The Cultural’s Elite

In Pittsburgh on business and staying in hotel across the road. Unilocal reviews looked good so gave it a go. Excellent service, great cut. Will be back!

Every woman dreads looking for a new person to manage and care for her hair as much as she does. For someone who has lived in numerous places, finding a new stylist can be difficult. I had a stylist who no longer answered when I wanted my hair done. I was forced to search somewhere else. I had a woman at work whose hair is always nice. I asked her where she got her hair done at. She referred me to this establishment. I was referred to one of the owners, Sanoma, however she was unavailable. I had my appt with Rachel. She was very welcoming and nurturing. She asked me what I wanted done and I informed her that I’m an open canvas and we just went with the flow. She was very professional and provided me with phenomenal service. I’m very thankful for the referral. I was satisfied with my cut and style. I would definitely recommend going here for all your hair needs.
One satisfied customer!

Pittsburgh’s climate does strange things to one’s hair so I scoped out reviews on Unilocal and arrive at Cultural Elite with a same day appointment. Brandon, owner is a master barber and after 30 minutes my hair looked perfect ready to face the heat and humidity. Unfortunately, I visit only once a year, but I will be back. Brandon mentioned he will be a daddy in October, so I would hesitate about getting a shave around that time:) Congratulations!

Second cut from the salon, this time it was from Brandon, because Rachel wasn’t there. This guy has skills, literally made me curse with how good my hair looked. Very happy, go here you won’t be disappointed.

Maybe Cultural’s Elite does great hair, but I guess I’ll never know. I showed up 10 minutes early for a 2 pm appointment. The girl at the desk (who I later figured out was the one who was supposed to cut my hair) asked if I was ‘Jilian.’ I said no, but I also had an appointment at 2. She said I would need to wait a few minutes and got me a cup of water. Ok, fine, I was early, no big deal. I started reading a magazine.
So 2:00 rolls around, and in strolls Jilian, who is immediately warmly greeted and whisked to the back to get her hair washed. I had a brief wtf moment, but figured they were about to take me back in a minute too, so I just kept reading my magazine. And reading, and reading, until I’d read the whole thing cover to cover. At this point, it was 20 or 25 minutes after my appointment was supposed to start, and no one from the salon had said a word to me since I got here half an hour ago. After I stared blankly around for a few minutes, some other random guy that works there finally came up to me and said «She needs 10 more minutes.» No apology, no explanation. I really needed to get my hair cut, so I decided to stick around. However, 15 minutes later, the girl from the desk was still in the middle of blow-​drying and styling Jilian. I’d now wasted almost an hour waiting around, and frankly I was angry, so I left.
Meanwhile, during this whole time period, various other people filtered in after me, waited for some time periods (but no one more than 20 minutes) and then all got their hair cut. By the time I left, the place was almost empty and I was one of two people left waiting. Look, Cultural’s Elite, maybe your stylists are good at what they do, but they also need to care about customer service. A timely apology and telling me I could walk around for a while and come back could’ve saved the appointment. But your incompetent staff who apparently don’t understand how to schedule one appointment at a time couldn’t even be bothered to spend 30 seconds of their time doing that.

Omg I love this place I’m drinking sangria getting my hair done next to Mac miller!!! Holla!!!

I really enjoyed my experiance at Cultural’s Elite. From the first time that you sit in Brandon’s seat, he makes you feel comfortable and right at home. He took the time to give me a shampoo, cut and beard trim. I stepped out to Penn Avenue on a Friday afternoon feeling like a million bucks.
I highly recommend Brandon and the staff at Cultural’s Elite!

Sonoma is awesome. She listens to you and gives you her professional opinion and executes what you very well.

Rachel did a great job, good consultation and ideas on what to do with my hair. I’m new to Pittsburgh and plan to make this my spot. Clean, spacious shop all for a fair price. I’ll be back.

Rachel did wonderful job, very professional and gracious and fair price. Men’s hair cut was just what I was looking for and she did great work, listening to what I wanted and delivering. When it Pittsburgh will be back! Recommended!

Superb place. I moved from Miami and I was initially worried I wouldn’t find an elite barber. Luckily my first time up to bat I found this place. Brandon is well versed with any male hair type, and does an excellent job. Prices are very fair and he spends at least thirty minutes with every client, attention to detail. The shop is professional and the staff extremely friendly. I whole heartedly recommend this place with no reservation at all. I told my fellow physician colleagues at the hospital.

Very few places in town that can give you a good, consistent short haircut with a very good fade.

I’ve been going to Brandon for about a year and a half and couldn’t have better things to say about him and the rest of his shop. The entire team is friendly, welcoming, and professional.
I’ve only had my hair cut by Brandon and he has done a fantastic job time and time again, to the point where if he wants to try something new, I just let him do whatever he thinks. I get more complements on my hair now than I ever had before, and I’ve been paying for high end hair cuts for years.

Just left this amazing place with my new fall color! Thank you Sonoma for your excellent service and reccomendations!

