Great space with amazing staff. Mary gives an amazing facial and really tailors it to your specific needs. Been going to her for years and love her new space and products. Mary has all sorts of add ons to really make the experience and results amazing. She promises to keep me young forever as long as I keep going and listen to her recommendations:) Mary is worth every penny and I highly recommend her. read more

Edited/updated to add that I straightened my hair today, and one side of my hair is visibly/obviously shorter than the other. So my choices are triangle curly hair or lopsided straight hair. Needless to say, I've updated this review to 1 star and will not come back and do not recommend. I had my haircut by Kristy yesterday. I struggled to write this review because I told Kristy I trusted her and didn't have any inspiration pictures, so the haircut is somewhat my fault. Anyway, I asked Kristy to cut off all of the dead pieces, which she did. Unfortunately, my hair now has the dreaded triangle shape. My sense is that it was the thickness of my hair that might have led to the end result, but I think for $300, it's something Kristy should have been more mindful of and given me a cut designed for my type of curl. All in all, it's no better than the $60 haircuts my mom would take me to as a kid. I was hoping the haircut would inspire joy in my curls, but alas, I will be going back to wearing it straight. TBD if it looks good straight. A few pros: Kristy and all of the stylists were very nice and welcoming. The space was large, clean, and overall looks like a great salon. They have snacks and beverages for clients, and because I'm pregnant, Kristy kept the snack cart next to me. Despite the shape of my hair, it does look healthier, whether that is bc of the treatments or just bc so much dead was cut off, I don't know. One extra con: I originally made a $200 appointment. Someone from the salon called and said that I needed to have a first time client appointment, which cost $300 and would include some education on how to care for my curls. My appointment lasted about 2.5 hours, but Kristy never gave me any tips on how to style or care for my hair and never even told me the names of the products she used. She asked if I had any questions at the end, so maybe that was the time, but by the way the service was described, I definitely expected much more. I feel like this could very much be a situation where you don't know what you don't know, so it's weird to put the burden on the customer to ask, especially when the "education" is supposed to be included in the price. Overall, I don't think I'll go back and don't think this haircut was anywhere near worth $300. I'm giving three stars because I liked Kristy, but otherwise, I'm not a fan of my hair. read more

All I can say is Julie is absolutely AMAZING! She completely changed the life of one of my students by performing a judgement few miraculous detangle of matted curly hair. It took two full days to patiently complete. Julie walked me through all I needed through email consultation and provided gentle guidance of us both throughout the process. She takes her time to ensure her client knows how to maintain and use product, caring so much to write it all down in step by step directions. I will be recommending Julie and the caring people (Jacob as well) from Studio Within forever! Julie is a life changer! read more

Jacob is the only person I will trust to cut my hair!! Studio Within is a great space for curly girls. I love that so many of the stylists are DevaCurl certified, but give curly cuts without using the controversial DevaCurl products. Not being limited to one brand allows them to always use something that works best for my specific hair. I'll definitely be following Studio Within to their new location and I'm excited to see it! read more

Im a natural girlie who has been on the never ending search for a stylist that can give me a great cut, shape and experience. At this point, I've pretty much have given up. I've been to stylists in the past, but it was never quite right. In my search I came across Studio Within Salon. I looked at pictures and read stylist bios and decided to book with the owner Kristy, one of the best decisions I've made regarding my hair! First of all, it's a SALON, well appointed, wonderfully staffed and quality products. Kristy listened to my concerns, gave me feedback and handled my curls with care. I left with the cut I wanted, product samples and a satisfying smile. I will definitely return because Ive found MY place. read more

10/10 experience with Mary. She is the esthetician on site. I got a facial with no extractions and OMG. I could have fallen asleep, I was SO relaxed. She's asks about concerns right off the bat and any sensitivities to make sure she finds the right products for you. She is super knowledgeable about the products she is using and informs as she goes. I don't think I've ever had a facial be more relaxing. My skin when we were done looked like a freshly glazed donut and I couldn't have been happier. read more

