Illustria

I booked an appointment here over the phone because a friend said they’re amazing with her hair, which is similar to mine, and I was getting ready to visit Milwaukee from Washington, DC. Also, they’re listed as being able to do African American and curly hair. So I called and booked an appointment for a blowout. I was told I had two options: 1) a $ 20 blowout with a junior stylist or 2) a $ 30 blowout with someone more experienced. I chose the $ 30 option. When I arrived, my stylist had someone in her chair so I waited for about 10 minutes. When I sat in her chair the owner of the salon jumps up and says, very loudly, «NO! That’s not a blowout! Her hair type isn’t a blowout. Charge her extra! You have to charge her extra, that’s going to take hours!» I agreed because I was 900 miles away from home with no hair products for my curly hair and didn’t have time to negotiate.
The stylist asked me what products she should use. Um… I don’t know what you have. You’re a stylist in a salon that has a «Blowout Bar», I’m not going to tell you how to do your job. I told her I’d take her suggestions. After my hair was washed, she began ripping through my hair with a boar bristled brush. Rule #1 of curly hair of any type is that you never brush curls. Every bend in a curl is a weak point and tearing through it with a brush creates breakage and split ends. You’re supposed to use a wide toothed comb to detangle in sections. I didn’t want a confrontation so I just endured it and prayed silently that my hair would be okay when she was finished. The stylist was clearly unfamiliar with Black hair. She really could have excused herself and hit youtube one time with «how to straighten natural African American hair» in the bathroom. She would have had instant answers in less than 2 minutes. Or just tell me you don’t know how to do my hair. After about 40 minutes of ripping through my hair with this brush she finally blew it all out. My hair is very long and very thick but responds well to a flat iron so that portion didn’t take very long but she didn’t use anything oil based which is what Black hair requires. So in the end I was left with broken and very uneven hair that was dry.
When it was time to pay the owner approached me and said she wasn’t trying to «be a b*tch» but that when people come in with «wild hair» they think they’re going to «get away with not paying for it». I don’t think she realizes how racist that statement is. I also didn’t mention it because I wasn’t about to sit there and argue with anybody about it. I tipped my stylist very well out of guilt. I regret that.
Never again. Ever ever.

I came here because I needed a haircut and noticed a sign outside that said «walk-​ins welcome».
I was able to get in fairly quickly because there was an opening. I believe a junior stylist cut my hair.
The haircut was okay — nothing spectacular. It got the job done (which was a trim).
I will be back if I am in a pinch for a haircut.

Great experience. Nikki was amazing. best color I’ve ever gotten! She was very patient and gave my hair a healthy Sombre look! I need to go back soon!

First!
Through the ages of 1 to 18, I had one barber, his name was Ron. He first worked out of a salon in a strip mall, then he upgraded to his own Sports Barber shop. All sorts of sports memorabilia and a stack of Playboys. Classy guy running a classy barber shop. Pure Italian and that was the type of haircut you receive. Walk in and he just makes you look handsome.
Fast forward 16 years. Went through the military and it just did not matter how my hair was did. All that mattered was that I passed hair cut inspections and set the standards. Slap a Hot Pocket on your head and shave around it. Brutal.
Moved to MKE and started looking for my barber. Went to a guy on Farwell, went to a guy on Brady, went to another place on KK, which I thought was going to be my new barber shop, but I was brutalized too many times. Started going to Groom, eh, had a few good cuts and things fell apart again.
Then, a friend introduced me to Nikki. She is a cool babe that cuts hair extremely well. Without her, I would not be as dashing and carefree as I am. Thanks Nikki, I will be back.
Illustria is in a cool spot in town. Nice building and a bunch of hip broads that do great work. Prices are comparable to Groom or Jose’s but I can tell you that the quality is much better.
I went from being a strictly barbershop fanboy to a girly salon. Illustria is my dirty secret that I am sharing with the world of Unilocal

I am so happy I found this salon! I’m from Southern California and had a hard time finding a quality salon near downtown Milwaukee. Love the staff and always leave feeling fabulous!

Best place I’ve been in Milwaukee to get my hair done.
Niki was my stylist and not only did a fabulous job on my hair, but has a killer personality.