Express RUT Bar

You’re heard of Blo, now try RUT, an express hair salon that takes care of your roots and tresses in record time (and is easy on the wallet). Yes, please.

Vancouver is a city where almost every block has a coffee shop, a cannabis store and a hair salon—each with its own distinct personality and vibe. So what’s my pleasure? I pop in to my favorite cafe (Matchstick, in case you’re wondering) almost every day but getting my hair done is a different kind of ritual. Like most women who colors her hair (ugh, grey hairs!), I go every six weeks or so. It’s definitely a time commitment and certainly an expense. But what’s the alternative, hair color from a box at the drugstore? No, thanks. I’ve tried it and it was a disaster.

Then one day walking on Main Street I spotted a new hair salon: Express RUT Bar. I was intrigued and popped in to check out the vibe and inquire about their services. As for the vibe, it can be described as laidback sophisticated—think hardwood floors, white walls with modern art illustrations, lots of magazine options, and cool tunes. But it was the menu that really caught my eye: express root touch-ups in under an hour at $48. To get your roots done in most other salons in town will set you back at least double if not more. I booked my first appointment on the spot and a few days later popped in during my lunch hour to get those infuriating greys covered. As promised, I was out of the salon in under an hour because I chose to self-blow dry. You can add on a blow dry for $25 and, depending on the length and amount of hair you have, you might add another 15-30 minutes to the ritual.

RUT has become my go-to salon for getting my roots done. But most recently I visited for a keratin smoothing treatment, which literally changed my life. I have long curly hair, which is not suited for Vancouver’s perpetually wet and humid climate. To say that my hair gets frizzy is an understatement. At one of my scheduled visits, salon owner Marzena told me that a keratin treatment would be ideal to help manage my wild tresses.

I’m not going to lie: the treatment is pricey and very long, particularly for someone who has long hair (mine goes down to my mid-back). But I walked out of there with exceptionally smooth hair that was shinny and healthy looking. Back home, after the first wash my hair retained its smooth texture and the treatment cut down on the blow drying process by about 20 minutes. (Yes, it used to take me a full 40 minutes to fully dry my hair.)

During the treatment, I had the chance to chat with Marzena about the concept and idea behind RUT.

So how long have you been in the hair salon industry?
I have more than 10 years of hairdressing experience. I’ve worked at many other salons in town and have developed a skill that’s precise, attentive, and positive. I Can cut, I can color, I love creating unique and chic styles and playing with highlights and balayage.

Tell me about RUT. How did you get the idea for the salon?
We opened just a few months ago but I had been thinking about it for two years. Most women, particularly as they get older, go to the salon every four to six weeks. It’s expensive and it’s time-consuming. I wanted to open a salon for women on the go, women who don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars and hours at the salon every time they go in for root upkeep. I was inspired by the Blo Dry Bar concept, where you go in and get get your hair styled quickly and inexpensively. I did research and realized there was nothing like that for roots here in Vancouver. And that’s how RUT was born.

So what’s the secret to the quick turn-around time for the root service?
We use a product from Europe that’s incredibly effective and most-importantly, does the job in less time than a lot of other products used at North American salons.

Tell me about the other services and products do you offer at RUT?

We specialize in root touch-ups, that’s what the majority of our clients come in for. But we also cut and style hair for men, women and children. We also do highlights, bleach outs, all over color, color corrections, balayage and even keratin smoothing treatment, which you’re getting to experience. I promise, your hair will be so smooth and soft after we’re done here.

We recently added a new line of amazing hair products: La Biosthetique from Paris and a collection of products from Italy called Milk Shake, which is ideally suited for color treated hair because it hydrates and protects against color fade.

With the success of this salon, what’s next for you?
We’re still growing our client base but so far people love what we do. They love that they can come in during their break or lunch hour and get their hair done fast and inexpensively. I am thinking of opening a second RUT bar, but it’s still early to say anything more. I am also looking to expand our services to include nails and other beauty treatments. So it’s an exciting time for me!