For the last 14 years, I’ve been trekking out of town to see my hairstylist.
I never really thought about what this bond means until about a month ago, while I was getting my keratin treatment done by Nuriel, who owns Numi Salon in Rye, New York. Every three to four months for the last 14 years, I’ve rearranged my schedule—from using “work from home” days to canceling weekend plans—just to take a cab ride and a 45-minute train ride to the suburbs of New York to pay him a visit. He straightens every hair on my head until there isn’t an ounce of frizz left.
As I sat in his chair last month, he looked at me through the mirror and said, while laughing, “You know, I’ve been seeing you since you were 13 years old.” I almost didn’t believe him, but after doing the math, I realized that my relationship with Nuriel started when I was just a kid and has gone well into my adult life, outliving any romance.
I questioned my sanity for a moment. Is it crazy to travel to get my hair done when I live in Manhattan, one the one of the biggest beauty havens in the world? Not to mention, as a beauty editor, I have a plethora of incredible stylists (many with celebrity clientele) at my disposal. Chalk it up to comfort (or possible trust issues), but I am bonded to Nuriel. In over a decade, I’ve never had to explain how I want my hair to look or fear that I’ll walk out with a botched style. I simply sit down in his chair and trust his mastery. Amidst all the chaos of life and work, with Nuriel, I can truly take a moment to relax.
I’m not alone in this sentiment. A quick trip to the suburbs of New York seems like small sacrifice compared to others who fly cross-country–or even across the ocean–to their stylists.
I recently come across a TikTok video of a girl saying she travels from Texas to Los Angeles to get her hair cut and highlighted because, as she so perfectly puts it, “once you find your people, you do not leave them.”
She’s right, and here’s why: Hair is one of the first things we notice about others. It’s why brands have cashed in on the idea of a “good hair day,” which is what hair tool brand Ghd stands for. It’s also why Dyson Airwrap tutorials are among some of the most watched beauty videos on TikTok. Almost everyone has a botched-cut or color story to share, and almost everyone has experienced the satisfaction of leaving the salon feeling amazing. We’re all on the journey to unlocking our best hair ever, and mine happens to require a train ride.
Beauty maintenance can feel like work for some people, but for me, it’s the opposite. There’s comfort in consistency, and loyalty to a stylist reaps rewards. In fact, I’d argue it’s one of the most important points of stability in my life. From my Bat Mitzvah to leaving for college to starting my job at Bazaar, Nuriel has been there for all of my biggest moments, including some questionable haircut choices. (We all have them.) He unparalleled context into who I was and who I want to be, and he’s able to communicate that through my hair. Trekking to Numi Salon a few times a year, and sitting down in Nuriel’s chair, I feel at home.
