The New Image Hair Studio in Wheaton, IL

Did an amazing job on my hair. Absolutely love the color. I got exactly what I wanted.

I came to New Image Hair Studio to get a smoothing treatment done (I'm a woman in my late 20s with curly/frizzy thick hair) for the first time. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the process was absolutely fantastic. Mike, the owner, actually called me beforehand to explain the steps and then in person did a perfect, high-quality job. Nancy and Michael have been cutting, coloring and treating my parents' hair for more than 30 years, and everyone at the Studio treated me like family. I would highly recommend Mike and the team at New Image for any of your grooming needs! They're the best!

My partner and I drive over an hour every six weeks to this gem to get our hair done by Desiree. My partner claims it's the best color job she's ever had and I always love my highlights and cut! Whenever we go, Mike the owner always greets us with kind words and treats us like family.

Thanks, once again, for a wonderful cut, color & wax. I absolutely love coming to this salon as I leave feeling like a million bucks! Moreover, everyone is so welcoming yet professional. First rate service!

First, I want to say that Michael (the Owner and also the person who did my color) was so nice, engaging when I met him. He seemed like such a kind and affable man. I was looking for somewhere local I could get by roots touched up. I have had some negative experiences with getting my color done elsewhere. I have really dark hair. It's not pure black, but more of a natural brownish-black. When I have gone to other places to get my color done it has ended up with my roots being this weird violet color, or the all-over color being blue or jet black (which is very unnatural). I was hoping to find THE salon that could do it right for a decent price. I had found New Image and they had a 50% off coupon for new clients. -1 Star: The location and interior For the mid-range prices for regular (non-sale) prices, I was expecting a small, but professional salon. The Wheaton location is in a small strip mall - the kind where you would likely find ethnic grocery stores and Laundromats. The coat hooks up front were full and I had nowhere to put my coat other than on the chairs in the waiting room. -2 Stars: The Consultation / Application I told Michael my concerns and we looked at the sample book. He suggested the Espresso. I had chosen the 2nd darkest black and asked if a few drops of the Espresso could be added. He said that wasn't a problem, but insisted that there was blue in my hair and that whoever had done the color before had messed it up because it wasn't natural looking. I mentioned I had very sensitive skin that stains easily and I wanted to make sure that product wasn't placed on my scalp and no black marks around my hair line. He must have not heard me correctly because he pretty much slathered the color around my roots and my scalp was drenched. My scalp started burning soon after he started. I told that to him and he said that it was no big deal and that it would stop after about 5 minutes. It didn't. The heat/pain kept escalating and I was watching the clock for the whole 40 minutes. Michael seemed amazed that the burning continued (because no one else had complained), yet he didn't suggest it be rinsed off immediately; instead that I should just wait, and in order to completely color the roots that he had to put the color right on the scalp. I explained that any time I have gotten my hair colored that the colorist would paint the roots instead of just smear it on. He seemed nonplussed when I told him that was how everyone did it and you need a smaller brush. He said that was ridiculous that someone would take that much time to individually paint the roots, but if that's what I wanted, maybe we could try that next time, and that it would cost extra. -3 Stars: Rinsing/Conditioning and the Color When it was time to rinse we used the same chair the coloring was done in. The chairs were right up against the sinks and there was no separate place for shampooing. I had to lean back in a very uncomfortable position. It was miserable. I asked what shampoo and conditioner were being used and I was told, "Oh, I don't really know. (She) uses some of the leftovers from bottles and just puts them all in a pump, so it could be anything." Also I didn't like that he used Beard Oil to put in my hair along with 3 things he didn't identify. He was very rough when combing out my hair, and didn't even suggest a blow dry, even though it was cold outside. He told me that cost was going to be $60 because of the length of my hair. I thought that was weird because there were no more than about 1 1/2 inches of roots and he didn't do a pull-through. The burning persisted all day. I have been coloring my hair since I was 22 and I have NEVER experienced anything like that before regardless of whether I used professional color by a salon specialist or a box color at home. I noticed once my hair was dry it felt like straw. The roots were a weird copper color - like the grey didn't take to the color at all. I did a couple of deep conditioning treatments and left my conditioner on longer than usual after shampooing and the hair feels better, but not as soft and silky as it was before. I called today and spoke to Michael. I explained what the results were and he offered to recolor it. After what I went through last time I was not about to go through that again. He then asked what I wanted. I told him that I wanted a refund on the coloring and he blew up at me. He raised his voice and said, "Let me get this straight: you want a refund on a 50% off color? Are you serious?" I said yes and he said "Fine. Come in and I'll give you your damned money back." Then he hung up on me. I am taking my husband with me tonight to get my refund because I am honestly afraid to go alone. NO ONE should be treated the way I was. *Update* I went there last night and Michael saw me from outside. When I went in Michael handed me $20 in cash. How is $20 a refund when I paid $40? Be warned - don't do business with them. I will post this elsewhere to