Salon Soca

Throughout the three years I have lived in Chicago, I have made appointments at countless salons but I have never been willing to commit myself to going back a second time. The problem is that I have naturally curly (frizzy) hair that I blow-dry and straighten every day. When I make appointments to get my hair done, I always dread the styling process because stylists usually rush through it and I have to go straight home to re-wash and re-style my hair before I can really see the work that was done on my hair. I have always felt that if I'm paying top dollar I should leave feeling good about my hair. I was so tired of feeling this way that I hadn't had a haircut in a year and I had resorted to coloring my hair myself. Naturally, when a friend recommended that I go to Mary at Salon Soca, I was skeptical. \r \r From the moment I walked into the salon the staff were friendly and accommodating. Mary spent several hours with me, transforming my self-colored, over-processed, frizzy hair into silk. Not only did she take the time to deep condition my hair, but she also listened to me when I warned her that if not styled properly, it would get frizzy. I was amazed at the final result. My color was flawless, my cut was modern and exactly the length I had requested, and for the first time, I was actually excited to walk out of the salon to show off my hairstyle. I will definitely be back to see Mary again! \r more

i recently visited salon soca and it was a really great experience. bridget did a wonderful job on my highlights and cut. very relaxing atmosphere, very friendly staff people. over all i highly recommend going here, i know i will be back for many more of my hair treatments! Pros: very nice products, friendly people Cons: cash only tips more

I recently visited Salon Soca and greatly enjoyed their services. I had an appointment for an updo and not only were the employees very welcoming, I was seen right on time! My updo turned out great and exactly how I wanted. The owners, Pat and Bridgett, were soo nice and provided snacks and beverages for all of the clients. This salon also provides a fun environment!! Pros: Great service, fantastic employees, fun environment Cons: tip must be in cash/check more

I always look and feel amazing when I leave Salon Soca. It?s a truly wonderful experience just to be surrounded by the energy at this salon. I?ve been going to the salon for a few years and am always happy with my service. I love how up to date with fashion my stylist is?. she always wants to try something new and create a look for that particular season. Everyone seems to work as a team and the make you feel so at home for the time you get to spend there. My brother is getting married and we (the bride and all the bridesmaids) are going to Soca to primp the day of the wedding?I wouldn?t want my new sister-in-law to be to go anywhere else but Salon Soca on her big day?I know they will make us all feel and look beautiful! Thanks Salon Soca Pros: The people that make the appointments are so sweet! more

This salon provided the worst haircut and service I've had in the last 15 years. I have always used top salons in London, NYC, Boston, and other cities. Due to the good reviews provided at this site, I decided to try this salon after moving to Chicago. It was a major disappointment. My cut was uneven, and layers were inconsistent. Plus the front desk staff gave me the stink face during both check-in and check-out. I ended up in another salon the next day to have my hair fixed. The salon simply didn't show the commitment and the level of service that the owner raved about repeatedly on this site. more

I'm a pretty stable guy; had the same stylist for over 15 years. He's gone now, and I've got a dilemma: three fantastic stylists, and I just can't choose one. \r \r I've had excellent cuts from Brigette, Joe and Tara on every visit, and my wife agrees completely. It's not that I'm getting a 'usual' cut either; I just let them know my few parameters, and turn the process over to them. Without fail, I leave Salon Soca feeling sharper, cooler, and more handsome.\r \r The rest of the staff is great, too; from receptionists to assistants to managers, I always feel like they're happy to have me.\r \r My schedule can be a little frenetic, so maybe it's best that no matter when I call for a same-day appointment, someone always seems to fit me in. Regardless of who's chair I sit in, though, I know I'm in for a great cut. Pros: Top-notch professionals Cons: Parking can be tough more

I am a very picky person in regards to my haircut simply because my head is full of cowlicks and it just has to be cut right. When I find the right Salon and Stylists I stick to them. I've been going to Soca since the day it opened and it has been nothing but a pleasure. In fact, the experience get's better every time if that's even possible. The Atmosphere is fun yet sophisticated and the employees are too. The salon is very friendly and inviting. They're pros all the way. Pros: Great haircut everytime. Comfortable atmosphere. Cons: They need more Dj Puzzle mixes to listen too. more

I wrote a negative review on 2.10.08. At first, there were a number of VERY POSITIVE reviews written immediately afterwards. Based on my experience and looking back at the review history that seemed a little suspicious to me. Now I notice today that my negative review has been deleted. There was no inappropriate language or any VALID reason for it to be deleted other than the fact that it reflected badly on the salon. You may want to keep this in mind unless you want to deal with a salon that will treat you this way after they have caused your hair to break off all over your head after a salon visit. While they have diminished and ""deleted"" my experience on their record and from their minds, I have to deal with the damage done to my hair by stylist MARY every day for a long time to come. UPDATE on 2.28.08 in RESPONSE to REPLY BELOW: It is disingenous at best for the salon to claim their ""best efforts to contact"" me were unsuccessful. The initial response from Mary to my call about my hair breaking off all over my head the first time I washed my hair following my salon visit was to say ""We didn't do anything to your hair; did you use Aveda shampoo?"" This was her response -it was my fault- after she told me she was using (temporary) semi-permanent color that ""will not hurt your hair""&after straightening my hair beyond anything I have ever had done to my hair. I had made it very clear that a flat iron had caused my hair to break badly previously. I also had not put any color on my hair for over a year&a half. But she decided her judgemt was better than my concerns, the color turned out to not be temp,& now here I am with the salon concerned only about their reputation here. I called back to ask for a time to contact the owners&was told the next morning,Sat,before 9am. Some time after that the owner Patrick left a voice mail for me stating -in a tone inappropriate to the situation-that they would be TOO BUSY to speak to me AT ALL on Saturday if I called. Pros: NONE at this point; Cons neutralize any positives; Cons: Just hope nothing goes wrong because if it does they care only about the effect to the salon here, not your experience. Your experience will be deleted. more

