The Gilt Edge Society

Great to finally find a place that knows what they are doing! I saw Glen on my first visit and he did a REALLY nice cut and color correction with my hair! I’m trying to grow it out, and since I have a lot of hair, it was starting to look very boxy, especially after the last stylist I saw. After seeing Glen, it finally has some shape! The color job he did (to fix what was supposed to be red highlights, which immediately turned brassy-​orange) still looks great, too — after 3 months! He has a ton of experience and technique, not to mention is very knowledgeable, friendly and easy to talk to.

After several bad experiences at a different salon, and consistently leaving there feeling disappointed by amature cuts, bad color jobs and lazy styling, I just had enough! They couldn’t even get my name right! And I had been there multiple times! I saw the reviews for GES and thought I’d check it out… My overall experience was that everything about the service here was quality, without the over-​the-​top pretention. I will definitely be returning!

Very annoyed with this salon. Had an appt & still had to wait for 20+ mins without anyone acknowledging the situation or even apologized. When I finally said something, they acted like they were doing me a favor by appointing someone else to cut my hair. Very unprofessional, will never come back.

I had a Groupon, and I hoarded it for almost a year before going in. I saw Alicia, who had a really cute retro-​inspired hairdo that day. Since I wanted a semi-​retro cut, I felt pretty good about my odds.
Alicia is a total sweetheart. She listened to what I had to say, and looked at the inspirational pictures I brought in, and gave me a very cute cut that I have enjoyed for a month now. Furthermore, when she styled it she made a point of curling my hair, rather than straightening it. My hair is naturally curly, and I hardly ever straighten it, so I hate it when stylists straighten it just because it’s easier – how will I know how to style it?
Then she gave me some of her cards to give out to my friends. If they go in and use me as a referral, I’ll get a percentage off my next appointment.
Nobody made a fuss about my Groupon, especially since I asked what the total would have been without it and tipped according to that, as is polite.
A week or so after my appointment, I received a handwritten note in the mail from Alicia: «Thank you so much for coming in and getting a cut from me. Hope you love your new look. It’s adorable on you! Let me know when you’re ready for a trim. I recommend 8 – 12 weeks. Take care and great meeting you!»
What a doll. Great customer service, great cut. Can’t wait to go back!

I just moved into the neighborhood, and stumbled upon the Gilt Edge Society on my way home from the library. I usually find a stylist I trust and stick with them until they either leave the salon or get to be out of my price range (my previously favorite stylist started charging $ 100 for haircuts before I had to say good bye to her. sigh).
Anyway, I decided to give Gilt Edge Society a chance, mostly on a whim. They advertised taking walk ins, and so I walked in.
The stylist available — Alicia — had me in the chair in less than 2 minutes. She talked with me about what I was hoping to have done, and what look I was after. She listened, got a feel for my hairs texture and weight, gave me a wash, and began cutting.
Was I nervous? A little, but I actually felt quite confident in Alicia. In the end, I received a GREAT hair style that not only gave shape to my drooping curls, but also gave me a little spring in my step! The only disheartening thing was coming onto Unilocal to write a rave review, and seeing that Gilt is offering 25% off haircuts with Alicia to new clients, which I would have qualified for, had I checked Unilocal BEFORE going in on my own. That kinda bites.
I still give Alicia and Gilt 4 stars for excellence in service and skill. I highly recommend her!

Had my best haircut in three years of living in Seattle (and I get a cut every 8 weeks, religiously)! Loved the location (you can actually find on street parking there at 5pm), and the atmosphere was very relaxing. I definitely plan on coming back in 8 weeks for my next cut.

I am a hair klutz. My mother doesn’t know how to «do» hair, so she has had the same perm since 1984. As a poor and frazzled grad student, I tried G.E.S.‘s happy hour.
Glenn, the man himself, cut my hair. Like a doctor, he asked what I did to my hair on a regular basis. He did not shame me for using $ 2 Suave shampoo and being a brush-​and-​go kind of girl. He noticed my self-​hair dye job ala Nice n’ Easy (to hide the premature gray)…and again, did not shame me. He specifically told me not what hair color to use, but how to apply it (at the base, the nape, and have a friend help).
My hair is now framing my face, has a feminine sweep… and I can still just wash and go. The people know what they are doing and it felt friendly and unpretentious… but definitely lots and lots of style.
And no shame for being a hair klutz!

