Local Color: Marie Robinson’s New Salon

You may say that Marie Robinson is an artist, and you’d be correct. But she doesn’t make art conventionally, with a paintbrush on canvas—rather, she paints the hair of Manhattan’s trendsetters and tastemakers, along with a slew of celebrity devotees. Robinson is not just any ordinary colorist: she is quite possibly the best colorist in New York City.

“I think I’ve always been artistically inclined. I used to draw and sketch a lot,” explains Robinson. After graduating high school, she did a six-month stint in cosmetology school before landing an assistant gig at the famed Pierre Michel Salon in the Plaza Hotel. Eventually, she was given the opportunity to build her own clientele with a position on the floor a couple of days per week. Shortly after, she moved to the John Frieda Salon, where she assisted Christophe Robin: “He’s a famous hair painter from Paris,” (of course!) “who is credited with doing Catherine Deneuve.”

And thus, Marie Robinson’s Balayage technique (painting the hair rather than wrapping it in foils) was born. Marie spent the next 10 years working at Bumble + bumble and The Sally Hershberger Salon. In this time, she mastered the art of hair color and amassed a bevy of celebrity clients including Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Heather Graham and Jennifer Connelly (she just turned Jennifer’s staple raven hair platinum blonde). About 8 months ago, Marie opened the doors to her Flatiron District salon, The Marie Robinson Salon, a sleek, inviting beauty destination.

With around 28 stylists and assistants, Marie notes that her favorite part of owning her own salon is “Working with a group of people where there is a mutual respect. We’ve created a nice little family vibe here.” Her favorite part about being a colorist: “The challenge of a transition and it coming out really beautiful and making someone happy.”  Amen to that.

THE MARIE ROBINSON SALON IS LOCATED ON THE FOURTH FLOOR AT 155 FIFTH AVENUE. SARAH HOWARD IS THE EDITOR OF BEAUTY BANTER.