This place is amazing. Gina is the only one I trust with my curls. The service is excellent and staff is welcoming and friendly. Street parking is easy too. read more

I had an awful experience. I asked for one thing and ended up with the complete opposite. I expressed my disappointment and frustration in the most calm and respectful manner to the owner. She "sounded" understanding and said she would get back to me to follow up. She never did. I will never go there again and do NOT recommend. In addition, the receptionist is rude not welcoming at all and they are way overpriced. read more

I am a relatively new resident in Chicago and I've only been fully natural for 2 years, so I was very hesitant to let anyone touch my hair. I spent months researching salons, trying to find a stylist who specialized in my hair texture, when I was scrolling in Instagram and stumbled upon Studio Within! I'm so incredibly happy with my results and with the services that were provided. I booked the 1st Time Custom Curl Cut with Kristy , which included a custom curly cut, wash, condition, detox treatment, and styling. I absolutely love my hair! The shape is fantastic and it feels super thick and healthy. My ultimate goal is to grow my hair out, so I'm really excited to see how the shape will progress. I also really appreciated the atmosphere inside the salon ! The overall ambiance was really comforting and relaxing: conversation between Kristy and I flowed really easily. I feel like Kristy took such good care of my hair and really educated me in areas where I was confused and/or lacking information. She described each step of her process while she was completing it and clued me into which products she was using. At the end of my appointment, she gave me a pamphlet with all the products she used, provided me with directions on how to use them, and even explained why my old products weren't working and why the new products were better. I'm currently using Innersense products per her recommendation and my hair is absolutely loving it ! My curls are so hydrated, defined and shiny. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this service, especially to those who have been struggling to find a curl specialist. read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Gina C. at Studio Within is absolutely fabulous. Not only is she a gifted stylist, she is also very kind. I had a bad Ouidad haircut from a different salon, and Gina fixed it. I had to lose some length to even things out, but Gina made the short cut work, and she will see me through the grow-out process. I have been traumatized in the past by a few incompetent stylists who butchered my hair, but Gina is a miracle worker. She also taught me how to style my hair in a way that I can actually recreate at home. I completely trust her with my curls. It took me a year to find someone good who could do my hair after I moved to Illinois. I had two good stylists when I wore my hair straight, but going curly has been challenging in terms of finding someone who truly understands how to manage all different types of curls. Gina is worth the hour-long drive from the suburbs into the city, read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Shyanne did an excellent job trimming my curly hair. She's an expert. I left there with it the right length and her conditioning can be felt with healthier and more vibrant curls. Thank you! read more

Edited to respond to owner Kristy: you should educate your receptionists on this as I specifically asked and they told me repeatedly I had to pay a first time fee regardless how how many times I had a Deva cut elsewhere. Very frustrating that Studio Within hasn't listened to their potential customer base and continues to charge an extra $50-$75 for a Devacut if it's your first time at the salon. I've been getting Deva cuts for years and do not need to pay an extra nearly hundred dollars just to be told what products to use (I already know), finger coiling helps hair curl (I already know), and the Deva methods for styling (like I said - been going for years, I already know). I just want someone to cut my damn hair and for it to not feel like I'm being scammed by some money hungry people who care more about an extra $75 than getting the loyalty of a new customer. Most companies give discounts for your first appointment - not Studio Salon, there's a premium charge to try them out. *eye roll* read more

The best experience ever! Loved Kristy for my cut and bringing my curls to life. Shyanne too!! My highlights are beautiful. Can't wait to go back! read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Updating my rating - my skin has cleared up. I was happy with the purge (my chin looks 1000x better!) but I just have been allergic to one of the products used, which isn't the business's fault. I appreciated the salon following up. Probably wouldn't do a facial again because I'm not sure what I was allergic to, but I'd go back for a massage, though! read more

I cannot stress how happy I am with Jacob's haircut! As someone with curly hair, I am always nervous/wary about visiting a new stylist because of past experiences. I typically walked out of previous salons feeling unsatisfied with my haircuts because I never knew what to ask for, so I always got the same basic haircut. Jacob took his time to figure out what I was looking for with this haircut and offered suggestions/guidance on what would look best. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I loved a haircut as much as this one. Thank you, Jacob!!!! read more

