Rachael Bullard

I’ve been going to Parlor 308 for a few years, lately to have extensions put in by Rachel Martines (Bullard). Through the years, I have stuck with her for tape extensions (that would fall out), flat bead extensions (that really started to fall out and that she had to repair), and extensions that would tangle horribly (she learned that she could not razor cut the hair). Through thick and thin, I stayed. She was very quick to fix any problems that came up. She would make it right. For me, it meant many more hours in the chair. But, hey, I liked her and I was willing to put up with the snafoos.
She finally got the formula down; sewn weft extensions with small beads. These were great! Everything stayed in place and nothing was falling apart. There was only one remaining problem; there was a large space between my natural long hair and the 22″ extensions. One could obviously see the demarcation line. The way she attempted to fix it before was to razor cut it. (We know what happened there.) She came up with the idea of blending shorter pieces (18″) and placing them above the 22″ extension pieces. We were ready to go! On the day I arrived, she did not have the 18″ pieces and informed me, as she were putting in the extensions, that she took 2 additional pieces from another order to put in if we needed them. Hmmmm. I thought we were going to fix the demarcation problem??? She said she had put the extensions on a manikin at home and that the 18″ pieces made the bottom look hollow. Hmmmm. When all was said and done, she used one whole package of 22″ and nothing else. There was no cut and I was left with a demarcation line and a hair do that screamed, «you got extensions!» So she invited me the next week to adjust the pieces if we needed to. She also told me that the two 22″ extensions that she took from another order was worth as much as the entire package of 18″ extensions.
I went home thinking, that doesn’t sound right and hold on, I gave her $ 500.00 to purchase two complete packages of 18″ pieces and 22″ pieces. After $ 500.00, $ 300.00 service and generous tip I thought, okay, I will save the 18″ extensions for another time, that I thought I purchased. Well, no. According to her we were even. What? How is that? I gave her $ 500.00 to buy both sizes and she didn’t put the other two pieces in my hair at either appointment (which I didn’t order in the first place).
It gets worse. I tried to show her my calculations on how it was impossible that two pieces (that she didn’t use) were worth as much as an entire package. She almost started crying in the salon and stormed off saying that she needed a moment. Was I wrong in asking her to explain the math to me? We spent too much time discussing it so I told her that I would go home and put everything on a spreadsheet (attached). Before I sent her the spreadsheet, she sent me a message about how I am all wrong and that I probably did not included the cost of $ 100.00 to sew the wefts. She also wanted to charge me for interest on her credit card for purchasing the extensions. Are you serious?
I sent her the spreadsheet and she replied by telling me that she doesn’t owe me anything (I really have a credit of $ 118.00) and that our relationship was over. She also stated that my generous tip for the second appointment was out of guilt because I spent all of her time explaining the numbers to me. Wow. Really? So let me get this straight: I have a huge demarcation line, (she didn’t give me a haircut that she said she owed me), I don’t have the 18″ hair I bought, I don’t even have the 2 pieces which I didn’t order in the first place and she didn’t install. What I understand is that our several year client/​hairdresser relationship is over because of $ 118.00 and it was not worth sitting down and working out the numbers.
Bottom line: if you want to see Rachel to get extensions, buy the hair yourself and then have her install them. If you confront her on the cost, she will get very upset and abandon you as a client, even if you have been seeing her for years for cuts, color, etc.
Pros: Rachel does okay color and okay cuts. The color has always been too red and too light. Great shampoo. After many years of working with extensions, she finally has them right (just buy your own). She has always fixed any problems. She also orders lunch for you when you sit in the chair for many hours. She is generous with gifts that include various hair supplies. I’m going to miss that!
Cons: She has cancelled appointments with hardly any notice and dumps you as a client if you ask her to explain the cost to you.
Lastly, since I need another stylist to do my extensions, I have been doing my research. Many people who have been doing them for years have the client buy them first. Rachel claims that she is a super-​specialized service. I’m sorry, I wouldn’t go that far. I was in «allegory’s cave» the whole time.

I was so excited to find Rachel! My stylist moved out of town & I put off getting my hair done for over a year. I couldn’t take my appearance any longer when a girlfriend of mine recommended Rachel. I couldn’t be happier! Rachel is very talented & super sweet. I had a cut, color & brazillian blowout. I know I’ll be a client for years to come. (Rachel’s assistant, Ray, was also fabulous!)

Rachael Martines was amazing !!! She has done my dread extensions for several years now that I always get compliments on. She understands my tastes and delivers to perfection. Love, love, love this woman.

Rachel is the BEST stylist I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to many). She is smart, articulate, flexible, and absolutely fantastic and custom mixing color and dealing with damaged hair. After my hair was ruined by an inept stylist at The Spa at Los Gatos, only Rachel was able to take it back to a healthy and radiant place. Her color job is pitch-​perfect, and she’ll tailor the cut to anything you specifically want.
If you’re looking for someone with years of experience, great customer service, and killer head-​massages while she shampoos, this is totally your girl. I cannot recommend her highly enough. And her salon and station are both trendy, clean, well-​staffed and gorgeous.

Rachael is awesome! I went to Rachael totally last minute because I wanted to try the new Brazilian Blowout, and Rachael not only scheduled me in the same day, she stayed until 7pm so I could come in after work. I was apprehensive about the blowout, but the results were absolutely amazing and my hair looked really shiny, rich, natural and fabulous. I got so many compliments on my hair since, and I really should be making an appointment for another soon. The only drawback to the blowout was that it didn’t last as long as the japanese straightening technique, but it definitely was better for my hair.
I can’t say enough about how great Rachael is though. She offers a discount to teachers, and she’s an expert in what she does. Thank you thank you thank you Rachael. Much love!

Why you should ask for Rachael Bullard at Parlour 308…
1) I have been going to Rachael for ~3 years now and she has always provided awesome cuts, color and highlights.
2) Her sense of style is EXCELLENT, much better than mine and other stylists I have been to, and is always recommending excellent cut and color ideas. She is also excellent at adhering to your ideas if you have specific wants and needs.
3) As a follow-​up to #2, she is constantly going to professional development conferences and learning new, cool techniques (human hair extensions, Brazilian Blow-​Out Treatment)
4) Her friendly, positive and professional demeanor makes it a pleasure to have a couple of hours with her.
5) She is so good, I drive all the way from Oakland to see her.
The salon itself is lovely. It is often busy, so be sure to make an appointment ahead of time.
P. S. I’ve looked at some of the previous posts… I’ve never had a problem with parking there. NONE. I have NO IDEA what those people are talking about.