True Me Hair Salon

MUST KNOW FLUENT MANDARIN. I know other reviews indicate that the staff speak Chinese, but to clarify– it’s Mandarin. For reference, I happen to speak Cantonese with a poor ear for fast-​spoken Mandarin (they are mutually unintelligible) and I had a very hard time communicating with them.
Upon entering, I didnt even know if I had the right place. The sign in the hall is only in Chinese, and the price menu says «Falls Salon». It wasn’t til I sat in a chair and saw the business cards in a holder by the mirror. The place was poorly swept… there was hair everywhere in EVERY CORNER & EDGE of the salon floor. (Someone really needs to invest in a vacuum for this place.) I was shuffled to a chair by a lady (in her late 20’s) and immediately she started pouring something on my head from a clear squeeze bottle, quickly foaming my hair. I’ve never recieved a hair washing in the chair, I’ve only seen that done at barber shops for men. Good thing I came straight from work and was wearing hospital scrubs, drops of water & foam were flying all over my clothes. What I don’t understand is… they actually had 2 hair washing stations in the back of the salon, reclined chair + sink + shower head. One chair was open, Wtf was she washing my hair in the styling chair? At one point she was busy chatting with her co-​worker she failed to notice she pointed the shower head at the base of my neck, so that water shot down the back of my shirt! She must’ve seen the large wet stain on the back of my scrub top, because as soon as I sat up (immediately feeling the cold air) she frantically tried to towel dry the shirt and tried shoving the towel down my back!
After then shuffling me to another chair, middle-​aged man started combing & playing with my hair without even asking what I wanted. I had pics on my phone of medium layers, thinned out (I have A LOT of thick straight Asian hair). I showed the photo and gestured + added in some broken Mandarin to describe what I wanted. He barely looked at the photo and waved it away, saying he got it, then started cutting —Without even asking how long I wanted my hair to be! He started to trim around the perimeter, then the front. I made it very clear I did not want bangs of any variation. As he’s cutting the front, he grabs sections and pulls them front side to side, snipping away. I notice the front getting shorter and shorter. I remind him again, no bangs, and gesture how long I want my hair to remain. The only time he uses the feathering scissors to thin my hair my hair is to lighten up the ends he snipped. So, the bulk of my hair was still very heavy, except at the very tip of each section.
What I ended up receiving was a version of the 90’s HK cop-​movie actress-​mullet. It one section of really long hair in the middle back, shorter hair about the perimeter, and even shorter in the front. I could’ve given myself this haircut while looking in the mirror, because it looks like their was total disregard for the back of my head. I stopped myself from mentioning thinning out my bulky hair, because I prefer to have more hair for another stylist to work with when I have to go get this corrected.
The cut + shampoo + blow-​dry cost me $ 16 pre tip. I tipped 3 to the cutter and 2 to the washer, and promptly left.
Gave 2 stars because at lest the head massage was good. Really worked the temples. Still, Not returning here.

When I walked in, I was greeted by the hair washer and then directed to a hairstylist. My hairstylist was a middle aged man with glasses and salt and pepper hair. When I was seated, I showed him a picture of what color and cut I wanted. He took a look at my hair and with confidence, he worked his magic. When he was done, I was AMAZED! He did exactly what I wanted. I love my hair!
The only downside was that the hairstylist was too rough on my hair. He was literally slapping my hair and head back and forth. I had to tell him twice to be a little bit more gentle. That’s why I took away 1 star.
I am very satisfied with my cut and I will definitely return. They only charge $ 50 for a cut, wash, and color! I tipped the hairstylist $ 10 and the hair washer $ 5, so my total came out to be $ 65.00.

