Michael’s Custom Cut

I’m looking at the reviews and I realized that this was a barbershop and I had no idea and have went there twice. Maybe if I had known initially I would have been more hesitant but both times I got a cut on my waist-​length hair I had great experiences. I had my hair cut with swept side bangs both times and I had loved how it came out each time and I have for most years of my life thought bangs would never look good on me.

One of the few places I got a good haircut around UPenn area. It’s not a boutique shop, but you have to make an appointment. Mike cut my hair twice in a matter of several years and both times he did a fine job. I would recommend this old school barber shop.

I’ve been coming to Pete for almost 5 years now and he is by far the best barber I have ever had. He does a fantastic job every time I go, knows what I get every time (even if I don’t see him for 6 weeks), and is extremely courteous and professional. As long as I live in Philadelphia, Pete (and Michael’s) will be the only place I get my hair cut.
After spending my young adulthood going to your average «hair cuttery» the experience is totally different and better in all measurable ways. I’ll never go to one of those awful chains again. Thanks Pete!

Michael you are a good person but that’s the third time you are screwing my hair. The first time I told you exactly how I wanted — did not get the results. The second time I showed you pictures — same result. This time I showed you the video. All I want is a perfect side parting. Why do you cut my hair so short that I can’t do anything with it??? It takes me forever to grow and you cut it shorter than required in 15 minutes. The reason I tip you 40% is because you put it in so much efforts that I feel bad.
Sorry but I am never coming back again.

I completely agree with what Rob has said in his review; I walked in here around 11 AM on wednesday morning hoping to get a haircut and the rude receptionist just flat out told me that they’re by appointment by only and that I would have to come back around 1. I looked around the waiting room and I was the only person there besides the person that was getting his hair cut. Seriously? Whatever happened to letting your customers wait in the waiting room? Don’t act like you’re a high-​end boutique when you’re just an average Joe’s barber shop.

I started coming here after being disappointed with a couple spots in UC and tired of going into the center city. The cut is relatively cheap $ 19, most places in the city are $ 20 or more. There are two older guys that I have noticed cutting hair. Both of them have given me good haircuts, but nothing spectacular. They are also pretty accommodating and not too busy. There isn’t anything as good as this place in UC for the price, but that really doesn’t say much.

I guess the guy who cut my hair was the owner, he was skilled. No complaints.

I went here maybe 5 – 6 times when I was a grad student and stopped going because of the attitude. I always came in as a walk-​in because of my hectic school schedule, and their receptionist each time would scoff at me for not having made an appointment beforehand, even though there was nobody else in the waiting area and I was always seen immediately. «Please make an appointment next time» I would hear on my way out.
Great way to treat your customers! Haven’t been back since.

I had a younger female cut my hair (I believe her name is Lynn), and she did a horrible job. I told her that I wanted my bangs and ends trimmed, and she basically cut straight across, promising to touch up the bangs at the end. The next thing I knew she said we were all done, she hadn’t revisited my bangs, and they still looked like a straight line. I told her to make the edge a little more uneven, she gave me some attitude about not describing my desired haircut adequately, and then chopped off some pieces. Now one half of my bangs is way higher than the other, and I had to head straight to a wedding from that appointment. I can appreciate that the owner is probably very skilled, but unfortunately due to my one experience I will not be going back. I basically paid $ 23 (only left $ 2 in tip, which the receptionist gave me attitude about as well) for an elaborate hair wash and something I could have done a better job with myself.

I’ve been getting my haircut here since I was born and Pete has never disappointed. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants a good haircut for a fair price.

This place ok not great at
advice is to get a appointment with the guy barbers weather your a women or guy. there good at cutting mens and womens hair. I got stuck with the lady barber there twice.(she’s young and training) does not listen to what you ask. Just keeps cutting till I had to say stop cutting. please. Then had to get one the male barbers to save me for looking terrible. its a barber shop not a salon so if you want some cool hip punk like thing go to a salon.

absolutely fantastic. i woke up one day craving a haircut, and immediately called michael’s. i’d never been in before and asked if i needed to make an appointment. they said yes, and i asked if i could do that, assuming it would take a couple days to get me in. nope. they said i could come in at 10:00 (mind you this was at 9:15).
when i came in, they took my coat and showed me to the hair washing area. the woman who washed my hair was so friendly and sweet. then i opened up some pictures on my computer to show my barber, Michael, what i wanted. he asked about a few details and seemed very comfortable doing what i requested. we chatted the whole time and throughout cutting, he asked for clarifications on different lengths and blending so my hair would be exactly how i wanted it. i also asked for recommendations on where to get hair dyeing products nearby as i’m relatively new to the area and do my coloring myself. he offered to pick me up what i needed the next time he went.
i could tell that Michael was really enjoying and taking a lot of pride in cutting my hair; this is definitely his art form. he was so friendly and kind. needless to say, this was the best experience i’ve ever had at a hair salon. the cut turned out EXACTLY as i wanted/​requested. and it’s worth mentioning that my hair has a LOT going on – bleach, colors, layers, sidecut, etc., but none of this fazed Michael and he understood what i was going for. he also used an interesting technique of cutting into twists of hair to make layers… i had never seen this before but the result is fantastic.
the staff really went above and beyond and got my day off to a fantastic start. on top of all of this, the cut was so much cheaper than i expected – only $ 21 – and so much faster than i expected, taking less than 45 minutes. i left a large tip to thank him for his work as i was expecting to pay so much more.
i’ve been back several times since then and always enjoy the experience of getting my hair cut by michael. he always remembers me and takes an interest in talking to me. i also got my hair bleached and toned here on a later visit; again it was exactly as i requested/​described. the salon itself is nothing fancy but it’s comfortable, friendly, and affordable. above all you leave having the hair you came in wanting!
GO HERE! you won’t be disappointed!

I went to Michael while I was at Penn for grad school. The location and price were great, and it was one of the better barber’s haircuts I’ve gotten. I always loved talking to Michael and hearing the banter between him and the girls who worked there. If you want a quality cut and some good conversation, then make this your regular barber!

I have known Michael Colabelli (I just KNOW I spelled that wrong) for years — since the ’80’s — and his father before him who owned the shop (It’s now it the 3^rd and 4^th generation. They are a well-​run business that has stood the test of time and provide affordable cuts and GREAT colors to the Penn campus and beyond.
I love them.

cheap place close to home… they dnt need appointments though its good if you take one…19 $.can cut most of the basic cuts men and women. the owner is very friendly and so are the others who work here…