Pulse Salon

Me and my Boyfriend had purchased my sister a early Christmas gift to get her hair done at Pulse Salon in Portland OR. She went in to get it done and showed her hair stylist exactly what she wanted, then her hair stylist gave her recommendation on a new hair coloring called a biolage hair coloring. My sister had told them she wanted her roots to be more blond so the lady goes okay with a biolage the color will go up to your roots. Once it was done it looked more like a ombree hair color as we even have pictures. She wasn’t happy because the hair stylist told her she would make the top of her hair more blond when she came home the only new blond was at the ends no were else spending over $ 200 dollars we called and asked them to kindly fix it the people at the salon said that they need to speak to the manager after not returning our call back for a while they finally did saying that she can come back in but would have to pay again for new coloring which was pretty much the same price we already paid another $ 200 plus. Later I called back asking to speak to the owner they said they would contact the owner and return my call after waiting over a week for the call I called my self to see what the hold up was the reception told me her manager/​owner was sick and would call me back again waiting and not hearing anything I called once again and the reception rudely said the owner doesn’t care about out problem and doesn’t want to talk to us because she doesn’t care. First of all can some one please say UNPROFESSIONAL??? Are you joking me you take our $ 200 plus and do what you want and that’s it? Never have I heard of such FRAUD. The least this company could do is fix her hair for free and if not give us our money back and we will go get it done elsewhere. The reason I share this is so that you can be cautious about coming here. I also hope no one else gets treated this way. I also contacted the Better Business Bureau regards this situation.

I really enjoy this place! I’m new to the area and finding a new hair place is always scary. I walked in and was immediately greeted and taken back (I was also right now time usually I’m a few min early and don’t mind waiting). In all honesty I was worried about the prices once I sat down after walking through the area and see how nice it was and more higher end then i am used to (I forgot to ask for a quote As I was to excited to get my hair done for the first time in over a year haha). At the end I was very happy with the price (the same price I would pay at super cuts) and it was a fun and relaxing experience. I unfortunately forgot my stylists name but she was WONDERFUL! My hair is tricky and I got exactly what i wanted and was very happy. I really feel I got what I paid for and more :)

Where do I begin with this review? I have so many things to say.
First off, I’d like to say that brow lady (Jaida) that I was seeing at a previous salon moved to Pulse Salon, so naturally I followed (so glad that I did). I called yesterday to confirm my appointment and the receptionist on the phone was helpful advising me where to get off on the max and how far I would need to walk to the salon (not far at all).
I got off the max this morning and was 20 minutes early so I walked across the street for some coffee at Case Study Coffee. Pulse is conveniently off the max (for those who don’t want to pay for parking) which is a great way to travel. I than proceed to the Pulse Salon (1 block west of the Case Study Coffee shop). As I walked in I fell in love with the interior, music, refreshment station, decorations and the atmosphere. The receptionist (Jen) at the front desk was very helpful in answering ALL my questions. She was very upbeat, energetic and very welcoming.
I went in today for a brow wax with the VERY best Jaida. My eye brows always looks good after the appointment and no irritation. Jaida’s room where the service took place is calm and warm. You can’t go wrong with Jaida and yes I would recommend her to my friends and family.
The experience overall was FANTASTIC! Pulse is warm, friendly, inviting and very relaxing. From the minute you walk in and when you leave RESPECT is given all around. I loved the location so much and Jaida — I already booked my next 3 appointments. On my way out, I noticed other services that Pulse provided such massages and Jen mentioned that all the masseuses are awesome. I look forward in other services with Pulse in the near future.
Thank you both receptionists and Jaida for a first FANTASTIC experience!

It’s like I never left. I returned to Rebecca after several years of living in New York City. Rebecca is a wonderful colorist and stylist. Her skill, care and attention to detail is invaluable and hard to find even in a big city. Her knowledge and experience makes for quick work. Although I lost my favorite jacket at Pulse [tear], my love for Rebecca and Pulse has me back.

Hey everyone just incase you were not informed, I wanted to let y’all know that I (Megan Grant) am now working at London Influence just around the corner from Pulse. I love it here and would love to see you for your next appointment! :)

Megan is FANTASTIC!!! I came in on a recommendation from a friend, could not be happier.

