I've known Heide for forever, but only fairly recently have been getting my hair done by her. She is super knowledgeable and talented, but what I love most about her as a hairstylist is that she's fashion-forward and cool in her sensibility! I trust her to "get" me and she always takes the extra time to make sure that we're on the same page before she does anything to my hair. After a dire experience with another salon, I learned my lesson and won't be swayed by fancy social marketing. Illustria keeps it real and Heide can totally deliver anything you can think up The salon itself is eclectic and energetic, kind of trippy and definitely unique; I love how it's totally got its own vibe and isn't cookie-cutter in the least! read more

I had my 2nd visit with Myra, the apprentice, and she is getting very good! Each time I've had her, she's taken me from longer hair to quite short and it looks great. It still takes her a little bit longer to complete the cut, but that will only improve, as she seems very talented. The vibe of the place is busy and very conversational. You can overhear 3 different conversations at a time, some very interesting! read more

The owner cut my hair, which was so bad I had to cut it myself when I got home. Like there were areas INCHES longer than the rest of the hair in some spots. Worse, she reeked of cigarette smoke (I have asthma) and spent the entire time talking about various conspiracy theories, political stuff, etc. She complained that she's had 400 students there and not one had stayed on with her, even though she said that's the entire point of bringing in students. It was not hard for me to see why students would not stick around. This place is full-on bananas. Worse, I ended up having to pay more than the price I was quoted on the phone. I didn't care I just wanted to get out and never come back. read more

Illustria is amazing! I hadn't gotten my hair cut or colored in a few years - didn't care since I am working from home but wanted to treat myself! I called last minute and Carla was able to get me some time with Niki. Niki is absolutely wonderful. She is extremely up front. I showed her a picture and she explained what she would need to do and the estimated cost. She is extremely friendly. I love Illustria in general but this is by far the best color I have ever gotten in my life. She totally got what I wanted but it looks way better than I could have ever expected going in with my mop of hair. Such a relaxing and wonderful experience but I just can't get over how awesome and talented Niki is at what she does! read more

Illustria - My beautiful hair thanks to Niki! - Hair Salons Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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So impressed! I had my first appointment at illustria with Kelsi. I was welcomed by staff from the moment I walked in. The salon staff is a community of strong, real women. As a new customer, I felt that this was a family I wanted to be a part of. I've lived in Milwaukee for a long time and have bounced around to many salons. I've finally found a salon home! I wanted to go from a brassy (home-dye) blonde to a very light, ashy blonde with darker roots. Kelsi looked at pictures I brought in and talked me through what would be best as my hair continued to grow out. I am chronically nervous about dyeing my hair - always worried it will turn out too extreme for what I want. The end result was amazing! I have curly/wavy shoulder-length hair. Kelsi trimmed up the roots and took off some extra weight. Kelsi also recommended products on sale at the salon that would be helpful for maintenance, without pushing me to buy any supplies. I ended up with a deep conditioning treatment for home and a blue conditioner to help the hair stay its cool color. Could not recommend enough! Can't wait to make my follow up appointments. read more

Illustria - Super happy with the new cut and color with Kelsi. This was my first time to the salon. Will definitely be back! - Hair Salons Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Got a quick cut while in Milwaukee, having been sheltered in place since end of Feb in Chicago. My sweet hubby had to cut out my tight line extensions and took a little natural hair with it I called several places to see what precautions were in place & was most comfortable here. No more then 2 (I think, maybe 3?) clients per time, not currently blow drying (smart!) and temp checks at the door. I had a mask with me, though they did have some available,and Lindsey had on gloves & mask as well. I got a quick trim/clean up, was happy with the result. It was about $20, which was awesome even for just a clean up. Glad to see local businesses pulling through! read more

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 Yelp! read more

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. read more

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. read more

Marissa is amazing with color and is the sweetest girl ever but this salon is dirty and the boss & her daughter are not the greatest people. They often bad mouth current and past employees in front of their clients. Talk about awkward... read more

Wonderful job doing extensions here. My first time having them put in by niki I had very short hair and she did a great job even then. I made the mistake of going to a differnt salon and had to return here to fix the damage they did. Extensions take a lot of work and practice if you're looking for natural results this is a great place to get them done. read more

