I had an appointment with Nathan a few weeks ago. He did a fabulous job, cut my hair exactly to my specifications and styled it really nicely. I will definitely be going back! read more

The place: The salon itself is pretty nifty. There's art and there are big windows that let in the sunlight or allow customers to people-watch while getting their hair cut. The waiting area is small, but furnished with vintage chairs and a couch which are super cute. There are 2-4 hair-cutting stations (I'm estimating because I'm blind without my glasses) and 2 hair-washing sinks. A HUGE bonus is that the salon itself didn't smell like every salon I've ever been to. Oh no, this salon actually smelled pretty rather than like icky chemicals. The location: On Humboldt a couple steps from Colectivo, street parking is available on Humboldt in front of the shop or on Chambers around the corner. On Chambers for sure, it's 2 hour or more, so make sure you're reading the signs if you park on Humboldt. It's also a couple steps away from the Humboldt/Chambers 14 bus stop, so conveniently accessible via public transit. The service: I walked in and was able to sign up for a time slot. It was a 30 minute wait, so I got to mosey to Colectivo for a coffee and come back. It was all very leisurely. While I was there, the list for appointments extended out to 3:15pm, which was about 1.5-2 hours after when I got in the chair. So if you go at a busy time, know that you'll have a wait. If you're chill and not in a hurry, it's really a laid-back atmosphere and set-up. The stylist who took care of me was awesome. She was cheerful and answered my questions, but she didn't pressure me (an incurable introvert) into painful small talk. She has pictures of her dog on her station, and they put me at ease. Plus, she grinned when I asked about them. She was meticulous with making sure my hair was even on both sides to the extent that I felt like I needed to apologize when she needed to reposition my head (for the millionth time) to check her work. The price: My cut was $30, which I found pretty reasonable. They don't accept Discover cards or bills over $50. Make sure you tell your stylist you want to tip on a credit card payment because there isn't a tip line on receipts. Fun facts: My stylist used a straight razor on the back of my neck and it was both terrifying and exhilarating. I would highly recommend the experience because my neck feels super smooth! Also, all the products that were used smelled delightful and minty. So great. read more

I never leave reviews but I had such a nice and quick experience with Lora. She listened so perfectly and knew how to cut my curly hair! She also used an amazing product on my dry hair and styled it so easily! Thank you for making it such an easy and perfect experience! read more

I haven't let anyone near my hair wielding a scissors in 6 years. Not kidding. My last haircut was that warped. However, after Cheryl cut my hair this week, I'm in love. The Riverwest location is in a former yarn store (Loop), which I think is super-fitting (on a hippie vibe-level.) It's nestled in between Alterra and ReThreads, so if you have to wait, you've got some entertainment and caffeination, so important. If you didn't know, the Cutting Group is strictly cuts, no color- $25 flat rate. They feature strictly Bumble & Bumble products, so it smells awesome in there. Onto the cut- Cheryl did an amazing job, considering how anxious I was. She knew exactly what I wanted and talked me through the whole process, all while maintaining a zen attitude. Awesome. I totally recommend trying this location out, and ask for Cheryl. She knows what's up. read more

Wow! Sam took the time to get to know me, and my hair, and did a great job with the vague direction I gave him. Not only was my hair rejuvenated but he grave me some great advice on the drama going on in my life. Would recommend! read more

I love this place! While I enjoy a haircut, I also don't really enjoy spending $25 each time. The Cutting Group offers a monthly haircut incentive cutting(haha) the cost to $15 as long as you come in once a month. Ask for my friend Vanessa! She is an awesome stylist that will make certain that you are happy with your cut before you leave. She also recently gave me advice on a better & cooler way to style my hair for which I am grateful. :) One thing I don't like is that you cannot schedule an appointment ahead of time. I have waited close to two hours before for a cut. Luckily Alterra is right next door! Even though there is usually a wait, I always leave happy that I waited and with the quality of my haircuts. read more

I made a killing selling clothes at ReThreads this morning, and had money burning a hole in my pocket. And I had hair that has been in desperate need of a cut. So, I decided to stop in Cutting Group and see if they could help my hair regain its former bounce and swing. I compare this place to a really nice upscale Cost Cutters- all they do is cut hair (no brows, no color, nada). But they use Bumble and Bumble products and my cut is seriously quality. My stylist was chatty and had hair similar to mine, so I ended up with a great cut and a wonderful style. I appreciate the fact she didn't try to upsell me on products or anything like that. Cutting Group is designed for people like myself that are trigger shy about forming a long-term relationship with a stylist, and realize one morning that its been four months since your last haircut. I will be stopping in here again- I'm a fan. read more