I haven’t had a hair cut downtown in a long time, but I had put off my haircut for far too long and was looking to try a new place. Barbers are kind of like dentists or doctors; it might take a while to find one that you like, but once you find them, you stick with them.
After reading the reviews on Unilocal,I decided to give this place a try. It is getting difficult to find barbers these days and there is truly no substitute for the cut provided by a barber vs. a stylist when it comes to mens hair.
The place is comfortable and tastefully appointed. I like that it felt normal inside and not snobby or overly trendy like some places downtown or in Shadyside. When I opened the door, two Yorkies came running to greet me and continued to play the entire time I was there.
I had a moment of panic when I realized that Brandon was busy with other clients and I wouldn’t get my sought after barber cut, but Rachel did an excellent job with my hair and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her work.
Overall, I was very happy with the service, the cut, and the price. It ended up being $ 25 for a cut with wash, which is pretty fair given the quality, attention to detail, and location. It looks like I found my new place.

Walked pass this place for a good month before I decided that I would try it out. I am so glad that I did. The service was excellent and I can’t imagine going to another hair salon. The co-​owner, Sonoma, was amazing and took really good care of my hair. This place is HIGHLY recommended.

Walked pass by this place just in time I needed a new hair style for fall. Decided to give it a try and that was the BEST decision ever!
I don’t usually go to a hair salon and I don’t want someone to mess up my hair either so it was hard for me to choose a new place to do my hair. But I’m glad I did.
The co-​owner, Sonoma, was the one who did my hair. She was really nice and so professional. She knew what I need and did it right. She also gave me advise about what hair products to use to extend the color of my hair.
The price is a little bit pricy but it’s so worth it!!! Def going back again when I have a chance.

I am a first time weave owner. Lol I’ve done clip ins but that was in H.S. for dances like prom/​homecoming.
I’ve been trying to grow my hair out for about 8 years with no real success… not too mention age playing a factor with my hair thinning out & stress. Soo…
I took the plunge bought myself some fabulous hair, got a reference from a friend for this place who said Brittany is amazing,& I called to make an appointment.
Person on the phone was wonderful, nice.
Appointment day came, I’m amped, excited, & nervous all in one.
Brittany was a real doll. She did 4 tracks on my head. braided/​sewn in, she was fast, fierce, fabulous, & really fun to chat with. She got it done in 1.5 hours flat.
The price was GREAT. I fully expected to pay a ton more but I didn’t. I tipped the crap out of her. Lol
Everyone who has seen my hair/​weave has exclaimed how natural it looks & I’ve referred about 7 – 8 ladies to Ms. Brittany to get their weave on.
Very happy, will be back! !!

When I’m thinking about reviewing places rarely does the thought to review the barber who cuts my hair come to mind. As with most men getting my ears lowered is probably down near the bottom of my priority list. Often times I get my hair cut short not because it’s so stylish but because it’s low maintenance and I don’t have to get it cut for a bit of time.
Then you go to a barber shop on a whim. I need a cut on the hair, I didn’t have time to run to my usual spot, and frankly it’s only about a two block walk from the shop. So I sauntered down the street thinking well if it’s a women’s salon oh well I have to get a hair cut!
So I walk in and I’m immediately greeted by these two small lap dogs that belong to the owners and to be honest they are super affectionate little monsters. The young man behind the reception counter politely greeted me after the little pups did and squeezed me in to have Brandon the owner of the shop clip me up. That’s where I was very impressed. Brandon greeted me also asked me kindly to give him a few more minutes before he could seat me for the haircut.
What first struck me with Brandon was that he looks so young which of course added to my trepidation with putting my hair in his hands. I had never been here and now I have a baby face barber coming at me with shears and clippers!!!
What a true surprise and find Brandon is!!!
He is a consummate professional with that great barber twist… how long has it been since you’ve sat down in a chair with a real barber who takes pride in his craft (if you’re a man). Well he was like Jackson Pollock with his tools of the trade or Evgeni Malkin with a puck screaming towards the net on a break away. In other words an artist with shears and clippers. Not only did he listen to what I wanted but he delivered with panache and suave style!
So to make it even better the salon is split in two with the right side being the barber side for all us guys to be guys and get our hair cut by a smooth criminal with clippers. On the other side is the ladies paradise. After my experience my daughter needed her hair done also. So off to the local barber shop/​salon we went.
To say my daughter was skeptical of her dad taking her to where I get my hair cut is an understatement but she was definitely glad she went. She was introduced to Sonoma and again this lovely lady listened intently to my wife and daughter on what they were trying to do with her hair, because as any guy knows, women’s hair is a magical journey into the feminine psyche of «beautiful». Add to that mix a sixteen year old girl and the stage is set for massive disappointments and tragedies if even one lock falls wrong.
Sonoma not only listened, provided feedback, she has girl talk while working down pat. I watched as my daughter went from a nervous teen worried with the outcome of her hair to being at ease and letting a talented professional ply her craft. Sonoma took her time and delivered in a big way! My daughter felt transformed, strutted like a supermodel on a runway in Milan, and was smiles from ear to ear.
So if you are in downtown Pittsburgh, PA and find yourself in need of a great haircut and style stop by and be wowed by your experience give Brandon or Sonoma a call.

I was in Pittsburgh for the week and was in desperate need of a haircut. I chose Cultural’s Elite on Unilocal because it was the closest to my hotel. I was blown away by how great my experience was.
I was greeted at the door by two adorable little pups. Rachel was my stylist. She got me right in the chair and asked what it was I needed. She delivered on my every request. Sometimes people go way too short when you tell them not to. She did amazingly. After my cut, she washed my hair, dried it and cut the uneven bits. Then she offered for me to style my own hair. I let her do it because she had already been so great.
I was in and out in 40 minutes.
All in all… a great experience!
Go there!