I was charged WAY more than I expected because of my hair texture... shameful behavior for a " curl specialist salon " When you book you send pictures of your hair, select a service, and photos of what you're looking for. If I had known that the pricing for the service that I selected was inconsistent with the service that I was eligible to receive, I would not have visited this shop. The expected price was already a splurge for a glorified trim. It wasn't until the end of my service that I learned the cut would be $75 dollars more because instead of having "curly" hair, I have "kinky" hair. I understand that the time commitment may be different (most likely because of drying time). The receptionist or stylist/owner should have warned me via email or in person that the price would be drastically different from what I was expecting. As a Black woman going to a non-Black hair stylist, I feel deeply uncomfortable with being up-charged for having afro hair. Had I known I would have taken my business elsewhere with no hesitation. After a $350 hair cut that did not address my primary hair need, I am positive l will not be returning. Kristy did a fine job, although I wish that she advocated for a different service for my needs. I shared that I have split ends and single strand knots that I came in to get a trim to address those. Plus I wanted to go to a stylist from the Black Girl Curls directory for educational purposes. After my cut, I still have split ends and single strand knots. A wet cut would have been better. read more

Received a call from the manager with a sincere apology. Appreciate the follow up and clarifying their guidelines. Do NOT get a massage here. Upon booking, I asked if they had an age restriction as the massage was for my teenager. They assured me they did not so I booked two massages for myself and teen for a Christmas treat - his first massage. We got there early and waited for 30 minutes - public transit was fast so we clearly understood the wait. At our scheduled time of the massage they shared they could not provide to my son as they do not do massage for teens. They admitted the age was written down in their system and they saw his age when we waited, but the therapist decided HE would not provide the service. Please have clear instructions that are for the whole salon. He lost out on his Christmas gift. Then they had the gumption to say that I could still get my massage. No, thank you. Poor receptionist - the therapist sent her to tell us the bad news. Clearly it was not her fault! read more

I'm updating this review again because: 1. This is by far the worst haircut I've had in over 10 years. This haircut gave me the dreaded TRIANGLE hair that I haven't had since before I discovered Devacut. I wanted to wait a few months to see if it looked any better when it started to grow out, but nope, it's still the worst haircut I've had as an adult. It's also the opposite of anything I ever would have asked for. 2. Kristy asked me to update this review after they sent me the refund, which has left a sour taste in my mouth. So here I am updating it again to an even lower rating. Nothing she "taught" me for the extra money they charged was anything I hadn't a.) figured out myself (finger twist your hair to make a curl) or b.) I hadn't already learned in getting 5+ years of devacuts/reading up on it on the internet. 3. I just started a new job and have had to wear my hair up almost every day. Yes, it looks that bad. I am counting down the days until I can go to a Deva specialist I trust to get it fixed. 4. The salon was so dirty and gross! 5. A friend of mine said that her and two of her friends had a similar experience (with pricing, triangle hair, etc.) This was not just my experience! RUN, don't walk, away from Studio Within. There are so many better places to get Devacuts in this city. Heck, even someone who isn't Deva trained might be better... Update: disregard the review by Sean J; it's a planted review. He/she/they sent me the attached "compliment" shortly after I posted this review. They had 0 other reviews, check-ins, so probably someone Kristy knows. You can also tell that the reply is probably fake because it's different from other responses. I don't like to call people out on the internet, but this is just unethical, and I don't want anyone else to waste $200+ on shitty haircut in a dirty salon only to be bullied on yelp when you post a negative review. You can see by my other, mostly 4 and 5 star reviews of service workers, including hair stylists, that I'm not at all an unreasonable person. read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Nasty compliment I received shortly after posting this review from someone who didn't have any other previous reviews. - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been looking for the perfect salon for curly hair. Look no more. They know EXACTLY what to do, plus it's a beautiful space and the staff are wonderful. read more