My sister found this place through Unilocal and I’m glad she told me about it! I’ve been twice now, and have gone to Julie (?) both times. For $ 16 (and $ 4 tip) for a wash and a cut I got more than I expected. She spent so much time on detail! She also used scissors instead of the hair razors typically used for haircuts in this price range, and I really appreciated that. I could see how the language barrier could make this place a hit or miss but I brought a picture with me and she cut it exactly the way I wanted.
I trust her so much now that I am willing to make the trek from the Bronx… but also to grab some yummies in the neighborhood :)

I walked in to cut my bangs and he cut them too short :(

I had a hard time trying to find this location at first. The salon is upstairs, so you have to navigate your way up the nearby staircase, and then voila! — You’ve arrived.
Honestly, what drew me hear was hearing that they offer a $ 10 women’s haircut! I’d washed my hair before venturing out, so I declined the shampoo service, but from observation, the service includes a massage, which seems to be very thorough.
Anyways, I brought in a few photos that represented what I wanted, and my hairdresser did such a great job! It helps if you can speak Chinese, but as someone who does not speak Chinese and was venturing into a hair place in Flushing… I thought I’d try to be prepared. Haha.
My hair was a bit of a mess, as my previous hairdresser chopped my hair into two distinct layers, and I mean distinct. My hair goes past my shoulders, but I had a shorter, awkward looking layer of hair that hit chin level. At True Me, I asked my hairdresser to try to even the layers out, and she did the best she could. I left with refreshed, healthier hair. I’d come back the next time I’m in New York! $ 10 is a steal for a haircut…

Haircut came out to be a total of $ 20. $ 16 for the actual cut and $ 3 – 4 tip. The service is great in the fact that someone will wash your hair (albeit while you are sitting up…). My hair stylist was also very kind. (*NOTE: It helps if you speak Chinese) but he did not cut my hair the way I wanted it to be done. I asked him to fix my bangs but he trimmed off so much hair in the front that my bangs came out 2 inches shorter than what I asked for. I also asked to thin and layer my hair. He took a shaver and shaved so much hair in the back… yes it came out thin but WAY TOO THIN. My hair tends to curl in such an untamely manner when it is too thin and as a hair stylist, this guy should have realized.
I used to go to another hair stylist called Oriental East and the hair stylist there (the younger male) has cut my hair the past 4 – 5 times. He has done a FANTASTIC job — understands what style you should go with (depending on shape of your face, thickness of hair, length, etc).

A $ 6 haircut? Sounds too good to be true? Here is the place!
Took a chance with this barber shop on the 2^nd floor of bustling Main Street on Friday mid morning while visiting Flushing, and was not disappointed. First impression of the place was that it is all quiet and has no clients, but that probably work out to be an advantageous point to the sole client of that time window.
The barber, Haixing, was quite serious about his craft… the haircut came out shorter than anticipated but it was evenly trimmed, a good haircut… easily surpassing most of the $ 20-​$ 30 barber shops in Manhattan. Gave a 50% tip to the barber for a job well done.

I was staying with my friend who lives in Flushing, and she recommended I get my hair cut here since my hair was getting so dry and brittle. The entrance looks a little dingy, but the salon itself is average compared to salons in China. We walked in without an appointment, and they serviced us right away. The barbers primarily speak Mandarin, and they’re not very talkative with their customers.
I got a trim (with layering) and wash for $ 16, great deal for the service and quality! They give you an amazing head and neck massage while shampooing your hair. The owner cut my hair and did a great job, he’s really dramatic about his movements which is fun to watch. Only thing is that he didn’t shape my bangs very well, but yet again, I’ve never been to a salon that has done a good job with my bangs.

Gets the job done, and done well for a good price.
My usual haircutter is here (the guy mumbles so much I’ve never really gotten his name, but you’ll know him when you see him, he’s in his 50s, sort of unshaven, and always wears skinny black jeans and black converses apparently since I’ve seen this in other reviews), and all I have to do is show him a picture, tell him I want side bangs and layers with some angling on the sides and he just gets it done without endless yakking or personal suggestions for pricey treatments or coloring. I’ve never had to wait for more than 10 minutes at this place. While the walk up is sort of creepy and the place is literally one room and isn’t winning accolades for interior design, it’s no nonsense and I haven’t gotten charged more than 15 every time, 5 bucks for a bang trim. Yay!

