Pulse Academy Salon

I’ve been going to this salon for a year now and I completely understand that I am giving up a lot of things I would receive in a salon in order to pay a very low price. This is a mutually beneficial opportunity and ideally it is great as there are teachers closely monitoring progress to ensure nothing goes wrong. Most times…
During several of my experiences I have noticed that there is one teacher that none of the students like to go to. During my most recent visit this teacher was unfortunately the only one around when I was getting my cut. The other teacher on duty had supervised up until that point. As she walked over to evaluate my hair the student had expressed to her THREE times, very clearly, that I wanted an angled bob but I wanted to keep the length I had in the front, thus making it very edgy. The teacher muttered «yea yea» as if she knew from reading my mind what I wanted. She started cutting away at my hair and in 10 seconds flat did the exact opposite of what was said. She cut the length in the front by 1inch ½ and then asked if that was what I wanted. I replied «That’s good but no more.» She then did the other side and noticed she cut it to short and then continued to slowly chop away until she thought it was even, however it was not. The teacher had done my entire cut wrong and it was not even on both sides. When she walked away the girl looked at me with a reddish tone and asked, hesitantly, if I liked it. I told her that obviously the front was nothing like what we talked about or like the very edgy angled bob picture that I showed. The cut looked no where near the picture and the angle was barely there. She apologized and agreed and felt really bad. She was upset that she did such a great job with the color and keratin treatment and then her teacher dumped on all her progress. I completely agreed and tried not to make a big deal about it and told her it was ok.
When the other teacher came back she had to cut even more off to make both sides even. And I was perfectly fine with the final result. As I stated before, I understand that this is a learning environment so I detach myself from my attachment to exact expectation.
My problem is that this is an environment where students should learn more than just technique but the art of servicing customers to build a strong clientele, however that was the exact opposite of what I witnessed. Cutting hair isn’t a personal art but it is subjective to what the client wants. Obviously a client is not going to speak your lingo as you are a trained expert but if you don’t understand what a customer wants you need to dig deeper and ask for clarification. Listening skills are key! I think that the teachers need to humble themselves because that authoritative «I am right» chain of command doesn’t happen quite the same way in the real world and is not going to help these students build a career.
Overall the students have done a phenomenal job and many are extremely talented. I will just make sure that the student that helps me does not go to that teacher…

I had a wonderful experience at Pulse Academy. The hairdressers were all super nice. They took their time and made sure I got what I wanted. I had the keratin treatment with a cut and blow dry and my hair looks fabulous now! Will definitely be coming back!

I purchased a living social voucher for what was advertised as a «KERATIN TREATMENT». I had previously gotten these treatments at high end salons in the Philly metro area and had always been more than pleased with the results. At Pulse Academy you are nothing more than a head that is offered up for experimentation. The treatment was not properly administered (apply keratin, dry hair, hot iron each section to seal it in). Instead they put it on and stuck me under a dryer. My hair was WORSE afterwards than before. I called to complain and was told that there are different types of keratin and their product is really just a conditioner, meaning they mislead everyone when they posted their living social and groupon ads. Heed this warning — do not solicit this establishment unless you are willing to give them free rein to ruin your hair.

Over all good experience. Had a little issue with a mix up on appointment time but they did everything to fit me in asap. My daughter and I got exactly what we wanted. The stylists were professional, polite, and confident. Will definitely return especially when I got all the above for such an awesome price!

I wasn’t a big fan of my experience at Pulse. I purchased a Groupon, leading me to the salon. I’ve gone to other teaching salons and had a great experience, so I figured why not!
I probably should have shied away from highlights, but my regrowth was at least 2 inches. First and foremost, my color isn’t awful, but it wasn’t what I asked for.
I got a partial-​highlight and asked for it to be very light, only a few foils – which was interpreted wrong. It took so long to put the foils in, the underneath foils processed longer than the top. I have bright blonde highlights underneath (specifically what I said I did not want). Also, it took about 2 hours to do the foils. For a PARTIAL highlight.
When it came to the cut, I asked for them just to cut the dead ends. I’m trying to keep the length. They did a «dusting,» (their words). The teacher ended up cutting my angles (because the stylist said I never told her that was needed). Also, they both missed my side swept bang. I still have a lot of dead ends.
To top it all off was the time. For a partial highlight, shampoo and cut (NO blow dry) It took a little over two and a half hours. 2.5 hours.
Overall, I think it is important to note that my stylist has only been there a few months. I think it might be in the salon’s best to request a more seasoned student (if possible) or if they had teachers near inexperienced students more than just a few minutes. I could definitely tell a difference in the end results of experience students next to me.
As I mentioned above, I can’t complain too much for the price I paid, but I definitely won’t be going back. Especially when I was told (randomly) «my teacher likes it, that’s what matters.»

Kat Petry was my stylist. She did an amazing job. The color is what I have been trying to achieve for quite a while now. The price is perfect. I will be returning for my next hair appointment without a doubt.

You get what you pay for. My «stylist» had no idea how to transition red hair to light auburn, fail #1, when her «teacher» came over she said it’s not possible without bleach… fail #2. Now I’ve been every shade of red in the last 14 years so I’m pretty sure I know what can and cannot work. I asked for light auburn, what did I get? Auburn roots and the same red ends I had before I got there. Apparently anyone can be a cosmetologist bc you can not know what you’re doing and still get a license. I’ve messed up my hair and had it look better than it came out. Granted the stylist was good at cutting and styling but the whole place doesn’t know shit about color, so I’d go to Sally’s before I’d let them color it again.

I got a groupon for highlights and a haircut. Amazing. I will definitely be coming back

This place ROCKS! I have had many hair cuts, color, and even a perm. My hair is very long and thick but they always having me looking a million buck for very little money. Like getting a good tattoo artist, once you find one that does good work and you like you stick with them. I have moved out if the area recently but this place is worth the gas money. Make sure you tell them actually what you are trying to achieve. They really spend the time with you and there are instructors everywhere and will not let you leave unless you are truly happy. LOVE PULSE!

I’ve been here twice– twice a decent hair cut so this time I opted for color.
I like students because theyre up to learn, like to, be challenged and are game to take risks. Since I turn into an fool in regards to style the second I sit down in one of those pump chairs, this is helpful For me.
Ditto to what previous poster said– major decisions have to get Ryun by their learning leaders.
This joint is cheap and with the LivingSocial deal is worth the gas money.

I love this salon! It’s a cheaper alternative to a salon, and every time I’ve gone I find a stylist I love. I’ve been going here for 3 years or so and I’ve generally stayed with the same girls until they graduate. They’re really nice and have never done bad work with me. If you’re afraid about a student working on you, don’t worry! They’re teachers have to approve everything before and after they cut, dye, shampoo, or style your hair.