I'm glad that I found this place that specializes in curly haircuts. Jade, the stylist, walked me through the process after listening to what I wanted out of my cut and explained the styling process too! I had a bunch of questions since I wanted to learn more about how to take care of my curls and she answered all of them. The person at the reception was professional and confirmed the details of my appointment before I started. Thank you for the stress-free experience! read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - First time Rëzo cut - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My experience was okay... I had bought a Groupon for a massage and mini facial. My massage was great! (and I'm kicking myself for not remembering the massage therapist's name to pass on). The mini-facial was wishy washy - it wasn't amazing and I didn't really see a difference post-facial, which was disappointing. But it was a mini-facial so my expectations weren't really high. There were two main reasons why I don't think I'll be back anytime soon: 1) it seemed like everyone except for the massage therapist was trying to push me to buy packages. I'm a big advocate of people's work talking for itself. The lady who had given me the mini-facial was very sweet and nice, but kept pushing me to buy a full facial, which I didn't particularly appreciate. Similarly, the receptionist kept doing the same thing for future appointments. While I appreciate that Groupon lets you try different facilities at discounted prices, I don't love being pushed to buy additional services just because I tried the Groupon deal... 2) The massage bed felt like it was going to fall apart under me! I'm not a huge person but it kept squeaking and shifting back and forth during my massage...Kind of threw the ambiance factor way off :/ read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Entry waiting area - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I arrived on time and even a bit early for my appointment. I had purchased a spa day that included a 60-minute massage, a facial, an eyebrow wax, a hair wash and blow out, and aroma therapy. Despite my early arrival, the receptionist was interested in being on the phone instead of checking me in. Therefore my massage started late. I was greeted by my massage therapist and walked down some scary rickety spiral stairs to the basement. The whole place smelled like new construction (aka wood chips). I was given some water and then told to get comfortable and lay under a blanket for the massage. My massage, despite truncated to 45 minutes, was wonderful. I really which I had the full time though. After my massage, my therapist, Jorge gave me a bathrobe to put on and whisked away all of my belongings... it was a bit weird not knowing where my things were for several hours following. Plus I only had a bathrobe and underwear - not even my bra. I was then told to wait for my next service. Because I had no shoes (they were wherever they had been taken), they eventually got me some sandals. I had to sit in the basement in a bathrobe with no bra sipping tea and reading some crap magazines until they decided they were ready for me... Even though it was supposed to be booked back to back. Finally, my facial then started. I was supposed to get an eyebrow wax, but the technician decided to only wax the top and tweeze the bottom. Needless to say I had hairs left when i got home... they should have been waxed away. The facial was a nice experience. Though the technician told me that she couldn't extract something and a doctor would have to lance it?! I went home an "extracted" it easily... gross, but really?! I then got my clothes back and sat around reading more crap magazines for at least another 30 minutes. The person who did my hair never told me her name, it was hard to get into a conversation with her so I just talked about hair products. I really liked what she did to my hair though! And then we get to the aroma therapy.... oh wait? I paid for that... but never got that... Overall, the services were pretty solid, but the studio just needs to get the act together with timing, niceness, etc. read more

I came here for a 60 minute massage and mini facial which I had purchased on groupon. I started with a massage with a male therapist. It was seriously THE WORST massage I have ever received. The face value of this massage is ~$90 and I wouldn't have even paid $10 for it. The masseuse was clumsy, his techniques were sloppy and I feel like he did not understand my Requests / feedback. I would have walked out on this massage had I not had the facial to attend after. The receptionist asked me how my appointment was on my way out and I told her I was disappointed with the massage. All she said was "okay".' I very rarely have complaints about service so it means something if I speak up. I would have given this experience 1 star if it wasn't for the great experience I had with Stacy who did my facial. She asked me thorough questions about my skin type, products I use, and the order in which I use them. She was very attentive, has a lovely calm presence and the face massage was so relaxing and soothing. She educated me on all of the products she used in the session. The treatment rooms are very cute and cozy here. If I come back it will only be for a facial. read more

