Since opening its doors in Manhasset on June 19, 1973, nuBest Salon and Spa has provided several generations of customers with a combination of exceptional service and unparalleled quality, combined with an experience that includes the latest, cutting edge trends in beauty and fashion.
Celebrating its 45th year in business this month, the two generations of family at the helm of nuBest continue to provide a diverse customer base from across Long Island, New York City and beyond with the same winning combination that is key to its long success.
“This is Michael’s legacy,” Christian Fleres, nuBest artistic director/colorist, says, referring to his uncle, Michael Mazzei, the salon’s founding owner. “There’s something to be said for being in business for 45 years and still be considered cutting-edge.”
Mazzei is one of the most beloved and well-respected individuals in the professional hair care industry. His vision of beauty and avantgarde approach to style has inspired stylists from all over the world. He has been instrumental in defining modern hair for men and women. Mazzei and his collaborator, Leland Hirsch, also developed ARTec Worldwide, an innovative global hair care brand that was purchased by L’Oreal in 2002.
“Celebrating nuBest’s 45th anniversary feels like a dream,” says Mazzei. “I am so proud of what my family and I have been able to achieve with nuBest. We have created a community for our clients, with the help of some of New York’s best stylists.”
Michael’s son, Jamie Mazzei, joined his father in the business about 30 years ago and serves as creative director and senior stylist. Michael’s nephew, Vincent Cascio, also joined the business about 30 years ago and serves as senior stylist, too. Their clientele has included countless celebrities who have pampered themselves at nuBest over the years, including Lance Bass and Joey Fatone of boy band ‘NSYNC.
But bringing in big names isn’t necessarily the endgame. Mazzei’s ultimate goal is to make every single client feel like a high-profile glamorous superstar. nuBest stands out from competitors on numerous levels.
“We change our uniforms every six months,” Fleres says. “It’s not just about your hair. It’s an entire experience that we’re selling.”
Although nuBest’s customers used to be mostly women, it’s now close to 60 percent female and 40 percent male.
“There’s a lot more men that come in and have their cut, as well as other services on a regular basis,” including hair coloring, than was the case several years ago, Fleres says.
NuBest has also become more social media-driven in recent years, he adds, explaining that to “attract a lot younger clientele, you have to move with the times.”
“Everything here is always evolving,” he says. “From the design of the salon to the way that we do hair to the way that everything is followed.”
The Manhasset location on the Miracle Mile has also been a key to nuBest’s success. Noting that it’s “very centrally located,” near the beginning of Nassau County and end of Queens, Fleres says the Gold Coast location adds to the diversity of nuBest’s clientele and helps keep it “very family oriented.” At the same time, “it’s not that far away from Manhattan” and “we have the Long Island Rail Road that’s walkingdistance,” he says, noting some clients come in from the city… and even as far away as Connecticut.
As the business celebrates its milestone anniversary this month, he adds: “We really strive to be at the forefront of the industry. We’re constantly working on different things to improve ourselves. A lot of times, people kind of stay stagnant. But we really understand the fact that you have to move with the times.”
nuBest Salon and Spa is located at 1482 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset. They can be reached at 516-627-9444 or nubestsalon.com
Fleres mark 45 years of nuBest.
