Pulse Salon is close to everything good downtown, in a wonderful and pretty space. It feels genuinely friendly, professional but not pretentious. When I needed to change my appointment time, everyone was still super-nice to me, and you can tell that the people who work there form a strong team. I especially want to recommend Megan. She is upbeat, imaginative, and clearly has great technical skills. She is an awesome listener whether I go in with an idea or not, and I always look and feel so good when I leave! I've never had to have that awkward getting-used-to-the-new-look time that I've had with other stylists--in fact, before I met Megan, I thought that was the norm, like the pain of breaking in new shoes. I can leave the salon and go out or do something fun because she even styles it in a manner appropriate for me. She always shows me how to recreate that look, as well as giving me other styling ideas that will work. She understands that I can't spend a lot of time styling my hair or doing things that seem like they would take several more hands than I have, but she still comes up with multiple great ideas every time. One thing that I especially like about having Megan do my hair is that she creates a kind of alchemy between my cut and my color. They don't merely complement each other, they intentionally work together in a head-turning, eye-catching way. And the color and products she uses at Pulse work great on my resistant greying fine hair. I can't go as often as I like, but my cuts and color always grow out looking good. The other thing I wanted to mention specifically is that Megan has been doing my hair for some time now, but I have never had a moment of feeling that I was in some kind of hair rut where I just had to go along with what the stylist thought I should be doing. Megan has great ideas--and they fit ME--whether I need to have a conservative look, or want something a bit wild, or both at once! It always feels like a kind of magical collaboration--but definitely with Megan supplying most of that magic! And yet, my hair is always perfectly me. Call Pulse, and meet Megan. I know everyone is different, and we all have different hair-related wants and needs, but I'm certain you'll agree she's awesome. read more

I moved from New York months ago and needed to find a new hair colorist and stylist. After doing some research on yelp and noticing lots of great reviews about Pulse Salon, I called and was immediately connected to Christen Stanley. I felt an instant rapport with her even just over the phone and I immediately scheduled an appointment with her. When I went in, Christen asked insightful questions and really listened to me before making her recommendations. I have extremely curly hair that loves to frizz and Christen understood that I wanted a low maintenance cut that works WITH this kind of hair, not against it. Christen gave me a cut that maximized my curls and met my low maintenance hair lifestyle. I am also thrilled with the color which looks natural and retains my natural highlights; she worked with me to get the results I wanted. Christen is great to work with and she offers a sincere and honest approach to making recommendations. She was never pushy about products but made great recommendations for me. The salon itself is warm and soothing with a shampoo room that is bathed in low light, making the experience at the sink so relaxing. The entire staff who works there are friendly, open and positive. The music mix is fabulous and I am always asked if I'd like a beverage. Pulse Salon is a great place with friendly people and exceptional service, at a reasonable price. Christen Stanley is an amazing talent and I'm thrilled to have found her and Pulse Salon! read more

I just went in yesterday, and I am beyond thankful to Megan (sorry if I spelled the name wrong). I called in around 10:30 am, letting the receptionist know that i had just received the worlds worst color the weekend before, and i needed it fixed asap. I was scheduled for 11:00 (thank goodness). when walking in, both the receptionist and Megan were very kind and welcoming. First, Megan is extremely knowledgeable. She saw my hair, knew that it was near absolute destruction. Before I went to Pulse, I had asked for a copper blonde color. the lady dyed my hair red, then threw bleach on top of it, frying my hair and leaving it orange (this was NOT from Pulse Salon). My hair had reached the point where it took me roughly 30 minutes to brush, with breakage occurring more and more. my hair looked like orange cotton candy, it was so dry. But, Megan fixed it. Megan was very understanding of my situation, and she was as gentle on my hair as possible. I couldn't run my fingers through my hair before walking in there, and i left with my hair feeling normal again. she sent me home with so many beneficial tips and materials to nurse my hair back to health. I have Megan to thank for hair sol being on my head. She got the awful orange out by counteracting the warm tones, and I look normal now. My hair looks and feels normal, and it's because of Megan. Pulse Salon and Megan are worth every single penny. read more

The friendly environment in Pulse Salon is really quite wonderful. They are obviously a close group and they create such a positive energy that makes you feel at ease right away. I've been going to Megan for close to a year and my first visit I knew she was different than any other stylists I've ever had. Her warm smile and bubbly demeanor make her an absolute joy to be around. On my first visit, she didn't just whip out the scissors, she spent time talking to me about what I wanted...from how much time I wanted to spend on my hair to which products I liked to use, to different style options for my length of hair and even ways to grow out my hair while still maintaining a layered stylish look. She was realistic with me about options for bangs and limitations I may have due to the natural curl in my hair and I am SO thankful for someone who has that type of insight. Not everyone knows how to cut and handle the different types of curly hair. I came in having used boxed color product on my hair for over a year (I know, EEK!) Megan had a suggestion on how to use a Schwarzkopf product to that would bring highlights to my hair without bleaching it and the result was truly amazing. She is so talented and attentive and my hair has never been healthier. Make an appopintment at Pulse Salon and you will definitely leave happy and feeling beautiful and pampered. read more

