Best five historical salons

Paul Mole Barber Shop
Best known for its precise straight-edged razor shaves, this nostalgic barbershop has been grooming men since 1913. (John Steinbeck used to come here to be debearded!) Choose from its signature Deluxe Open Razor Shave ($29), a haircut (starts at $29), a scalp massage ($10) and more. Each of the eight barbers have been on the Paul Mole staff for years and have a few stories to tell—ask them about former clients like Lionel Barrymore and John McEnroe. 1031 Lexington Ave at 74th St (212-535-8461, paulmole.com)

Gerard Bollei
While the claim to being “the original super salon” in the city might not hold much weight (it didn’t open until 1965), this salon does have a stake in history. All of the “swans” on the guest list for Truman Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball were styled by Bollei (back when the salon was housed in the Plaza Hotel). About ten years later, it moved and became one of the first tenants in the Galleria. Still in the grand cement-framed building, the salon continues to draw celebrity clients, but the attraction is more of a family affair: Sets of grandmothers, mothers and daughters come for cross-generational pampering. The most popular service is color correction (single processing starts at $100), and of the 95-person staff, at least half are experts in the procedure. The two-story salon is also known for eyebrow waxing ($50) and precise cuts (starting at $110 for women). 115 E 57th St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-759-7985, gerardbollei.com)

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas
Today there are 30 Elizabeth Arden spas in the U.S., and the brand generates about $700 million a year in retail sales. But the business had to start somewhere. This was Arden’s first spa, which she opened it in 1910. It’s been modernized over the years with new techniques and processes, and customers come for the haircuts ($85), deep conditioning treatments ($25) and color processing (from $90). Additionally there are all types of manicures and pedicures (with olive oil, warm cream and more), massages and facials. 691 Fifth Ave at 54th St (212-546-0200, reddoorspas.com)

Seagull
It’s had the same name since it opened as the city’s first unisex barbershop in 1971, but there’s nothing passé about the salon these days. In 2006, musician Johanna Fateman (of electronic-punk band Le Tigre) and Seattle stylist Shaun Cottle took over as the new owners. They revamped the space while still leaving behind traces of the original establishment—including the tag line FOR WOMEN…FOR MEN emblazoned in gold on the window. Filled with custom furniture and standout art, the salon—which offers haircuts (from $85) and single-processing colors (from $100)—already counts a host of art-world celebrities among its regular clients. 240 W 10th St between Bleecker and Hudson Sts (212-989-1807, seagullhair.com)

Park Slope Barber
The oldest barbershop in the United States was opened in Saugus, Massachusetts, in 1902. Trailing closely is this Park Slope institution, which opened in 1903 (the dates, which read 1906 and 1904, are incorrectly printed on the shop’s window and awning). Run now by Angelo Fiumefreddo, the shop maintains its old-school feel with the help of a 100-year-old brass cash register, leather chairs and other haircuttery artifacts. Angelo and his brothers host a 90 percent male clientele, but women do pop in for trims now and then. And with cuts starting at $14, it’s like their price list was made during the first recession! 223 Seventh Ave between 3rd and 4th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-965-4366)

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