My previous stylist had just quit the biz, and I was in a rut. I was hating on how my hair had grown out with wonky layers and the like, and was nervous to get it cut. Cutting Group gave me a stellar deal ($25 for a haircut is not bad at ALL) and Vanessa gave me a stellar haircut. I was even the needy customer that asked for a little more length taken off at the end. She was totally accommodating and ready to work with what I wanted, offering suggestions and advice as we went along. Total sweetheart, totally wonderful experience. Ye be warned, however, long waits ahead! I waited about an hour, which was a total easy fix with a book on hand and Colectivo next door. But I can see how this would make folks cranky if they weren't aware. Don't be cranky! Be aware! It's worth it if you plan your visit properly. :) read more

I made the unfortunate decision to allow my boyfriend to cut my hair. After the awful experience, I limped to Cutting Group to get a fix. He had barely left enough hair for a decent pixie cut, but Shannon (I'm pretty sure that was her name) sympathetically and gently did what she could. The result is actually rather pleasant! Shannon asked what my hair looked like before, what I wanted done, then offered some suggestions. She described everything she was doing. I also liked that she updated a waiting customer on the wait time, and immediately greeted him. (I've been that customer where the hair dressers assume you have been to the salon before, and "know how it works," or are simply too immersed in the cuts they're giving.) I have avoided barber shops for years at a time because of awful cuts from hairdressers that did not listen to me, or simply had opposite tastes from me (thus the at-home disaster). Even though this was a "make-do" haircut, it is the most positive I have ever felt about a professional cut, and hairdresser experience! I will definitely be back. I hope all of their hair dressers are this good! read more

I have been going to chain "salons" for years and finally made up my mind to go to a real salon; at the same time I'm not super fancy so spending $50 on a rather simple cut is not appealing to my pocketbook. In addition I was looking to support local businesses so after looking at some reviews on Yelp and Reddit I made the decision to try the Cutting Group. I went to the Riverwest location and am quite happy with the results. Unfortunately they only do walk-ins but this helps keep the prices low and I only waited 20 minutes so no big deal. The salon was clean and stylish and had some cartoons and some funky J-Pop playing in the background. I think the think I liked most was what I was looking for: unlike a chain (like Great Clips, etc.) they make you feel welcome and don't try to rush you out of the door, or act surly when you want your hair a bit different. They even shave your neck with a straight razor which was pretty cool. Cost for walk-ins is $25 but if you sign up for the "cut club" you get $3 off. Also if you go back within a month it's only $15, which sounds like a pretty good deal to me (as I generally wait too long and end up looking like a yeti.) Ask for Cassidy; she took her time and made sure I got the cut I was looking for and the light and funny conversation was welcome as well. Will be going back for sure. read more

I'm the kind of person who avoids getting my hair cut until it's driving me crazy. I don't like super fancy salons and haven't found any other place I'm sold on. I decided to try out the Riverwest CG after having some mixed results at the Farwell location, and was pleasantly suprised. I came on a Saturday late morning, was told there was an hour wait, and probably waited 40 min. My stylist, Kia, gave me what I asked for, with a refreshing lack of inane small talk. Overall, good experience. The Humboldt location has a very open feel to it. Bonus points for being next door to Colectivo. Minus one star for having to sit at the station that is inexplicably two feet from the waiting area. Awkward. read more

The cost and convenience of the Cutting Group are major features. You can just walk right in and get a solid haircut for $22 (if you're in their system or your stylist is nice- $25 otherwise.) However, there are downsides to that as well. I was told the wait would be 15 minutes, but waited over 30. As more people came in they were being told an hour to an hour and a half wait. Sure you can go grab some coffee next door, but that's a long time to wait for a hair cut. The stylist I got was pretty quiet. In fact, I had to ask her her name because she didn't introduce herself to me. If you're gonna be all up in my hair I'd at least like to know your name. She (mostly) seemed to know what she was doing in terms of cutting my hair. However, like most other salons I've been to, she didn't know how to style my curly hair. When she finished, it was a frizzy mess. I went home and immediately washed and styled it myself, and the final verdict was that the cut was decent. The Cutting Group seems like a temporary solution for me until I find another salon I like. It'll hopefully never be my regular place, because I actually prefer to in a committed relationship with a hair stylist who knows my hair. However, if you're looking for an inexpensive place to get your hair done, don't like stylist committment, and are willing to take a gamble, then Cutting Group is a solid, A-OK option. read more

