I came to the salon a few weeks ago as a treat for my partner and a friend, and I am absolutely over-the-moon happy with the experience. The biggest reason we picked Salon Elan Vital was because of their trans- and queer-friendly reputation, which is really important for my trans partner, and trans friend. Everyone at the salon went so far above and beyond my expectations on that front. All of the stylists were incredibly supportive and worked hard to give us all the gender-affirming treatment we needed. Nahrein did the manicures, my eyebrow threading, and was extremely personable and willing to work with me as I figured out which color and shade of cute nail polish to get to complement my friends'. Mary did the hydrofacials and my back facial, and talking to her about her work on promoting diversity and inclusion within the salon was really reassuring to me about promoting those values in my own life. Jill did the haircuts, blowouts, and protein treatments, and shared a ton of knowledge about how to better take care of and style my hair, along with product recommendations for how to maintain that style between visits. Special shoutout to August for not only getting all the scheduling together for the stylists in advance, but also for working with each of us to make our experiences as stress-free as possible, from providing lunch recommendations to grabbing us herbal teas & coffee, so that my partner and friend could have a logistics-free, worry-free day at the salon. Overall, we all had exactly the experiences we needed to feel our absolute best about ourselves. We're already making plans to visit again soon! read more

I, like many others grew out my grey during Covid. I decided to keep it, but after a time it felt drab and needed some oomph. I visited Jill and we discussed lowlights and a cut. If before and after photos were taken you wouldn't believe it was the same person. If you are unhappy with your gray, try it. Everything about the service was beyond my expectations plus she is a blast to chat with. I'll be going back, without a doubt. read more

I heard of Nahrein from word of mouth, my friend set up my first appointment for hair laser removal and I instantly felt at ease with nahrein, first of all the service was quick and not too painful (I would suggest to take to Tylenol or Advil before the procedure, to minimize the discomfort of the laser) salon offers other services and AVeDa Products but I come to see Nahrein primarily for hair laser removal and eyebrow threading because I love her, I could write a book but I'm truly happy with the service and the reasonable prices. My underarms, bikini area and face are smooth, clear and most importantly hairless. No more waxing for me. You'll get a reminder for your appointment or the lovely girl at the front desk will call you to confirm, Thank you August. I'd suggest for you to give it a try and see for yourself. Let me know what you guys think. Thank you Nahrein & Staff. read more

I've been going to Salon Elan Vital ever since they opened,  and while I truly enjoy the laid back, friendly ambiance of the salon, my stylist Amy is the reason I've been a customer so long. Amy is a genuine, warm person and a great conversationalist in addition to being a great communicator when it comes to helping me figure out what I want to do with my fine, thin hair. I usually have some example styles to share and she asks questions to figure out what I like about them so she can give me what I'm looking for.  She also shares her thoughts when I'm looking for advice too. Scalp and hand massages during the appointment help melt away stress and after an appointment I'm always excited to go out and show off my 'new hair.' Amy has also styled my hair for weddings and each time I receive tons of compliments.  I can't say enough about how great Amy is, and Salon Elan Vital! read more

I love this place! David creates such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. He genuinely cares about his clients and takes pride in putting a smile on their face. David's skill and experience always puts me at ease. I always trust him to give me a great hair cut and style. Most recently, he went above and beyond to demonstrate his skills. I was extremely nervous to color my hair ever, but as the grays have started to make themselves known, I finally decided to make an appointment for highlights to help blend in the grey. The results were amazing, I couldn't believe how natural it looked and really gave my hair a vibrant glow. Needless to say, I walked out of there with a smile on my face. I would recommend David to anyone who wants a worry free salon experience and likes looking good of course. read more

I have finally found my spot and my guy! 5 stars for David at Salon Elan Vital. I've spent a lifetime moving from salon to salon looking for someone that gave me the full package- A beautiful cut, a relaxing shampoo, interesting conversation, and at a price I was comfortable with for the end product. I have finally stopped asking my friends where they go to get their hair done to see if maybe they feel stronger than I do- because I know they won't. Instead I'm the one endorsing and singing praises, which is a nice place to be! I'm a mom of two little boys and I don't get alone time nearly as often as I would like. When my appointment approaches every couple months my excitement builds, because my time with David is a total treat yo'self moment. I leave him feeling pretty inside and out. Treat yo'self and check out David!!! read more

