Photo by Becca Mathias
At Salon Bartolo, owner and master stylist Bartolo Ponticorvo brings the artistry of his native Italy and the precision of a sculptor to the pursuit of beauty.
“When I was a kid, I was very good with painting and drawing, creating things. And my mother says, ‘I think you would be a good hairstylist,’” he recalls.
A year later, Ponticorvo began serving an apprenticeship in a high-end barber shop in Sorrento, his hometown. Today, he wields scissors and razor at his boutique salon in Wilmington’s Trolley Square.
“I always had the dream to have a small salon with very high-end service,” he says. “The consultation, the haircut, the attention to detail is more than you expect.”
At the salon, light pours in through two storefront windows. A crystal chandelier sparkles overhead. Patrons are served espresso or sparkling water, with or without biscotti, as they are ushered to luxe green leather styling chairs accented with gold.
Ponticorvo, his wife and business manager Hailey, and their team of stylists offer such traditional services as cutting for women, men and children, as well as an extensive menu of coloring, smoothing and straightening treatments.
A one-hour, $95 essential shave experience, described as self-care for men, includes a facial treatment with steam and essential oils.
“In Italy, it’s very popular for guys to go to the barber and get a straight-razor shave before a wedding,” Ponticorvo says. “When the chair goes back and the feet go up, the stress goes down.”
Salon Bartolo, 1942 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington; salonbartolo.com
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