RULE ON — Local services in New York

TLDR; the owner/colorist did not tell me she couldn’t do what I wanted until after I had already paid $1k for services

When I first arrived, the owner/colorist said she tried to text me because she has a friend coming. I think she wanted to bump my appointment or cancel at the last minute.

As soon as her friend arrived, I feel like I did not have her time or attention. It felt like there was a third person in my appointment (the other person was not getting her hair done at the time). Everything felt really hasty and rushed.

The biggest problem: I spent months looking for the perfect inspiration photos to capture exactly what I wanted. She glanced at them briefly and then directed me to go to her Instagram page where she scrolled on my phone (as I held it) to one of her most recent brunettes. It was a woman with a completely different complexion than mine whose hair was a lot lighter than what I was asking for.

She began talking about “toning it down” to get to chocolate brown and I thought we were on the same page. I didn’t know she was completely disregarding the images I showed her.

While my hair processed, the friend, who the owner/colorist called the “coolest person she knows,” thought it would be entertaining to start publicly evaluating what race would be the best for her to procreate with “for the sake of her children” otherwise they would be “too white.” She contemplated Indian men if it weren’t for how mean they are. NO JOKE.

The color: It’s giving early 2000s Kelly Clarkson streaks. I basically have like level 7-8 strands directly next to my level 4 hair. It lacks taste.

The distribution: The bottom section of my hair is much lighter and the highlights are much bigger than what’s on top of my head.

When I was done with my appointment, I had been in the salon for 5 hours. It was around 5:30 in late January and I had to run to make dinner reservations. When I was in the restaurant and the lighting was better I realized something was wrong.

I emailed her my concerns and she got really defensive.

She also told me she couldn’t do what I wanted so she did something else. (She never said this in the appointment).

She blamed me for being too early, as if she did me a favor for taking me early. (I was like 15 mins early).

I sent photos of the problem to her so she could see what I meant and she disregarded them.

The photo she shared was taken at the back of the salon (which is already dark) when the sun had long gone down. Even though the snapshot used the alix earle light and my hair had just been styled - it was still not good enough to be used for social media. LOL. Of the 7 or 8 women who walked in and out of that salon while I was there, I was the only one who didn’t do socials. I say that because I know she knows that what I got doesn’t look good! I hate the lack of accountability and defensiveness and being treated like I’m the problem.

She offered to redo it, but no way. Not once did she say she understands what I want and can give it to me, not once did she say that my experience was abnormal or not what she intended. In fact, she implied the opposite! Instead she said a lot of “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

I asked her for a refund and she refused…okay. She said she would refund me for the gloss only ($100) but after $1k and a terrible experience, just keep it. (For reference, I think my tip alone to her was $120).

This was one of the worst experiences I have had at a salon. I would not recommend...

I’ve been going to Rule On Salon for two years now and I can confidently say they have completely transformed my hair—and honestly, my confidence too. When I first came in, my hair was over-processed, brittle, and barely hanging on. I had been to so many salons before and no one could quite figure out how to bring it back to life without compromising on the look I wanted.

Enter Rule On. From my very first appointment I felt like I was in the hands of true professionals who genuinely care, not only about the health of your hair but about you as a person. The entire team is incredibly talented, warm, and welcoming. It never feels transactional here. This place feels like family. You can tell they all love what they do and they want every client walking out of that door feeling beautiful, confident, and taken care of.

The stylists here are next-level skilled. Whether it’s color, cuts, treatments, or styling, I’ve never once left feeling less than 100% happy. They always take the time to listen to what you want, offer thoughtful guidance when you’re unsure, and they never rush through anything. It’s the kind of attention and care you dream of but so rarely find. I always leave feeling not just refreshed, but uplifted.

The health of my hair is completely restored. It’s shiny, strong, soft, and growing like crazy. I now get compliments on my hair constantly and I always tell people, “It’s thanks to Rule On.” I’ve even had strangers stop me to ask where I go. There’s just something about the way they handle hair that’s magic.

Also, the vibe at the salon is just unmatched. The space is beautiful and calming, the energy is good, and the team is always in a great mood. Every appointment feels like a mini reset in my day.

I can’t say enough good things about this place. If you’re looking for a salon that truly delivers exceptional results, top-tier service, and a welcoming, family-like environment, you’ve found it. Rule On is the only salon I’ll trust with my hair, now and forever. Thank you to the whole team for always going above and beyond. You’ve changed the...

Over the past decade, my experience with Madison as my hair stylist has been nothing short of exceptional, warranting a solid five-star review. Her commitment to excellence in both hair color and cut has consistently left me beyond satisfied and eager to return for more.

The skilled and talented stylists at this salon are true artists, turning every hair appointment into a personalized masterpiece. Whether it's a bold new hair color or a precise cut, they seem to effortlessly capture and execute my vision. Their attention to detail and commitment to staying current with trends ensures that I always leave feeling not just satisfied, but downright thrilled with the results. To elaborate more on my experience and speak to the expertise of the artists in this salon, I trusted them to completely dye my hair blonde from brunette. The balayage was so exceptional, I let the color completely grow out without having to die it back brunette and it looked pronominal at every stage. Madison is truly the most talented artist.

Beyond the exceptional styling, what truly sets Rule On apart is the warm and inviting atmosphere. It's more than a salon; it's a genuine community where the staff knows you by name and genuinely cares about your well-being. The friendly banter and personalized attention make each visit a delightful experience, and it's this sense of camaraderie that keeps me coming back. I fly across the country from Denver Colorado & it’s worth the trip every time.

The longevity of my patronage speaks volumes about the consistent quality of service at Rule On. Whether it's a routine cut or a bold change, I trust this salon implicitly with my hair. Here's to many more years of fantastic hair transformations, creativity, and the unwavering sense of trust that comes with being a valued...