A Cut Above Salon

Skip is a great guy — good men’s haircut, done quick, and always a good business conversation. Highly recommended

Love this place!!! Ask for Sophie!!! She does a great color and cut!!! Love how great my hair always looks!!!

Awesome place! Skip is extremely knowledgeable and isn’t afraid to tell you what works and what doesn’t. I was in and out in a quick 20 minutes, and that’s all I needed to receive the best cut of my life. Will definitely be back.

Great salon on the Mainline! Skip was a pleasure to talk to as well as super helpful by showing me the Do’s and Dont’s with my curly hair. I will definitely be back. Thanks again everyone!

I always have a great experience when I come here to get my hair cut.
Skip always does an amazing job on my hair, which can be a total pain considering its curl and frizz. He gives me lots of tips to keep it easily manageable as well. I also get my hair blown straighter usually and it always leaves me feeling amazing.
I am younger than the usual clientele at 25, but they treat me with the same kindness and respect as anyone else. I’ve sent two other people to Skip and they both had great experiences too.
Cash only!

Skip consistently gives me the best haircuts I have ever had. I highly recommend this salon!

I went there for color and cut. The color was monochromatic and looked «dyed» when all was said and done. I would definitley not recommend going here unless you want to eave looking worse than when you went in.

Worst color experience and Groupon experience I’ve had.
Marissa did not listen or didn’t understand what subtle dimensional highlights were, asked me to leave unhappy (to sleep on it to see if I’d change my mind) and then lifted color from the whole top of my head when applying toner! She used the wrong product, but apparently had no idea. Marissa also initially denied she had lightened the whole top of my head, which was natural except for her streaky highlights.
I’m still dealing with the damage that service caused and it’s almost two years later. I also had to wait 8 weeks before my regular colorist could fix this mess, to avoid further damage. Skip’s cut was ok, but his defending of Marissa’s choices were awful. At one point he leveled and said she was inexperienced. His solution was to color the whole area that had been lightened which felt like the easy way out. I came in (for my initial service) wanting natural and low maintenance. He also implied there would be little to no residual damage from the highlighting, toner and additional color (I think 2x) applied to my hair in 24 hours.
Check out their website. Skip is the only one featured, his experience feels dated and has typos! The salon ambiance could use some updates too, they need a visit from Tabatha!
This experience still has me fired up, please learn from me and don’t try this dated salon because they are offering a groupon.

New to the area and having to find a salon I decided to give Groupon a try. That’s how I came to this salon.
The stylist I was assigned, Marisa who was very sweet and professional.
A much needed color, cut and blow dry was done and I left fully satisfied!

I called on the phone earlier today to ask if this place talked walk ins. They said they do so I came when I had free time. Just wanted a wash and blowout. The woman working very rudely freaked out about how they were going on break right now and didn’t have time. A man came out saying i would be helped and of course I get the rude woman, whose tone immediately changed when I sat in the chair. She asked if it hurt about a million times when I kept saying it felt fine, not to mention it was one of the worst blowouts I’ve ever had. Could have done the same quality if not better myself and saved $ 35. Will never return. Don’t see what the hype is. It’s a mediocre, basic, minimal salon. Bad choice

While I was here, a girl cried at her haircut –which is dumb in itself to cry over hair — BUT the way the staff and the owner handled it were just atrocious. I watched this girl cry (no, sob) as her hair dresser tried to fight with her over why she did what she did and the owner stood right next to them, cutting someone else’s hair and just kept mumbling that he wasn’t going to do anything. They didn’t even offer this girl a coupon or anything!
I was at this salon waiting for my stylist for about three hours cause she had a flat tire and I told them I had no problem waiting, no worries. In my three hours there though, it’s clear that there is a lack of management and customer service at this salon. While they pumped out gorgeous hair all day long, the owner refused to acknowledge negative situations or hair stylists with attitude.
Anyway all in all my hair looked nice but this is clearly not a place where they value the customer, which to me is important for a hair salon so I will not be returning.

