I’ve lived in Boston for 5 years now and still don’t have a salon. You know, the salon I mean. The one I can call “my salon.” The one I go back to over and over again and can’t bear the thought of seeing someone else. A girl’s relationship with her stylist is something special. I had one when I was in college in New Hampshire. I even drove the 1.5 hours back for a little bit after moving away. But I’ve been feeling for a while that it’s time I stopped bouncing around from salon to salon in search of the one that’s right for me.
When I heard about the new Rock Paper Scissors Salon on Newbury Street, I was immediately interested. Their mission statement was EXACTLY what I wanted to hear: “We talk to every client about their look and their lifestyle before deciding what comes next. We want you to be the best version of you.” Every time I go into a salon, they say “what do you want?” I don’t know! I want you to tell me what will look good on me! Oh and “Happiness isn’t expensive so why should you pay a fortune to walk out the door happy? We hate not getting our money’s worth. We know when to splurge and where to save.” RPS believes in affordable services, so you can keep going back when you need/want to. So, I contacted the salon right away and when RPS saw WANM, they told me to come in to their newly opened salon and they’d be happy to show me what they’re all about (disclosure: RPS offered to do my hair complimentary, but I promise my readers I would never ever write about something I didn’t truly believe in… And I think the proof is in the pictures!).
Here I am before. My hair is BORING. My highlights are blah because it’s so freaking expensive to get them re-done every time I need to (and my hair grows fast!). I spend at least $250 every time I go to the salon and as a freelance writer, well, that’s just a big splurge for me that I can’t handle every couple, or even few months.
Rock Paper Scissors concept is EXACTLY for people like me. They want you to come in as often as you need to. That’s why their prices are lower than the typical salon. A haircut is $45. Which is super inexpensive for Newbury St. But what really got me was the prices for color. While I typically spend $175+ on my foils, RPS’s start at $70 and only go to $105. Single process color starts at $36. Can you say holy moly?!
The salon is located at 163 Newbury St. and I could tell I was going to like it, simply from the outside.
Inside the salon is fun and trendy… Definitely not stuffy at all. They have a sort of rock and roll theme, but it’s not overwhelming at all.
That bottom sign? It says “People do not care abut you as much as you think they do.” Which is generally very true. And a good thing to remember when you’re being overly-critical about yourself, especially when it comes to your appearance.
The colors of the salon are bright and cheery and I love the exposed brick!
Samantha was my stylist and is a “blonde specialist.” She actually spent a long time talking to me about what I wanted AND told me what she thought would look good on me. I brought in a photo to show her and she used it as “inspiration,” but wasn’t afraid to tell me what else she was thinking. I told her to run free as I trusted her pretty much right away (plus, her hairstyle was super cute!).
Even though Chels wasn’t getting her hair done, she came with me to my appointment because she was also super excited to check out RPS. And she took all the AMAZING photos. (btw BARF, look at my gross hair from the back!).
Anyway, we got started on the foils right away.
Getting foils is always such a weird experience! It seems so archaic, right?
After the foils were done, Sammy washed my hair and put toner on it. I’ve been to A LOT of salons, and I’ve never had any that have spent such care on this part of the process. Usually they wash my hair and that’s it. But I can already tell, a day later, how much a difference the toner made. When I got out of the shower this morning, my hair was SO soft, which was a nice change considering how dry it’s been lately.
My hair was super dry and unhealthy, so I definitely did not mind getting rid of quite a few inches. I let Sammy cut and cut and style and style.
And? I’m like a whole new person!
I always say I can tell a good stylist by what she does when you’re out of the chair and on the way out the door. Samantha kept looking at my hair, touching it, and eventually she made me sit back in the chair so she could do a few more finishing touches. She wanted it to be perfect and cared enough to make it that way. I love that.
My color is SO refreshed and my head actually feels so much lighter!
She also spent a lot of time showing me how to style it so I can actually do this on my own. And she even gave me tips for a more low-maintenance hairstyle so I don’t have to dry and straighten every day.
I’m obsessed with the back!
Chels took this lovely video of part of the process. Take a look if you like 
The lovely salon manager, Tracey, and my stylist, Sammy. Thank you so much for everything, ladies!!
Needless to say, I am thrilled with my experience. And the fact that I got the Newbury St. salon experience, but at a much, much better price. Which means I can keep going and going and going. Seriously? I’m not going to cringe when I have to go back in 8 weeks because everything I got done will only run me $130 (!!!!!). At all other salons I’ve gone to (we’re talking OFF Newbury), my haircut and foils run me about $250+. So in case you don’t believe that I’m being totally honest here, I will definitely be going back to RPS and paying full price!
