Anaala Salon and Spa

I haven’t been there in quite some time, and here’s why. I had my usual appointment with Avicia to cut my curly hair. Despite having a file on each customer, she still asked me how i wanted my hair cut. I said the usual– a SLIGHT trim and thinning since I have really thick hair, and highlights for the holidays. She does the highlights first, and then asks that I wait in their waiting area while the color processes– no big deal. Normally my hair takes about 30 minutes to process– but over an hour later, she comes back to get me. I come to find out she had to leave to pick her kids up from day care while my hair was processing. Ummm, really??? I have kids too, so I understand the challenge of balancing work and home life, but she didn’t ask me if that was OK, nor if I could stay later to accommodate HER life. I ended up being there for over two and a half hours, which meant I had to cancel plans that I had, since I’m typically there 90 minutes for the appointment. Additionally, she gave me bangs. Curly hair bangs! It was awful. I never said I wanted bangs– only a slight trim. I grew tired of Avicia’s «better than you» attitude and lack of professionalism when it came to her apparent lack of respect for my appointment time and me. I have found someone much better to cut my curls! Oh, and she raised her prices without telling me for that appointment too. That was the last straw.

Received a GC to Anaala Salon & Spa for a massage. This was a much needed gift from my husband as we recently had a baby and my body could really use the attention. When I called to book the massage the receptionist tells me that they don’t have a massage therapist at this time but will call me as soon as they do. This was extremely frustrating to me as I have Monday off and was really looking forward to booking the appointment. I asked to speak to the manager, which to my surprise she was. I would have expected a lot more sympathy/​resolution from a manager, rather she seemed more interested in getting me off the phone, rushing me for my contact info only to tell me that they’ll call as soon as they have a massage therapist staffed. That is not a resolution, I was given a GC for a specific service that I wanted and you not having that service any longer should not inconvenience me. You are a SERVICE based business-​I expected a lot more customer service and resolution. Very disappointing! I will be taking this further up the ladder.

My regular stylist was busy and I really wanted to get in for some highlights on my extended weekend so I booked a stylist at Anaala Hilldale. I figure their reputation and prices should equate to above par service. I don’t know if there is a waiting area anywhere other than the store front, but if so, I was never directed there so I just stood around until my stylist was ready. Salons usually have a waiting area with chairs and magazines, especially when they ask you to arrive 15 minutes early.
My actual highlights service was the real let down. I described what I wanted (very subtle, natural, and thin highlights) and showed a picture of what I had in mind. The stylist brought out some color samples and after her suggesting colors that did not match the picture nor my description she then asked another associate to come assist. I think this stylist was more experienced but seemed annoyed at having to help out my stylist and stepped away shortly. My stylist and I finally agreed on a color after her assuring me that it would be what I was looking for and by matching it up to my hair. What came out was inconsistently applied, maroon highlights.
When she asked how I liked them I said that they looked more purple than what we had talked about and she immediately said, «Oh no, I did not use any purple!» Well I didn’t think she did but as the result was not what we talked about I would have hoped she would have been open to fixing them. Not the case. I paid and left so that I could cool off and give it a couple days to see if I could get used to the highlights. In addition to the poor highlights, my stylist did not use any conditioner in my hair (I have very long hair) so she pulled my hair a lot when drying and then did not use a finishing hair spray after styling so by the time I drove home, my hair style itself looked horrible.
I called the salon 2 days later, simply saying that I did not like the highlights I received and was hoping that they could at least be improved upon. The receptionist took my name and number and said that a manager would call me either the next day or the day after. It has now been 4 days since calling and I have still received no call back. I will not be returning.

One of the hardest part about moving to a new area is finding a good stylist.
It’s been a year now that I’ve moved from Chicago to Madison and I think after going around the block with various Aveda salons in the area, I have found my salon-​home at Anaala (Hilldale location).
I recently had some not so awesome highlights done and was really upset of how my hair was looking.
Josh is the stylist that was appointed to me to «do» the job. From the moment of shaking Josh’s hand I felt comfortable. He really spent a lengthy amount of time with my consultation of the details of what was going to happen through the process of my color correction.
Josh is so professional, kind and really so very talented. I highly recommend Anaala Salon and Josh as your stylist and color expert!!!
I’ve attached a before and after of his artistic abilities.

Love love love this place! Tried them out with a cut before my wedding. Anna was great and did just what I wanted. I also used her for another cut and highlights a few days before my ceremony and they just turned out amazingly. For my big day I had my short hair done by (forgive me) I believe Courtney. She did such a wonderful job. I had a trial run a month before so I knew I wanted more curls and she just created the most timeless romantic look! My makeup was done by Ari and I was also thrilled. It was expensive for me to do all this but I just wanted to feel stunning for my wedding and I did. I should also mention that my wife also had her hair and makeup done for the day and she was equally as gorgeous. I wish I had another reason to get all dolled up again. It was a lot of fun!