WATCH YOUR GROUPONS!!! The fine print says valid for a new customer or those that haven’t been to the salon in 24 months. It’s really only new customers. I found this out near the end of my highlights. The salon’s initial response was blasé but eventually they knocked some $$ off the highlights. (Which look good.) salon also wouldn’t even honor the value of the Groupon, so it was my issue to get it refunded.
I still need to figure out a time to schedule a hair cut somewhere else because the salon only accepts cash or checks and I didn’t have enough cash on me to cover the total with a cut added in. And truly, checks? Maybe it’s a Main Line thing.

I guess I am just a «quality of the cut» person. I can definitely appreciate a chic interior or a trendy atmosphere, but, honestly, it effects my option of a salon to a degree of maybe 1%. What matters to me is the skill of the stylist, who knows what will look good and keep well, but still LISTENS to what I want. (Honestly, there’s nothing worse than a stylist who you have to really fight with to get the cut you want… except maybe for a stylist who pretends to listen and then does whatever they want anyway… YOU know what I’m talking about; we’ve all had that experience, where you go in for a little trim and end up losing 4 inches… or a permanent «crimp» when you wanted loose curls…)
This review will be long and in depth, so buckle your seatbelts! :)
For the record, I have long, very soft (silky?), fine, dark brown hair that falls pretty straight, takes but does not hold curls very well, but naturally bends or curls in around my jawline. It is currently cut in deliberately chunky but now softened layers, falling about 3 – 4 inches short of the small of my back. I was only ever able to get it this long due to Skip’s cuts and care tips. I would strongly recommend A Cut Above Salon to anyone who wishes to grow their hair out.
The interior of A Cut Above is not chic, but it is pleasant and clean. Skip does not push or sell hair products, but will tell you what he used if you want to know and will recommend certain products (no loyalty to any particular brands here!) and supplements (such as biotin) to promote hair health. Moving on:
I always get my hair cut by Skip, who is now the ONLY person I trust to cut my hair (I did flounder to other salons once or twice since I started coming here, but each time regretted the falter and ended up slinking in to A Cut Above for damage control or correction!).
First Appointment Consultation: The first time I came to see Skip, I requested a consultation so he sat me down to discuss what I wanted for my hairstyle, which included a consultation as to my hair type and the way it tended to grow and behave, my current and preferred (i.e. «willing to do») routine maintenance for it (which, in my case, is basically «clean, condition, and comb»), the shape of my face and what would look good on it, etc. After getting a feel for my hair and my tastes, Skip suggested a very flattering feather cut around my face in order to frame it. I told him I liked this idea, but in addition, I really had my heart set on semi-​dramatic, sorta chunky «razor cut» layering (made me feel rockstar-ish…okay VERY «–ish»!). AND… he did it. Since I didn’t yet have the string of adjectives to explain the razor cut look I wanted, Skip continued to work with me, beyond my allotted appointment time, to make sure he got it right and that I was happy. It was a good, solid, flattering cut, that did not need excessive tending to or products to recreate each day. Moreover, as it grew out and the shape – naturally – changed a bit, it changed very attractively.
This consultation didn’t happen in subsequent appointments, which instead went like normal appointments generally do, but I imagine it would happen again if I told him that I wanted to drastically change my style. This is a «get to know you» type of place. The feeling I got was that it’s goal is to find a client’s ideal cut or style for their face and hair type, keeping the client’s preferences FIRMLY in mind, and maintain it.
The supreme benefit of this focus is that his cuts not only look very good at the time (if not perhaps extremely exciting), but they grow out extremely well. I’ll repeat my earlier recommendation to anyone trying to grow out their hair. Skip is very good with his trims and knows how to locate damaged hair and cut conservatively, rather than just initially cutting off 1 – 2 inches.
In summary, this is a place to get good solid cuts and styling and where the focus is on you and your hair. It is not chic or a day spa, but the quality of the end result is in the forefront, which I think is especially important for things as permanent of cuts. They don’t, as far as I can testify, do edgy or radical or extreme styles or cuts, but Skip is extremely good at doing maintainable, self maintaining, and flattering cuts, especially for long hair. He is also knowledgeable on hair health, but does not promote any particular brand of products, nor sells them.
Last thing, which I have to say is a bit of a bummer, is that it is cash only. That said, the cuts are pretty reasonable in price, considering how long they last and how well you’re listened to.