I had the best experience here! It was my first time! Gina was exceptional. I didnt even realize I had those amazing curls! I felt very comfortable with all of the C19 procedures in place. I definitely would recommend! read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Before - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Jacob at Studio Within is just SO wonderful, I can't say enough good things about him! He is knowledgable, patient, personable, and just generally delightful! He had answers to all of my questions and taught me SO MUCH during our time together! It was my first REAL curly haircut and my life will never be the same. This salon has private rooms for all of their stylists, which was especially nice during COVID. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

Found this place via Groupon and definitely recommend. They offered a massage and facial combo for about $80 bucks, which was a fantastic deal. My massage therapist was Nick and my aesthetician was Aramis. If I had to describe this place in one word, it would be "warm." This is everywhere here, including on the phone. I was running about 15 minutes late, and when I called to push the appointment, there was zero attitude, which I really appreciated. I've had places in the past act like it was the worst thing ever and always felt like a jerk once I arrived. Not the case here. When I arrived, the receptionist was very friendly, and everyone else I met after that was as well. The ambiance here is what I would describe as cute vintage. Lots of wood, lights, signs, colors, textures - definitely had a personality that makes you feel comfortable and almost feels like you've walked into someone's home. For massages and facials, you walk down a spiral staircase to a bottom level. The rooms were relaxing - not posh spa-like necessarily - but very cozy and appropriate for a spa experience. Definitely rooms where you can relax in and unwind, which is super important. Nothing worse than entering a sterile room for these types of visits. I started with the massage. Nick was great! We chatted the entire time, which may or may not be your cup of tea. I tend to like quiet massages, but he was such a pleasant person to talk with and the conversation was really nice so I didn't mind it. And the most important part of all, the massage was fantastic. He used just enough pressure where it hurt a teeny bit, but was totally worth it because it's the next day and I feel absolutely amazing. In fact, I came home and totally crashed for the rest of the day, and I ain't mad about it! Seriously have not been that relaxed in forever. I can't even remember the last time I've felt that way. He also gave a lot of really great natural health and beauty recommendations, which I look forward to trying. After the massage, I got the facial with Aramis. I was a little disappointed to hear that there would be no extractions because honestly that's the part of every facial that I look forward to the most. But she did such a great job with being uber gentle with my face, and I could tell that she used a s***load of products on me, including the décolleté. I'm convinced that the facial massage combo is what put me into such a zen mood for the rest of the day so props to her for that. Overall, such a relaxing experience. Bonus points for this place - It's right next to the Wellington CTA stop. - Lots of cute restaurants in the area. I'll definitely be coming back. Go check it out! read more

Studio within Salon and Spa is so cute. I love the decor. I have never see anything like this (in a good way). Very creative ladies. I had a wax, it was quick and painless. Also making the appointment was very easy and the receptionist was very nice and accommodating as I had to change my appointment once.They also have a loyalty card...I love those. Five waxes and the next is complementary. read more

I absolutely love the vibe of this place! I stumbled upon this salon via Groupon when I recently moved back to Chicago, and I am so glad that I did! The décor is so creative and the salon and spa has a very warm and inviting feel. Street parking is easy, and it is also very close to the el so transportation options are excellent. They also have a very good membership deal that I am excited to try out for both facials and massages. Ariel was my massage therapist, and I will have to say that it was one of the BEST massages of my life! The pressure was perfect, and she had some techniques that I haven't experienced before but were amazing. She really takes pride in what she does and has such a kind personality as well. I opted for the 90 minute massage, and I look forward to coming back in the future. Thank you Ariel! read more

I love this place. The staff is always wonderful and they know what they are doing. Kristy cut my hair and she did such an amazing job taming my crazy curls. She told me about the Devacurl line and how it is designed to help my coarse curly hair. I bought it and it was the best thing I've ever done for my hair. I'm hooked. I will definitely be back! read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - I met with Kristy and she did some sort of "Hair Wizardry" to my scalp. She introduced me to the Deva-Curl line and OMG! - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Highly recommended! I love that they are eco-friendly and use all natural and organic products. Definitely the place to go if you want to treat yourself to an amazing spa day and be kind to mama earth! read more

