Capristo Salon

Today was my second trip to Capristo. A few months back, I was looking for a new salon closer to home and this salon was recommended to me by a few people. The price menu seemed a bit high to me, but I figured "You get what you pay for". After my recent experiences here, I think it's more like "you get terrible customer service, for what you overpay". My first appt with with Roman for their version of the Brazilian Keratin treatment. This was my first time having BKT done and I was nervous and wanted a reputable salon. Their version also only required 24 hours downtime, which was a huge draw. I arrived a few minutes early for my appt (on a Tuesday) and was greeted nicely by the front desk staff. I had to wait approximately 10 minutes past my appt time for a young girl to take me back for my shampoo. She was friendly, but did not introduce herself to me. I was then ushered to Roman's station. He barely nodded to me and then instructed the girl to put me under a dryer. Once my hair was dry, he then finally approached me and took me back to his station. He never introduced himself to me. He just started in. Throughout the treatment application, stylists were constantly coming up to him to complain about other customers. This is highly unprofessional to do in from of me! He did not give me much info on the BKT, how to maintain it, etc. I had to ask several questions about my aftercare and he almost seemed bothered by the questions. Now, come on, I am paying $350 and he can't give me a few instructions?? The most he talked about my previous hair cut (done elsewhere) and how that stylist must have been drunk with the "hack job" she did on my hair. Now, I knew my previous cut was not great, but he really made me feel bad about it. I was extremely pleased with the results, however. My hair felt smooth and soft and really gives me options with my styling. I can easily wear it curly or straight. It was exactly what I had hoped for with the BKT. I was just not very happy with Roman's behavior/lack of attention/styling/instructions/etc. Nonetheless (maybe I am a glutton for punishment), I scheduled a follow up appt with him for a trim and color. That was supposed to be today's appt. I arrived at 1145 for a noon appt and was told he would be right with me. The salon was noticeably more busy (a Saturday). Noon came and went, as did 1215, 1220, 1230. Roman did appear twice in the lobby-once talking on his cell and the second to get coffee. Clearly, he was not with another client. He never once acknowledged me, nor did the front desk staff. Finally at 1245---45 MINUTES after my appt time, I told the front desk staff that I could no longer wait and was leaving. The girl simply said "okay". No apology!! I was furious for giving this place so much of my time on a Saturday afternoon! I should have gone with my gut after my first appt. Although the results of the BKT were great, the customer service is terrible. The prices are very high. I WOULD NOT recommend this salon. more

After several poor attempts at going red, I decided to give it one finally try. I read great things about Capristo as well as Melissa in particular. And they were all accurate! Not only did Melissa do an AMAZING job with the color, the cut was excellent as well. Honestly, I think Melissa is the best hairdress I have been to in 10+ years. I would strongly recommend her to anyone looking for a quality job. Melissa also listened to all of my concerns and questions. She was very patience with my indecisiveness. And she was just a pleasure to work with. I felt like she really cared about me. As long as I live in Pittsburgh, I will be loyal to her. I will note that the negative reviews about front desk professionalism and manners are correct -- I found my first impression of the salon to be terrible, if not worst. I was not greeted when I entered. I stood at the front desk for 10 mins waiting for the girls to finish looking at facebook photos before they would take my name. Melissa was waiting for me this whole time. I actually considered leaving the salon before my appointment because I was so set off by this behavoir. First impressions are everything with salons for first time and repeat customers. This was very unprofessional. If other people experience this, just stick through it and you will get excellent service after the front desk. I really hope the owner takes control and fixes this problem. It is terrible for his business. more

I have had many Brazilian waxes and LYDIA is by far the best ever! I will never go elsewhere. She is professional, speedy and a lot of fun too. She makes what could otherwise be a very unpleasant experience into an enjoyable one - the results are amazing! You have to try this for yourself! You will thank me :) more

I have now lived in Pittsburgh for three and a half years. I have tried several technicians for a brazilian wax, and Lydia blows them all away. She is discrete, quick and thorough and I will continue to drive to see her from the South Hills. You can't go wrong with Lydia! more