Let me start by saying that I have never seen a stylist more than one. I first came to see Sophie in September of this year with the Groupon For full highlights. I was so impressed with her work, but I knew you should be my stylist as long as I live in Philadelphia.
I called a day or so before I ended up getting my hair done, desperate for an apt (I am heading on vacation) her calendar was completely booked, but she found a way to squeeze me and in between all of her other clients. When I arrived at the salon today she had her work cut out for her. I let my roots grout so long about this awkward brown halo of roots.
Without wasting a moment she got right to work. She finished my entire header foils, and then began to multitask allowing her to see her other clients, Walmart highlights that and she cut and styled another patrons hair. Talk about great productivity
I should also mention that I hate small talk. Somehow, I never want to stop talking with Sophie. She has a great sense of humor and knows her stuff when it comes to hairstyling, cuts, and color. When she asked how I wanted my hair cut and styled I told her «do whatever, you know best, I trust you.»
The risk was worth it
I love the salon looking and feeling like $ 1 million
bottom line is if you’re clueless about hair, like me go see Sophie. You’ll be in good hands

I left with one of the best haircuts I’ve ever gotten. Skip knows his stuff with face shape. The service was awesome and quick. I was in, shampooed, cut, dried, styled and out in less than an hour. The staff are all really nice.
I’m in love with my haircut from Skip, I highly recommend A Cut Above. The quality is well worth the price.

It was ok. I had a groupon and maybe I had higher expectations for the Main Line. Parking was great. They have a private lot, so that was a bonus. I walked in and it took about 5 minutes to be greeted. The first thing I noticed was the outdated and slightly dingy couch. The second thing was a handwritten sign regarding tipping on a groupon. I found it a bit off putting and unprofessional. I was also very disorganized. There were old hair coloring bowls and used plastic gloves in eye sight.
Sophie was my stylist. She was great. Good conversation. She gave me the cut I was looking for and the color was great. $ 90 for a cut, color, and blow dry is great. Yes, I tipped on the full amount, which if I’m not mistake was $ 190. There is no way I would go back and pay that amount, but a $ 50 groupon, yes please. I would return for that deal.

I must say that Skip did a great job on my hair cut and his asst, Amy, did a great job on my color. The only thing missing from this Main Line location is the upscale ambience that the other main line salons offer. And the price is still consistent with ML prices, I.e. $ 70 for touch up roots color so I would like to see them offer wine or a little better coffee bar and maybe be a tad bit more sociable. But all in all, a solid place.

mrs. kens waxing services:
hands down the best waxing service i have gotten

I met someone with a great haircut and asked her where she went. She recommended «A Cut Above» in Bryn Mawr and suggested Skip as the stylist. I was very hesitant to go to a new salon, but definitely needed a new look and loved that the salon is right near Bryn Mawr Hospital (where I happen to work.)
Skip was awesome. He suggested some styles that would look well for me and went to town. He worked with my dry hair and the shampooed me and then he did the cut. He showed me how to style my hair and how to use the products he was using. He even made me put them in my hands to «warm them up» and do it myself so I could repeat what he did. He showed me how to dry my hair with the dryer and which brush to use. Incredible! He made certain that I could repeat what he did.
The cost was $ 65 for a cut, shampoo and blow dry. That’s a typical price for a haircut on the Main Line. I made an appointment for my next cut.
I definitely recommend «A Cut Above» and Skip – he’s a warm and funny guy. Also, extremely talented!

I found a deal on groupon for $ 100 worth of a haircut and blow dry for $ 30 so I decided to try it… For someone who has lived in the bryn mawr/​Villanova area all my life, I’m kind of embarrassed that I never noticed this place! I seriously passed it almost everyday!
It’s a very unassuming place inside and out but the the stylists seem to do really impressive cuts! Everyone who walks out of there had really nice hair. FYI, it’s behind the cvs on Lancaster avenue.