Only giving 3-stars as this is where I go because my girl moved here from another studio a few months back. Other than Lynzie working here, I would not be back after my first experience here. That experience occured when Lynzie was in transition, and i needed to get a haircut quickly and scheduled with someone else as it would be two day before she started. The girl who cut my hair that day not only gave me a really bad cut, but let me know she use to work at sport cuts for a few months, so had plenty of experience cutting mens hair. My hair looked extremely bad, and i was charged over 40$ to look that way. Again. I wouldn't come here, if Lynzie wasn't. read more

Highly recommend Gina for a haricut if you have curly hair! She is the first person to offer a dry cut, then wash and style, and taught me so much about my curls! read more

I had my hair cut at the salon yesterday. My appointment was with Jacob, who is impossibly kind. He was incredibly attentive to what I needed and did a very good job translating the style I was looking for to my specific curl pattern and hair length. I have 4c hair, and at the salon after he finished the cut, I couldn't quite tell what the final shape would be after my hair shrunk a bit more (if you have 4c hair, you probably know what I mean), but it's the day after my cut and I LOVE my hair. He did such a wonderful job! A+ read more

I've gotten my hair done by Shyanne twice now (highlights, toner, and style) and she is incredible!!! My hair always comes out amazing and I love how she styles it for me :) I will definitely keep going to her. read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Pearly pink hair by Shyanne - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have always have such great experiences at The Studio Within Salon/Spa. I can't recommend this place enough! You HAVE to check it out!

Just got my hair cut my Jacob and I love it! Came in here with a groupon but will definitely be back! read more

Studio Within Salon Spa - Skin Care Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE. The customer service here is awful. A friend purchased a Groupon for me not knowing I had already been to this salon. I was told I couldn't use the the Groupon because I was not a new customer but could use the value towards a massage and facial. I was told this on two separate occasions over the phone and scheduled an appointment. When I showed up for my appointment not only did they not have any record of my appointment but they told me I could not use the value of my Groupon towards the services I had scheduled. I was basically called a liar and was not accommodated in any way. I wasted time and money coming here and will not be back. What was supposed to be a way to de-stress ended up sending my stress and anxiety through the roof. read more

This was by far the best haircut I've ever received. I have long, thick, curly hair and I have never met a stylist who truly knows how to cut curly hair or style it. Jacob was amazing. I learned so much from him. He's so incredibly knowledgeable about curly hair. I couldn't believe how amazing my curls looked after I left the salon without using any styling tools except for a hair dryer with a diffuser. And also very little styling product, too. I'm so excited about this new haircut and I will definitely go back to see Jacob again. read more

really 2.5 stars... such a funky yet cozy space - i could see myself reading a book with a cup of tea here. my massage left me wanting more...which in this case was not a good thing. it started late and it ended a few minutes early too. they have a fancy ipad for you to sign in but they hand it to you and then vanish only to return 7 minutes into your appt while a line has formed (albeit short but still cutting into my time). the massage itself was not relaxing nor did i find any relief at any point which i've never experienced before. i needed to book a massage at my chiropractor that same week. i normally have bodywork done at my chiro but a voucher tempted me to treat myself to a spa experience which i do every so often. there wasn't much of the spa aspect to it at all. maybe i'll return for a facial, based on reviews... read more

Okay, stop me if you've heard this one before: I found Jacob after the worst haircut of my life. I was super nervous the first time I went in and Jacob put me at ease with his thoughtful questions to ensure he gave me a haircut on my 2c/3a hair that worked for my life. Even though I had been wearing my hair curly for years and thought I had "it" down, Jacob taught me a number of tweaks to my routine to help me maximize my results. I was so happy with the results that booked my second cut (AND color) before walking out of the salon and have been a thrilled client for the past three years. Jacob's work is amazing and I have enthusiastically recommended him to anyone who asks, including my straight-haired cousin. The salon is very thoughtful about COVID precautions and it is one of the few locations I have felt truly safe. Book your appointment today, you won't regret it! read more