Hmm I didn’t enjoy my hair cut experience at all.
When she was blow drying my hair. She used a paddle brush with force I felt like I was getting tortured. She dug the bristle of the brush deep into my scalp and pulled out on each time. Like a pissed off mom doing her kids head and she secretly hates the child. Sometimes it came close to my face. But she didn’t give s fuck. And she a master stylish with no compassion.
I still tipped her 15% felt bad for her. Maybe she hates her job?!
I usually go to B salon in Chicago. They are all Asians and they are so gentle and I feel RELAXED! Gosh I always have a great experience with asian hair stylist. Also when I was in NYC, this asian stylish was super. They understand my asian hair too I guess.
Will continue to go to Chicago frm now on. And it’s much cheaper to like $ 35? And they take their time.
I paid $ 68 for torture at this place for a simple cut.
Never coming back to this joint again ever.

April is awesome there! I was lucky enough to be able to walk in and get help right away. went in to get my hair trimmed and my bangs cut. She was super honest and I am super happy with the cut! I also really liked how she didn’t push any products on me and was really really friendly :) I ended up buying something anyway because I couldn’t get over how awesome my hair looked and wanted to recreate it at home!

I’ve been going to this salon for almost two years. I don’t know why I continue to give them business when I’m repeatedly disappointed. I think its because its an Aveda salon and every Aveda salon I’ve been to has always been excellent so I kept giving this one a chance.
My one waxing experience was extremely painful and the esthetician kept telling me it was because i had «sensitive skin.» I’ve been getting waxed for years and I’ve never had an issue nor been told that before.
My hair appointments are always mediocre. The best part is the head massage. I’ve never been blown away by the cut or color and have left disappointed on numerous occasions.
This situation was the last straw. I had an appointment at 1. I was there at 12:45. At 1pm I asked if my appointment was at 1 or 1:30 because i noticed my stylist wasn’t even in the building. The front desk said it was weird they hadn’t heard from the stylist. When I got there at 12:45 they should’ve let me know the stylist was running late. I should not have had to wait till my actual appointment time to be alerted of the issue. At 1:15 I went back to the front desk and they still hadn’t heard from her then they got a call saying she had been in an accident. I feel bad she was in an accident, but why isn’t there a policy that their stylists have to be in the building at least x amount of time before an appt. If she was in an accident before the scheduled appointment why did it take 30 min to call her work? If she got in the accident after the appointment time, why wasn’t she at work on time? My appointment should have been rescheduled instead of me sitting there for 40 min. I asked to speak to a manager, but was told she was busy and that the manager would call me in 15 min. I called the salon 30 min after I got home and asked why a manager hadn’t called me. They said they were still trying to figure things out with the stylist, but they’d like to offer me a free foil. Why would I want to go back to the salon when a manager doesn’t value their clients enough to even call and apologize.
It’s a nice salon in a good location and I’m sure there are great stylists at this salon that I just have not experienced. There is a lack of professionalism with the front desk and the management. The customer service alone should make you not want to go to this salon. Why am I using Unilocal to discuss this one issue? Because other clients should know that they obviously don’t value their client’s opinions or time.

Anaala has been an alternate salon for me for waxing services. Unfortunately the last couple of services have been disappointing. Takes longer than anticipated, I have to wait 5 – 10 minutes past my appointment time, and walk out into daylight to find incomplete results.

Erin is superb! She does a beautiful job on my highlights, haircuts and bang trims. She’s friendly, accommodating and takes the time to listen to what I’m looking for. The salon is clean and professional, and the prices are very reasonable compared to other salons. The staff has also been really helpful arranging for my bridal party’s hair and make-​up for my wedding.

Excellent salon! Clean, professional, great service!!! Love Angela who does my hair she is amazing and never disappoints

I will NEVER go here again. I get annoyed when they send me e-​mails, even though it has been one year since the incident. I went here for a consultation to hopefully get a perm and they ended up giving me a perm that same day. Not only did the perm not take to my hair, it SEVERELY damaged my hair. I had to cut almost 8 inches off, I was devastated to say the least. No one should ever go here. The atmosphere sucks too. BYE ANAALA, GET OUT OF HILLDALE

Overview: Want a clean, reliable, and happy place to visit? You’ve found it.
Hits: Text reminders, Lindsay, front desk crew, and actual product consultation (rather than upselling). As an aside, they are great «corporate citizens» as they constantly give back to the community.
Misses: I haven’t had a bad experience in any sense of the word. End of story.
Hints: Get a manicure. The sensory journey is as cliché as it sounds, but is super relaxing.