Sierra Harding is an outstanding stylist. I’ve been following her around Seattle since 2008, and I’m so glad she’s landed at The Gilt Edge Society. This place is totally my speed, and I feel like Sierra is also in her element.
I’m something of a practical, two-braids-and-I’m-ready lady who digs in the dirt for fun — Sierra has time and again provided me with a cut that suits my lifestyle and features so I feel comfortable flaunting a new ‘do. She’s always ready to have fun with my hair when I propose something funky, and she has also prepared me with a sharp look when needed for presentations or travel.
What makes Sierra such a stellar stylist are her combined superpowers of careful listening, fun creativity, and mad-​hair-​cutting-​and-​coloring skills. She always knows how to find the right balance between what I request and what looks right for me. Sierra also has the patience and friendliness to help me understand how to use the hair products so I can style at home.
I look and feel ready to party — thank you, Sierra (and all the friendly folks at Gilt Edge)!

I have had my haircut by Sierra for the last 4 years. I have followed her now to 3 salons. I first had my haircut from her when she was working in Mode Organic in downtown Seattle. I followed her to Scream, and now I am with her at the Gilt Edge Society. I have very fine, thin and (unfortunately) balding hair. Finding a stylist that takes the time to look at the challenges, offer recommendations, and provide an excellent haircut is hard to find. I am fortunate to have found Sierra and will follow her anywhere she goes (unless it’s South Dakota). Great soul as well…

Jessica is an awesome stylist. She always gives me a great cut with layers that grow out well as I am never able to get my hair cut as often as I should!
She’s also great at color for brunettes. I always let her decide what color would look best and she always comes up with something that I love and that LASTS!

The Gilt Edge Society may well be one of my favorite spots on earth– right up there with the hammock in my backyard and a salty sand beach vacation. These folks really know how to do it right. From my little pony streaks to french braids to bob cuts to extensions to whatever you can think up– they do it the best. They also have mountains of experience and knowledge that they will use to help guide you through the sometimes tricky road of ‘what’, ‘which color’, ‘but i thought perms were back in style’ and ‘please fix’ dilemmas.
Jessica does my hair and by does I mean she uses her Hair Wizard status to make me look like a princess. She has nothing but class when it comes to putting up with my hair tantrums and I’ve never walked out that shiny glass door without being completely content and satisfied.
Jessica, Glen and the whole TGES crew make a very hip environment wonderfully comfortable to be in. They serve you coffee, bring you water and once I even got cake and a Corona. Stellar service.
Also, The Gilt Edge Society throws one mean party– usually as a fundraising effort for local charities, which means you do good and have a good time all with fabulous hair.
This is a place you want to go and people you need to know if you want happiness, love, riches and all your dreams to come true.

I still can’t look in the mirror without crying. So I was in a similar situation as a previous reviewer. I moved to Seattle and have not yet found a good stylist, I purchased the groupon ($ 25 for cut, style and blow dry) and I had Cadence as well as my stylist. My genetics have blessed me with a nice head of hair, so I am very picky in how it’s cut. Cadence was very good at discussing what I wanted as my wish list is detailed and I’ve had cuts in the past that may have looked cute at first, but after a week just don’t work. I’m also in he process of growing it out so I needed just a short trim. She did exactly what I told her I DIDN“T want… The only length that was kept on my hair was the scraggly bottom layer, the thickest part of my hair, she chopped so short, and I specifically said NO LAYERS! I told her I like blunt edges, she gave me fringe edges, which looks awful after a week and especially when it’s time for a dye, the ends look brittle and dry, and I have healthy hair! It has seriously depressed me. If you want a funky Seattle punk style, go here. If you want to keep your shiny, healthy mane, stay far away. I look like a cross between Joan Jett and a fraggle:-(