I am in Portland frequently for conferences. Once, the conference was so bad and boring and on my dime that I walked out and downtown to shop. I ended up talking with a way-more-fashionable saleswoman than I.... and asked her a good place to get my hair finessed. She recommended Pulse, which was within walking distance. I walked in, had an amazing hair cut and two brazen white stripes added (it was a library conference after all) by a skilled and personable stylist. On my last trip to Portland, I took my daughter along. She has begged and begged to have her hair colored, and I wouldn't do it until she was in 8th grade. For her birthday, she got a cut and a color by Christen S. Even though my daughter requested the odd combo of white blond and black stripes in her dirty blond hair.... Christen took those two colors, and made it work fantastically, It even looked amazing growing out. And the haircut she gave her worked perfect for her thick long hair. Every visit to this salon has been a success... and I wished we lived closer. A great salon! And Christen is wonderful. read more

Just got my hair cut and styled by Suzanne. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! My hair is extremely thick and behaves any way it wants. I went in with way-to-long hair and just couldn't style it because of this.I have gone to other hair dressers who just could not tackle my hair in the way that was needed - usually they just section off my hair (or don't) and give me some long layers. Sure...I leave with long layered hair, but still the style isn't current and all the weight of my hair just flattens it at the crown. Suzanne cut and textured my hair; now it keeps its shape after I style it. The shop is cute and unpretentious; offered tea or wine; used delicious smelling product (and don't push the purchase, but I would have loved to have bought some). I parked in the parkade (cost $3) just a minutes walk away. Price of the haircut and style was spot on. Suzanne seems pretty cool and is good to talk to. I have a 45 minute commute to get to the salon, but it is well worth my time and will now call Suzanne my hair dresser :) Thanks Suzanne!!! read more

In the 10 years I've lived in Portland, I can count on one hand the number of good haircuts I've gotten. Suzanne, the owner of Pulse, gave me one of the best haircuts I've ever had. On top of having excellent technical skills, Suzanne also has exceptional communication skills. She asks insightful questions that get to what you really want in a haircut. I was so confident after talking about my haircut with her that I agreed to have her wax my eyebrows as well, and I didn't regret it as she did the best eyebrow shaping I've ever had as well. She carries a range of haircare products with very reasonable prices. She's friendly and very professional. As the owner you can tell she takes pride in the salon and that her clients' satisfaction is taken very seriously. The atmosphere of the salon is extremely relaxing and the complimentary glass of wine was a welcoming touch. You'll want to go and spend a couple of hours there getting all your beauty needs taken care of. read more

I was looking for a good cut under $50. I saw all the amazing reviews on Yelp and I was skeptical because they all sounded so unrealistically great but I decided to bite. Suzanne is the owner and she cut my hair. She was chatty but not superficial. She was easy to relate to and we didn't have to make uncomfortable small-talk because she seemed pretty bright right off the bat. When she cut my hair and I looked in the mirror I was ambiguous - but WAIT - that happens a lot. No one loves the way the stylist finishes the cut, you always resist the impulse to mess it up and play with it yourself. When I finally did that I realized that she might have given me the best cut I have every gotten in PDX. The more I played with it and made it my own, the more I LOVED my cut. Then I started to get a lot of unsolicited compliments, people asking me who cut my hair and now I know I finally found my very own PDX hairdresser after 3 whole years of looking! read more

Great salon with nice, professional stylists! I've been going to Pulse Salon for a number of years. I have never had a bad experience. I have recommended Pulse to a number of my friends, who also go to Pulse. Rebecca is wonderful! I've been to lots of stylists over the years and she's the best. Excellent consistent cuts and she's wonderful with color! Any subtle changes I want to make she always achieves to perfection! Rebecca is also upbeat and positive, so it's an enjoyable experience to get my hair done. The rest of the staff and the owner are wonderful. Rebecca was out this week due to unexpected illness and Suzanne fit me in at the last minute. She even rearranged childcare to make it work - way above and beyond. Again, the results were wonderful! They are very convenient to downtown workers. I would highly recommend Pulse! read more

SOOOO Happy!!! I found Haley!! Yea!! Haley is a fantastic hair stylist and has been doing my hair for about a year now. I have extremely fine, stick straight hair, that for fun also has many cowlicks, just to make it slightly more challenging. Haley has been the only stylist EVER to actually make my hair look phenomenal. She is amazing and very skilled. Believe me I have been down the road of having my hair butchered and looking like a disaster, or having to wait a week or so to have my hair look decent, or hair stylists that do not listen and do what they want, but not with Haley. Take this one last chance and you won't be sorry. She is great! For all who are wondering ~ Pulse is right on the Max line and next to Smart Park, so don't let the downtown/uptown location scare you, it is very easy to find and quite convenient. read more

