Umberto: The Wizard of Scissors

The concentration of Beverly Hills salons are akin to the concentration of Vegas casinos, but the 15,000 square foot UMBERTO salon on Canon is truly the mecca.  Walking into the enormous, two-story salon, I stood there looking around with my mouth agape, but was instantly acknowledged by a beaming receptionist.  Moments later, I felt like an ambassador arriving at the White House as I was greeted by the salon manager of twenty-four years, Babette, and the two stylists that would color my hair. They whisked me upstairs to meet the wizard of scissors: the legendary Umberto who has been working his magic at transforming tresses in his Beverly Hills salon since 1977.

Match Made in Heaven
According to Babette, my welcoming ceremony and consultation with Umberto is standard protocol for every new client.  After Umberto asks friendly questions about what you want to do with your hair and then hand-picks a stylist he feels would give you the best results.  I was impressed by this personal attention, as I suffer from salon A.D.D because I am usually far from thrilled with their work and am too embarrassed to go back and try another stylist at the same salon.

This doesn’t happen at UMBERTO salon because they work as a team as Babette explains, “There are enough clients for everyone, if one stylist doesn’t meet the client’s needs, Umberto and I work together to match them with another until they are completely satisfied.”

Carefree Makeovers
Umberto understands this tress stress so many women face when they go to the salon for a new ‘do. But because of his expertise in the latest trends and long-standing reputation with Hollywood’s beauties like Janet Jackson, Christina Applegate, Natalie Cole, Demi Moore and Patricia Arquette, he sets even the most anxious at ease. The good natured Umberto passionately exclaims, “Women are afraid to make a change and they needn’t be.  It’s good for your ego. It’s fantastic what a hairstyle can do for a woman. It’s your crowning glory! It’s very creative!” And you won’t have to sell your first born to afford the makeover – in the land of exorbitant priced everything – a haircut will cost only $150 with Umberto. His second salon on Robertson is even more budget friendly with haircuts around $60.

Umberto’s Hair Products at Target
Since 2004, Umberto has been also making hair care at home easier and more affordable too with his Umberto Beverly Hills full-spectrum professional hair care collection of shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, stylers and brushes exclusively available at Target.  Umberto Beverly Hills products get thoroughly tested by Umberto’s hair stylists and then based on the feedback, the in-house chemist tweaks them to ensure utmost quality before it is ever distributed to Target.  The Umberto products have truly given my angry, dried-out locks some desperately needed TLC.  I felt the difference the first day I started using the shampoo and conditioner for colored hair – my hair, which is never very soft right out of the shower without lots of leave-in conditioner was actually silky feeling with no lingering overbearing fragrance like many shampoos and conditioners have today.

Beware: May Be Addictive

Umberto’s newest revolutionary products soon to hit the shelves in August are already causing a buzz in the beauty world: the Collagen Pre-Shampoo Treatment and the Curl Defining Spray. The Collagen Pre-Shampoo Treatment is affectionately referred to by the salon’s clients as, “Umberto crack”, because once you’ve tried it and feel your wiry or damaged hair transform into silky, shiny hair – you’re a hopeless addict.  As a wavy haired girl, the Curl Defining Spray is my new best friend as it works on dry hair and instantly creates bouncy soft curls.

It Just Feels Good
Most impressive about Umberto is not only his continued passion for his craft but his warm Italian hospitality and humor he bestows on each client and co-worker he encounters with not a snip of arrogance. As they say, the boss sets the tone of the work place and it shows, because the hairdressers are professional and actually happy to be there.

Speaking of Umberto’s chipper hairdressers, much adoration and thanks to my expert colorist, Jeff John, who blessed me with stunning natural looking highlights!

UMBERTO Salon
416 N Canon Drive.
Los Angeles, CA 90210
(310) 274-6395

1776 S Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 204-4995

www.umbertobh.com