I really liked my stylist Trina and the hair color she gave me. However, I left with color still left on my face, the store wasn’t super clean, and there was no where for my purse except a wobbly magazine stand that my tea was also on, and almost dropped a few times.

I had an amazing experience! My stylist, Trina, did a fantastic job on my hair! I’m a natural dirty blonde and I haven’t gotten highlights for two years but I did get a perm four months ago. I discussed with her whether to do highlights again or overall color and we decided to go with overall color because it didn’t have bleach in it. I was a little nervous about doing this for the first time but it turned out amazing! My hair is a brighter, lighter, golden blonde but still natural looking. Trina did exactly what I wanted even though I couldn’t articulate it that well. I’m so overly happy with the result! My haircut is also wonderful as she didn’t cut too much off and gave me a nice shape that compliments my growing out A-​line. She is my new stylist for sure!

Twice I’ve come in grumpy from a bad day at work and twice Rebecca not only turns my frown upside down, but I walk out with a cut and crazy color (purple and silver) that I get continual compliments on.
For years, I’ve been bouncing from salon to salon, but now I’m calling this place home.

One of the most annoying parts about moving is finding a new stylist. When I had previously moved to a new location, I went through a few salons and some bad haircuts before I found one I could be loyal to. I wasn’t at all looking forward to re-​doing that process when I arrived in Portland with an overgrown mane.
I chose Pulse because it received good reviews, had some magazine write-​ups, and it’s located two blocks from my apartment. The receptionist at the time was friendly, but a bit unprofessional. Sometimes we just aren’t in the mood to be professional though. I get it. I’ve also worked in a salon so I understand that gossip amongst the stylists and receptionists is to be expected. I probably would’ve preferred not to listen to it for 20 minutes, but that’s okay.
Courtney was right on time and really personable right off the bat. I told her the basics of what I wanted to do with my hair and told her to, basically, do what she wanted. I’ve been sporting a bob-​style cut for a few years now after I discovered that it suits me best, but Courtney did the best cut I’ve had… ever. She took a lot of weight out of my thick hair without making it choppy and uneven. The layers fell gorgeously and it’s the most low-​maintenence cut I’ve had — which is very important to me. Basically, she nailed it in every aspect. We got along really well and I had a great time. I didn’t have to spend hours at the salon, I wasn’t bombarded with additional services, and I’ll absolutely be a regular at Pulse.
The atmosphere is pleasant, Courtney was lovely, and the prices are very fair. I highly recommend a visit!

Finally I get to give a great review for a salon in Oregon!!! I honestly thought this day would never come.
I chose Pulse because I learned that they use the same brand of haircolor as my salon back home (Schwarzkopf). They also had good Unilocal reviews, reasonable prices and a really convenient location.
I had a nice consultation with Suzanne and we came up with a plan to get me back to the color I’d come to love.
When I got to my appointment a few days later, I was still really nervous based on my previous experiences at other local salons… but after a few minutes of chatting with Suzanne, I felt totally at ease. Not only was Suzanne kind and engaging, she obviously knew what she was doing. I was finally able breathe a sigh of relief.
In the end, Suzanne did a fabulous job with my blond highlights. Great technique and great results. I really appreciated how she explained that this color was really the first step in a two or three-​step process to get me back to the blond I was hoping for — I love having a plan!
Other notes: Parking was easy — don’t let the downtown location deter you (the very sweet receptionist even took my keys and some change and fed the meter for me when my time was about to run out!). Prices were very reasonable and a great value. The salon is warm and inviting, cozy and comfortable but still very high-​end.
Thank you, thank you Suzanne and Pulse Salon!

Ask for Rebecca! She’s amazing.

This salon carries Unite products that I love. Schwartzcopf color is amazing. Location is right off the max line and the street car!