I have been going to see Amy for my hair cut and color for 3 years. She is absolutely amazing! So personable, listens to what you really wants and is in no rush to get you out the door. If you are new to the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square area, go see Amy, she will make you feel fabulous every time you are in the chair! read more

I flew all the way out from Alexandria, Louisiana to come to this salon! Some friends had invited me along for a spa trip for my birthday, and I am so happy that they took me here. We chose here because of the reviews that say that the staff and environment are very trans and queer friendly, and that is much more than true. We practically booked the entire day, the three of us getting our nails done, facials, our hair cut, and two of us got waxing and threading. Nahrein did our waxing and our nails, and she was so caring and friendly the entire time, and making excellent conversation to boot! Jill did my hair, and she was super nice and insightful into styles I could get in the future! Soad gave us our facials and it was so relaxing, it made the time we spent getting them feel like minutes rather than (give or take) an hour. We were initially running late for the day we had set aside, but the staff moved Heaven and Earth to make everything work for us, and we're definitely going to visit again if we're ever back in the Chicago area! I felt beautiful and feminine the entire time I was in town, and it's all thanks to the wonderful people at Salon Elan Vital! read more

I have gotten hair color and hair cuts from different stylists and they are all very good. It's never too busy and you can chat or be quiet, whatever you prefer. The employees are all nice. read more

I recently got a manicure-pedicure at Salon Elan Vital from Nahrein, a lovely person and talented technician who left me feeling like I had little wings on my ankles, lifting me effortlessly above the pavement of Damen Avenue. Yes, it was that good. A little background: I am not a regular for mani-pedi's. In fact, the last time I had a pedi was late 2014, about a month before experiencing serious burn injuries, including to my right foot. I wanted a pedi, but was uncomfortable with the thought of putting this damaged skin into a hot water soak. Finally, almost three years after the injury, I thought, I gotta go; my poor feet need some work. And, the cuticles on my fingers needed serious help. Nahrein was recommended by my neighbor, who is a regular client of hers. If all of her recommendations are this good, I'll be knocking on her door a lot more often, asking for referrals? Nahrein is professional, empathetic, and even funny. I let her know my concerns, and she responded to them with sensitivity and excellent technical skills. I had a great session, and I highly recommend Nahrein's services to everyone. read more

The salon is very clean and organized. The staff is very friendly and polite. I started Laser hair removal and after just a couple of sessions I started seeing results. I definitely recommend this for any services. read more

I rarely YELP but when the service goes extraordinary I feel I must let everyone know! I found out about Nahrein over 5 years ago and went to her off/on due to my work hours. I initially only got eyebrow and lip/chin threading but as i got older i realized that maybe threading needed a step up so I started laser hair treatment on my chin and upper lip. BEST. THING. EVER!!! I have had the most amazing results that I cant believe I didnt do this sooner. Im only a few treatment in and I'm so happy I went through with it, the results are beyond my expectations. They also have an amazing staff super accommodating and you always feel welcome when you come in . read more

Amy is amazing! I never Yelp, but she deserves a shout out! She has been cutting and styling my hair for the last few years and I've always left happy. She gives the most incredible scalp massage and it's the most pampered I've ever felt while getting my hair cut. There is great stylist/customer communication and conversation. It's a lovely salon and she is knowledgable about all of the products and their attributes. I highly recommend you make an appointment with her! read more

I've been going to Nahrein monthly for about a year for full body laser. She is prompt and easy to communicate with to book appointments. The salon is super clean. Nahrein is quick and gentle with the whole process. She also threads my eyebrows and the only person I'll ever trust to do them. I'm always recommending friends and family to go see her. I'm so happy with the results and honestly haven't had to touch a razor in months. Highly recommend!! read more

I've been getting my hair cut and colored here for four years - I love it! David is wonderful - my color always looks great and he does an amazing job with my tricky curly hair. Highly recommend! read more

I am a hair snob. So much, I don't do my own hair. I have someone else give my locks a blow-out every week. Salon Elan recently opened off on Damen and is conveniently located just a few blocks from the Damen brown line stop. It's clean, modern, and comfortable. While this salon is new, everyone that works there has been in the business for years and is very experienced in color/styling/cuts. read more

