KINHOUSE Hair Studio — Attraction in New York

I would go to this salon, specifically to stylist Lucas Clouser, at your own risk.

Long story short: I met Lucas through another salon where he appears to moonlight as a stylist while he’s not at what appears to be his main place of employment, Kinhouse. I expressed interest in extensions and Lucas advised that he does extensions at Kinhouse and could do mine. Shortly after, he asked for 1k to order the extensions. At no time prior to ordering, and only months later, did he tell me the extensions were non refundable. I was to have the actual extension appointment a few weeks later at Kinhouse. I told Lucas I changed my mind on extensions because I was having health issues and was scared that extensions would make the hair loss I was experiencing worse. He indicated he could try to resell the extensions so I gave him ample time (months) to do so. I followed up many, many times during those months to see whether he’d sold or what. I obviously wanted to recoup that money and if he couldn’t sell, I told him I would want to sell them myself. He very rarely answered and when he did he’d push me off saying he’d try to sell to the next person.

Eventually I’d had enough and called Kinhouse given this was their employee. From my perspective they took absolutely no responsibility for the actions of their employee and even seemed to mock me for being willing to Venmo Lucas in advance for extensions. I’d never had them so I didn’t know standard process. After much back and forth they said “as a courtesy” Lucas was willing to mail the extensions back to me. I did not feel comfortable going to the salon to retrieve them after the amount of animosity I was given by both Lucas and Kinhouse,

A month later, I have yet to receive the extensions, Kinhouse is ignoring my multiple emails, Lucas has ignored my texts, and I’m now forced to file in small claims if someone isn’t willing to make this right.

Simply, their stylist has 1k of my money AND 1k of extensions purchased with my money and does not appear to plan to return it.

Regardless of whether the original discussion occurred in Kinhouse, I expected to get the extensions in Kinhouse by a Kinhouse employee listed on the Kinhouse website. Kinhouse sent a nasty email advising me they won’t tolerate libel or slander. I am a lawyer and reminded them that truth is an absolute defense to either of those terms that they appear to have pulled out of thin air or google.

I’m sharing my experience because I’d hate to see another customer scammed out of money.

UPDATE - I had hoped Lucas or the salon would do the respectable thing and get me either my money or the extensions back so we could resolve the issue. Unfortunately, it's been three weeks since my review and I still have not received the extensions. What I have received was threats from Lucas and no response to my numerous requests for a tracking number given that he states he sent them but I have not received them. He was very angry that I left a review but yet hasn't remedied the situation. My review still stands. Exercise caution when dealing with this stylist. It’s been almost three weeks since my initial review, he claims he’s sent the extensions twice but they’ve mysteriously gotten lost both times and he hasn’t provided a tracking number. Now he has blocked me. Unfortunately I will have to proceed with filing in small claims court, adding both Lucas and the salon.

YET ANOTHER update to say please do not give money to Lucas Clouser or this salon because the salon doesn’t even seem to care whether their stylist absolute steals from clients. I’m still $12000 down and Lucas still hasn’t returned the money or the extensions so at this point...

My barber, Izzy, just moved to this location, which recently opened and is located within the Todd Snyder store on 26th street. I decided to follow him because these days a great barber/stylist is hard to find. Though The Kin Room is new, and the employees are still getting to know where things are and how they operate, they have already mastered great cuts and customer service. Upon entry, the front desk staff contacts your barber who meets and greets you. The assistant then offers you a robe before shampooing and conditioning your hair. Once dried, you are offered a bottle of water and taken to your barbers/stylist chair for your cut. At no point in the process do you feel rushed but at the same time, it never feels as if your time is being wasted. When your cut is done, the assistant offers to wash your hair. Dare I say, by the time I was all done, I felt cleaner then when I walked in. All in all, I had a great time at The Kin Room. From beginning to end, it feels like the staff wants you to leave with a positive experience. Izzy cut my hair and lined me up perfectly. The assistant was attentive and helpful. The front desk staff was polite and respectful. This all made scheduling a monthly appointment an all too easy decision...

What an excellent salon! First of all, it's in the heart of SOHO in an amazing space with 20 foot ceilings. They'll serve you a drink of your choice after you check in, and if it's cold, they'll take your jacket for you and store it safely.

Their shampoo techs give great a great massage, and the salon only uses high quality products tailored for your hair type. My stylist always consults with me first about what I'm happy about with my hair and what I'm not happy about. If I'm trying to grow it out, he's very adept at trimming and giving it the right shape so I always look good and never go through an awkward phase during the growth period, which is even more of an accomplishment because my hair texture is a crazy mix of curly and wavy.

Even if I'm there for a trim, I'm treated with respect and given his full attention. My stylist (Jameson) spends his time making sure I look great and leave with a smile on my face, and I never feel like I'm being rushed to accommodate the next appointment.

I consider myself lucky for having been referred here. Can't recommend a better place for cut and color in one of the best...