My brother went here for a haircut and usually he is extremely picky about how his hair is cut. So I was nervous to bring him because it was our first time going to the salon. At first, the salon looked very sketchy — well not in the context of flushing as a whole but still it looked sketchy. However, after going up the stairs to the 2^nd floor it wasn’t that bad and my brother got the haircut. The main point is that my brother didn’t complain and that is a huge compliment to the salon.

Came here on a Friday at 1 pm and there was no line, so I was seated right away.
I asked for layers and side swept bangs, and that’s EXACTLY what I got. It was done just the way I wanted and not too much hair was taken off. Chinese is not my primary language at all, but after I specified what I wanted, the hair dresser took out a picture from the drawer to make sure it was what I was envisioning. I was 100% happy with the cut, and 200% happy with the price! I didn’t need a wash so the cut and blow dry was only TEN DOLLARS!!!
The hairdresser took his time, made sure everything was even and looked natural, and took his time with the blow drying too, to ensure it was styled the way the picture showed without me even asking.
If you are worried about the language barrier, bring a picture of your own. Language definitely may have been the problem with those who were unhappy with their cuts, because the people here really do know how to cut hair well.
This is my new salon! I’ll be coming here from now on.

MUST KNOW FLUENT CHINESE!
I left here almost in tears. I came in with luscious, long layered hair and walked out with super thinned step hair when I asked for a basic trim. I also told her and showed her the max amount of hair she was allowed to cut off. I sat in the chair for 30 minutes watching her impromptu whack off my hair. It seems as though she only knows one way of layering which is the typical Asian fobby cuts where the layers are steppy and super thinned out at the bottom.
After she cut my hair when it was wet, she blow-​dried it and took thinning scissors and started thinning. it wasn’t until after the second snip did she ask me if I wanted my hair thinned. Well, it was a bit too late for her to ask so I told her to thin it out very little. She spent the next 10 minutes going crazy with the thinning scissors. She thinned my whole entire head of hair to the point where if I bundle my hair, I have only have the volume as I did before I went here. She never stopped and asked me if it was enough; she just kept whacking more and more hair off.
Obviously, she had a certain goal when she looked at me and ignored my request of «just a trim.» A trim in my definition is literally that: snip off just a bit keeping the same style. It’s important to know fluent Chinese to be able to communicate with them in case of emergency. Unfortunately, I didn’t know fluent Chinese to stop the massacre.
I’m also aware that a wash, cut and style is only $ 16, but I honestly would have paid double that to prevent my step hair. There’s not much I can do about it now except to let it grow out. Thankfully, I have an awesome bf that reassured me that I still look great!

Omg! Horrible! Never had less attention paid to my hair.
I chose this place specifically for the great Unilocal reviews. Little did I know what horrors awaited me.
I came in for a trim and he just snips away without checking for evenness.
I ask for a half inch off the back, straight across. There were many moments I felt uncomfortable and wanted to ask him to stop. He starts off the way I expected, Pulling up most of my hair and trimming at a thin layer of my hair. When he is done with that, he lets down the rest of my hair and takes chunks out with his shears. WHO DOES THAT?! I’ll tell you who — an 8 year old. I asked for a little bit of layering in front, and he just pulls a section of my hair with two fingers, and chops away at them as if he were cutting a sheet of paper. He starts drying my hair and I wonder when he is going to cut my bangs. I ask him if he remembers that I requested my bangs to be done, and he says, yeah — I’m drying first. Then he pulls out a round comb and starts styling my bangs. That’s when I feel really disturbed. I ask him if he is actually styling my hair before cutting my bangs. When he sees nothing wrong with that, I tell him, game over, cut is done.
I end up tipping the shampoo girl way more money, and I wish I didn’t tip the stylist at all. Before you start wondering if maybe he was a novice in the shop, HE WAS THE BOSS!

