Bounc’n & Behaving Hair Studio — Local services in Philadelphia

My experience with Bounc’n & Behaving Hair Studio (Bounce Dolls) was disappointing, and I would not recommend this salon to family, friends, or even strangers. Initially, I was thrilled to find a Black-owned hair studio in Old City, Philadelphia. After getting a silk press at Link Studios—connected to Bounce Dolls—I inquired about wedding hair services in January, eight months ahead of my big day. I was referred to Michelle-Nichole, the CEO of Bounce Dolls, and we immediately reserved my wedding date and rehearsal on her schedule.

At first, everything seemed promising. We had a consultation to discuss my wedding hair vision, scheduling details, and plans for my bridal party. She enthusiastically proposed a salon day experience for me and my bridesmaids on the day of our rehearsal dinner. I provided inspiration photos, which she assured me she could recreate, and even received a recommendation for a makeup artist (whom I’m grateful I didn’t book after my experience with this salon).

In March, I scheduled a wedding hair trial, but Michelle-Nichole canceled the appointment the same day. The second attempt was delayed when she ran an hour late with a client before me. I waited patiently, using the time to work on my laptop and tackle wedding planning tasks. During the trial, we reconfirmed the wedding dates and arrangements, and she assured me she would send the contract later that day based on our discussion and the styles we tried.

However, at the end of the appointment—after taking photos for my bridal profile—she unexpectedly informed me that the trial cost $275. This was a complete surprise, as she had never mentioned a fee in our prior conversations or even during the appointment itself. Feeling exhausted and caught off guard, I paid the amount, despite my frustration.

A few days later, after finding my wedding veil, I asked if she could accommodate a complimentary second trial to see how my ceremony hair would look with it. Her response was dismissive—she claimed she had already gone above and beyond in the first trial and refused to provide another at no cost. When I professionally expressed that I had been unaware of the unexpected fee and hoped for a courtesy appointment, she ignored my message. I followed up a month later regarding the contract—again, no response.

By this point, I suspected she was backing out because I questioned the surprise pricing. Still, I held out hope. Three weeks later, as a final attempt, I reached out to confirm the contract. This time, she replied the same day, stating: "Thank you for following up. I’ve taken some time to reassess my availability and overall alignment with upcoming bookings. After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to move forward with wedding services for August 15th and 16th, and will not be available on those dates."

This was shocking. After months of emails and texts, a confirmed schedule since January, and a completed (and paid-for) bridal trial, she suddenly backed out. As a business owner, she should have had her schedule in order long before this point. I responded professionally, wished her the best, and moved forward.

Thankfully, I recently found an incredible and reliable hairstylist for my wedding, which gives me peace of mind. Looking back, although this experience was frustrating, I’m grateful it happened early enough to find someone better. Not all professionals operate with honesty and transparency, and this was a lesson learned.

If you’re considering Bounce Dolls or Michelle-Nichole for your wedding or any special event, I urge you to reconsider. If you do choose to book, I hope your experience is far more professional and...

Hiring Michelle from Bounce Dolls was one of the best decisions I made for my wedding day! Our experience started with an excellent trial that felt like an in-salon therapy session! It was a very collaborative experience—chatting with other customers, throwing different ideas together, and brainstorming the hairstyle and different extension options. Michelle instantly understood my hair vision. On the wedding day, she and her assistant, Toya, were truly phenomenal. They showed up on time, were professional, and worked efficiently as a seamless "tag team" to style my entire bridal party. We had a wide range of needs—multiple hair textures, different styles, and extensions—and they handled everyone effortlessly. Not only did the final styles look absolutely flawless, but Michelle's calming energy in the room was exactly what I needed. She's a total "girl's girl" and brought such a fun, relaxed, and supportive vibe to the whole getting-ready process. I highly recommend Bounce Dolls to any couple looking for a talented, professional, and genuinely great team for their...

BounceDolls by Michelle did my hair for my rehearsal dinner and wedding and I am so glad I hired her! From the initial booking, to rescheduling due to covid, to the trial, to the actual wedding itself, Michelle was so flexible, professional, and easy to work with. She is the perfect stylist because she uses her knowledge and experience to advise you on your style, but ultimately it is you making the decision. She wants you to look and feel good and will work with you until you do! You can tell she is passionate about healthy hair, and is just good vibes all around. I highly recommend her and would hire her again and go to Bounc’n & Behaving regularly if I...