08/21/09

Where is Charles?

by erdal0

I am looking for Charles. He is no longer at Natural Elements. Does anyone know where he is now? I would appreciate response of those who know his whereabouts. Thanks!

06/25/09

love the lash extensions!

by bshark01

"A friend of mine got eyelash extensions here and they looked so beautiful, I immediately had to book an appt myself.

I was a little nervous but Brian (the aesthetician) explained everything and put me at ease. The end result was amazing--the Outlashe lashes look and feel completely natural. I couldn't stop looking at myself in the mirror--and then on the walk home, I kept trying to catch glimpses of myself in every reflection I walked by...I knew I was taking it a little too far when I was trying to admire my new lashes in the glare of the bus shelter!

But the true test was my boyfriend, who hates when I wear makeup & prefers the natural look..... but I immediately knew from the look on his face that he had to admit I was right & that he thought the lashes were awesome! The best part that is that I still look like me....just a wayyy hotter verision of me!! if i do say so myself ;) !

Definitely will be back for these lashes, and my brows, which Brian also did an excellent job of! now excuse me while I go back to admiring my lashes in the mirror....."

• Pros: beautiful lashes, painfree procedure!

03/25/09

There Is No Better!

by AnaLucia

I was looking for a salon in the River North area that specialized in eyelash extensions. After asking around, several people had referred me to Andrew. After hearing the rave reviews I booked an appointment.

Andrew knows lashes! He is very gentle and precise. The atmosphere was nice and the music was great. My full set is beyond what I could ever imagine and look so real. I am throwing out my mascara because I am hooked!

• Pros: best eyelash extension service
• Cons: price

03/25/09

I look AMAZING!

by Cindycindy

I was looking for a place to get my eyebrows stenciled and saw the Kiss FM review proclaiming Claudia as the best waxer in Chicago. When I called for an appointment I was instructed to let my brows grow out as much as I could, so I went au natural for a week and 1/2. When Claudia finished, I was amazed at how perfect my brows were. What a difference! It made me look vibrant and refreshed.

I went to check out and saw a parade of women checking out with some of the best hair I have ever seen, and I think I'm pretty savvy with that stuff. It was time for my next hair cut, which usually last me 5 weeks. Since I am new to the downtown area I scheduled an appointment with Melinda, wanting the best. I found out she was the owner later. At my appointment she spent the time asking me questions about my lifestyle and ideas for my hair. She explained to me what a precision hair cut is and proceeded to show me with her hands how she thought the look I wanted to achieve would look best. It was worth EVERY penny. Her cut was so good, that it has lasted me 8 weeks. In this economy, that says alot. I have never been complemented on my look as much as I have in these past few weeks..... Even got a hot date!

I was looking on city search for something else and saw other reviews that were not at all like my experience. They sound like past employees who got fired :) or people wanting to get a cheap service! You get what you pay for, and I have never heard of a salon that negotiated on price. The staff couldn't have been more attentive and it was the cleanest salon I have been to. There wasn't a spec of dust in the place. I loved all the orchids everywhere and felt like I was in the Botanic Gardens.

I am booking in this week for a cut and eyelash extensions. One of the assistants let me actually touch theirs and I was sold. I met a client in there that said she had been getting them done for the past four years at Roque. Can't wait to see what look they are going to create for me this time.

• Pros: Learned what a precision haircut is and got one
• Cons: needed to book more than a week in advance for 3 services

03/16/09

only thing high end are the prices

by Bernie

I WAS a loyal member of Roque for a few years, mostly because I had a hard time finding a decent colorist when I moved to Chicago and it's a short walk from my home. Not anymore. The only thing that makes this self acclaimed salon 'high end' are the prices.

Be prepared to get your hair washed next to an old ladder while the owner asks the washer if he can once again bring the laundry home. You may have to try on 3 or 4 old and ratty robes before you find a dry one with a belt and button that work. If you want to have your lashes done, you'll pay a premium price but you'll be in a cold and smelly basement (with other beds and other customers having the same service done) while people are constantly walking by. The blankets andsheetson the bed look nothing like the pictures, they are full of stains and I doubt they are changed between uses. If the washing machine is going off, you'll hear that too. Roque does still have at least 1 talented colorist and 1 talented lash technician which is why I kept going. However, tons of salons in Chicago now offer lash services, without the rusty basement or rude owner.

The owner, Melinda, has absolutely no customer service skills. After spending several thousand dollars a year there, she made a promise to me in front of 2 of her employees, I relied on that promise, and then she lied to me and told me she never made the promise. The price difference was only $15 and it would have kept someone who spends several thousand a year as a client. Not a smart way to treat one of your best customers . I've decided to spend my money in a salon that has an appreciation for the value of customer service. No wonder why the salon is usually empty.

• Pros: good colorist
• Cons: eyelash service done in gross basement,, poor client service

01/07/09

Expensive Mistake

by honstrvw

Before Melinda, the owner, cut my hair, I told her very specifically what I wanted and what I didn't want. I even showed her pictures; I wanted something with body, something different from what I had. When she was done, there was NO DIFFERENCE! It was flat and straight, not at all what I asked for. I would never recommend her to anyone. That was $180 thrown out the window!

10/24/08

Fantastic Salon Experience! I will be Booking in advance.

by SPM78

I had a very special occasion coming up, so I decieded to get the works done. I read the reviews on city search and have a friend who is a client of the Roque, so I went for it. Charlie did my color and I went from drab, to a healthy shiny brunette. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Melinda gave me the best cut I have ever had, and I know haircuts. She listened to me and my desires to try and keep it long. I have curly hair, and I can leave it wet now and run out the door without looking like chewbakka. I can't tell you how much time I save in the mornings. I had Claudia give me the works too. She re-shaped my brows, and I never new I could have such an open eye. I had her do my eyelash extensions too! I have had them done in LA before with the Xtreme garbage, and they felt like porcupine needles. My lashes are soft and natural looking and 2 weeks later they are still on. Totally keeping them up with a refill. I don't know why all women don't do this!

I left the Salon feeling very hollywood and had one of the best nights of my life! This is a definate go to place, and the staff is very friendly. I will never go anywhere else, and can see why my friend is so loyal to Roque.

• Pros: Everything you need done there is an expert there for you
• Cons: Advance booking for a full day there

09/10/08

Where is Charles?????

by bethlape

Charles has left Natural Elements. Does anyone know where he is now? I don't want to lose him. He is the best!

08/21/08

Extremely Unprofessional

by PB8998

I came here over six months ago because I needed a make-up artist for my wedding. I had tried eight other make-up artists around town and was at the end of my rope. Andrew Derderian helped me and did a fantastic job - I was very pleased. I booked him to do my make-up and my mom's and my sister's. I even agreed to pay a premium for him to come to the wedding location. I called him a month before the wedding to reconfirm and he assured me the day was booked for me and all was ok. Then he called me a week before my wedding (literally a week before) to say he had decided to go out of town and wasn't going to do my wedding make-up anymore. I was stunned. No one was sick, no one was hurt, he simply decided he had something better to do. If you are thinking about using him for an event, just don't. He's talented but unreliable.

08/14/08

friendly, relaxed environment

by scottyzforce

great cut, exceptional service, not at all pretentious like one would expect from many higher end salons