My friend and I were in dire need of a haircut. Since we were in Flushing, we figured we could find decently priced salons. Yay for Unilocal!After seeing the good reviews for True Me, I figured we might as well try it out. The place was a little shady and it’s pretty small. Also, the fact that English wasn’t the primary language made us a little apprehensive, but we stayed. SO GLAD. This place is amazing and the guy who cut our hair was a genius! He was meticulous and took his time with my hair cut to make sure I was satisfied with my hair. We both walked out AMAZED at what a steal this is. For a wash, cut, and blowdry it came out to be $ 16 before tip!
Go here!

The price is low, and they still give you a full hair cut and style like if you paid high price. I normally give then bigger tips because my hair cut is only $ 10-​$ 14. Men’s hair cut is $ 6 without washing.

I was so happy with my haircut I left with a bounce to my step and a huge grin on my face.
First off, this is not some glamorous salon. It is small and functional but I don’t care. I sat down while one of the girls hung my jacket up. Then she came over and started to lather up my hair while I was still sitting in the chair. (I have always had my hair washed laying down into the sink, never sitting up!) She took her time and it felt wonderful. She also gave me a short neck and shoulder massage. Then she washed it all out and took me to a chair. A lady asked me if I have a request for a hair stylist and I told her sheepishly it was my first time and I have no preferences. She asked this one gentleman reading the newspaper to do my hair. I was surprised because I thought he was a customer lol.
I told him I was tired of my long hair (it was down to my waist) and want to chop it off. I wanted a new style, I didn’t care if he gave me bangs. I just wanted something to look nice with my round slightly chubby face. He nodded and told me he’ll give me side swept bangs and recommended the correct length that’ll flatter my face. It ended up slightly below my shoulders.
about 40 mins later I looked into the mirror and couldn’t believe how good I looked. His name was Haixing, only spoke mandarin chinese (that was not a problem for me though). He was meticulous, and each move he made was full of confidence. (you can sometimes tell when a hairstylist is unsure of themselves). I asked for his name and tipped generously.
Wash and Cut before tipping is $ 16! cheap =)
I have found my hair salon.
=)

Just moved to NY a few weeks ago, and desperately had to find a new barber. I grew up going to Chinatown barbers in Boston and Philly, so i knew I had to find one either in Manhattan Chinatown or Flushing.
This place definitely rocks the socks off every hair cutting place ive ever been to. only 10 bucks, they wash your hair and massage your head. Even in philly, the cheapest i ever found that does that was 15, and 20 in boston.
I just wish my hair would grow faster so i could go back and get it cut again.

I used to go to Hair Mana, I too was lied to about Liu leaving the country. they told me that he went to Canada. Funny things that I bumped into him on the street and he told me that he is at True Me now. He been cutting my hair so long now, I pretty much don’t have to tell him anything.
Service is great and not expensive. Men’s wash, quick small massage, cut, rinse, and blow dry for $ 10. WOW! Can’t be beat for the quality.

I’ve been coming here since it opened several years ago. Actually, Judy used to work for Hair Manna — and they lied to me when they said Judy «left the country.»
In any case, a saw that she opened a shop herself in the newspaper.
Altogether, Judy has been cutting my hair for the last 7 years. It’s great to just show up and not have to give lengthy instructions and such. of course, my hair style hasn’t really changed much in the last decade =)
I’ve bought several other customers to them and they’re all now repeats. The guy in the hat is pretty good too and almost always there.
Prices are very reasonable and service is great.
UPDATE 4÷15÷2012: I’m still going to this place as it’s still great.

Indeed as per a previous reviewer, this salon is easy to miss as it’s hard to locate being on the second floor of an office building, above a mini mall in Flushing, Queens. No appointments necessary. It appears quite busy where all stylists were hustling and bustling on a Sunday afternoon. They are very attention to detail when cutting a good friend’s hair. The hair stylists massage the head when shampooing and rising the hair. Men are given equal time for styling and hair cutting as women for one hour.
I’ll have to come back when I have more time for a hair cut of my own.