I decided to go ahead and finally do a keratin treatment after months of debating it, and I'm glad I did! My hair is now very soft and manageable and much less frizzier than it was before. The only reason I give this 4/5 stars is because of the pricing. On their website it says it's $150 for a keratin treatment but in reality it's around $230, so just be aware of that. Other than that, I'm really happy with how my hair turned out and I really recommend their keratin treatment if you have dry, frizzy hair like I did. read more

I found Suzanne on Yelp 8 years ago. She is terrific and always listens to what I want. I always get compliments on my hair. She is efficient with her time and can always get me in and out with a color, wash, cut and blow out in 2 hours. Her prices are fair and competitive for the services she provides. I'm super happy with Pulse and Suzanne. read more

After two ill-conceived "hipster mullets", a horrible jet-black dye job, and a salon that double charged my credit card (ouch!), I think I have FINALLY found my stylist in Portland. Suzanne is professional, articulate, and was able to take my crappy computer picture of fiery red hair and turn it into pure magic on my tresses. I'm a brunette with gold-ish tones, and my hair is fine, curly, porus, and normally doesn't take color well. Needless to say, I was nervous about taking the plunge into the world of red-headedness. Suzanne made it pain-free while respecting the (previously colored) quality of my hair. The Schwarzkopf color is great too. She gave me great tips on how to keep my color from fading, and was very fair when we talked price, as I am unemployed at the moment. I'm so happy she was there to help- what a great pick me up! I've made heads turn on the street and the BF is intrigued by his sexy "new" girlfriend. Need I say more? PS- Check out the August 2010 Elle... Pulse is mentioned as one of the top 100 salons in the U.S.! Yay Pulse! read more

This place was fantastic. They got me in same day for a cut when I finally said that "enough is enough!" Katie (new to Pulse) gave me the best cut I have had in years. She really considered my face shape, coloring and personal style. I will definitely become a regular there. read more

Pulse was fabulous! Courtney, here is a major shootout to you! You are amazing!! Thank you thank you! So, I'd been wanting to dye my hair purple for years, but never quite had the courage. Finally, I bit the bullet and decided to go for it! But what's this!? I'm new to Portland and have NO idea where to get my hair done. Who do I trust? What if my hair turns out bright orange? What if I end up looking like Bozo!? We all know the questions, the fear, the dread that comes with the territory of finding a new hair stylist. Pulse took such good care of me and my hair! Courtney started the appointment off by listening intently to what I wanted. None of the nodding, in one ear and out the other - she made sure she knew what I wanted. She then said that generally something like purple is something that happens after a consult so that the stylist can make sure she gets the right color. Lucky for me, we came up with something right then and there. Courtney spent four hours on my hair, gave the best scalp massage EVER, and lovingly (and very patiently) did everything she could to get my hair just right for me. Thank you so much Courtney! You provided an exceptional experience, were fun to talk to, and gave me exactly what I asked for you. You are awesome! As for the salon itself: Fun, comfortable, charming, and friendly. I highly recommend! And if you're new to town, never fear - Courtney is here! read more

I'm a master stylist at pulse salon! I work Tuesday-Saturday! Would love to see you in my chair

Great location, beautiful salon. Adrianna does a wonderful job keeping my hair trendy, and age appropriate. She also keeps the color natural and never brassy, which is close to a miracle. I would recommend Adrianna and Pulse. read more

I wondered in today after finding my old salon had closed down, how lucky was I!! Suzanne gave me such a great cut and color, I won't go anywhere else after this!! Thank you sooo much, you're amazing!! read more

I moved to Portland two years ago and struggled to find a new stylist. I have super fine hair that damages easily and within a year of bouncing around to different salons my hair was fried. In desperation I went into Pulse and had an appointment with Megan. A year later and my hair is the healthiest it has ever been and I love my color!! She listens so well, is awesome at communicating and is relaxed and real. You know how sometimes after you go somewhere for awhile they don't do as good of a job? Every single time she is attentive to detail and I always leave happy. I actually thought about asking her to go to California for my wedding because I knew if she was there it would guarantee perfect hair. One last thought: she rocks at waxing brows. Really. read more

I am a hairstylist myself so I am very picky on my hair and my standards are very high. This salon is beautiful and the staff is amazing. I had my hair done by Rebecca. She took time to do an amazing consultation, to be sure she and I were on the same page. I am a blonde and very picky on the tone of my hair. This is the best blonde I have ever been. Her hair cutting skills are equally as amazing. She takes the time after the initial cut to blow dry, style, and then fine tune the cut with texturing and shaping the style while dry. I will never go to anyone else ever again!!!!!!!!! I love my hair!!!!!!!!!! read more

