Rats Nest Salon

ALLISON TIGHE (formally of Ficocello’s) NOW AT RATS NEST! She is amazing with my very-​not-​easy hair and the salon is delightful. Welcoming and simple in a classic St Paul brick-​and tin ceiling building in a newly up and coming area. ON LINE Scheduling ²⁴⁄₇ — love that! ALLISON TIGHE has won numerous regional and national design awards — but specializes in making you look good with cuts that you can care for at home. Down to earth and friendly– this is what you’ve been looking for. Check out the donuts next door (Mojo Monkey Donuts and Coffee 1169 7^th St W, St Paul, MN 55 102); New gym, new restaurants. FRIENDLY expert stylists. Spectacular service, I love the TEXT reminders! Easy, free, on street parking. The stuff they sell is well chosen and nicely priced– check out the men’s gift box with the shampoo that looks like a nice bottle of bourbon — Upgrade your Man without him feeling metro’d!

Alright, well I moved to MN from TX two and a half years ago, and I would travel back home every three to four months so I would get my hair done with a girl I’ve been going to for nine years. Well with my boyfriend and I getting a place together and with the day to day bills etc my trips to TX have sadly been less. I had come to the point of needing to find a salon here in MN. Going by my mom’s advice of «If you see someone’s hair that looks good, ask them where they go», I asked a friend of mine and she recommend juut. If was a nice experience and I was pleased with my hair, BUT I left broke. Juut was very SPENDY for the amount of time and service (just a wash/​haircut/​style) I received. I feel as if I paid for the atmosphere and head massage, more so than the actual service. My visit to JUUT was four months ago.
I had some settle highlights that I was able to maintain with my trips to TX, but terrified of trying someone new to color my hair in MN and scared of the price I was quoted at JUUT (almost a car payment after the cost of tip).
In MAJOR need of a hair cut and wanting my settle highlight/​low lights back, I asked a ex co-​worker (whose hair always looked AWESOME with her cut and highlights) where she goes. She told gets her hair done by a girl name MEGAN PRICE at the RATS NEST. I looked at the site and did a little bit of research here on Unilocal. Very pleased with reviews and pricing I saw online (which the pricing is very similar to what I paid in TX for partial highlights and cut) I booked a appointment online. (Booking online is a very nice feature.)
The ex co-​worker that recommended the salon also had an appointment the same day I booked. Our appointments were back to back and my friend and I were able to sit and chat while getting our hair done by MEGAN PRICE.
MEGAN was VERY informative and I felt so comfortable and confident in the plan she had for my hair. MEGAN picked out some amazing lowlight colors that complemented my natural hair color, and was very eager to please and wanted to make sure I was satisfied … AND I WAS! My hair cut was awesome and it feels WAY BETTER, and looks AWESOME with the low lights. She really took her time in getting my color right and upon paying she made sure that I was satisfied. MEGAN also gave me her cell phone number and wanted me to let her know if after a few days, if there was anything that I wanted fixed to just let her know and she would fix it.
(SIDE NOTE: Something I noticed about the atmosphere at the RATS NEST and NOT at juut was the friendliness of conversing between the stylists. They were funny and nice to one another, and at juut I didn’t see any of that, at jut it felt like everyone was competing, or didn’t get along.)
This is absolutely the BEST customer service I’ve received at a salon, I’m absolutely IN LOVE with my hair (the color and cut). I would HIGHLY recommend MEGAN PRICE at RATS NEST! She’s amazing and really KNOWS what she’s doing! As a matter of fact I’m going to recommend MEGAN PRICE and RATS NEST to my friend that recommended juut. :)
Sorry for the lengthy review, but MEGAN PRICE and the RATS NEST needed the recognition they both deserve!
If I ever move back to TX I’m going to have to travel to MN to get my hair done!

I followed Megs over here from her previous salon and would follow her again if I needed to. I hope I don’t have to, though. The Rat’s Nest Salon seems to be filled with friendly people and good products. Actually, I found my new favorite paste here and I couldn’t be happier.
A small complaint, but not enough to dock it a star, would be that there isn’t a parking lot. I haven’t had any trouble finding parking, but that might change in the winter when it is covered in snow.
I like that there is online booking and pricing. Once booked, they send you reminder emails a few days before the appointment. Never had a bad experience with Megs or Aaron and enjoy their company while I’m there. Highly recommended.

Love this place because it’s so fun, cozy, and friendly. Aaron is the best and always makes me feel prettier than when I walked in. If you are looking for a new place to get your hair done, I highly recommend trying Rats Nest.

I love this place. Convenient online booking, great atmosphere, and awesome stylists. I highly recommend Jen — she’s fun to chat with, listens to what you want, and does amazing color. Hands down, the best cut and color I’ve ever had.

My wife discovered the Rats Nest shortly after we moved into the West 7^th neighborhood, and she politely requested (or told me I had to) give it a shot. I fell in love with the place right away. It’s a neighborhood salon in a classic building, and the type of place where people learn your name quickly and treat you well.
We’ve since moved a few miles away, but I go back and see Jen every 4 weeks and never want to go anywhere else. It’s more expensive than going to Great Clips, but working with someone who knows my hair and how I want it cut and who always does an awesome job is worth the premium.
I’d write them a review every four weeks, but that’d be cheating. If you live in St. Paul, definitely check this place out!

This is a great little salon in a gorgeous historic building. I followed my hair stylist, Peter, here when he moved from another salon in St. Paul. Although I live in Texas, I am in St. Paul often on business. If I expect to be here within a month of when my hair is in need of a cut, I’ll wait to come here. You may think that says as much about my fashion sense as it does about Peter’s skill (and be right), but trust me– he’s that good.
The Rats Nest is a great shop. Parking is no problem. The waiting lounge is comfortable and tastefully decorated. I particularly enjoyed the nostalgic photographs. I was early and was served hot tea while waiting. The stylists and receptionist were all very friendly and seemed to want to be there. Next time my hair is getting out of control, so will I.
As I get older I find that I value my time more and more. It’s not that I want to rush — quite the opposite. I want to enjoy what I do, where I am, and who I spend time with. Peter and The Rats Nest help turn the «chore» of staying nicely groomed into an enjoyable experience.

I love this newly remodeled salon on West 7^th. My colorist Jenna is fantastic and keeps my hair looking healthy and exactly the color I want it. I followed Jenna from Juut, along with most of her clients, and not only is it a far better price at the Rat’s Nest, it’s a warmer friendlier environment as well. The owner Tanya runs an excellent business and Sean, the front desk manager, is always on-​hand with a fresh cup of coffee and happy to get the flavored creamer from the back (thanks, Sean!!). Jenna has recommended several products that I have loved, including the Moroccan oil conditioner as well as the oil itself. The Rat’s Nest is the only place in St Paul I’ve been able to find it and you get 10% off your first purchase of product — such a deal. My one wish would be for some bright overhead lighting. There isn’t any right now and the table lamps make for a slightly dim picture of your hair in the mirror. All in all a fabulous comfortable salon that I enjoy going back to every month. Thanks, Jenna and Tanya and Sean and staff!