I wanted an Ombre and a haircut. Wanted to be more presentable ended up looking like a gold fish. My hair look nothing like I had requested the stylist (Cheryl ) to do based on a picture I brought in. It was just bleached causing my hair to turn orange and yellow the bleach caused damage to the tips of my hair. I had a lines everywhere on my head the. When confronted with the facts the owner was very rude and refused to give me a refund. I have never experienced this kind of service in my life. I have seen many complaints online just never thought it would happen to me. If you're looking for a honest professional hair salon avoid this one completely. read more

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I started going here when my hair stylist CHINH : ) started here. The salon is great very clean and very friendly. CHINH is a great stylist I highly recommend you ask for her if you are visiting the salon for your first time she will make sure you are completely satisfied with your hair and you will be very happy with her work. Thanks CHINH for all you do. read more

We were customers of the lady that owned Off The Top Hair 53 located at Turner Ave, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 My daughter's hair color came out YELLOW, not blonde!!! She decided to add toner but didn't tell me until after the fact that she would be charging me to fix it even though she burned her scalp. My daughter was in tears. When she was already charging me $150, she told me it was now actually $180 and I told her i did not have enough on me she told me if i did not bring her back the money i owed her she would REFUSE to do our hair in the future. I asked to talk to the manager three times and she told me NO. I am a student at Pivot Point, an adult with 4 children of my own and am a very big promoter of customer service. If something is not done right, it takes a kind of person to say i am sorry you didn't like it, I will fix it for you. What happened to the customer is always right theory??? Apparently for the past owner /hairdresser from Off The Top CARLA it's out the door (Daughter Rosa as well.) The threat of never doing our hair again well that's ok, because frankly I don't work like that. There is always someone better than the last, always a replacement and I am a firm believer of KARMA. In fact it's not my loss but theirs. read more

I have been going here for 6 years now. I used Paula for the first few years but needed my hair done on a day she was off so I got put with Jane. I've stuck with Jane ever since. Paula did a great job and I would certainly use her again but Jane's schedule works better with mine. Jane has always done a great job on my hair. She listens to your requests and will tell you if she thinks it won't look good. The price is also right here. I'm not a high end salon kind of girl. If you're expecting some kind of downtown hair salon, this is not the place for you. My only gripe is they don't accept credit cards. I'm always having to stop at the Dominick's next door to get cash beforehand. I've been to another salon in the past that didn't accept cards either so maybe it's standard? read more

I've known many employees of this salon, and have friends and family who have been going here on and off for years. I've had services done a few times as well. Let me start by saying that many of the stylists are great. I've heard wonderful things about Jane. Both Paulas and Mel and very good at what they do, as well as personable and kind. Now, onto the owner, Hoy Yuen. Hoy Yuen is the pinnacle of non-professionalism. Go see her if you're interested in being lectured on politics and religion (she's not a fan of any other than her own). You've often heard the saying, "the customer is right." Well, that is certainly not Hoy Yuen's motto. Expect the price of a haircut to double if they blow-dry it. Do not expect to be told in advance. And if you leave unhappy, you better be back within 46 hours or some ridiculous time limit to have the cut "fixed", or else you'll be charged again. Hoy Yuen will never admit fault, nor will she compromise-- even if it means losing a good customer. Anyway, I certainly don't want this review to affect the business of the other stylists working in Hair Encounter.... But it's about time someone put Hoy Yuen on blast. read more

A very well managed salon with friendly service, also moderate prices. Rita is the best!!!! read more

I love Hair Encounters!! They are all so friendly and professional!! They will work out what you need to make a beautifully styled haircut that you'll always love!! I don't recommend them with only 5 stars, I'd rate them 10 stars if I could!!! They are without doubt truly the BEST!! I'd recommend them to any person who wants a GREAT haircut!!! read more

I had Cheryl do a trial run for my wedding. She spent almost 2 hours trying different styles. I brought photo ideas and she didn't use them for a guide, but created the exact look. On my big day she was on time and ready for me. Everything went as planned (salon-wise!) Cheryl also cut my hair prior to my hair trial and she was great. One pet peeve I have is when beauticians try to tell me how bad my hair is and how much I need a deep conditioner. She made the most of my thin hair and didn't say anything bad. Kayla Sanderson is one of the resident make-up artists at Hair Encounter. She spoke with me prior to my day and happily answered all my questions. She was prompt and ready when I arrived. She uses Bare Minerals and did a wonderful job! Give her photos of your ideas and she re-creates it exactly. Her fee is much lower than other area salons. I suggest that the salon give her a station with better lighting. The make-up looked cake-y when she put it on, but when I went to have my hair done in a different chair, it looked beautiful in higher light. Please don't make her apply make-up using fluorescent light. I will use Cheryl and Kayla again with no worries. I do not have to worry about what will happen. read more

Classy service and professional expertise. I've heard my hair is very fine and difficult to cut but they do a great job doing it efficiently and stylishly! Environment is also extremely inviting - well lit, excellent interior design and position of each stylist's station! Best thing is now THEY ALSO TAKE CREDIT CARDS!!! read more

I have been going to this salon for years and simply LOVE it!!! It is well run, extremely friendly, has a great location, and they have plenty of staff to even take on a last minute walk-in. If you have difficult hair to cut with a lot of natural curl such as my husband, or your hair is straight as an arrow needing body and style which is mine, this is the place for you. They will concuslt with you before proceeding to make sure the end product is what you were loooking for. The owner, Hoy, gives the best haircut. Many, many loyal customers at this salon that I have seen over the years, but also plenty of room for a new face as well. So, if you need a nice place for a good style, you have to try Hair Encounter. read more

Great place to get a hair cut. I have been going there for 3 years and I have always had a great experiance. The only caution is that they do not take cards. read more

I have four young boys and walked in one day to see if someone could give them some good cuts. We happened to get Jane. She was great with them! She talked to them the entire time they were in the chair and did a fabulous job on their hair. We stuck with her and have now been going to her for about two years. When my own stylist quit at another salon, I immediately thought of Jane. I called to ask if she could just do a cut and evaluate my color. I was told she wouldn't be in until 1:00, but they would have her call me. I explained who I was and what had happened. They knew me from my boys and assured me that Jane would call as soon as she was in. My phone rang about 10 minutes later and they offered me an appointment with Jane at noon! They said they called her and that she would work me in early. Jane is great! She listened to me, but offered suggestions and ideas. In the end, I've been going to her for about 6 months and my hair has never looked better, laid better or had more compliments. She is a really kind and collaborative person and the entire staff treats me and my boys like family. I highly suggest this salon and Jane. They do take credit cards now and they have pretty convenient hours. read more

I have been coming to The Hair Encounter for a couple of years now to have my hair done. I personally have had Collen and Hoy do my hair and I have never been disappointed. Everyone is genuinely friendly and very skilled at their trade. I have observed some awesome looking hair styles on ladies as well as men when they have walked out. The stylists will give you their honest opinion about your hair. They listen to what you want to have performed as well. The prices are more than reasonable. I like a short, spiky, funky haircut and the ladies have always been on point with my hair. If I could give them a 10 star rating I would. Very pleased with this salon!! read more

I have been coming to the hair encounter for many years now and have the best hair stylist I've ever had! Paulette is amazing and able to replicate any hairstyle or color I've ever wanted, sometimes even better than the professional pictures in magazines. She's always super welcoming and seems genuinely interested in me as a person, not just a client. More people should strive to be like Paulette! read more