Kelly Cardenas Salon

This salon is all about the details! As I came in for my appointment, I was greeted with nothing but hospitality. I was checked in and for the first time ever, was offered a beverage as I waited for my stylist. Shauna provided me with an experience that has puts any of the other salons in wicker park to shame.
My time at Kelly Cardenas Salon started by giving me a short tour of the shop (ie. the cutting stations, where they do the coloring, and the hair washing room). I then was able to put my belongings in a secure changing area/​bathroom in the back and was provided with a robe so I wouldn’t get hair on my clothes. By this time I met up with Shauna, who sat me down and figured out how I wanted my hair styled (this is where the real experience started).
The shampoo room in the back is nothing short of serene. The dim lighting is accompanied by soothing melodies that relaxed every inch of my body. But their services do not stop at just a shampoo, it is pair with a massage that gave me the impression that Shauna was also a massage therapist on the side.
After the shampoo, I was taken back to the hair cutting area. I gave little information as to what I wanted, mostly because I do not know anything about hair styling. The end result was better than anything I could’ve pictured in my head. I ended up with a hair style that was easy to maintain and something that fit my lifestyle.
So usually that would conclude my visit at any other salon, but then I was taken back for ANOTHER shampoo! This room is my favorite and I’ve never been to another place that has one like it. The whole staff was very accommodating, the stylist are more than talented (I’d recommend Shauna), and my time spent there made me feel special.

Yay for KCS and everyone who works there!!! My new salon in Chicago as I just moved here from NYC; you truly can’t find this kind of quality + kind and wonderful service in Manhattan – the kind of service where you get to know and love all the employees and become like family to them.
Diana is easily one of the most talented on staff here and the kindest heart. She’s incredible at both cut and color. I would refer her to anyone!

Absolutely love this salon! First off, everyone is so nice and welcoming. The room where they wash your hair is amazing. It’s so calm and relaxing and to top it off, I got a neck and shoulder massage. I could have fallen asleep.
I was able to work with Travis who was amazing! It’s so nice when you find someone who listens to what you want and can help with suggestions to make managing you hair easier. Love the cut and style and can’t wait to try the suggestions given so I can stop throwing my hair in a ponytail all the time. I can not say enough good things about the salon and Travis. Thank you so much! Can’t wait to go back.

Sadly I received the worst color ever. .. and from the salon director. See pic.
Taya did my color and it was insanely awful. It looked nothing like what we talked about (darker base, bright, vibrant blonde balayage type highlights). I started with very blonde hair so she really just needed to darken the base and tone. When she first finished, my hair was greyish almost green. Shockingly I had to explain this wasn’t what I wanted and it looked bad (wish I took a pic of that to share). She was blow drying and commenting on how good it looked. Yes she was super nice but she needed me to explain why I didn’t like this gross dull grey color. Kind of awkward. Why do I need to explain to a salon director why ugly color is bad?
So she «fixed» it and I left with reddish pink hair (see pic). Again nothing like I wanted. I was hoping I could deal with it for a bit but ended up calling the next day begging for someone to fix it ASAP. I was put with Jessica. Unfortunately she needed to consult Taya, the salon director, the one that screwed up my hair in the first place (no idea how she was appointed director — it’s concerning). I like Jessica and I actually think she is talented. She wasn’t able to do much since damage was done but she tried her best to fix it. If you go here see her.
Yes the staff is super nice but that cannot make up for a complete lack of talent and I’m basing that on the «top colorist.»

I have mixed feelings about this place. I didn’t get the light brown hair I was looking for but I did get nice highlights everyone compliments me on. Done by Bethany. I didn’t like it at first I have to admit. I had to go in the next day to get them fixed but they’re pretty nice now; kind of looks like ombré.

If you like to be pampered and want a good haircut, you found the place. Eli did a fantastic job!

Thanks to the receptionist Jeannette, I got to be a hair model for Travis who was simply amazing. I was greeted and got a tour of the salon. I told travis how I was looking to go a little darker for fall and he did exactly what I wanted and kept the conversation going. The wash area was so tranquil and I got a neck massage. Normally, the service I received today would have been $ 210, but since I was a hair model, I only spent $ 25. A total steal for someone on a budget and I’m glad I went. Thanks Kelly kardenas salon!!!

