Illusions Color Spa

I loved my Illusions experience! Sue was AMAZING and I looked super awesome when I left the spa. And even though she was super helpful teaching me how to style my new «do», I’m still struggling a bit to get it looking as wonderful as she did. Guess that’s why she’s the pro!!! I will definitely be back and can’t wait to see what we come up with next time.

This was my first time seeing a new stylist in 12 years so as you can imagine I was a bit nervous but Illusions made me so comfortable! Alex got me washed and talked about what I wanted etc until Stephanie was finished with another client and then they both were helping with me… I’ve never been blow-​dried by two at once before! Haha The girls were great, they made me feel so comfortable and Stephanie did an outstanding job on my hair… it was only a cut but it was the best cut I’ve had in years… I love it and I am so excited to come back for more services that Illusions offers!

Went in for the first time simply to get blonde highlights as mine were dull. Left with orange and red hair. In addition, to my horror, gobs and gobs of hair have fallen out and continue to do so. I have not had my hair colored in a long time and it was very healthy. Now it’s a complete mess. Total nightmare!!!

Went in for a cut and color after not having my hair professionally done for over a year. In love with the results. My hair had been all one color of blonde with no depth or dimension at all, so my stylist Lisa, suggested highlights and lowlights and I am in love with the results. I have gotten many compliments.
As for the salon and the visit itself: the place was very clean and well decorated. The staff was very attentive and friendly. I was offered water and magazines while I waited for the color to process.

I came to Illusions because of my bad coloring. I wanted a platinum (icy) color, but what I got at my previous hair salon was brassy and harsh for my skin. And it wasn’t the first time the color wasn’t right. Heather was terrific… sat me down, offered me wine (I chose water because I wanted to stay sharp to explain what I was looking for) and began asking me questions about my hair and color. She got out some photos and I showed her the color I wanted. Then we discussed cut. Again, photos came out and we discussed what would look best for me. Outcome… perfect color and cut! Heather is amazing!!! And the products used are top quality and wonderful for my hair. Definitely my «go to» salon here in St. Louis!

Back in December I burned a part of my hair by blow drying (yes, sad but true, apparently we can’t all be stylists) and as a new Missourian I didn’t know who to turn to. So, after reading several reviews of various salons I decided to give Illusions an opportunity. When I called in I specifically made it a point to ask for the BEST expert in hair extensions. Well, I thought that’s what I was getting because after my consultation I was told micro links and micro cylinder extensions would be ideal for me. So, I trusted the «expert» and paid 50% up front to order the extensions. Now mind you, I’m not a hair expert as specified with my blow drying skills so I entrusted this salon after reading their reviews. Well, I can say now that was a huge mistake!!!
So, they get me an appt. with Jamie who was supposed to be the «expert» as I had requested from get go (don’t get me wrong, she was a sweetheart but I now know she didn’t have my best interest). First off, I’d like to tell you that it was the first time I’ve ever had to get extensions and they Hurt! One of the most important questions I asked specifically and now I know they straight out lied to me was, «will this damage my hair!» I was told by both the consultant (unfortunately, I don’t recall her name) AND Jamie that my hair would grow like normal and there would be no damage to my hair. I took them at face value.
After 2 hrs. of adding both types of extensions, I noticed that you can actually see the micro cylinder extensions on my head. I didn’t hold back and let Jamie know that I wasn’t happy at all so she suggested that I add more cylinder extensions to cover it up and give a fuller feel. Needless to say after $ 900 plus $ 100 tip later, Jamie asked me what I thought and again I told her I wasn’t happy with it. I imagined it to be more discreet as I was told during my consultation.
Jamie apologized and suggested that when I return for my 3 wk. appt. she would adjust the ext. lower so they won’t be so visible. She also suggested I purchase a boar brush for $ 30 more to make sure they stay in tact.
I get home and my family pointed out that they too can see the extensions. Even at work people started commenting that something was in my hair. It was constantly, «you’ve got something in your hair,» Embarrassed I would say it’s just extensions… I was told someone would call to check up on me and guess what, no one ever did. I was forced to utilize their salon services to get a blow dry because I was told if someone else did it and a piece came out it wasn’t there responsibility to fix it. Frustrated and very unhappy I contacted the owner Marian Stones to let her know of my experience. I have to say she replied immediately and let me know that Kay «the expert» on extensions will take care of me and advise what will be best. Instinctively my first reaction was wait a minute, I thought I had asked for the expert and I was given Jamie! Desperate I met with Kay, who immediately suggested she remove majority of the cylinder ext. because they were very visible. Instead of refunding me for the ext that were removed, the salon held them «in my file». Serious?! Do you really think I’ll ever use those??? Long story short, a month ago I called to have the staff relay my discontent with my experience to Marian and I’ve yet to hear from anyone. The extensions have been falling out and what’s worse is that my hair has been falling out with it. I turned to this place for help and all I’ve received were horrible results! If I wasn’t a candidate then the consultant should’ve said something! What makes it unbearable was the fact that I was lied to over and over… I would never suggest this salon as money means more to them rather than the happiness of their clients. The only reason they get 1 star because it wouldn’t let me comment without one.

