a 'bargain basement' price of $400 (oh, but yes, the actresses NEVER pay). If you cannot afford Barrett himself, you can book your time in the chair with any one of a slew of fantastic stylists whose services come in a more affordable range of prices. Even if your name has never graces the movie credits, you can still book an appointment at Barrett and feel like Oscar royalty. I did.

The 'Highlights' of My Stay -- Starting With Color

Sashaying into Bergdorf Goodman and then subsequently getting lost because there are no signs pointing you to the salon on the 8th floor, can be a fun experience, especially if you are feeling rich in your Marc Jacobs flounce. You get to wander past rooms of couture, each floor boasting groups of the hottest designers one usually only reads about in magazines. But I digress.

The salon itself is tastefully put together with bunches of flowers, fabulous views of Central Park from the windows and a friendly (and charmingly unpretentious) staff who are at your beck and call, ready to serve you tea, coffee and even food. (At least I was offered food). I was immediately whisked to the color department, where my colorist George and his uber-friendly assistant quickly got to work complimenting my 'buttery' base, brushing out my snaggy hair and prepping the color for foils.

Q & A Time With George

George tirelessly answered my many questions about styling hair. Turns out George has worked for Barrett for eight years and is one of the originals. He loves a good foil and is an expert on what color suits you best. He switches effortlessly among his clientele like someone who's been doing this for years. When I asked him if he had to fight to get a station by the windows which afford the most gorgeous views of Central Park, George quickly replied, "Oh I won that battle years ago." Already this was turning out to be no ordinary visit to a salon. I quite liked it.

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