So, I am not usually one to use Unilocal unless something is really good or really bad. In this case, I’m going to go with really good.
I purchased a Groupon, which was offering cut/​wash/​style for $ 25. Since moving here I have not really found someone to do my hair and was only getting my hair cut when I flew back to Michigan. Um, that is not so convenient.
The salon itself is kind of minimalist, has really cool huge canvas paintings on the walls and uses one of my fav product lines, Kevin Murphy. It wasn’t like an uppity salon, but felt more like you were getting your hair cut in a gallery or something like that.
I thought I’d just get a basic trim, as you never know with a new stylist, but I ended up walking out missing 7 inches and with seriously, one of the best cuts I’ve ever had (and people keep complimenting me, which is always fun.)
Cadance was my stylist and she was super nice. She had some ideas and wanted to take a lot of length off my hair. She sat with me and talked with me for a bit about what it would look like, kind of played with my hair to show me what she was thinking, etc. She definitely took her time with me, which I appreciated as I was scared to death to cut my hair.
She started cutting longer, then asking me if I was OK with that length, if I wanted to go shorter, etc. She did that seriously 3 or 4 times. She wanted to make sure I was comfortable with how it looked and I don’t think she wanted me freaking out about how much hair I was removing.
She made sure it was perfect before she finished. Also, she does free bang trims in between cuts, which is a bonus.
All in all, for the first time ever I don’t have crazy long hair but I am very happy with how it looks and I think found my new stylist in Seattle.

I love love love my haircut! This salon is really cool and comfortable feeling; art on the walls, friendly stylists, cool skylight in a funky old space bathed in natural light. And the offer of wine after a long day at work gets me every time.
I got my haircut by Kelly (formerly of Quint Eby if you want to see more rec’s). Kelly has a great sense of style and can really help you out when you aren’t sure what you want. I am full of contradictions and uncertainty when I go for a cut (short but want to pull it back, etc), and she totally figures out how to make me happy.

I’ve been coming to the stylists at Gilt Edge for years, even before they had this name. Finding a good stylist in this town is like finding good salmon in Ohio… very, tricky.
I started with Steven but though he’s a super nice guy, we never seemed to get the consistency thing down and I eventually tried out another stylist there, Jessica, whom I’ve been thrilled with for a while now. (Note: Steven no longer works here and has opened his own separate place.)
Jessica’s rates are fair (better than fair for color), and she consistently gives me great cuts. She’s always open to my feedback but she pushes back when she thinks I have a bone-​headed idea (which is very possible). She even throws in a «bang trim» 3 weeks in which makes my haircut last longer. Plus, she’s super nice.
I’d give this place 5 stars but I’m taking a star off because I haven’t seen as much consistency from the other stylists there, just my fave, Jessica. Also, it’s a more casual environment, so if you are looking to be decadently pampered with a scalp massage and soothing aromatherapy, this isn’t for you. Still, thumbs way up!

I work right next door so I get to talk to Glenn, Steven, and the staff almost on a daily basis. I was forced to come here but I couldn’t be happier. The reason I say forced was because my original hair dresser was getting a little too close which is not good when you’re married. The day I went in to talk to them about getting my hair done from them now on Steven took a wild guess why, he nailed it right on the button. Everybody there is courteous and friendly. Everything in here is down to earth and not yuppie like most places. I like the magazine selection they have spread out, no GQ or model magazines I don’t really care for. They’re magazines about tattoos, music, and the local scene.
Steven always finds a way to find a common thing to talk about. Every few weeks, when I get my haircut, we always talk about cars and martial arts. He has been cutting my hair since last fall and the greatest thing is I just sit down and let him have his way with the style without me having to tell him what I want. The other great thing is they make sure I have no hair on my face or neck since I have to go back to work when I’m done.
So if you have a wacky hair dresser or one that likes to get a little touchy I would say give these guys a try.

