M & A Salon Spa

I recently went to the Michael Anthony Salon on North Ave. after having been a long-time client at their other location on State St. (I changed because I moved to this part of town) This was a HUGE mistake! I booked my appointment for a haircut on Memorial Day and the entire staff of the salon made it abundantly clear that they did not want to be working. The receptionist was very rude and my haircut was awful and completely overpriced. I actually had to go home and trim it a little bit myself until I can make another appointment at a different salon to get a decent haircut. For $50 plus tip the stylist named Dani gave me a cut I could have done at home with crayola scissors- this is because I don't think she even touched my hair. I'm actually furious that ,in this economy, someone would put forth so little effort into a job that is entirely client-based. I will never be back nor would I ever recommend the North Ave. M&A salon to a friend. On the contrary, I actually think the State St. location has some very talented stylists and colorists. Taylor is a great stylist and Sondra is an exceptional colorist. State St. M&A is home to by-far the BEST estheticion in the city, Bobby Dixon. She is sooooo amazing! I started going to her for a Brazilian wax and will never trust anyone else. She someone makes this otherwise painful experience tolerable and is very knowledgeable about the process. Pros: Clean atmosphere Cons: Everything else more

I received a discount card from a friend to see Jordan for a haircut since she did such a wonderful job on my friend. The atmosphere was great and she really listened to everything I had to say about my hair. I love the cut and cant wait to visit again! Pros: kind staff Cons: crazy parking lot more

I received a 90-min massage as a gift, so went to the W Division location to redeem. I get massages a few times a year; though this was my first trip to any MA location. Bottom line: The treatment rooms are downstairs and on a winter day in Chicago, they are too cold! I asked the therapist if the table was heated (no), she tried to accommodate and get me another blanket. But it wasn't enough; my feet were cold the entire time. Overall, I just couldn't get warm enough to relax...kept dreading when she'd uncover an arm or leg and expose it to the chilly air. I admit, I didn't say anything to the receptionist on my way out. He gave off a snooty, unhelpful vibe, so I decided to cut my losses. Seemed like a nice place overall, but my experience was memorably not positive at all. Pros: Professional atmosphere Cons: Treatment rooms in the freezing basement, unheated massage tables more

My daughter and I are new to Chicago and were in search of a new salon. After reviewing CitySearch and reading the reviews for the Michael Anthony salons, we decided to give them a try. We went to the State St location since it was close to our home. Wow.... what a mistake. My daughter needed highlights and I needed just a cut. Before the colorist started on my daughter's hair, the colorist commented on how great of condition her hair was in. Well, noone could say that now. Her hair has never, ever been so fried as it is now. She cannot ever totally get the tangles out. It literally looks like straw. She recently went to a cheap salon to get the dead ends cut off and they had to take off over 2 inches. Unbelievable. I had pictures showing the front and back of how my hair should be, a style that is quite uncomplicated. I have yet to know what I am supposed to do with it. The only way to describe my hairstyle is ugly. Supercuts would have been superior to the services we got at this salon. Pros: Convenient Cons: snooty staff, inept stylists more

I actually went to the Michael Anthony's on N. State St. Lisa cut and styled my hair and it was the best haircut I've ever had. The cut was $45 and definitely worth it! Pros: Nice staff, great atmosphere Cons: none more

I had one of the best massages of my life...and believe me I have had many! I visited Michael Anthony on West North Ave and Grier was my massage thereapist. She did one thing, off the bat, that almost no massage therapist asks...Did I actually want a full body massage or upper body only. Most therapist will not come out and ask you this. I do often request uperr body only as my legs are much most sensative than my back. Grier then gave me the best upper body massage I have had in a long time! Probably since I was in Los Angeles. I complimented her on her awesome massage and she told me it was her first day! Thanks for a great salon experience! I can't wait for the new location on Division! See you soon! Lynette more

I just moved to Chicago from Los Angeles, and I have had my hair done by the top stylists/colorists in the area. I was sceptical to try a salon in Chicago due to the fact that I would be dissapointed. I heard about Michael Anthony from a new co-worker of mine, so I sucked it up and decided to try it out. When i entered the salon I thought it was beautiful and had a very lofty feel. The stylsts were all Beautiful, and were dressed to the nines. I was greeted very friendly by the front desk staff when i entered. I had my appointment for color with Jim, and my stylist was Jill. Again, I was very nervous how my hair would turn out. I sat up front for 2-3 minutews(a very short wait), and all of a sudden I see an adorable, handsome young man say my name. it was Jim. When he greeted me, I felt immediatly comfotable. He had a warm smile and chatted with me on the way to his color area as if we had known each other for years! I sat in his chair and explained what I wanted. He explained that we can do exactly what I had in mind, and said how "beautiful" it would turn out. He did a full head of highlights which took around an hour. I can say that this hour seemed like 5 minutes. The conversation was amazing, and he was making me laugh histerically. when i finished getting shampood I sat in Jill's chair, she was this adorable young looking woman which made me nervous, I compared young with inexperienced. Boy was I wrong, she was so comfoting and sweet. Not to mention It was the best hair cut and hair color I had ever had. I was used to Los Angeles, where a cut and color for myself was between 400-600 dollars. I left Michael Anthony feeling like a million dollars for a fraction of the price. I have since returned to these two and had an even better experience. I recommend this place to anyone, I know I have already sent 10 of my closest friends here! Pros: amazingly talented staff, inexpensive compared to most salons Cons: parking more