I love Anaala! I’ve only ever gotten my hair cut here, so I can’t comment on waxing/​nail/​spa services. They offer you complimentary coffee, tea or water, and precede haircuts with a scalp massage and shampoo. The prices are a little steep (reason why 4 instead of 5 stars), but I love my stylist (Kara is the best!) so I’m willing to pay for consistent quality. They also offer free bang trims in between haircuts if you’re a regular customer! Ambiance is great… it feels so cozy and comforting, the stylists are fun to talk to (haircuts are about great conversations with your beloved stylist, right?!), and the place is super clean.

I go here for waxes and am always happy with how they turn out. They can usually get me in the same day I call to get a brow wax which is great because I usually don’t plan ahead. The estheticians do a great job and are very professional and easy to talk to.
We use Aveda hair products at my house and we generally get them at the Aveda store at West Towne but have occasionally picked them up here because it’s closer (again I’m not a planner so it’s usually a last-​minute decision). I think the prices for the products are the same.

I love this place!
I go here for regular haircuts, as well as manicures and pedicures. Everyone working there is professional, but still relaxed. I’m not a fan of salon/spa’s where you feel like you are out of place right when you walk in — this place feels like home.
They also did my wedding party hair and makeup a couple of years ago and were very accommodating and friendly during that experience as well.

I made an appointment a few days ago for a haircut this afternoon. I took off from work early in order to get to my appointment. When I arrived, I was informed by the receptionist that there must have been a «computer error,» that they had no record of my appointment. She told me that I was the 3^rd person who had had that happen to them today. She offered me an appointment 45 minutes later, but that did not work for me. When I informed her that it had been hard for me to find time to schedule this appointment and that I had left work early for it, I got a shoulder-​shrug and a half-​hearted apology. I’ve been going to Anaala off and on for several years but they have lost my business forever now. They clearly don’t value customer service.

I will never get a facial here again. I use many Aveda products and like to use their points-​rewards systems to get gift certificates for facials, which I need because I was cursed with big pores and acne. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) I had already ruled out Rejuvenation because the esthetician there uses a tool rather than her hands (with gloves on, of course) to do extractions. I gave Anaala a shot and, well, it was no better. I think the lady (she was very nice, don’t get me wrong), popped about 3 zits and called it a facial, leaving my clogged poors to fester. I know it’s not a pretty picture. That’s why I needed the facial!
Two weeks later and I have scheduled a real facial at Sol Escape on Atwood. Mickey gives the best facials in town.
The Anaala esthetician’s touch was very light in terms of massage. I asked her to be more firm, but I don’t think she was capable. It wasn’t what I was expecting and I will NOT return. Now what to do with those Aveda services gift certificates. .

The service here was so slow that I spent most of my time mentally writing this review. I swear I heard my therapist reading a magazine while I was supposed to «relax and meditate» for the 14^th time in a single service.
I have been to many spas all over the country and the world, and this was a joke. I received, at best, 2 hours worth of treatment spread across 4 hours. One staff member even commented that she was «taking her time» since I wasn’t scheduled to leave yet.
The actual spa treatments were mediocre and extremely overpriced — the facial felt hesitant and vague, the nail treatment just ok and overly saturated with conversation at the expense of activity. I’ve paid half as much for far better service at other Madison venues.
The facility looks good from the front, but everything in the «inner sanctum» is worn and even damaged. Many areas had equipment unplugged and scattered on chairs and couches, the walls showed nicks and the upholstery featured cracks. Most worrisome, no sanitization regimen was in evidence for the blades/​tools used in the nail treatment area — tools were pulled out of a personal kit.
The strangest thing about this spa is the music: it ranges from soothing classical, to trance techno, to bollywood, to korean pop. Not very relaxing, overall.
I will never return to this spa — it is overpriced, poorly run, and offers little visual appeal.

I stopped going here because the customer service kept getting worse and worse. The receptionists tend to be rude and treat you like you’re an inconvenience, and there is nowhere to wait for your appointment other than 2 wooden stools plopped in the middle of the retail area. And this is important because you generally have to wait quite a while for your appointment. I had a stylist standing out at the front chatting with a friend who had come in to visit for at least 10 minutes past my appointment time, and then when she took me to the chair, it was covered with hair from the previous client (which she did not brush off, I had to do it myself with my hand). Then she told me that she was going to have to rush through my haircut because she was running behind schedule (due to her giggle fest with her friend) and made a rude comment about my appearance. The salon is also not well-​kept– there is hair all over the place, and there are huge brown stains from hair dye on the benches where you sit waiting for your color to set (it’s been there for 2 years at least). The stylists also don’t dress professionally and I had one who had clearly just finished a smoke break, and my hair ended up smelling like smoke when she was done.
I’ve also had massages, manicures, and a facial here, and none of them were very good either. The massage therapist is really really nice, but she doesn’t do that great of a job of getting knots out (kind of like she’s too timid to really work the muscles).
I went to Hilldale for a couple of years and it just kept getting worse and worse until I switched to the Atwood location (which is MUCH better). I will NOT be going back to Hilldale, though.