Avalon Salon Spa of Lake Zurich in Lake Zurich, IL

As an Aveda salon, you would expect the use of Aveda products however, that is not the case here. Horrible customer service complete disregard to what was requested, in a client based industry, listening to the client is essential.

TL:DR Everyone is very friendly but would avoid unless you have a specific stylist in mind and only talk with them. First photo is my original hair left and the first session right. Second photo is after the final session. Last photo is my inspo photos that were shown. Ok so here is my novel: I normally specifically request stylists when I get my hair done but I have had positive experiences at Aveda salons and had recently moved...I really do like their toners for blonde. So it all started when I called asking for someone who was a blonde specialist and that I wanted full highlights and a root smudge. I was in no rush and would have gladly waited a month or two for an opening but the lady on the phone said Elizabeth had an appointment open that week. She trained other stylists and was very good with blonde. I figured that will work. The day of the appointment another lady calls and says Elizabeth is sick but Coral is available and is very good. I felt put off but said that was fine. (I come to find out she is newer, nothing wrong with that, just felt misled and wished they would have just told me that). I get there and show my inspo photos to Coral saying I probably want highlights and a root smudge to get to them. She said she could do that and suggested lowlights (to get that breakup at the roots) and I figured she was the expert so said that sounds good. I did say my natural color is an ash 7 -ish and she agreed. I was imagining ash lowlights to blend in with my roots. Coral worked diligently and it looked like she was doing everything right but when it came time to blow dry my hair was very dark and a bit too warm. She asked if I liked it and it was very pretty but nothing like my inspo photos. The "red" I was trying to get out of the top of my head was now in my ends (which it wasn't there before). I didn't want to hurt her feelings as she is so nice but she insisted I say what I thought and I said I think it's a bit too dark to which she replied "I thought I got you lighter than that". I did know my hair would lighten a bit after washing a couple of times so paid and went home. At home I took a photo of the new hair and that's when I saw it was quite a bit darker then when I went in. But what I was really afraid of was the warm lowlights getting warmer as it was not blending very well with my ash roots. The next morning I called and asked for maybe a new toner to take care of the warmth. The lady said Elizabeth was available that day if I could come in. I said yes but I only had time for a consultation (as I have a baby and need my husband to be off work to really do anything with my hair). I drove there and met Elizabeth and talked with her, she insisted that the only way to get the warm parts out would be to do another round of highlights. She also said to get my inspo photos I would need multiple sessions and one session could not get it light enough. I pointed out my ends were lighter when I started and I did not agree with her that my hair could not get any lighter in that one session. She also said I lift warm which doesn't even make sense as the warm was not in my ends when I went there. I asked how much that would cost (as I've never need to do that and I know that it takes a lot of work). She talked with someone and said it would be covered no charge. I scheduled to get it done with her the next time she was available (Originally I was told that Sunday but then Elizabeth said later in the week would be better). As that appointment nears I get another phone call from the lady (I think she is the manager or owner of the store) and she says she talked with Elizabeth and Coral and said Coral said she told me that I couldn't get it that light in one session. Obviously this was never said to me but also my hair was darker then I went in with. Either way I'm not going to argue as I already explained everything to Elizabeth. She then says she thinks Coral should fix my hair and that I could just be charged per foil... She said a couple should do it. At this point I am frustrated bc why didn't they figure this all out when I went there. But also I know my ends are too warm and it's needs to be lighted so what's another $40-ish at this point. So I say ok. Once I get there Coral lightens my hair and when I go to pay, the person at the counter says it $120. I had skipped lunch to make it to the appointment and was starving so didn't feel like arguing at that point so just payed and left. In the end I guess the things that stressed me out the most was the constant "telephone" game between the 3 people and no one being on the same page. I don't think any of them meant to cause confusion but it happened all the same. Also being charge double for getting my hair done. I really do wish them all the best and do recommend Coral and the salon but I would only talk with one person to avoid confusion.

First time here and my haircut was amazing!! Wonderful customer service as well. Most definitely will be going back for my next haircut!

Really poor, would have been better off using a weedwacker for my son's cut, nope, never again!

Marina just changed up my color today, and I LOVE it! The new salon is gorgeous, prices are fair & whole team is friendly. Marina is a perfectionist. Highly recommend!!