10/30/09

Great Spa

by isalowry

The best spa experience in the city. Friendly, warm, and supporting. Not only they have great services they support local designers hosting monthly events.

Love Aniko Spa!!

• Pros: Best wax, manicure, pedicure, hair, massage,...
• Cons: none

10/29/09

Wonderful, all-around salon

by KGreene123

Love the vibe at this salon. It is so beautifully decorated. It has a water feature and a Moroccan inspired relaxing area. Had a great massage by Silvia, brow waxing by Blair, pedicure by Billy, nails by Nicole, hair by Stephanie. Am working my way through the menu. Cheryl at the front desk coordinates it all. A high point for me is the monthly Martinis and Manicure Monday nights. Such a great way to pamper yourself. We all need to take a little time for ourselves. I feel really at home there.

• Pros: Beautiful place, great staff, convenient parking
• Cons: None, that I can think of

10/07/09

Gabrielle Is Fantastic

by creativelolita

I am a NY transplant who was faithful to my colorist for 4 years while trying to grow out my locks for my book launch and then my wedding. When I moved to Chicago almost a month ago, I decided to get settled into my new city and find a colorist here. After making a huge mistake and going to "top" salon, Michael &Michael, my healthy long locks were fried to a crisp and the ends looked like fur. I was devistated and fearful that 4 years of growth would be lopped off in a moment's time. I spent 8 days and visited and called 12 salons before finding Aniko, and let me tell you, looking back, I realize it was all for a reason.

The moment I stepped into Aniko, I felt calm. The staff is so nice (and they all have amazing hair!) They are friendly, accomodating and talented. I sat down with Gabrielle and she spent twenty minutes with me, listening to my concerns, empathizing with my circumstances and directly telling me what could and could not be done (though what she said was a positive, her honesty was something I appreciated and made me comfortable with her. Is there anything worse than someone who smiles and says "Yes...OK" a million times and then proceeds to give you a cut or color that looks horrible on you, even if it is one you think would look great?)

When she started to work on my hair, she went through every step of the process with me, letting me know what she was doing, what she was using and making sure that it was OK. The end result? She gave me the best haircut I have had in a decade, saved my hair and helped me keep my hair long when every-other-stylist told me it was impossible. My fiancee was amazed when he saw it and said, "It looks so good and you cannot even tell it was cut in terms of length".

Gabrielle was so refreshing and such a pleasure to sit and talk with and I felt so safe and comfortable in her chair. After such a horribly stressful month and feeling like the colorist who butchered my hair didn't care, she was very much a breath of fresh air. I have found the only person who will touch my hair for as long as I am in Chicago and encourage every person out there (especially those who care about length or who want to go to someone who will be 100% honest with them about what can-and cannot-be done) to see Gabrielle. You will love your hair and you will find her to be lovely.

This salon is a hidden gem and should be rated number one. It's so nice not to feel as though you're being taken for a ride or that your happiness with your hair doesn't matter (which is something I have felt in many of the salons I have visited here in Chicago). I cannot wait to try their spa treatments and to have Gabrielle color my hair.

I almost want to send a thank you card to M&M for their horrible job because it directed me to a fabulous new cut, salon and person).

• Pros: Great cut, Listened to my concerns, Relaxing Atmosphere
• Cons: None