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. read more

This would be a 4.5 star review if I had the option. I went in today as a new client expecting a consultation for extensions and ended up getting everything done! Marissa was very knowledgeable and gave great advice. The color match of the extensions (Babe brand, and I'm "Bridget") is spot on. Overall, I am VERY happy. I would have given five stars if the extensions were blended just a bit better at the back with my natural hair (she did say to work with them for a couple days and that I could come in for any adjustments) but I really am thrilled with the results and am grateful for being able to get it all done today. Cute salon inside with a very friendly, welcoming feeling from all working there. read more

Illustria - What a difference! Exactly what I wanted - just some length in the sides as I work on growing out my short hair. - Hair Salons Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Karla ruined my hair. I came in cause I saw her on a show do good highlights. What a mistake she over-processed my hair, its fried and damaged. Here is my experience at IIIustria. I called for a appointment and got a quote for $120.00 for 3 color highlights and a cut. When I arrived the place was deserted, a wreck, dirty with hair on the floor and dusty. I should have walked out then but didn't. Karla and I had a 10 min consultation where I showed her 12 pictures of Gisele Buncheon. Simple sunny california girl highlights. I had long hair to mid back that was light brown. She tried to add low lights but I said no as my hair was already light brown. I explained that I had a bad experience before, just grown out my hair to mid-back from a bad bleaching and wanted to make sure she understood what I wanted one of which was no bleach. She said "of course" so I trusted her. After applying the color and explaining to me her problems with her peruvian boyfriend for 30 min, I knew then something was wrong with her. She asked me to go outside while she smoked a cigarette and another and another. All the while completely unraveling, talking about her ADD, medications and personal life. VERY UNPROFESSIONAl. I would have left but could not with dye on my head. Karla forgot about my processing as she rattled on and on. The other hair dresser had to come out and tell her that she should take the dye out of my hair. We were outside for 40 min. When I got back from shampooing and looked at my hair she quickly turned me around away from the mirror and started another personal story. I had gray white strips from my head. She quickly styled me as the other girls working there (her students) looked wide eyed at my hair. I have curly hair and usually have the stylist straighten it after a procedure so I can really see what was done, she said my hair "needed to rest", shouldn't be straightened and not to wash it for a couple of days. I went to pay and Karla actually added a $15 long hair fee that wasn't quoted to me when I made the appointment. After she did what she did to my hair I was about to scream and walk out but held my composure, paid and left figuring I would get home, wash and straighten to see what was done. When I got in the shower my hair was the texture of straw even after I did a deep conditioning treatment. It broke off everywhere. I couldn't straighten it, I didn't want to add more damage. When my hair dried it was cut like a 80's rocker with freaky gray white and honey colored broken streaks. I called her and she said I could come in the next day as she would repair it for me, no charge. When I went back she gave me a deep condition and added a darker dye rinse to my gray white streaks. I didn't want her to touch my hair again with scissors as she cut it so bad before and I figured its better to keep it longer and have someone else cut it. She also gave me some of her cheap conditioner that she makes and sells in her so called salon worth $7. Not happy after I spent $140 for her to ruin and damage my head of hair, not to mention another $40 for someone else to cut it again. Although my hair wasn't gray anymore it was badly damaged and broke off for the next month repeatedly. I find her very unprofessional smoking in front of a client, not listening during our consultation, adding bleach, needing another employee to tell her processing was over done, speaking of her personal life, and adding an extra cost on to her knowingly bad job. She just ignored the fact that she damaged, broke, badly cut and ruined my hair with bleach when I told her I only wanted DYE. I called my credit card company and denied the charges instead of fighting with her. She made me feel like she wasn't sane or a stable person when she spoke of her life and problems. Also she had mentioned ADD and taking medication so I wasn't going to put myself into a face to face with her madness. I had endured enough of her. I called the State Cosmetology Board and Better Business Bureau and logged a complaint with them. Hopefully people will read this before going in there. I think the girls in the salon post all the good reviews to get business. The phone didn't ring at all when I was there both times and they had no other clients. All I can say is this was a learning experience for me, never again will I go into a salon that looks deserted and has no phones ringing and I well get up from the chair as soon as I notice the stylist is a nut. read more

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! read more

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! read more

WORST salon EVER. Had to pay full price on a haircut when I specifically stated I wanted a TRIM. I didn't even receive a full trim, but rather a "trim" that's much less than a half-a** job. I was left at the washing sink for more than 15 minutes when Karlabeth clearly said TWO minutes. I would NEVER recommend this place. Very poor performance and extremely unprofessional. Did I mention that my hair stylist left me at the sink for minutes on end to go finish her salad? YEAH... read more