I had a gift certificate from a friend for a spa day and I wish that she could have had a refund.When I checked in for my appointment the snotty girl in the front had me wait 15 extra minutes to be taken to the spa area. When we arrive, there is no robe for me to put on, she lookes annoyed, tells me to wait and leaves. About 10 minutes later, some lady (my facialist) comes in and hands me a robe and kind of rushes me to the treatment room. During my facial I smell cigarette smoke and all I can think of was how long is this treatment going to last? i felt like getting up and walking out. After my average facial, I am taken to the waiting area for my massage. The girl seemed annoyed that she had to wait for me. Good massage, no smoke smell, getting better? Go get changed for my nail appointments, again, nail person seems annoyed she is waiting for me. Guess what she smelled of cigarette smoke. Manicure and pedicure was fine. Get my hair styled, guess what? SMELLED OF SMOKE and annoyed that she was waiting for me. Is Aveda a natural, holistic company? I thought they cared about the enviroment and the people who worked for them. Why are they not given extra time if they make we almost 30 minutes late for my appointment to begin when I arrived on time? Then I am tshown a whole bunch of items to purchase that I never asked for and the young ladie looked confused when I said I never asked to buy those. I walk to my car and there are a group of young aveda employees SMOKING! I wrote Aveda and their whole concept off until I went to another salon reccommended by my friend. It was just this place. Pros: I was able to leave Cons: smoking, try to sell you loads of products more

I have been going here for over 10+ years for hair and color and love it. The staff is wonderful and you come out looking fabulous.. They are not the most expensive salon and not the least expensive but certainly the best. Try the Aveda products and you will never swtich to anything else. Also, have a custom perfume made for yourself. You will be amazed how wondeful it is and how many complements you get....where did you get that awesome perfume? Your answer....it was made for me at Michael Anthony! Pros: Participates in Aveda points program which adds up to big bucks quickly if you buy the products Cons: Have to tip in cash, cannot add on credit card or debit card more

I'm going to make this short but sweet. The most superb salon in the city I have found. My hair color was the most beautiful color I have ever seen. You have to experience this salon, you will never change, i know i'm not. more

I have tried numerous salons in the city and have found this to be my ALL TIME FAVORITE! The staff is beautiful and always looks so professional. My hair has never been so shiny and the color has never looked better! I can not wait util the new salon opens downtown, i work down there and it will be more convenient. Pros: Color, Atmosphere, staff Cons: parking more

I've been getting my hair cut from Sabrina for quite some time now. She always finds a way of fitting me in when I don't plan ahead and schedule. The spa servicesare fantastic: Stephanie is the best for facials and Anna is fantastic with the mani/pedi. I look forward to visiting them regularly, you should too!!! Pros: parking validated, great customer serv. Cons: busy cross streets, crowded at times more

I got a gift certificate for my birthday last month. I tried to make an appt at the North Ave location. That receptionist needs a new job. They lost my business. I had a day in mind and the only thing she said was that it was booked. She did not offer another day, did not suggest the other location. Did not even say thanks for calling. I called the Belmont location on my own, and I am completely set up. I am excited for that visit. That receptionist was extremely friendly and helpful. I will not go to the North Ave location ever. more

Does anyone else find the reception staff rude? Every time I call to make an appointment they act like I am bothering them. Also, they are not friendly or welcoming once you arrive. The stylist are better. But, the reception staff needs to realize that they are in the service industry and politeness and making the guest feel welcome goes a long way. I am thinking about going to another salon, just because they bug me so much! Pros: Good Stylists Cons: RUDE receptionists more

Ahhh... Parking was terrible!!!! I was here when Michael Anthony had renovation in the locker room. It was my first time there and my friend bought me a gift card to spend there. I was wearing a gown and no one informed me where to go so I had to ask someone around and she told me to sit out in the open when I was I felt so naked. I only had a gown on and that's all. I didn't feel comfortable and everyone there was like rushing. I felt like I didn't existed. The staff was like rush, rush, rush, and like push, push, push to buy Aveda products from them. Never again!!!! Pros: Good Location, Clean, Professional Appearan Cons: Parking, Pressure, Service Sucks more

Worst highlights ever. I went in for small, natural highlights, came out looking like a circus tent (light stripe, dark stripe, light stripe). I called in, told them there was too much blond; that the pieces were too big and there was too much contrast, went in and suggested they go through the blond with very small lowlights, but somehow I ended up with all of it lighter. Bad communication - I am horrified with my hair, but am afraid to go back a third time. Debating whether to try someone else there or just cut my losses and pay for another salon to correct it. If you get highlights there, bring in a picture of what you want, and make 100% sure your stylist understands what you're looking for. Pros: Stylists look nice, atmosphere Cons: bad highlights!, poor communication, parking more

This place rocks! I get all of my services done here and I wouldn't go anywhere else. I have been to both locations and even though the atmosphere is different you still get the same great service. I go for mani and peds , facials, waxing and next I will try a body treatment! Every spa lady that I have gone to for spa treatments are top notch! Best haircuts that I have had are with Jacky and Claudia. Color definatley Page, I won't go to anyone else. I have bought gift certificates for friends, family and co-workers and I have not been disappointed by this salon yet! Pros: Skills, hair color, facials Cons: parking @ North more

I was so impressed with the level of personal service and professionalism that everyone gave me! The salon has great energy, everyone was happy and I love the Aveda Experience! If you haven't been here...you are missing out! more

I purchased an all expense paid trip to the salon for my wife as a Christmas gift. The salesperson helpfully suggested that I include gratuity on the gift certificate. When it came time to redeem the certificate however there was no cash in the drawer for them to give her to use as gratuity. Consequently she was forced to walk down the block to the ATM at the Walgreen's to get cash for tips. I can't speak to their service in the salon, but as a gift giver I assure you I will make a different selection next time. more

My boyfriend sent me to the spa for a pedi/mani and Aveda massage. It was great! My first massage and I was totally relaxed. I would return. Pros: serene, cucumber water more