I meant to write a review right after my haircut a couple of months ago but oh, here it is. I was on a hunt for a stylist/salon until I stumbled upon Pulse thanks to all the admiring reviews here on yelp. The owner of the salon, Suzanne, gave me my first haircut in Portland. I know that she's a talented hairstylist but a bit conservative for me. I clearly stated I wanted something androgynous, funky, short, and chic (in hindsight, maybe that was too much to ask woops).... well she gave me short and chic no doubt. Kudos for her though for grasping my not-there-yet feeling about my haircut, so she cut my hair shorter (very much appreciated) and a bit funkier. Then I felt, okay now she's getting there. Anyway, not a totally bad experience. I'd go back to Suzanne in an instant if I have nice, wavy, charming hair. If you want to go extreme with trendy and super Vogue-ish chic look, go book Suzanne now. So it's been a couple of months, I'm perusing my unopened mail and tada... a card from Suzanne! Hold on tight Suzanne, I'll get a haircut before I go to NYC this September, I need a super chic, feminine look. Thank god in PDX, we really don't need to worry about all these 24/7 flamboyance. read more

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. read more

This salon is by far my favorite! Extremely relaxing and private. The stylist are professional and very talented with up to date training! They provide water, coffee, wine, and tea to add a little something extra to the experience. Adrianna Wilson, a stylist at Pulse does fantastic wedding and special event updo's and hair styles! She had made me feel beautiful on a many occasions! read more

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! read more

I think maybe this salon was at one time top notch. Unfortunately, that is no longer. In order to understand the extent of the bad experience I had there, I would also need to post photos of my hair. Maybe I will feel up to doing that at a later time. After my hairdresser moved out of Portland I went through the tedious task of reading through reviews to find a new salon. Pulse has outstanding reviews. But those reviews are mostly based on hairdressers that have been there a long time. I was placed with a hairdresser that had recently started to work there. What I was asking for was complicated-going from brunette to 'bronde' and achieving this through balayage. At the consultation, I brought numerous photos with me and shared in detail what I did and didn't want. The hairdresser assured me she could achieve the look I was going for. Then the nightmare began. I sat through 4 sessions with this hairdresser including the consultation and in the end my hair's style was a melting ombre, was very brassy in the middle section of the melting ombre and had a green and dingy tint in the blonde bottom half. My hair was completely fried and had no life. Before the third visit, I realized I would not be getting the bronde hair and I was desperate to bring back life into my hair. I asked for chocolate low lights to be added back into my hair so it didn't look as fried, green and brassy but her ver batim response was, "I don't want to cover up your blonde." So basically she refused and she decided what was best in regards to my hair. That would have been fine had she been competent. The technique was bad. Did she not understand that balayage is a technique and ombre a style (that I did not ask for). Instead of painting in delicate sun kissed streaks, she threw on loads of bleach in block style- hence the ombre result. It looked terrible and fried my hair. Even more, it looked absolutely nothing like what I had described or like the many photos I had shared with her and the many text messages and the many conversations we had about the options I was comfortable with. Melting Ombre was NEVER an example in any one of those photos. She should have apologized. She should not have charged me and she should have been honest and come clean with the fact that what I had wanted was simply not going to happen. Instead, she let her ego run the show and my hair is ruined and much shorter as a result :( I had my hair corrected at a different salon and that salon could not believe what they were hearing after I showed them pictures and text messages I had exchanged with the hairdresser. The salon I went to get the job corrected listened to me, looked at the photos I provided and did exactly what I asked for without damaging my hair. That just goes to prove that had the hairdresser at Pulse Salon listened and not allowed her ego to get in the way that my hair could have looked great. After getting my hair corrected I was encouraged by that salon to speak to the owner. The owner did not return my emails or voice messages. Its been more than a month. The store manager suggested that I should have gone to a different hairdresser in their salon when I wasn't happy with my hair. It never occurred to me that was an option. At no point did the hairdresser offer to place me with a different hairdresser at their salon even after the third visit and she could see I was about to cry sitting in her chair. I would have gladly accepted the option of going to another hairdresser but it was never offered to me. I'm seriously considering taking them to small claims court just on principle alone. How they operate is unethical. I'm astounded at how unprofessional the whole thing was handled from start to finish. When I walked in my hair was slightly dry but still very healthy and shiny and LONG :( In the end I had to have 2+ inches cut off just to get it looking passable again and I probably won't get my hair back to looking healthy for another year. I spent $500 in between Pulse Salon and then the other salon to correct the bad job. I do have to hand it to the hairdresser though. It is quite an accomplishment to get a person's hair both brassy and ashy with green tones. Usually, bad hair jobs are just one of the two. read more