Elan Vital on Damen Avenue is a full service salon, providing waxing, laser hair removal, hair styling as well as manicures and pedicures. Nahrein has been a veteran in the beauty business, and is known for her particular attention to sanitation and cleanliness, which is very important for Mani's and Pedi's. Today I had a Manicure with Nahrein and loved her new set up. Elan Vital is an Aveda Salon, and they also have Spa Ritual nail polish, which is vegetarian and does not have all the toxic "stuff" you get with regular lacquers. She also carries a nice complement of hair and skin products and makeup. My previous stylist had left the salon I was at, and I needed a new stylist. I had heard very good things about Megan and Amy at Renessence, but they were no longer there. Imagine how happy I am that they were at Elan Vital! Having had my first cut with Amy, I am very pleased. She is definitely an Artist, and I left with a sculpted "do" that was just fabulous. Amy is excellent in communicating, which is very important when you are going to someone for the first time. Whenever I am in a new salon, I also take a peek at what the other stylists are doing. Everyone who left around the same time as I looked exquisite, no matter what age demographic. Elan Vital certainly has brought in a talented group of artists. The Salon is right at that part of the Lincoln Square neighborhood that some consider Ravenswood. read more

I've been going to Nahrein to have my eyebrows threaded for over 6 months, and she has completely transformed them! Granted, when I first walked in I'm certain they couldn't be much worse. She encouraged me to come in only every 3-4 weeks in the beginning to allow them to grow out, then shape them. Now, they're beautiful. I go bi-weekly, threw out my tweezers, and the best part: strangers complement them. Even if I move out of the neighborhood, I will come back for Nahrein! read more

Eye scream, you scream, we all scream for joy when our eyebrows look fantastic! I would follow Nahrein anywhere, and I'm glad I did as she now has a very relaxing Aveda salon. Nahrein has been doing my eyebrows for, well, over a decade now. I've strayed a few times for dumb reasons - on vacation and thought, hey this person can easily touch up my brows, or I waited way too long and went somewhere new when she wasn't available. All others resulted in bad experiences and dumb looking pictures of myself when on said vacation. She does all waxing, as well as mani/pedis. A bikini/Brazilian wax isn't torture in terms of time as she's really quick (if you keep it up, it really doesn't hurt much), and she's thorough with the stray hairs. Since I use a lot of Aveda products on my hair, It's nice to be able to pick them up here. A quick block away from the Damen brown line, with some other cute shops in the area. read more

I recently moved to the Lincoln Square for work and live literally right around the corner from this salon. I've always been hesitant about getting my hair colored from someone I don't know but a risk that I'm willing to take. I called the salon and told the receptionist that I would need a color and cut. She goes, okay, no problem I go, I should also mention I have really thick and long hair so I prefer to be with someone who has experience with both, she goes "you got it!" I came in for my appt and was greeted with a friendly hello and asked if there was anything I would like to drink. I was then greeted by this super lovely and friendly girl, Stephanie who told me she would be taking care of my hair. OMG! Did she do an amazing job... I showed her a few pictures of what I wanted and she just did that (and more)! and we did a super fun cut with adding bangs. I LOVE IT. I go back next week for my touch up and can't wait to see her. I highly recommend this salon and if you are looking for an ALL-STAR colorist and someone who is great with thick/long hair I highyly recommend seeing Steph!! This is my new go-to salon!! read more

My hair stylist Megan, formerly of Renessence, is absolutely the best. She's the only one I trust to cut and color my hair. I would follow her anywhere. Her new salon is awesome, all the people are really nice and I will only get my hair done here from now on! Can't wait to try their other services! read more

Amy is a magician with my hair. I used to be one of those people who didn't really care much about hair cuts, I always wore my hair in a pony tail if it wasn't behaving. And then I moved to Chicago and my hair likes the weather here, so it behaves more, and I'm wearing it down a lot. It was a rat's nest before Amy start cutting it. I have curly/wavy hair that I sometimes wear straight. Basically, I can't make up my mind how I want to wear my hair, so I want it to look great every way possible. Amy doesn't disappoint! My hair is happy, healthy, and bouncy! I got my hair colored a few months ago and I was really happy with it. I didn't have any pictures, just a description and a feeling. She was right on the nose. It was a gorgeous cinnamon, warm brown. Amy has been cutting my hair for over a year. She recently moved here from another salon (Renessence) and I very happily followed her. It's actually easier for me to get to and the space is SO nice. They use Aveda products (love!) and have dried lavender hanging on the walls. I've actually never followed a stylist before because I've never really had one that I liked. The ladies at Salon Elan Vital are great! read more