Matt does my cut and color and I am always VERY happy when I leave! By far the best in Chicago! I have referred all my friends to him and will continue to do so.

I’ve never been that girl with «good hair.» I’ve always had that frizzy, kinky hair that did its own thing no matter how I tried styling it. My saving grace in college was learning how to braid. After years and years of frustrated acceptance and hair envy, I was referred to Matt S. at Kelly’s.
For starters, Matt is just an incredible person — the kind of person you feel at home with. As soon as you sit in his chair, you just know good things are about to happen. He is a focused listener and will make sure you are on the same page before any styling begins. He is an expert at aligning your cut/​color with your style and preferences. Matt is light years ahead of the fashion industry but also an accomplished stylist when it come to the classics. His attention to detail during the highlighting and trimming process really makes hair look so flawless.
I’ve been coming to Matt S. for going on four years now and I’m having the best hair years of my life. He has transformed my hair into beautiful locks that get compliments from friends and strangers alike (I’ve actually had complete strangers ask about my hair). Last week I told Matt I wanted a change. I pulled up a few photos of short cuts and we discussed my options. An hour later, I had short hair and bangs that looked EXACTLY like the photos but somehow better? I have no idea how he did it, but it was amazing. He even showed me a few ways of styling it.
If you want to find your forever stylist, go see Matt S. and get that good hair

I forget who did my color, but the experience was TERRIBLE. I don’t have particularly processed hair, but whatever they put on my hair burned my scalp, and the stylist insisted their products were so gentle that it must be «normal,» so I went with it. The end result was color — and I just dyed my brown hair a richer brown — that leeched out in weeks and left my hair a weird fake orangey color. My hair now, even after being re-​dyed, is damaged and snarls terribly. I’ll end up having to cut off about 4″ to save it. I don’t know what the heck happened, but I can’t say enough bad things about this experience.

I went to Kelly Cardenas Salon for almost 3 years and was never once disappointed!
The overall experience from start to finish was fantastic! Taya always took great care of me, and the rest of the team truly enjoyed the work they did. They even went out and fed the parking meter for me when my time ran out.
Taya did phenomenal coloring and cuts over and over. I always got compliments on my hair and she knew how to change it up with a fresh new look without going outside of the client’s comfort zone. They also make you feel like what you want is the priority.
Sadly I recently relocated to another city, but next time I’m in Chicago I may make another appointment to catch up with Taya and get a new style.
I highly recommend Taya for a stylist, among many others! Get a glass of wine and enjoy the massages while you are there.

My regular stylist is on maternity leave and I am overdue for a hair cut. I scheduled an appointment with Travis based on Unilocal reviews. Very very satisfied with the result! My hair looks exactly like the picture I showed him but a shorter version as I requested.
Will return for color soon!

Amazing. After seeing that my hair needed a huge «pick me up“after almost a year of negligence, I turned to Unilocal.Recently moving to Wicker– KCS was at the top of the list and I immediately booked. I walked in as a (almost) color virgin and with no idea of what I wanted.
Bethany was absolutely fabulous! She talked me through the process and asked detailed questions to narrow down what my indecisive mind was looking for. After the consultation, color bar, amazing wash/​massage– my hair came out beautifully. I never thought I’d enjoy the color & highlights (as I apprehensively agreed to prior)
Long story short– Bethany, along with the team @ Kelly Cardenas Salon was a perfect decision. They deliver nothing but the best, flawlessly appealing to every client that walks in. I highly recommend to anyone who wants nothing but perfection in their style —
oxox

Let me start off by saying that this was by far the best experience that I have had at a salon. I am from the Schaumburg area, and I would drive through traffic and everything to head back to the salon!
I was immediately greeted at the door with a lemon water and given a tour of the salon. Everyone was so friendly and the environment was very collaborative and fosters the social element some salons seem to miss out on. There are multiple chairs at the coloring station to facilitate conversation between patrons and the artists themselves. Coming from the Schaumburg area, I was unfamiliar with city parking and accidentally parked in a no-​park area. Travis gladly moved my car to a more appropriate area and made sure the meter would not run out, but not before providing me a delicious glass of wine while my foils were under the dryer.
Travis and I had a hair consultation right before I started. He explained the process and let me know suggestions to correct the color crisis I tend to have with going lighter (my hair pulls red). The area where they rinse out your hair is so relaxing and smells amazing… the neck/​shoulder massage I got after I was all rinsed out was fantastic — much needed after a long day at work.
Overall, I could not recommend a better salon period. Best salon I’ve been to… ever. Friendly environment and excellent customer service. I felt like VIP walking in and definitely a rockstar walking out.
Book your appointment today and go see Travis. It will have been the best decision you’ve made!