Crystal is The Best! If you are looking for someone that knows hair, color and cuts,you won't find anyone more talented than Crystal. I have been seeing her for over a year, and followed her when she recently moved to Pulse Salon. She is inspired, creative, knowlegable, and consistently good. My hair has become healthier, easier to style, and has never looked better. I took a friend to Crystal before she started a new job in Bellingham, WA, and she loved her hair so much she swore she would make the trip back to see Crystal again! (She, too, never looked better.) Pulse Salon is in a great spot; near the Main Public Library, Powell's, Smart Park, Mother Goose, Gelato shop, and the Goodwill Boutique at 10th, so it is easy to have a pleasant day in addition to having to leaving Crystal with fabulous hair. read more

I'm in love! I just moved to the area and was very hesitant on where to go and get my hair done as I am very picky. I decided to try pulse salon based on the reviews and am very happy I did. I had a color and cut with Rebecca and she is absolutely amazing!! She touched up my roots and fixed what my last hairstylist had done to my hair. I'm in love with my style and will come back for sure, she was a lot of fun and easy to talk to. The guy at the front is awesome too and makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door..they even have wine (although no moscato unfortunately ) it is a little spendy but TOTALLY worth it, your hair is not something you want to get cheap out on, something I learned the hard way. It's also in a perfect location DT right next to the rail. read more

Suzanne was my hair stylist until I left the area a few months ago, and I was fortunate to get to know her. She listened to me and understood and respected my thoughts about my hair. So, that quickly developed into a trust that I rarely have for someone working on my hair. The effort and perfection that she put into my hair is reflected in the salon environment. The ambiance is soothing and relaxing. This is a woman who has clearly put so much care and energy into everything she does. When I moved out of the area recently, I reached out to her to ask her some questions, and as usual she responded quickly with a detailed email. I f I could, I would fly back just to get my hair done there. Thank you, Suzanne for all that you do! read more

Love my summer hair! :) I found out about Pulse Salon through yelp, and was so pleased with my overall experience and the outcome (yup, this is my first time to write a review online, ever!). Christen is so amazing. I love the personalized service, the way Christen listened to my ideas, and how she shared her own creativity in the most professional and caring manner. She took almost two hours to cut my hair - amazing, amazing precision and attention! I made a radical transformation from very, very long hair, to very short hair (I usually donate my long hair so this is not new to me), and is very glad that I went to Pulse to get my hair cut done. Absolutely worth the $! Looking forward to my next hair salon appointment. :) read more

I have a new job, and my regular hair artist wasn't available. I walked into Pulse Salon, and was warmly greeted by Kirsten Sheridan. She asked me exactly what I wanted prior to the style and cut...and asked for feedback throughout. This is easily the most professional haircut I have ever received. And I have tough hair...curly as a poodle. I'll never go anywhere else. Kirsten was careful but expedient...and never tried to push products on me..which I really appreciated. In addition, the atmosphere of Pulse is welcoming and artistic. It's downtown location was an easy stop for me. Go to Pulse! Ask for Kirsten. I've lived in Portland for seventeen years, and I'm sold. I'll be back in 4 weeks without a doubt. read more

Suzanne has made Pulse Salon an "experience". The decor, the lighting, offer of wine or other beverage, the music selections, a massage therapist, all combine to make your visit a true pleasure. More importantly, Suzanne has been doing my hair for several months now and it always looks better than I could even have imagined! Highlights, lowlights, a new cut--all great, and all producing lots of compliments. Her styling tips are very helpful, and she gives great product tips without the product hard-sell. If you're looking for gifts, check out the locally handcrafted jewelry, soap, and art. The localtion is great, right on the MAX line, or an easy Downtown walk. Suzanne and Pulse get my highest recommendation! read more

If you are looking for an AMAZING stylist, then you absolutely have to visit Kristen Bretz at Pulse! She is uber talented and I have perfect strangers who stop me in public places to tell me how great my cut and color is! Thankfully I carry her card with me wherever I go! She always knows just how to cut my hair so that it is easy to style and flatters my face! She is the only stylist that has been able to get my very black hair an awesome shade of red, and has picked such an amazing color that, like i said, gets compliments wherever I go! I feel like a million dollars when she is done with me! Every friend or co-worker I have referred has said the same thing, too! I would highly reccommend her! read more

One of the best salons I have ever been to. The staff is professional, kind, and attentive. Not to mention, the salon is beautiful & elegant. You will feel like royalty. When I usually visit other salons, even barbershops, my stylist fails to give proper attention to a thorough consultation. I feel like just another customer they're trying to get through the door. At Pulse Salon, the stylists have always made sure to consult with me on the appropriate length & style. I feel like a friend, more than just a number. I have received my best results at this salon and I have been to MANY different salons. If I lived in Portland I would continue to come here regularly. I definitely highly recommend! read more

I just planned a very last minute wedding last weekend, after being fed up with trying to plan the big traditional wedding. We started the planning on Friday for our wedding that was on Saturday. We called Pulse hair salon to see if it would be possible for one of the stylists to fit me in to do my hair for our wedding. They were able to get me an appointment with Christen. She was AWESOME! I had a picture for her to look at, of what I wanted my hair to look like on my wedding day. She matched the picture perfectly! I looked better than I ever could've imagined on such short notice. I would highly recommend Christen to anybody looking for a hairsylist! read more