I’ve been fighting with myself all day over whether I should write this review. What’s more important: telling the Unilocal community about a sub-​standard experience, or keeping my mouth shut so some kid can continue doing what she does to pay for college? At the end of the day, though, I know I value other peoples’ critiques of services, so maybe this is for the greater good.
I don’t know the name of the girl who cut my hair (not a good start, I know). She was young, very nice and friendly. She was trying to pay her way through architecture school and was really interesting to chat with.
She also seemed to know exactly what I was looking for when I asked for her to try to reproduce my formerly-​cute pixie cut, which was suffering from several weeks of outgrowth. She asked all the right questions and I was sure she was going to be awesome and my hair was going to look amazing.
An hour later and… Meh, not so much. I don’t want to be cruel because she really was an interesting, easy-​going person, but you could tell that perhaps her cutting skills weren’t on a par with her conceptual skills. What I left with was something closer to my brother’s $ 10 Supercut than the soft feminine pixie cut I was looking for.
I may go back to Pulse and ask for a different stylist. I chose this place because of the great Unilocal reviews and the stylists on the salon’s site looked like they knew their way around a short, woman’s cut. For the girl who cut my hair, I wish her all the success in the world. I just won’t be asking her to cut my hair anymore.

I’m going to have to say my experience was not so good at first! I had a blond weave in my hair told the lady I wanted my whole head platinum blond all over. I have had this done before and I know it can be done! The lady turned my hair burnt orange the top of my head was splotchy it was horrible!
However another lady approached the situation calmed me down was fixing my hair and did a wonderful job doing so with what she had to fix!!! Later on found out she was the owner! She is wonderful at doing hair! Very sweet lady turned a bad experience into a okay one even tho a job that should have taken 2 hrs took 5 hours! I will go back to pulse because they treat you right with kindness and respect!
Few days later received a card in mail checking in with me to see if I’m happy! The salon deserves an award for customer service!

I wanted to like this place. I did. The woman that cut my hair seemed to be receptive at first. I had two ideas, we worked out which would work better. Then she decided to do something completely different.
It was obvious that I didn’t like it, and I just couldn’t find the words to tell her how to fix it. She cut a little more to thin the pouf out, but still not helping. Finally, to make matters worse, she told me that I didn’t know what I wanted. (huh??) And, that I could come back tomorrow when i figured it out. Add about 5 oz. of pure, unfiltered aggressive tone so that I would leave as soon as possible.
I paid, left quite embarrassed. What did I say? Was I an annoying customer? Eh, I really don’t believe so. Just a girl who believed in lots of great reviews of this place, but I guess I got a grumpy stylist.
I give extra star when I received a Thank You snail mail card from the owner (not my stylist.)

Just got a cut and color done by Jikaiah and it looks awesome!
Jikaiah is so nice and casual but at the same time she gave me a lot of great tips on how to take care of my fine hair. I felt like I was in good hands and the result is an evidence that indeed I was.

Still loving the hairdos I’m getting out of this place. And Amee is the woman that is doing the magic on my head. She is very easy going which I like because I don’t have to deal with overly opinionated folks with scissors regarding my said hair. I have lots of THIN hair (kind of an oxymoron but so be it) and it does not enjoy being forced in to anything too high and mighty as it ends up just flippin me off and falling flat. That saying, Amee understands my hair because her cut lasts a while and my hair has yet to disagree with her.
It’s also in a neat little old house across from the library so it’s very unpretentious which I Iike because I don’t just go to cut my hair but to relax and enjoy being pampered.

I’ve been coming to pulse for almost 2 years now, and I won’t go anywhere else. I read reviews on Unilocal and made an appointment with Suzanne, the owner. She is skilled, welcoming, funny, and refreshing. I love coming here for my cut’n’color because it is cozy, chic, and cheerful. Plus, Elle magazine has recognized them as one of the top 100 salons in the NATION. Pulse ftw!

LOVE LOVE LOVE my hair color and cut. Suzanne nailed it and i will not go to anyone else as long as i live in portland. Unilocal research pays off yet again.
Suzanne was able to weed through my vague instructions, hungover inability to verbalize coherently and delivered EXACTLY the color I’ve been picturing for years. I have crappo hair, 30% gray and hair so independent it may be curly one day and wavy the next– not easy to tame. Combine my hair issue with the colors I have imposed on it over the years from black to purple to platinum, I wouldn’t wish my hair on my worst enemy. Maybe the girl in 9^th grade who made fun of me for not having any boobies. bitch.