I've been going here for a couple years for the expert beautician Lydia who is Belarussian and waxes my eyebrows like a champ. I like her stories about caviar, vodka, and meat...adorable love life advice as well. I put her face in my hands, you'd be silly not to. She's a steady pro and my face always looks like a better version of my face when she's worked her magic. Sam, an up and coming stylist, just gave my locks a trim today, and I mentioned I was growing my hair out to donate to folks who had lost their locks to cancer. She said this summer I'll have enough length to cut it off and and she'll help me mail it out to Locks of Love, she knew everything about it. She has ninja skills with the scissors and total confidence. They're totally on top of it at Capristo. Don't go anywhere else. more

Mediocre experience for an over-the-top price. This is not the place to go for a mani/pedi. First, I had to change my appt 3 times the day before to accomodate them for an appt that I made a week before. Then, after arriving on time, I waited 25 minutes before being seen. The staff were more interested in chatting amongst themselves then concentrating on doing the nails. Finally, my nails started to chip within 24 hours. Seriously, the cheap nail salons down the road are better priced, they take more time on your nails, and they still use the OPI products. As for the establishment itself. You can see the toilet from the hair salon. Gross. They serve coffee out of styrofoam cups. I hardly would rate this place as a five star hair salon/spa. more

I would highly recommend Capristo for its awesome staff. Everyone there is extremely friendly and seems to function well as a team. In particular, I'd recommend Melissa. She is so talented and super nice. She was able to fix a terrible haircut I had gotten somewhere else; I love the new style she gave me. She is truly gifted when it comes to hair, and very dedicated to the client; she works hard to make sure you leave feeling beautiful. She also made me feel at ease, even though this was my first time meeting her. She is definitely worth every penny (actually, a whole lot more!) more

So I went on here to find a top rated salon and I was not disappointed. It seems everyone requests Kim for hair and color so I figured I'd give her a try. I was NOT disappointed. Although she was running late, she did apologize and explained to me that she'll take forever on someone just to make sure they're happy. Honestly, I did not mind the wait. In the meantime, Cindy (totally adorable!), washed and dried my hair. It looked so shiny and amazing. After, Kim sat down with me and we talked about my options and what I wanted to try. She was so incredibly helpful and absolutely hilarious. Great atmosphere, great people, awesome haircut. I definitely recommend. more

After a few mediocre experiences with another Pittsburgh salon, I decided to give Capristo a try. I was very lucky to have been booked with Melissa. She does the best color/highlighting I've ever had. No skunky, streaky highlights here - the color looks better and more natural with my skin tone than my "real" hair color does! I get compliments on it all the time. Plus, she's just a nice, sweet person, genuine and friendly while you're sitting in the chair. A+ stylist, all-around. :-) more

I drive over 2 hours to see Kim for my hair. She always knows exactly what I need done. Color and highlights are perfect and so is the cut! Kim is the best! I have had several services at Capristo and have NEVER been dissapointed. We love the experience of just being at Capristo. We feel like everyone is our friend! We are from a small town and do not have access to such a nice salon. more

I came to Capristo having had a terrible experience at another Pittsburgh salon - to say I was a little anxious was an understatement. Melissa was honest, methodical, creative and empathetic. She transformed my hair and took it beyond my expectations. Bigger to me, she stuck with the process and was incredibly patient. I can't say enough good things. Truly. more