This place blew me away. I have 14 years experience in the salon industry, I spent 2006 traveling the United States researching salons and spas, and I’ve had my hair cut by the best of the best when it comes to stylists — so being new to Seattle and not knowing anyone in the industry made the thought of getting my haircut a little scary. In fact, I had planned to travel the 3000 miles back to the east coast to do so until I stumbled upon The Gilt Edge Society.
Instantly intrigued by their dedication to the arts, I established contact with Glen & Stephen and was so impressed by their sincerity and kindness that I knew I had to have my hair cut there. I scheduled my first appointment for a cut with Glen. I am probably as picky as they come — I know what I want, I know cutting basics and I am a stickler for customer service and professionalism.
My entire service exceeded my expectations. Glen has a straight forward approach and told me what needed to happen to my hair in order for it to work best with my facial structure. Upon my approval, he gave me by far the greatest haircut I have ever had — which, oddly enough was about $ 400 less than my previous east coast cut.
I returned for color a few weeks later and established just a few guidelines for what I was looking for but at this point felt comfortable enough with him that I knew he would do what was best. This was huge for me as I usually formulate my own color and then tell the stylist how and where to put it on my head. The results were great and I have received numerous compliments.
During both services Glen took the time to explain what he was doing and why, and in a non-​salesmen like manner explained the products he was using on my hair and how I could create the same effects at home.
I was overly impressed with the service I received and would encourage anyone interested in getting a great hair at an overly fair price to go to The Gilt Edge.

Glenn has been cutting my hair for a year now. I love the vibe of the place, and the conversation is great. I am always impressed with Glenn’s creativity and ability to carry out a vision. I am a guy (obviously), and he gives good haircuts for boys, I can’t speak on behalf of the women or the bad reviews that have been given by what appears to be women. Having a hairstylist is a personal thing, if Glenn wasn’t there, then I would probably go somewhere else (like Zero Zero).

Sometimes I am a hair model to get a good feel for a salon or stylist. Although hair modeling can be risky when dealing with students of a cosmetology school, when you model for someone who is fully licensed and is at the end of their apprenticeship program, ready to fully accept clients, you are in the professional hands of someone who the salon feels is capable enough to represent their business, and sadly she does.
I guess Gilt Edge Society didn’t get the memo.
Or maybe it was me that didn’t take the memo seriously. I read the reviews on here before going. I had the worst feeling before I got there, but I made a commitment and decided to keep it.
Let’s start out with my appointment time. It was at 3:30pm, so I got there at 3:15pm. Because the stylist was running late, I did not sit in a chair until 4:45pm. An hour and a half of wait time? I should have walked out then.
I was there for a partial foil going lighter and a trim. For the next what seemed like years, the owner and stylist fought in the area behind me while I watched the sun go down and mapped the nearest exit. I wondered what time it was, wondered if my boyfriend thought I had gone missing, and cried on the inside.
When I left, I got in the car and looked at the time. It was now 9 pm. I had been in the chair for almost 4 ½ hours. My hair, once 3 inches past my chin and blonde, was to the nape in the back and at least 3 shades darker. My boyfriend had called twice and didn’t believe me at first when I told him I had just left the salon. «But you left almost 7 hours ago!?», he said. For the first time in my relationship, I felt like some kind of adulterer. Like what I was saying was so farfetched it couldn’t have been the truth, but sadly it was. And when I walked in the door of our home a few minutes later, he believed me. «Shit. At least you have Unilocal!»
He was right. At least there’s Unilocal (and another stylist who made it so I could go out in public again).
Devastating.

Jessica is awesome!!!

Trust Steven, one of the owners, to make you look good. You may think you look better with long hair or short hair or a certain style, but trust Steven to cut your hair that will make magic happen.
Now, part of the Gilt Edge Society deal is that it has a roughness and rawness to the space… there’s no concierge for check-​in, no plush furniture to sink in as you wait, no views of the city. It’s a street space between a Labor Ready-​like business and knock-​off purse seller. The minimally appointed space that may appear cold compared to a traditional salon.
Prices are on the high end, but in addition to getting a good cut that’s best for you he can help you get over a rut — he helped me overcome my addiction to Aveda flaxseed gel. If you’ve had the same cut and same style from the same person for a long time perhaps it’s time for you to become part of the Gilt Edge Society.