When was the last time you left home on business and didn’t have time to take care of the essentials like dry cleaning, or a haircut? It happens to all of us who travel for a living, male or female. Fortunately hotel concierges can cover the dry cleaning these days. On a recent trip to New York I was faced with the unusual combination of business meetings and a cocktail party at a very upscale venue with hundreds of invitees. A hairdo was in order, and when it comes to hair and business travel, the two aren’t necessarily friends.

I’m a tomboy. It’s not something I try to be, it’s just who I am. I’m not good with hair, my fingernails look like nubs, and a trip to the makeup aisle at CVS is a daunting and humiliating experience (let’s not even talk about department store makeup counters). Yet, sometimes, it must be done, especially as the holidays approach.

So, instead of relying on my clueless aesthetic insight as to how to find a salon in a foreign town with someone employed there who would not look down their nose at me because I am an idiot-savant in the world of creating a “look”, I did what any seasoned business traveler does. I had my assistant do the research, because she never fails. She discovered Timothy John’s by a combination of phone calls to our hotel concierge, internet searches, and phone calls. She chose wisely.

Timothy John’s is located on the West Side of Manhattan just beyond the Theatre District at 313 W. 53rd Street. Its location has more of a neighborhood atmosphere than salons with that mass produced feeling. Maybe that’s my inner tomboy speaking, or maybe I just like quieter venues to get my thoughts in order while traveling for business. The space was absolutely charming and personable.

While making the appointment, we were encouraged to bring pictures of whatever hairstyles we sought. So with sweaty palms and a furrowed brow, I Googled “hairdo’s”, and printed one out. My stylist at Timothy John’s was named Dawn, who was one of the most down to earth people I have ever met while traveling in New York. Even being fifteen minutes late due to a previously scheduled meeting was taken in stride, and my frazzled demeanor due to my embarrassing tardiness was put to rest. Her colleague was Brandy, who took care of my assistant, Amy.

To say my requests were met, is an understatement. Dawn cloned the picture I provided and even personalized it a bit by making it more “organic” as she described. This isn’t something that a tomboy would normally care about or even understand, but under these circumstances dealing with a task I would prefer to have no part of, I was beyond grateful. In fact, I left there actually feeling like I belonged in the black strapless dress I had stuffed in my suitcase (between my flip flops and running shoes).

Honestly, this salon was a life-saver, and for those more seasoned salon-goers, you will not be disappointed. This is the sort of resource you keep in your contacts list in your phone to help with those tasks you can’t leave home without completing, but inevitably will.

Timothy John’s Salon,
212.459.0130
313 W. 53rd Street, between 8th and 9th.