Giveaway!
One lucky We are not Martha reader is going to win a free haircut at Rock Paper Scissors Salon! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling us why you need/want a new hairstyle by Friday, May 14, at 11:59 p.m. Get extra entries by tweeting about this giveaway or blogging about it (just make sure you let us know!).
But that’s not all. For all of our readers, if you call and schedule an appointment at RPS and let them know We are not Martha sent you, you’ll get a free haircut with any color service. Let me know because I might join you!
I’m seriously excited about Rock Paper Scissors and they came along at EXACTLY the right time. Earlier in the day, I actually sent out a tweet about how I needed to find a good salon. And later that afternoon RPS came along. I finally found “my salon.” And on Newbury Street, too! And? I can afford it!!
Rock Paper Scissors Salon
163 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
617.236.6300
www.RPSSalon.com
Twitter: @RPSSalon
[Sues]
 |
Ooh, i love your new haircut and color! Looks great!
Finally a good hair dresser is so important!! Your hair looks fabulous- the color just pops and the cut is adorable.
Great-looking hair! I definitely now need a haircut from RPS because yours looks so incredible. Plus, the last place I went to recently (won’t say where) did such a hack-job for a really hefty price tag that I desparately need someone to fix it!
I love the haircut! Oh and I NEED a haircut myself because it’s been way too long since my last one
Also, I actually find my haircuts on Craigslist! Under “services” click on “beauty” and type in haircut. I’ve had SO many haircuts under $10 on Newbury street sitting as a hairmodel! It’s great!
I don’t need the new haircut (I’m ridiculously loyal to my stylist) but I wanted to say how FABULOUS your hair looks!
ah! such a great cut! i seriously need some love for my hair, i’ve been growing it out and we’ve hit the awkward stage. it’s not cute. haha.
Loving the new do!
I need a new haircut from RPS because I am a hairdresser and NEVER get my own hair done! Also I am a new mom and in desperate need of some change! Susie’s hair came out fantastic so I plan to book an appt asap with Sammy whether I win a free cut or not!
Your haircut looks amazing, I love it! I love new haircuts and how refreshed you feel afterwards. I am dying for a new style…ever since I moved here from NYC in September I have been crying over losing my favorite city stylist. So yeah I haven’t really had my hair done in 9 months, and it shows! Its so hard to find people to trust, but I love what this place has done for you
I most definitely need a new salon and this one looks awesome!!!
i love your hair cut and the foils totally brightens up your face! i need a new cut and color – i haven’t had my hair professionally done since last november due to the high cost (graduate student loans, grr) and fear of going to a cheaper salon. cutting one’s own bangs for 7 months is not pretty. i also tweeted about this – randerson938.
I have been searching for a regular salon/stylist for 4 years! I’ve been getting my haircut on my trips home (not the most efficient way to do it!).
Love your haircut!
The bangs! The movement! The color! All of it looks fantastic! As a fellow blonde who normally drops serious bank on highlights, I’m kinda jealous of all this. I just might have to check it out! Finding a salon is almost as important as finding a doctor (I’d sound too shallow if I said more important … ha!). Help me out! I’d love a trial haircut!
The personal attention sounds great. My hair is naturally straight and so flat and just… boring! I wonder how they could jazz me up!?!
I also tweeted about it! (@goodcookdoris)
oh you look so sassy! i love it!
i’ve been on the fence about making my next appt. and holding off. this is a great deal! i need a new update for the summertime! i’m loving the deal of a free cut with the color, because i need me some new highlights!
I tweeted about it too! (@domenicarose)
Very fun. I will admit I am so bad about picking a stylist. I had one I used for a long time in my hometown and would go every college break, but I’ve never found one I loved since then. Sadly just before I left Boston I found an amazing stylist and would have probably gone back to him, but now that I am in Chicago I have to find someone new.
Sounds awesome. Ever since my stylist moved away last year I have been searching for a new stylist/salon that I can call my own, and still afford! I would love to try Rock Paper Scissors.
Man, I’m in the SAME position..I’ve been in the Boston area forever and have no hair stylist and no hair style. It’s been long and straight since I was in elementary school and it’s in a ponytail nearly every day. Even when my clothes look good, my hair looks sad
(
Cute new haircut! I’m the same way – I want their advice on what they think will look good! I finally found a stylist I love (Rick at Plan B Salon in Harvard Square) so I’ll leave the giveaway to someone else
that place sounds awesome, and i love the new ‘do!!
while i love my shorter cut, it means i have to get it cut more often to keep it that way… which isn’t cheap 
i’d love to give them a try!
