Rebel Hair Studio — Local services in Nutley

I am compelled to write this review because of my profound disappointment at not getting the color transformation I was told could be achieved, because of the $1400+ I paid for the horrendous end result, and because of the lack of accountability and customer service recovery by Marissa, owner and stylist at Rebel Hair Studio.

While I understand you might not get the exact color you envisioned when doing a transformation, there is a huge difference between that and not even getting in the color family and now having to live with the embarrassment of multicolored hair. And as a business owner and stylist there’s no way Marissa can think these dreadful results are acceptable.

I’ve included the picture shown to Marissa of what I dreamt (for over a decade) my hair could be and that she said she could achieve in 1 session. There are also pictures of the end results following the 1st color session (red/copper hair) and Final Session (5 DIFFERENT COLORS - bleach blonde, blond/copper, pink overtones, green stripes and dark brown along with my natural gray).

Each encounter with Marissa was progressively more disappointing. She never appeared apologetic nor did she offer any consolation, on her own, for failing to deliver what she said she could and was paid for. Rebel’s website says they love a challenge and that fixing hair disasters is their specialty. Well, Marissa created a hair disaster and then did not demonstrate a “geek out” commitment to making it right. Their site says “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that’s you.” Well, I left the salon each time feeling anything but beautiful and now have damaged and horrible looking hair. I am limited to wearing my hair in a bun to conceal the atrocity that is my hair thanks to Rebel.

1st Visit - Hair Consult/Cut ($90.00): Marissa was informed I used Revlon dark brown box dye for years. Marissa stated she could do the transformation in 1 session (6-8 hours) at $100/hr.

2nd Visit - Color Transformation Appt. ($1000): At no time prior to or during this session did Marissa express any uncertainly about the deliverable she claimed she could achieve (gray hair). After lifting the color 2x she proclaimed “this is good, I can work with this color.” 10+ hours later, the result was copper hair with green overtones. Marissa appeared unfazed. All she said was that it was the best we could do with the undertones from the box dye.

Follow-up Call: To my disbelief, Marissa asked if I liked the color. I reiterated that I was devastated and reminded her it’s was not what I paid for; it wasn’t even in the gray color family. Marissa’s suggestion: to dye it all dark -which made it seem like Marissa just wanted to move quickly past this fiasco instead of fixing it .When I told her that would negate 6 months of grow out and $1000+ already paid, she then offered lifting the color one last time. When asked about cost, if any, without hesitation Marissa said $100/hr. rate. No ownership of her failed deliverable or any offer to correct the botched color job for which she already received full payment. Only after I told her it was unfair to charge me that she reluctantly offered $60/hr.

3rd Visit - Color Correction Appt. ($330): Upon arrival Marissa said that she did not want me to be mad at her so she was going to offer me the $60/hr rate (as if her idea or she was doing me a favor because I was recommended by a family friend). This time around Marissa made sure to use CYA language and said she could not promise anything at this point. I would just have to accept whatever the outcome was.

Unbelievable that a professional and beauty salon owner would show such callousness to a distraught customer and utter disregard for the disastrous results she delivered at...

Who needs a hair guru in the cleanest, friendliest and safest COVID FREE environment? I did after missing my March hair appointment. My hair GREW & turned grey. I had to consult with Rebel’s owner, Marisa, for some desperately seeking advice. I have been following Marisa since 2014 from Serenity, Gumdrop, to now her very own luxury salon. Once I chatted with her she told me to come in for appointment so she can give me an honest opinion in person.

Once I booked my appointment I got notifications right away saying what will be done with my appointment reminder. That notification was followed up with a COVID survey release form through Google forms, which asks you questions such as, Have you been in contact with anyone with the virus?, Have you been out of the state?, What’s your contactless form of payment?, etc. The form is thorough, but NOT invading in anyway.

Once you arrive in your free parking space, you call from your car and someone from the salon will come down to unlock the door, but only if you’re wearing your mask. The employee who is also masked will take your temperature and make you sign off on another release form with your current temperature recorded. Hand sanitizer is by the door and the employee locks the door behind you so no one can walk in from off the street.

Once you go upstairs there is at most 7 people in the salon at one time, which include an employee behind the reception desk, three stylists working diagonally from each other and their clients in the chairs. One customer might be waiting for the dye to process while sitting on another wall side facing in the opposite direction. I felt very comfortable with the spacing of masked employee/client ratio.

During the haircut process, Marisa was very thorough with wearing gloves, a face shield on top of her mask and cleaning all chairs and things I touched. There was also hand sanitizer at her station for me to use if I felt I needed it. Of course, Marisa worked her magic and gave me a really healthy haircut. Afterwards, she suggested products, which she pulled off the shelf to make sure it was contactless on my end. After they processed my contactless payment, (card was stored from the Google form mentioned earlier) I received an email receipt with the breakdown of service and product. I was also able to book my next appointment! I was walked downstairs for an employee to unlock the door and let the next client in.

Long story short, if you are having any hesitation in finding a great friendly hair salon that knows how to perform flawlessly under our current COVID-19 Stage 2 restrictions, Rebel Hair Salon is the place to find comfort knowing that they are doing everything possible to keep everyone involved safe, while performing guru hair magic! I highly recommend this business. I promise you will not be...

Today! I had to come back and edit my original review so you know I feel the same as before!!!

I cannot recommend Tati highly enough! Not only is she an incredible human, but her talent is truly unmatched. Her depth of knowledge and expertise is insane and she does it all, and does it flawlessly!

Tati truly listens to what you want and kindly brings me back to reality when I have an unrealistic ask. lol.

The vibrancy and depth of the colors she does are breathtaking, and her attention to detail is impeccable. Not only did she achieve the exact looks I want, but she also makes sure my hair stays healthy and shiny throughout the process. It’s clear she is passionate about her craft and committed to delivering top-tier results.

I’m in awe of her after every single appointment but especially my last one. I gave her creative freedom this time (yes she is that good and yes I trust her that much) and she did NOT disappoint! It was such a fun appointment because she hid what she was doing from me until the reveal at the end. I have never received so many compliments on my hair!!

If you don’t have Tati as your hair guru, then you are doing something wrong!! She’s the best there is!

And Rebel is a special oasis!! When you walk in there… you feel comfortable, save, happy and at ease. And when you leave…. You feel comfortable, save, happy, at ease, confident and beautiful! Rebel cares about their brand and their customers. Everyone makes you feel at home when you are there and I love going there.

And sharing some pics of the latest and greatest of Tati’s masterpieces.

3 years ago… OBSESSSSSSSED WITH THIS SALON, THE TALENT AND OF COURSE TATIANA!!!!!! The salon is so amazing, modern and the best. The staff is the sweetest and it’s a bonus they always have the greatest playlist on. Now for Tati..... there are only incredible things to say about this hair guru!! She knows everything and is an insane talent. I always love to do the fun vibrant colors and she KILLS it every damn time!! I repeat... every damn time!!!! She knows her stuff and has the best personality as an added bonus!! If you are in the need of talent, a new hair guru and salon... this is it and so is Tati! Even if ur not in need.... you need to switch! :) Best choice I made!! She always does what’s in my be at interest in terms of what is best for my hair and always listens to what I want. So happy I found...