I have worked in Shadyside the past 3 years. I understand the clientele is demanding, but when you plan to spend money, I believe good service is essential. I wanted to be a new client at Capristo, as my hair stylist has recently moved. I called to schedule an appointment with Kim, a stylist a few of my friends and former co-workers have highly recommended. I was scheduled for 7/5/11 at 7pm. OK, that was easy. Right? An hour later, I received a voicemail that they needed me to reschedule for 7/6/11 at 7pm with Kim due to scheduling conflicts. So I call back and say that is fine. Or, I can take any appointment with her after 5:30 in the next 3 weeks. But I'll take 7/6/11 at 7pm, if that's the earliest availability she has, I said. Well, 7/6/11 at 7pm was already booked. Why would they call me for that appointment, then? By the way, this is 2nd person I have spoken with and 2 phone conversations and 1 voicemail. I get put on hold so she can check the schedule for July. I get another person at the front desk "Capristo Salon, Can I help you?" So I repeat myself, explain the situation, and would like to have any appointment in July after 5:30 with Kim. After 5 minutes on the phone with this 3rd person now, I am told they'll have to call me back once they check the schedule. I get a missed call, but no voicemail about 2 hours later. So I call back. I get the original front desk assistant from 2 calls ago, and explain I had a missed call regarding the schedule. I wanted to see what days they were calling about. She was very confused and asked the other person---I don't even know if this is the same one that originally called me. But she gets on the phone and says they could do a Saturday 7/28/11 at 2:15. OK, fine. Not what I asked for, but I just want to get this appointment set up and over with... Unforunately, that time slot on 7/28/11 is already booked and "not gonna work." This conversation has taken about 10 minutes, at this point. Not once did I get impatient, testy or raise my voice. Maybe I should have asked for the manager? They wanted to see if they could double book Kim so while my color is processing, Kim could cut the other appointment's hair. So they say they will call her on her cell phone and get back to me. Wait, no...That won't work either. I get put on hold again. And I get back to the original front desk attendant, she's younger and if you can follow this, she hasn't heard the whole story and details of appointments we've tried to set up with the other front desk person. She asks me when I'd like to set up my appointment. I tell her I had one for 7/5/11 at 7 with Kim and it was cancelled for me and I have been trying to reschedule for any day after 5:30 in July. She says "Ok, let me check the schedule..." And there's a long pause. Finally, I tell her I've been talking to a few people all day. I want any appointment after 5:30 or a Saturday with Kim for a cut and highlights. She looks again. "The next appointment I can schedule you for after 5:30 with Kim would be August 11, 2011." A month and a half wait? After all this? I said that I had an appointment next week and wanted to keep it in the next 2 or 3 weeks. She said they couldn't do it until 8/11. So I said thanks and hung up. 3 front desk attendants. 2 missed calls. 1 voicemail. 3 tentative and cancelled appointment days. 3 phone call conversations. No appointment. I guess they don't need new clients? I am sure the services and Kim are both fabulous, but the front desk staff should be better trained in client service. I would have been fired at my last job in Shadyside for this kind of communication and service. more

Definitely check out this salon. I have lived in Pittsburgh for 4 years now. For the past 4 years I have been searching for a salon that did my highlights and cut the way I wanted. I've had some horrible experiences elsewhere. So bad, in fact, that I had been driving 6 hours to the same hair salon my mother uses in a different state for the past year since I knew I could get my hair done the way I wanted there. Looking for something close to home and persuaded by reviews online, I checked out Capristo. I called and they were able to fit me in the same day for an appointment due to a cancellation. I had my appointment with Melissa who did a FANTASTIC job. I explained when I came in that I was looking for very natural looking highlights that didn't give the appearance of racing stripes. The outcome of the color was everything I could have asked for and more. It was a beautiful golden blond color (she incorporated highlights and low lights) and there was no chance of streaky racing stripes. She also worked with me to make sure that I was very happy with the cut that I got. While talking to her it was clear she was very knowledgeable about different techniques. It was a little pricey compared to alternatives in the area but by no means unreasonable. It was comparable to what I had been paying in Northern NJ. I also think the cost was very much worth the quality of the outcome. I would recommend Melissa at Capristo 10 out of 10 times. more

I always know what I want when it comes to my hair. I often find photos to convey to the stylist what I want done. I know that my hair will never look exactyl like the picture, but I hope that my hair resembles it. I've been to numerous salons, both private and one large (and rather expensive) chain salon. The chain that claimed to be the color experts botched up my hair and made it look like a skunk when I was trying to get the ombre look (a darker root shade that fades to light at the bottom). So i tried Capristo. I went to Kim and for once when explaining the ombre look, someone knew what i was talking about!! She did my hair perfectly and I've never been so happy leaving a salon. I would highly recommend Kim and the salon. The service was great and it was the best hair cut/color of my life. My hair had many different shades or blondes and browns that I've never gotten from anywhere else. Capristo Salon are the true color experts! more