My daughter had her hair colored by one of the level one stylists who really messed it up. I called the next day, receptionist was great about giving us a new appointment. Heidi supervised the redo and I was very impressed by her knowledge and instructions to the stylist. Would go back to Heidi without hesitation. read more

An Absolute great place!!! I am always taken care of here and the prices are great and wont break the bank! Stylist Niki is especially amazing!! I definetly recommend her! read more

I took my 9 yr daughter to ILLustria for the blow dry bar. Im very skeptical going to salons when it comes to my biracial daughters hair. Salons i usually go to often use too much heat and charge entirely too much. I initially had an appointment, but thought I'd drop by earlier to have the apprentice access her hair type. She was able to take her right away and did a wonderful job. My daughters hair was dry, tangled and a little matted looking upon arrival. Ive struggled with her hair type as my younger daughter and myself have much courser hair that I am used to maintaining. Her style lasted in the heat and as she played outside which is what i look for. I only paid $20 for a style that was very close to the $100 style i usually paid and with less heat involved. Im embarrassed i cant remember the apprentices name, but she was very nice and comforting to my daughter and I didnt receive as many awkard looks as i thought I would coming in with an African American client. They gave both my girls cute little hair brushes to take along. read more

Went to see Niki here for my extensions/color and had a greatttt experience! Its not very big or the prettiest looking place but Niki is amazinggg! She was very knowledgable and listened to my wishes unlike some places. It was well worth the drive time and very affordable. Im not the easiest client but I have no complaints at all. Would return and have my next appointment booked=] read more

I moved to Milwaukee in October 2014. You never really know where to go when you're new in town, so I tried one other place first and it was a nightmare. Shortly after I was referred to Illustria and Karla. Karla is an excellent colorist and to be honest she's as good, if not better, than any hairdresser I had in NYC! Her prices are reasonable too. It's gotten to the point where she asks me what I want done and I tell her to surprise me. I would never have done that with anyone else. Illustria is always busy and Karla is constantly working, so you know she's that good. She does women and men's hair. I highly recommend her. read more

every experience I've had at illustria salon has been completely inappropriate. from girls wearing dresses beyond to short, to women with their breasts hanging out of their shirt with cigarettes tucked in their bra, I will definitely not be back. When I spend money on a quality salon service I expect professional attire to match. read more

Just wanted to share an update post-wedding. The team at Illustria did a wonderful job with my bridesmaids and MOB/MOG's hair. Everyone looked fabulous. SO glad we found them! read more

We loved everything about this place. We happened upon this place by yelp for a girls weekend in Milwaukee. Mari, Jade and Hailey were phenomenal and listened to all our needs. Blowouts beyond our expectations. Bravo!!! read more

Karla and her staff at ILLustria Salon and Academy provide a top quality, professional service making each client feel welcome and given the eltimate attention. They specialize in indiviidual styling. They are world class. read more

I was visiting from Chicago and needed a place to get a blowout. The options are limited in Milwaukee but stumbled upon this amazing salon. Marissa did an amazing job with my hair! After shampoo and conditioner, she sat me down and worked on my hair for a little over an hour. Time flew because of the fun conversation and she put in these curls that lasted the next day. She did a great job walking me through the products she used and even gave me a tutorial on how on how I could recreate this look at home. And the best part, it was only $20!! That is something I would never pay in a city where an average blowout starts at $35. A great and friendly staff. When I come back, I'm definitely stopping by again! read more

Started coming to Illustria a few months ago and I couldn't be happier with the service I receive. Catherine is my stylist and listens to what I I'm asking for and so far has exceeded my expectations every time. Illustria helped me correct my color, removing the gold/orange from my hair and get it to the light blond I asked for. Highly recommend this salon. read more

Brittany has done my hair twice no, and she is amazing!! I love this salon. Very comfy atmosphere, and the staff is really friendly. Brittany gets my hair right every time!! I am so happy with the service I got here, it was perfect! Thank you! read more

I've been a client for over 6 years and I highly reccommend their services. They are talented, professional and MOST important - genuinely nice people! My master stylist, Heide, lifts my spirits every time she says "I'm going to beautify you." read more

A great new hair style for the summer! Thanks Karla, I love it.