I went to Mary and was not happy with my haircut. Overall, I looked fine, she did not ""butcher"" my hair, but everything was odd:\r \r - The cut was only about 20 minutes -- which I usually like fast cuts, but I didn't even feel like she was cutting anything! And for $60, I'd like a little more effort.\r - She trimmed my hair wet, blew it out, and then cut the majority of my hair dry (?!) As a result, my hair was uneven (although not significantly noticable)\r - I asked for a cut with more body, and in turn she did what she called ""undercutting"" making layers beneath my top ones shorter. After I went to another stylist to correct Mary's work, the new stylist was completely confused and astonished at what she had done to give me ""body"" -- surely there are better ways!\r \r Overall, it was just a very odd cut, and I left feeling rushed, disatisfied, and $60 in the hole.\r more

This is the best Salon! I started going here a few months ago when I moved into the neighborhood. It is a cute salon, with an enormously talented staff. I started going when I needed my hair put up for a black tie event, and Eileen gave me red carpet hair!! I recieved compliments all night long! I have since been back for a haircut and color everything has been fantastic! So happy I have found this salon! Pros: Everything more

Salon Soca is the BEST salon I have ever been to. I have been going there since hte first day they opened. Bridgette the owner is the best colorist I have ever been to, she even went to Europe to be a cerified colorist, all the stylist there are very friendly and professional, its a real stylish slaon.\r I live over an hour away in Oak Brook and it is worth the drive, iiget so many compliments when ever I get my blonde highlights put in, people ask me like 3x a month where I get my hair done, and i tell them Salon Soca its a must go salon, dont care how far you live, you will get the very best results.\r I give this salon 5*, I will always drive 2 hours to and from the city for their outstanding service!!!\r Pros: The best salon I have ever been to, outstanding colorists! more

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SALON!!\r \r Beautiful environment, relaxing ambiance everyone here are extremely talented and I always feel so good, and look great, when I leave!\r \r I live in San Francisco and I do a lot of business in the Chicago area and i have no problem scheduling my trims/colors around those trips. Pros: everything! more

While complaining about receiving the worst haircut of my life at Salon Soca, my friend reminded me that the really bad haircut she got a couple years ago was from the same salon. I wish I had talked to her first. Think twice before you get a relatively expensive haircut here. more

I am a regular customer of Salon Soca. They have a friendly and professional staff and are very experienced with the Aveda line of products. I highly recommend this salon, it's quiet, a good location, and a great salon experience! Pros: Aveda, Color, Staff more

Ok so I admit, I am bit of a picky pants when it comes to my hair. Who isn't . I tried Salon Soca a couple weeks ago as I was in a rush to get my hair done for an event that I had coming up. I was excited that they were able to get me in in a moments notice. If you read other reviews of mine you will see that I am an aveda lover =) So it was a plus that Salon Soca is an aveda salon. The guy at the front desk was a total sweetheart, friendly and nice, but my stylist seemed kinda distant and uninterested in me and my needs. I ended up leaving the salon very dissapointed in the way my hair looked. Im beginning to think its not the stylists but the aveda product itself. I was also dismayed to see that they charge you for a blowdry. I have been to MANY salons in Chicago and have never been charged for a blowdry - so I opted to blowdry my own hair. The one thing that I did love about Salon Soca was the head massage they give you when they wash your hair. THAT was the best. I would say that all in all its a good salon, just not for me. more

I just went to this salon today, and got an all over colour and highlights done. I had mary as my stylist and she was amazing. I love my hair, it is perfect now. She did the highlights exactly as I envisioned it, and it was not brassy at all. I wil lgo back again Pros: everything Cons: nothing more

Hmmm, I recently wrote a not so favorable review that vanished from the page. Basically, I am no longer going to this salon because I felt the staff was unfriendly. The haircut/ color was ok. Nothing special, especially not for the price. more

I started going to Salon Soca about 5 months ago. I was going to Eileen as a student, as she was learning how to do it the Soca way. Now Eileen is on the floor. I have to tell you all, she is the very best. I never have walked into a salon and met someone so awesome, bright, energetic, fabulous, someone who knew her stuff. When I left Salon Soca the first time, I felt absolutely confident on my hair. I knew then that Salon Soca and Eileen and I would be new friends. I recommend eveyone i know to go to Eileen at Salon Soca. Just go there already!!!!!!!!!!!! Pros: a top of the class salon more

I love Salon Soca. I've recommended at least 6 people to this salon and everyone has been thrilled with it. Every colorist at this salon is wonderful, however I'm partial to Brigette. Her colors are the best! If you are looking for a great stylist, Tara is your girl. I have long hair and always worry about someone chopping it too short on me. I've been going to them for 4 years and have never been disappointed. Whatever your style, they can make it happen. You've got to try this place! Pros: If you are looking for a place with a good vibe, this is it. Cons: If you are looking for a tranquil spa this isn't the place for you. more

I have visited hair salons all over Chicago and have been most pleased with the consistently fabulous cuts and colors given by Soka styalist Nicole. Everyone at Salon Soka is super friendly and makes you feel very comfortable but it's the casual cuts and hip highlights that Nicole offers is what brings me back time and time again..... so glad to have found this place! more