Great cut and color. I would love to have a good cut and color I’m a 40 something year old mom both kids are going off to college. I’ve had the same cut and color for as long as they have both been alive its time to change it up, time to think of myself as I’m faced with an empty nest and yet like you even though I’m finally saying yes to myself I would love for it to be affordable so I don’t feel guilty
The place looks so cute! Ugh, my hair is in need of some serious lovin – bad split ends and zero style. A hair cut from RPS Salon would be great!
I love this place! I need a new haircut because I’m changing my life. I had an awful semester at college–my roommates kicked me out, i lost an important election, etc. But I’m not going to let it get to me! I’m interning in Boston this summer and I’m making big changes…starting with my hair!
That sounds like a really great review. Your hair looks fabulous! I can’t cheat on my girl Amanda at Jerel 119 though.
your new blonde highlights and cut look fabulous!!!! im going tomorrow to my place on newbury, but i think i might try RPS because of your glowing review!
I need a new haircut because I am 4 months pregnant and my hair is out of control! Also, it wouldnt hurt to work with someone who cares about my hair looking perfect.
First off, only Susie can pull off foils in her hair and still look cute. I tried taking a pic on my phone when i was waiting and it was not blog worthy. I need a new haircut because everytime I tell my stylist I don’t want my hair shorter, I somehow end up with much shorter hair. How is a girl supposed to grow her hair out?!
Awesome! I have had the same hair cut for the looongest time.. I’m stuck in a hair rut! I love the idea of someone sitting down and talking to me, getting to know me, my personality, and my style, and taking inspiration from that to create a new look for me!
I need a hair cut badly for my sister’s wedding coming up! I haven’t gotten my hair done in months and it’s about to be in pictures I’ll be looking at the rest of my life! Help!
You have the cutest coif!
I need a new haircut because…I just finished my first year back at school, and am working an assortment of part-time and freelance jobs. Going back to school was a big step for me, and has helped me in many ways. I’d love to start the summer with a super-cute coif that won’t bankrupt my studential lifestyle!
This place looks great! I’d love to check it out!
I moved to Boston two years ago and I still travel all the way back to Pennsylvania to go to my salon there! I love having the personal attention of my stylist, and I miss not being able to have that here! It would also be nice to change up my style, it’s been the same for the past three years!
Just wanted to tell you how adorable you look with the new “do”! Don’t include me in the giveaway – live in southern Illinois – that would be quite the drive!
Wow what a great hair cut/color! I used to live in Brighton and went to get my hair done in Brookline and now live in the North End! I want to go to this place now its closer and your hair looks great!
Great hair cut! I am in such need of a new “do”. I have been going to the same salon for over 15 years and have been so afraid to “break up” with my stylist. I love her, but I need a change so bad. It’s the first thing I’m going to do when I get back from my honeymoon!
I love my stylist – but I hadddd to comment and say how beautiful your hair looks! so cute!
I wish this was in Vancouver! Love this look! And so happy I found this blog!
Hi WANM,
I would love to win a free haircut! I am new to Boston, and still searching for that perfect, no-frills salon! I love their current promotion, but I am pregnant and have decided to forego color during baby growing time! I would love to receive a fresh cut that engergizes my spirit! I am meeting a group of first time mommas at Bouchee in a couple weeks (we’ve only talked online) and it would be fabulous to be able to sport a new “do” as I begin my new life in Boston! Thank you! xox
I have been needing/wanting to find a salon to deal with this mop head forever!!! I would love to win this and spruce up my do for a wedding I am headed to in PARIS!!
PICK ME!
Your cut/color looks GREAT! I’m also a blonde, and in between stylists (mine moved home to Ireland)….I’m also 7 months pregnant, and need one last highlight/cut before our daughter joins us in August…Thanks!
I live in CA, but my daughter lives in Boston. She usually spends more on her hair too, so this would be great. I asked her if she wanted me to enter her, and she said, YES!.
oh my gosh. i want my hair done. you think your hair was boring and flat, you should see mine. she did an amazing job on your hair. your color is friggin perfect for you. wow. don’t you feel like a million bucks? love it
You look CUTE!!! Not that you weren’t before, but love the new hair style!
I have a confession: I’ve never BEEN to a salon, period. My mom always cut my hair. Heh :-/
although i am in no need of a haircut, i would just like to thank you and say i think you’re on to something here
pay it fwd, sistah!
My hair is crunchy at the ends! Gross!
this is so much fun! I wrote a post 2 weeks ago friday about my hair cut and color experience at Emerge on Newbury Street. Sues – I am like you, 3 years in Boston, never found my stylist, never went to the same salon, never wanted to spend the money! I am so glad you found a home, RPS AND your blonde locks look incredible!!!
LOVE IT!