I've been going to Pulse for more than a year now. Courtney is amazing! She always does a great job and my every visit is very educational. She shares a lot of tricks and gives advice on how to treat my hair. read more

I have been impressed with Pulse from the minute I entered the salon. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. I love the decor, great music and access to the coffee shop next door. I have been going to Suzanne for a year now and I am so excited to have found her! I am always extremely happy with my cut and color. She always has fresh ideas for my hair. Five stars!!!! I can't wait to try a massage as well..... read more

Always made to feel revived, beautiful and glamorous after getting my hair done by Suzanne!!! Have been her client since day one and refuse to go to anyone else. She is simply AMAZING!!!!! Highly recommend to everyone! read more

This was a gorgeous salon and I just came in for a last-minute blowout but if you have the money, go enjoy a glass of wine and get pampered. Everything down to the mugs/glasses are beautiful. 4 Stars because it's out of my normal price range, but worth it for that trip! read more

I've been going to Christen for over 6 months and the only time it was not good was when she went on maternity and her sub did not understand my color (I ended up with Ronald McDonald red roots-weird). When she got back, Christen started right back in on what we could do and it looked better with that very first color and cut. She really listens and seems to pay attention to what you're willing to do with your hair and what your hair can do- which I appreciate. She will suggest product but does not push anything on you. I think their prices are in line with other salons in PDX but I wish it was not so expensive so I could go more often! read more

Crystal Crystal Crystal!!!!! Crystal is the best hair and makeup stylist I have ever gone to (and I have gone to some very chi chi places all around the world). She is super professional, and very modest (ask her what she did in LA - she'll make ya look like a "star" ;)). Plus, she is just super funny and kind! The salon is beautiful, and it's right across from a great coffee/lunch shop, so you can get 2 fixes with one visit! The location is also perfect - right up from the SmartPark on 10th by the library AND Nordstrom - a great excuse to pamper yourself for the day! Their hair and skin products are superb... But mostly I just love Crystal!!! She is the BEST! I would follow her back to Hong Kong if she moved! read more

The owner Suzanne was able to squeeze me in at the last minute which was awesome. When I walked into the salon she was very pleasant and warm and the salon had a lovely atmosphere. I loved the fact that it was trendy without being pretentious. As for the cut and color she did a nice job. Suzanne explained options to me and walked me through what I could do with my color in the future. The result was my color looked natural again, shiny, and healthy. Pricing was super reasonable for the quality of service that I received and I will definitely recommend her and will be back! read more

Overrated. Salon looks nice. Rebecca was my stylist. I wanted balayage with icy blonde and showed her pictures. I came out with fried bleached Yellow looking hair with massive roots. Not what I asked for... unfortunately, I'll be having to have it fixed somewhere else after I let it heal. I can't wear it down it looks trashy. :-( read more

I selected Pulse by reviews on this site I made an appointment with Suzanne the owner for a morning appt. High lights and a cut. Always scary going to a new stylist. My hair turned out amazing. I always wait til I have to wash and style it. I love my hair. I thought my last gal was amazing but I feel this is probably the best over all look I have had. Update as of 10/12. I am hooked on Suzanne's work. She does an amazing job with my naturally straight-fine hair. She doesn't rush. I feel i am getting my moneys worth. She is a class act. She also works Mondays which for those of us in the service biz is fantastic. The location is so convienent , ( I spelled that wrong how to do spell check on this?? Next to the library. Great place! read more

Oh man this place was GREAT. I was in Portland for the weekend, needed to kill some time on a Friday and also needed a haircut....I saw all the great reviews on this place and decided to go for it. I was nervous that being from out of town (California) I wouldn't get the best service....WRONG SO WRONG. Jen gave me the best haircut I have ever had, like seriously. Why is it so hard to find a good stylist? Maybe because I have curly hair? I don't know but way more often than not I am unhappy with my cuts, not this time around! Jen was so awesome! She really listened to what I wanted, understood and delivered. She also styled it just how I like so I felt extra amazing all day. She also had some of her own suggestions (more layers!) and I trusted her and I am so glad I did. I might just need to start going to Portland every few months just to get a haircut!! Seriously if you need a cut and especially if you have curly hair, ask for Jen, she will understand and make you feel and look awesome!! Can't believe I lucked out with a same day appointment with her! read more