The staff is friendly and polite providing honest feedback on color selections. I wanted to change icolor and have extremely thick hair. They were so very helpful with great suggestions.

**Pedicure review**This place was amazing! This salon smelled wonderful right from the moment you walked in. The pedicure started with a pomegranate soak that smelled great. The massage pedicure chairs were new and felt nice. The technician took her time and used a scrub and then massaged my feet and calves with an orange lotion.
She did an amazing job cutting my cuticles. I have been to at least 6 places since moving to the St. Louis area in October 2013. This is the first time I have left with a smile on my face having felt relaxed and pampered.
Not only will I be back here, but I think I may go here for all of my services from now on!

Went for help getting through a badddd haircut. I couldn’t afford $ 1000 for a temporary solution so I was offered the second choice unfortunately I took it. I ended up paying $ 400. in surprise charges, lots of attitude and no interest at all in helping me with my problem. My final visit for a hair cut — the «stylist» lost interest in my desires and actually left to take her next client. I was there for an hour most of which was spent trying to resolve an order screw up — the resolution was that I take what they had on hand and not what I wanted. If you have hair problems — DON’T GO — they specialize in the easy jobs.

My friend got married over the weekend and selected Illusions Color Spa for the place where we got our hair and makeup done. She told us that she booked two hours for our entire party (of five bridesmaids, one bride, and one mother) to get hair and make up done. She also said there were other wedding parties that morning. None of us knew how it was all going to go down. Who gets all that done in two hours?!
We expected the salon to have the entire staff working on one party at a time, back to back. Instead, the salon opened at 9 with all three wedding parties in attendance. The places was full of people getting wedding hair and makeup done. On top of that, there were even several regulars who were getting hair colored!
Our party was done in 1.75 hours. Bam. Color us impressed.
The salon even let us set up food and drinks on a back table for our party. We brought in mimosas and bagels. They didn’t bat an eye.
My stylist was a lovely woman named Lisa who has a angled blond bob that’s longer in the front than the back. She did both my hair and make up. I was worried, with Asian hair and all that, that she would have trouble with my slippery, fine hair. I needn’t have worried– she said she has cousins who are half-​Japanese who had similar hairs so she knew what to do. She was also really receptive to the Pinterest pics I had for my hair style and makeup, and worked around my stubborn side part. Lisa was open but not too talkative, which is perfect cuz some people talk too much and ask too many questions when you just want to zone out that early in the morning. She did a great semi-​smokey eye and nude lip; didn’t pressure me to buy any product. In fact, when I asked if I should buy the lipstick and lip gloss she used because I’ve never done nude lip color before, she actually took a moment to think and suggested just the lipstick for touch ups. I thought she was wonderful.
For the most part, everyone liked the results of their hair and make up. One bridesmaid didn’t really like the lip liner her stylist used and another refused lip color because she preferred her own. Other than that, they did a great job and got us out before time was up.
Oh! The hair and makeup also lasted all day and night. I got back to the hotel at nearly midnight and still had to scrub it all off my face. Lisa did a great job of making sure everything stayed on for the wedding!

I’ve been going to Illusions for about 5 years. I went there because of a bad dye job at J.C. Penny in W. County. My hair came out really dark and I’m a med aubrn.
I knew they were expensive but I was desperate!
If my hair doesn’t look good I don’t feel good!
I just happened to get SUE, and she is AMAZING!!! Everytime I go I feel like a Movie Star when I leave
Ask for SUE she is Mega Amazing!!!

This is a classic example of a salon that uses famous names to attract clientele. There is no way Oribe would endorse anyone’s work in there!
I had a horrible experience having to go back and get my hair redone and redone to no avail. The owner of the salon called me and asked me to visit another salon because they couldn’t satisfy me. True. There’s no way substandard foiling was going to cut it.

