“I’m sorry,” Michael DeSalvo says into the phone, “I’m booked for the night.” He looks up from the call and winks at me. Me likey, but Candy Bushnell’s advice echoes in my head: wait until you’re back home before you visit the salon. How do you think cornrows happen?
But I couldn’t wait any longer. I’d moved to Syracuse and was beginning to resemble a Pomeranian, so I had to go about finding a new stylist, which brought me to Hairanoia at 101 Green Street and Hawley Avenue.
I’d heard about the salon’s owner, “the wheel of Hawley Green,” but when I called to book my appointment, he answered the phone himself. I scheduled, then inquired if the owner could cut my hair. “I am the owner,” he replied unassumingly
At the handsome, double-height salon, DeSalvo offers hot cider and gets to work on an amazing tea tree shampoo and head massage. Someone who obviously didn’t get the “booked for the night” memo prattles on. If her talking means the magic fingers don’t stop, she can babble all night.Soon I’m in the cutting chair and he asks me what we're doing. I look him dead in the eye and say, “Do whatever you want with me, Michael.” It’s the leap of faith one needs to take when finding a new salon, but DeSalvo, who insists it’s all about chemistry, has some more tips for finding a new man in your life:
Hang out: sit around and read some magazines in the salon you’re thinking about using. And if the magazines are more than five years old, press.Cruise: is your hairdresser hot? Would you sleep with him? Don’t play the old stylist or ex-con game. If your hairdresser has tattoos, that’s a good thing.
Cheat: Don’t be afraid to step out on your man. DeSalvo encourages his clients to try someone new. They appreciate him more when they come back.And not to get all Terminator, but I’ll be back.