Pulse Salon - Layers on my curly hair and blow out by Jen! - Hair Salons Near Me - Portland, Oregon

These are 5 hardcore stars because this is a FIRST for me!! Never happened to me before - where I randomly pick a salon and end up having a GREAT experience....thank you Yelp! Went here in early August to see Suzanne as all of her reviews on Yelp were really good. They were spot on! She is a great hairstylist and the owner of the salon. Very professional and personable, with no pretense in the salon whatsoever. I have really thin hair that is hard to cut and I rarely let someone else touch it besides my DC hairstylist. But I was desperate and needed a slight trim - and Suzanne did a great job with the cut and the color! I always get bright almost platinum blonde highlights but I love it when hairstylists are creative and change it up a little bit as opposed to just filling in the same color every time. Suzanne also gave me some low lights which added so much more dimension to my hair color I am definitely going to be requesting them when I go back home. I consider myself a very high maintenance hair client and I've been to enough stylists (since I've moved around so much) to know that not everyone can cut thin hair and make it look good. The cut, color and blow dry were all really good. Pulse delivers and the price point cannot be beat. This was the most satisfying hair experience I have had in a LONG time, and Pulse Salon is easily one of the things I will miss most about Portland. Also -- Pulse was mentioned in Elle Magazine's August 2010 issue as the top Salon in Oregon, just some FYI for ya. read more

An Update to my previous visit at Pulse Salon and Spa!! So, if you have read my previous review you know that I had the BEST hair cut here by Jen and that the experience was perfect. Not glossy or fake like some salons do and not at all unfriendly. After my first visit, I knew I would be coming back for my next hair cut, just because Jen was amazing and also to see if it was just a lucky first time. Well, I was NOT disappointed. I booked my appointment with Jen and the desk was SUPER friendly while I called them to double check my time and date, also told me how I could park since they kindly let me know there was going to be a parade right beside the block they were located. I also made an appointment for a brow wax. (This was a first time for me). Coming in, the atmosphere was of course amazing, friendly, and really comfortable. My haircut by Jen was Perfect, she put in exactly what I pictured (layers and a good framing for my roundish head) and made me feel super comfortable unlike other places I have gone to where you feel like your being interviewed and just under pressure. I walked out with my hair glowing and healthy and on cloud 9. (when you only get your hair cut twice a year or so, its like the first time every time). I then got my eye brows waxed. I am always nervous about my brows cause one mistake and... well you know. But, It turned out perfect and I was super satisfied and feeling beautiful. Thank you sooooo much Pulse Salon and Spa and Thank you Jen!! I am already looking forward to when my hair is due for another hair cut. :) read more

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. read more

Girls, (& guys) if you don't have a regular stylist, or the one you have takes too many creative liberties, (or just plain sucks but you're too afraid to leave because you don't want to hurt their feelings).... get over it & get into PULSE! Great location just around the corner from the library, & right next door to a cute coffee shop. (I didn't try that, but I will sometime) Anyway, you walk in, & immediately you don't feel intimidated or uncomfortable. You know we have all been to "those places". The ones that are the newest best thing & on the cutting edge of everything, but you have to go out & buy a new outfit & put on most of the jewelry you own just to make sure your stylist will take you seriously..... Pulse is warm, friendly, inviting, relaxing, & decorated with class. From the minute you walk in, you know that you're appreciated, & you will be treated with respect. The music & overall atmosphere are great, & the offer of a beverage during your service is a really nice touch. Christen was my stylist & she is AMAZING!!!! I am way fussy when it comes to my color, & just about as fussy about the cut. I went in with a picture of what I wanted my hair to be like, with a few subtle differences..... she listened to me, made some helpful suggestions & worked with me to get me what I wanted. She was on the money!!! Everything about the end result is PERFECT! She is also a really easy person to talk to..... I am a total chatterbox as it is, & sometimes, I know I am an unstoppable force once I get going...... I never felt uncomfortable or that I was "over-the-top" with her. We had a flowing conversation that at times even included Suzanne & her client. It was really like hanging out with friends...... (while getting an amazing hair style)!! You can't go wrong with Christen. Suzanne, who I saw working with a couple clients while I was there is also extremely talented! Great place, great people, great products, & exceptional service..... all at a very decent price! I can't say it any clearer..... Go Here! You will LOVE it! read more