I normally get my trims at great clips, because although it's not an amazing experience, it's super cheap. I google searched affordable haircuts near me and tried this place out..I'm glad I did because I plan to get all my haircuts here now. I paid 35 dollars for a full, salon-like experience. My stylist, Duckie, shampooed and conditioned my hair, cut, added product, and gave me a full blow out. I left the salon feeling 10x more confident than when I came. She gave me her input on what she thought my hair needed/what would look best, and she was right. My hair is very long and damaged, and I got 4 inches removed and slight layers/face frame. A total sweetheart. I'm not a big talker when I get haircuts, and my experience allowed that for me. I would totally recommend Duckie at the cutting group, especially if you have longer hair like me and want to make sure you get a nice refresh. read more

I have always gotten a good cut and the staff are super friendly and helpful. I've had multiple different stylists and always gotten what I needed, done well. Now that they have color services, I'm getting my first under color. read more

I have very long, very curly hair. I went in looking for a quick trim -- little did I know I would be in for the most painful haircut I've ever experienced. The stylist decided to spend over half an hour brushing out my hair and cutting it dry even after I told her to wet hair before brushing it. Once she finished cutting it, my hair was so big and frizzy I couldn't even comment on the cut. By the time I left, I had essentially no idea what my cut looked like plus an aching scalp. read more

This used to be a walk in only salon. They still don't take any reservations, however apparently now, they let people call ahead and 'get in line' without even being here. Either take reservations like normal salons do, or be simply walk in. Make a choice. Your current way of doing things simply means you don't take reservations yet don't care about walk ins at all. I first went to the salon on Farwell. Saw a sign on the door saying they're closed until 2pm today for maintenance. Decided to come up here to the Humboldt location instead, since apparently they 'welcome' walk ins. It's 10:20am. As soon as I walk in I'm told there's a 1.5 hour wait. There's only one stylist in the salon and one other person waiting. I decide to stay and wait my turn. Just as I think I'm next, in walks another lady who had called ahead apparently. So now it's 12pm and the stylist just started doing her hair. I usually don't go to this location, so I wasn't familiar with the stylists here. Finally, when it was my turn, I told my hairdresser Lora to trim my hair to half its current length and then texture it (with a straightedge). Instead, she took to the straightedge and started hacking away violently at my hair, like it was a field of corn. It hurt like hell and she didn't even use any shears to cut the hair!! I have never had my hair trimmed so roughly and violently! I waited two hours for this?? Needless to say I'm never coming back. It's a shame because the stylists are otherwise quite friendly and usually do a great job. I've never left there unsatisfied with my haircut but it's not worth spending a quarter of my waking day on a haircut. Better to go to a place that takes reservations, like a real salon. read more

The hairdresser named Lora practically shaved the side of my head, while I asked to just slightly trim my hair. After I told her that what she was doing was too short, she was not able to do the other side of my head symmetrically, even though I specifically asked her to fix it. I ended up having extremely short asymmetric haircut that is impossible to fix, because it is too short read more

i LOVE the cutting group. Like i kinda want to buy my new stylist flowers from my hair thats how awesome she is. Yep this is the new home for my hair. Lets get indepth on my hair affair at the cutting group. 1. Its simple its big open designed space with a sweet pool table. Simple gorgeous waiting purple couch. Its purple what more do you want! purple rocks 2. They sell Bumble and Bumble. = WINNING 3. They will cut your hair for free on your birthday 4. Haircut a super reasonable $25 BUT if you join the Smart and Neat program (which is totally free) if you cut your hair every 30 days or less its only $15! take that haircutting world. Yes I can get a super awesome hair for 15. Thats amazing I have paid like 40,50,60 before and my hair is a pixie cut hot but short and basically no drama in the cutting department. I can now go every 3 weeks which my hair kinda needs. 5. They do not take reservations which yes can be good and it can be bad but for me its great! i cant always schedule an appointment with my crazy busy fitness,work, social life , bf schedule. I love just dropping in and i have yet to have more than a half hour wait. BONUS: It's by a Colectivo so get yourself some coffee while you wait or maybe a lattee make it a hair date. 6. This list is getting long! my heartbeat is beating faster with love I think you all need to get in on this. Go in and Enjoy! oh wait final thoughts : PS no colors are done here strictly cuts barber style simple sleek sexy. thats what it's about im telling you. read more