I am a total control freak when it comes to my hair or makeup. The last haircut I got was about a year ago, and it was traumatic — I asked for a couple of inches off, ended up leaving with 8 or 9 inches off and about to cry. It’s not easy for me to find a good hair stylist, and once I find one, I stick to the same person. I moved to Chicago in August, and this was my first time getting my hair done here. I did extensive research online, and narrowed it down between a few. One looked promising but the pricing was absolutely ridiculous! High prices on their site, but when I called to book an appt, they said «Oh yeah actually the prices are $ 100 more than listed and we’ve been meaning to get that fixed on our site»
It would have cost me at least $ 500 to get my hair cut and balayage done. So I decided to come to Kelly Cardenas. Taya is amazing. She is friendly, very skilled, and works quickly. I have had all kinds of things done to my hair in the past. from perms to dyeing to ombré, but it was my first time getting balayage. I absolutely love how it came out, and she exceeded my expectations.
The entire salon was full of friendly and courteous staff. I will definitely be returning when I need something else done :)
Thanks Taya!

Travis is awesome. Although KCS is on the pricey side, you definitely get what you pay for.

As a full-​time student who doesn’t live that close to the Wicker Park area, booking was super convenient and quick through their online appointment system. Multiple stylists came up to me to introduce themselves and compliment me on my hair throughout my time there. The entire salon seems to be filled with very welcoming and friendly staff!
Taya was my stylist and she did an amazing job! I was a little apprehensive as I have never dyed my hair before and was going for balayage highlights. I showed her a few pictures and she immediately came up with an idea and color scheme she was hoping to achieve. She’s incredibly sweet, easy to talk to, and knows what she’s doing with hair!
After the addition of highlights, I got my hair washed by Matt– who was also extremely nice– and the massage was awesome (I even fell asleep, oops). Taya trimmed and curled my hair afterwards, and I am in love with my new hair! I have gotten so many compliments already. Definitely book with Taya!

I’ve been going here for at least 3 years or more. I’ve seen multiple stylist and have been happy with them all but within the last year I’ve shifted my loyalty to Cristian! He always gives me the cut and color I want, he doesn’t over cut or color and my highlights look natural which means I can go less often and my hair still looks great!
Recently, I had him cut my seven year olds straight as a board hair and it’s the best hair cut I’ve ever had for him-​seriously! (It’s been a long painful adventure finding someone to finally give him a great cut) now I have!

I’ve come here once before to get an ombré & I left happy. Second time around I called and they booked me with Travis for my color. He did an amazing job getting the multidimensional brunette I was going for but it turned my ends way too dark
Anyway, I’m not one to complain but I had to go back a few days later. This time not only did it take under an hour to fix I left feeling SUPER happy! My hair is freaking hot. Not even 4 hours out of the salon and got compliments! Thankfully the salon did not have a stank attitude and now I’ll keep coming back! (See my picture)

My stylist was the lovely, talented, and friendly Diana. She gave me a tour of the salon and explained the layout. Then she led me to the bathroom where I could put on a robe to protect my clothing. (Not necessary since I was only getting it styled, not colored or cut, but I appreciated the gesture.)
Diana then sat down and asked what I was looking for in my style that day, even looking at a picture of my dress for the event to get a feel for what was appropriate. Then she went to work! We chatted because I love to talk to people, and she was very energetic. She let me have total authority over what I liked and didn’t like, even showing me with her own hair what the crimper would do. In the end, I was totally pleased and would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great service with a smile. (And it won’t totally break the bank, either… my styling took about an hour and cost $ 65 before tip.)