I came in for a new hairstyle, as mine was feeling pretty lackluster. A friend recommended Jenn, and she was incredible! She spent so much time chatting with me about what I wanted, and what she thought would be best for my hair texture and face shape. She coached me on how to style it a few different ways recommended helpful products. My haircut was exactly what I wanted and I left with a huge smile on my face. Will definitely be back! read more

I have had my hair colored for about 13 years now at locations all over the world so I have had many good and bad experiences. I have had 2 great experiences with Pulse Salon with Randi. She has done exactly as I request quickly, professionally and beautifully. I adore the ambience in this salon. The smells, decor and lighting are perfect. I have also never been pushed product or overcharged which is something that other salons frequently do. Their pricing is very reasonable as well. So glad I found a great salon! read more

Huge kudos to Courtney and Pulse Salon. I moved to Portland four months ago and suffered through some bad haircuts looking for a new stylist. My search is over with Courtney. She is friendly, warm and a great stylist. She listened to what I wanted, offered suggestions and spent an hour and a half giving me a great cut and style. All while I relaxed and sipped some delicious wine! I am so pleased to have found such a great new stylist! read more

I live in Tacoma but we visit Portland often. I thought Pulse looked like a cool place, so after reading reviews I booked a haircut with Suzanne. I've been seeing the same hair stylist in the Seattle area for 30 years, and I'm VERY picky. Well, I may just have to end my 30 year relationship, because Suzanne not only gave me a wonderful haircut (and I have weird hair that is very hard to get right), she also solved a scalp issue that not even my dermatologist had been able to figure out. So YAY!!! I highly recommend Pulse, and I'm glad we go to Portland often enough to make Suzanne my new stylist. I have "cheated" on my 30 year guy once in a while over the years, and every time I have done that I've regretted it. Not this time! Thank you Suzanne! read more

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

I'm very possessive over my blonde so when my friend who has been doing my hair for years moved to another state it sent me in to a panic. I've tried a couple places and got so so results in highlights and a boring cut to boot even after showing pictures. BTW it's so important to be realistic with your expectations. If your hairdresser says this will ruin your hair, believe her! But I digress, I saw this salon advertised on my Facebook page and was so impressed by the pictures of the blondes! So natural looking, blended perfectly and really cute fun modern cuts! Still not all hairdressers are expert in blonde. It's important to ask for the person who is the expert at what you want beforehand, otherwise you get who's available. Well I was not disappointed! Susan is the resident expert and don't let her dark hair fool you! Lol! This woman knows blonde and I could not have been more happy with the results! Even my husband was impressed and for a guy to notice how well a partial light blonde foil weave is done, that's saying a lot! Oh and the cut is wonderful, lots of movement, playful and fun, not soccer mom looking at all. At 42 this is important to me So in review for those who may have had a bad experience, be realistic in your expectations and ask for the expert at the salon for what you want ahead of time and be patient, wait until they are available. Like all people we have different strengths and weaknesses and the same goes for hair artists everywhere. Susan is the gold plus standard with blonde and a lovely human being as well. Could not have had a better experience and will for sure be coming back. She's worth the price! read more

There is no other way to say it other than I simply received the best massage ever from Kaitlyn. The ambience is great and the staff is incredibly professional. I would recommend this place hands down. read more

This place is adorable! I first came to the salon back in September 2010 because of the reviews I read on Yelp. I booked an appointment with Suzanne and I have finally (after 4 years searching) found my new hairstylist. I have coarse curly dark hair. Color normally doesn't last longer than 4 weeks. The color they use is shiny and I easily make it 7 weeks. My hair is on the longer side, no special cut, but since coming to Pulse I get compliments on the cut all the time. They have since remodeled and have a new therapy room. Walking into the space makes me instantly relax. Can't wait to try a massage! Thanks Suzanne and Pulse :-) read more

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! read more

Jikaiah had to work a miracle with my neglected hair. In the past I have had stylists take off more than I wanted and yet some how she made my hair look amazing without doing anything drastic. She also chose an amazing color for me and gave me great tips on how to care for my hair. The cut was probably the most modern I've had. Seems like so many stylist's I've been to at expensive salons just do traditional cuts. I really felt like she was fitting a style for me. The people working here were all very professional and friendly without being fake. I'm really happy with Jikaiah's attention to detail and experience. If I was brave I'd post before and after photos! No way that'll happen!!! :) read more

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. read more