There are some great colorists here I’m sure, but I had a very bad experience… Actually two. I first came here wanting to lighten my hair and even brought a picture. Stylist said no problem and got to work. The end result wasn’t anything like the picture but I was told it was because my hair was dark to begin with so there isn’t anything they could do (mind you this was after 3+ hours and over $ 200 after having them redo it and come again the next day to fix it just enough so I could live with myself. A friend asked me if I dyed my hair myself… Not what I was going for when I spent to much time and money coming here).
Came in again 5 weeks later, because they said next time they would be able to give me the desired effect. SO MUCH WORSE and I had the same picture of what I wanted. After finishing color and blow drying me, they told me how great it was and I almost died. The color of oranges mixed with straw. After recruiting help of other colorists my hair was dyed and blow dried 3 additional times and I still wasn’t happy with the end result but it is at least something I can live with. One thing that drove me nuts is when they are putting in the toner in, they took my hair and put it between there hands and rubbed it together like they were starting a fire with a stick. I would never do that to my hair because it is so damaging! Keep in mind I went and bought a box of brown hair dye to put on a random loner strand of hair that was driving me nuts because there is no way I can go back in there (again this was over 4.5 hours and almost $ 200). I can only use oribe shampoo (made sure to tell my stylist) and my scalp and skin around my face was on fire when I left, obviously wasn’t the shampoo used (because they were pushing a new line). Although my stylist was clearly inexperienced, there were 2 – 3 other stylists helping her and just let her botch my hair and would have let me walk out the door lookin a hot mess if I hadn’t of said anything. It was a fight, exhausting, expensive, and now I have to live with this until I can schedule an appointment somewhere else.
Only schedule an appointment here if you look at their Facebook and find a certain INDIVIDUAL stylist that does great work or see their results first hand. There are inexperienced people here and you run the risk of getting seriously bad results, while still paying an arm and leg. Don’t just call up and get the next available appointment!

I came in here on Christmas eve wanting to get a haircut and thought I would get the amazing fab haircut that I have so many times before. That did not happen this time.
Well, a big part of a haircut for me is using shearing scissors for thick hair. and I asked for that to be done and it was not done. I felt rushed and that everyone wanted to get done as fast as possible and go home for Christmas. my haircut was not complete. It was not until I went home and washed my hair the next morning Christmas Day, and realized, my hair looked horrible. Now getting a bad haircut was bad enough but on Christmas morning? oh I was devastated. I could not believe that this happened at Illusions because its always been an amazing salon. You pay very well here too. So you expect the best!
Thankfully I was able to come back to the salon several days later… no charge. and have it semi-​fixed by another girl in the salon, I still think both sides are not properly matching. I look at my hair everyday and hate it.
*Update… I actually went and bought the special pair of shearing scissors and fixed my hair MYSELF! thanks a LOT Illusions!

Just had my first appointment at Illusions with Chelsea. She was awesome. Sweet, attentive, willing to explain things (I got a nice lesson in dry shampoo). Finished my cut with a full blow out that looks amazing. I will DEFINITELY be going back. My hair looks better than it did when I used to go to some of the pricier salons and I paid far less. The best part was the smile my husband had when he saw my hair. My husband liking my hair is a definite first. Beyond pleased.

This review is LONG overdue. I discovered Illusions by just clicking around on search engines, looking for a professional, stylish salon in STL while I was visiting for the weekend and found I had the time. I’m so happy I decided to go out on a limb and try it!
My stylist, Kristen, turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever had! She was extremely helpful, open-​minded, and knowledgable in every step of the process, from informing me on the products she was using (which were incredible and smelled amazing), to giving me tips on how to style my hair on my own. I got high/​low lights and a trim, and we were so excited with the finished product she even gave my hair extra styling to show off the new color :) what a sweetheart. I also liked that Illusions seems to have more of a team-​like atmosphere. Kristen consulted a couple different co-​workers throughout the process to get their feedback– you don’t see that very often, and I think that added to the positive experience. Maybe the salon is on the $$$ side, but believe me when I say it is 110% worth it!
I went back to her a couple weeks ago to style my hair for my brother’s wedding and the experience was equally as pleasant. Finally, I think I found my go-​to salon in STL!

I had a great first experience here. Chelsea was very nice and my hair color turned out great! The prices are slightly high but not much higher then I was already paying. I was paying close to these prices and not truly getting what I wanted. So the extra 10 bucks or so was worth it for me. And Chelsea syled my hair perfectly!

I typically am very much of a «chicken» when it comes to new hair styles/​hair color, but I am approaching that big «5 — 0» this year, and needed some help — the gray hair was taking over, and I have battled thin hair all my life. Lisa at Illusions was fantastic — very helpful, listened attentively to what I was trying to do and my concerns, and despite my bad case of nerves, she transformed my hair! The color that she used looks like mine 10 years ago and the cut is what I have always wanted to do (but was afraid to try). If you are timid about changing your look — I highly recommend checking out the team at Illusions! You won’t be disappointed!

The stylist was professional, personable, and well trained. It was my first experience with a new stylist in many years, but much to my surprise it was a pleasant experience. I will be returning in the future.

I changed to Illusions about a year ago — which all you ladies know is a really big deal!
I was having some issues with fine and thinning hair, and they have been able to transform my hair into long think locks!
Their use of Hair Compound is amazing, and I wish I would have started using them years ago!!!
Now the price tag might seem a little high for those products, but I will tell you right now it is totally worth it!
Their basic treatments — like color, cut and so on — are decently priced, and actually cheaper then my last guy.
I highly recommend them for any hair needs you need. Oh, and did I mention they are the only Salon in St. Louis to sell Oribe Hair Products! SWEET!
If you are needing a new look or some good old TLC for those hair follicles check them out!