I've been a client at Capristo for several years now after discovering the talented Breanne Kochmanski. I can't tell you enough how much I've come to love Capristo and Breanne. In my time living in Pittsburgh before discovering Capristo, I had been to so many salons in Shadyside and other parts of Pittsburgh that just never felt right. The atmosphere was often pretentious and uncomfortable and hair stylists not as talented as their salons would like you to believe. Capristo is the exact opposite. What you have created is so unique and refreshing. You are a high-end salon that truly delivers in every way. The atmosphere is so unbelievably friendly and genuine and everyone - from your stylists to the staff working at the front of the salon checking people in and out - goes out of their way to make clients feel comfortable. Breanne is truly the most talented stylist I have ever been to. From the very first visit to Breanne through my visits today, Breanne always makes it a point to listen to me to make sure she understands what I'm looking for in cut and color and executes perfectly every single time. Breanne is thoughtful regarding both today's color trends and cuts and what is most flattering on me as it relates to skin coloring and personal style. She takes her time, offers suggestions and explains styling concepts and I am so appreciative of the fact that in my time with Breanne, I am her focus and there are not two other clients she is working on. On top of her talent, Breanne's sense of humor and kindness also shines through. I truly can't thank the management, Breanne and your other stylists enough for being such an incredible team and group of people. Thank you for being so genuine and not creating a business model where you are selling an image. What you offer are high-quality salon services from a talented staff who are great people on top of everything else. Please never change. Your salon is a breath of fresh air and I don't know what I'd do without Capristo or Breanne. more

Just had to add to the chorus of praise on here for Kim! She saved my hair from a fried box-blonde and made it healthy again. I wanted my color to look natural, so I could go further between touch ups, and Kim totally understood me. After 2 years of seeing Kim, I just come in and let her do whatever she wants to my hair, it always looks amazing. I just moved away to Boston, and I can't find anyone who even comes close. I'll still make sure to book an appointment with Kim whenever I'm in Pittsburgh, she's absolutely the best. more

I had hair extensions put in a couple of months ago at Capristo (making my short hair long). They still look great! I've received so many compliments of how REAL they look. I have heard stories of other salons where the extensions are not put in properly. So glad I had mine put in here! Do your research before considering this process. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Capristo for hair extensions. I also highly recommend this salon for color and cut. I love my highlights. Very natural!!! more

I went to Lydia for the 2nd time to get my eyebrows done. The very first time I went to her she was awesome & gave me great arches & kept my eyebrows fairly thick - i hate pencil thin eyebrows. This time she made them really thin & they have no angled arch. I might give her another try, but I was really disappointed that she did not do them the same way as last time. more

KIM IS AMAZING! I have been going to Kim for 2 1/2 years. I have long hair that is naturally mousy brown and I have gotten highlights for years and was never completely happy with them UNTIL I WENT TO KIM! She was able to give me a variety of blonde colors that no one else ever could. Kim has done everything from golden, bright blonde and ashy tones on me, all which have looked amazing! She gets very close to the root so the highlights last longer as well! This past time I went, I was still fairly blonde from the summer months and wanted to try the Ombre hair style (darker at the top and fades gradually lighter). It turned out amazing! I have seen other clients of hers as well with all different cuts and colors and they are all beautiful! She is very talented at what she does and a wonderful person as well! more

I couldn't recommend KIM more to do your hair!!!!!! My boyfriend secretly scheduled me an appoinment to have my hair done at Capristo this past weekend. I was so surprised and so excited!!! I didn't know exactly what I wanted done, though. With Kim's help, we came up with a great idea and I couldn't be happier with it!! She put in platinum highlights, dyed my hair black, cut, layered, and thinned out my hair. It looks AMAZING and sooo unique. I've been getting compliments on it everywhere I've gone since!! Not only is she super talented, but she is very personable and funny, and was a pleasure to be around the whole time. She truly made my experience unforgettable and wonderful, and everyone who wants something amazing done with their hair should make it a point to go to Kim at Capristo Salon!!!! more