Donald Bernabò

"While I do most of the services that we offer, I prefer to do haircuts, color, and corrective color. I like to make a difference, a change."

"I was born in Magee Hospital in Oakland where all of my children were born. I grew up in Greenfield next to Squirrel Hill. My father was and is the biggest inspiration in my life. He was humble, honest, and extremely hard working, never complaining, and totally loyal to the family. I never had an argument with him. He was the best father and a good man."

"I never thought that I would be a hairstylist. When I was young, I thought maybe I'd be a bricklayer, an architect or a businessman. I tried college several times, then I started beauty school and it clicked. I started working at Saks Fifth Ave for my training. After several years there, I worked at the Elizabeth Arden Salon (Vendome Downtown Kaufmanns) for a total of 29 years. I opened Salon Bernabo 3 years ago on July 5th, 2006."

"I trained with Victor Manno at Saks. I thought he was the best in the city at the time, and he is still very good. Later I attended many classes from Vidal Sassoon, Jose Eber, the Chadwicks, Paul Mitchell himself, Tim Hartley, Toni and Guy. I have attended numerous classes all through Europe, Canada and the United States. Over the years, I have spent personal time with Sorbie, Rusk, Hartley, Jose Eber, the current Paul Mitchell gurus. Most hairdressers who are dedicated to the business have done the same as I have because this is what we do. It's our hobby."

"My inspiration for life started in Church as a young boy and has stayed my inspiration for all that I do including the hair business. Everything in Church is perfect from the architecture to the art to the general and spiritual cleanliness. I was always amazed at how perfect the columns in any church were. I should be able to do a straight hair cut if people could build such symmetrical churches 2000 years ago. Look at Gaudi's Familia Sagrada in Barcelona or St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh."

"I live to watch videos on hair for cutting, styling, coloring,etc. Davines is my favorite hair color line right now, but I reserve the right to change my mind for something better in the future. I also love the shampoo, conditioners, and styling products, but I am constantly looking for new and improved products."

"Find a style that works for you, not for somebody else. The average person will come to the salon once a month, 12 times a year, some sooner, some later. Don't skimp on your hair. Your hair bill is not a luxury, but a necessity. If you come 11 times a year rather than 12 times, the only difference is that everyone will know that you are due for you hair service instead of complimenting you on how great you look. You eat everyday and you should get your hair done about once a month or 12 times a year. Treat yourself and people may treat you accordingly. Looking great is a necessity not an option."

Five words to describe Don's hair styling are : Simple, Classic, Creative, Natural, and Beautiful.

When designing the salon, Don wanted to use sustainable materials and systems that would make the salon not only aesthetically soothing, but environmentally responsible. "Salon Bernabo has many glass windows providing natural daylight, 2400 sq. ft of horizontal bamboo flooring, nighttime natural daylight fluorescent light bulbs, 2 zones for heating and cooling, instantaneous water heaters, air cleaners, and a one floor, all brick building."

Don's philosophy for life is "Get up, just show up, go to work, do what you are supposed to do, act like an immigrant, and 80 to 90 percent of the time, based on your decisions in life, you get what you deserve."

"I don't have a favorite client, I have several hundred favorite clients." Don is very close friends with his clients and their families. He treats his clients and employees with the same love and patience as he does his family.

"My goal was to provide a salon that was customer oriented from the parking to the sink to the chair. A place where one felt safe and comfortable with people that they looked forward to seeing. A salon where the service and skill level is tremendous but not overwhelming. The staff is talented, knowledgeable and confident, but not snooty. We are achieving our goals each day but we are always striving for perfection which is the real goal."