The haircut I got from cat turned out okay, although I feel like she didn't really listen to what I had said I wanted, so the haircut turning out okay felt a bit lucky. Also when I came in both the stylists working were cutting hair, and they both just looked at me without saying anything, it was sort of an awkward experience overall. read more

Vanessa rocks! She listens, she's real...no phony customer service crap and she gives a great hair cut Lizzy, Milwaukee read more

Cassidy gave me the best haircut I have ever gotten! I have had very long thick hair my entire life and decided it was time for a change so I went for a cut that was just below my shoulders. I was very nervous to do so, but I am so happy I did because it looks so awesome! I have always gotten subpar haircuts wherever I went but Cassidy really listened to what I wanted and asked me multiple times if everything looked good or if I wanted to change something. She stayed after close to finish my cut and was super accommodating, I will definitely return here. read more

Went to Riverwest location last night, had Mckenna. She is not good. At all. Told her a small trim for my son and she cut so much off and basically looked like there was a bowl on his head, it was a bob. AWFUL. I had to go somewhere else to have it fixed and the person who fixed it said it was a horrible cut. Sides uneven, hair still on neck. Don't go here. read more

I cannot say how much Vanessa helped me out here. I came in directly from getting the worse haircut my curly hairs have ever received. She not only gave me a wonderful hair cut she was exactly the type of person I needed to be around at that moment. I had long curly hair before going to Paul Mitchell for a TRIM (please do not ever go there!!! Red Flags all around!) Vanessa knew how to cut curly hair where it lays nicely on your head and even though I had to lose 7 inches of my hair that day, I walked away with a style that works for me. The atmosphere is nice and clean- you might have to wait for a bit, but it's worth it if you have the time! read more

The location itself is great. Central to the Riverwest neighborhood and has a pool table inside. However the haircut I received was awful. Instead of the 1 inch trim with a bit of thinning out that I wanted, she bluntly cut about 5 inches off. I have been to the east side cutting group and have always been happy with the cuts there. It seemed like she just gave the the cut she "thought" I should have instead of listening to what I really wanted. read more

I brought in a photo the first time. The "stylist" washed my hair & cut with scissors & it turned out ok. Today I brought in the same photo but the same stylist buzzed the sides & back practically bald before washing it. She chopped up the top in back in a ridiculous fashion. It looks like she carved a circular groove around my thinning spot. Needless to say it looks nothing like the photo. I NEVER wear hats, but I will be wearing one for the next three weeks. read more

I really need to stop going here. I've now been twice, and I shoudl know better. Every time it's just a trim or bangs adjustment but it's always so uneven, so poorly style, and full of gross smelly products. I always have to go home and immediately wash my hair. I don't think the staff is actually trained in how to cut hair, as everytime I have to explain what round, square, and triangle layers are. I will admit that this time, I asked for a little more layers, but it is so choppy. They never section your hair, they just lift it straight and cut sections or use a razor. Whelp, it's my own fault. read more

Awful! I signed my son in for a cut at 4:11pm, the styalist (the only one there) told me while sweeping up from her previous client that it would be an hour to an hour and 15 as there were two people in front of us. She said I could leave and come back without losing my spot. I did, and returned just before 5pm. As I arrived she was just seating a male client who had been waiting when I first came in for a cut. Unlucky for me this client turned out to be a friend of hers. She proceded to work on his hair for the next hour. I don't know why I sat there that long. After sitting for a half hour I felt like I already had a good chunk of time invested. By 6 I was mad! My son is 7, it is a school night. She could see us sitting there the whole time while she casually cut her friends hair and chatted with him. She spent more time talking with her friend than cutting his hair. She used no less than 4 products in his hair and unfortunatly for him it looked better before she cut it. You can see for yourself as his band plays at Linnemans every wed. night - I know because they talked about it at length. Never again! I am spreading the word. Unless you can get seated right away, and don't really care what your hair looks like avoid this place! read more

I've had my hair cut at this locale before with a different stylist and was happy enough, but this latest cut was pretty poor. The sides were very uneven and the least competent part of the cut. Good thing hair grows! 'nuff said. read more