I would follow Nahrein anywhere and did to this great salon. She is, bar none, the best waxer/threader and laser hair removal expert ever. She does a brilliant Brazilian - I've never had better. Great space, wonderful staff who love what they do! read more

Oh wow. Welcome to the neighborhood Salon Elon Vital. Lucky Lincoln Square. Beautiful, serene, clean brand NEW space. Great front desk. Fabulous array of Aveda products to purchase (hair, skin, make-up). Reasonable prices for services. Open on Sundays (hooray!). Had a terrific manicure yesterday and was back today for a blow-out with Todd and as a gal who has had her hair blown out from coast-to-coast I can tell you, he's GREAT. As good as it gets. I will be back. Soon. Booked a facial in two weeks! But may not be able to stay away that long... Worth the trip whether you live in the 'hood or you have to drive or take the train (Damen El just a block away). read more

I have been going to David for about 3 years now. Great colorist, Really knows his product and craft. Plus he can also give you a Fantastic haircut! read more

Very very professional very friendly staff amazing service I felt so comfortable doing hair removal laser Jackie is amazing I highly recommend read more

I have been coming to Nahrein for 3 years now and I can't thank her enough for all she has done! She is professional, kind, and amazing and what she does. I come to her for waxing, she makes it comfortable and gets it done so fast! I really appreciate it because well, no one really enjoy waxing! I look forward to seeing her every time I come and even after I moved to a different part of the city, I make the drive to see her. I have also had my hair highlighted and cut here, I'm very picky about my hair so I never go to new places, but I thought I would try it out! Loved it. Can't say anything else about this place other then it's like family, everyone is friends, and it's such a great time coming to see them :) Thank you for everything! read more

I stumbled upon this salon through Yelp. I love Aveda and was looking for a local Aveda salon... I went to see Jill, as recommended by many reviews, and she was everything I had hoped plus more. She was extremely thorough, friendly, fun and not pushy with products. I didn't feel rushed at all and got a great scalp massage. I have crappy fine hair and she made it look full and beautiful. I highly recommend her. She clearly got in this business because this is her passion! read more

I found Salon Élan Vital online for Chicago's best 19 laser hair removals out of 640 that were reviewed. With that being said it was the best experience I have had with laser hair removal and I have done laser with many salons before Salon Élan Vital. It definitely exceeded its reviews. Nahrein is an amazing person that definitely cares about her clients! She did an amazing job answering all my questions and an even better job with making sure every part of the area was covered and the setting was correctly adjusted to my skin tone. Definitely going to this salon for any of my salon needs! read more

Went to David for a much need touch up and wanted a new look..gave me an adorable cut...than I decided to ask for some bangs which he gladly agreed! Came out fantastic...not too short but definitely a new look.. got lots of compliments at work..my boss said you have a great stylist! Thanks again David...money well spent! read more

Went in for the first time today. Had a cut and highlights by David. Both are just as fabulous as he is.

With two haircuts with Amy under my belt, I can now say with certainty I'm a fan of her and this salon. I'm a curly haired lady and very particular about only going to stylists who truly know how to cut and style curls. Amy is a seasoned pro and uses cutting techniques that I know from past experience work well on my hair. I appreciate that the salon has a low key, friendly vibe and reasonable prices -- unlike so many salons that try too hard to be trendy and are overpriced. I feel lucky to have discovered Salon Elan Vital and Amy right in my neighborhood. I'll be back often. read more

I am updating my review because the salon contacted me in order to resolve the issue. My yelp account does not reflect my real name and I am not kind of a person to call and complain or demand something free. As an appreciating for reaching out to me to make me happier I have scheduled another hair color with them. I always appreciate business that value their customers. read more

Love my haircut and the staff is amazing! You guys rock! I highly recommend this salon, very friendly and attentive. I'll be back here soon!! read more

Fantastic Salon with Exceptional Customer Service. I've been a customer and fan of Nahrein's for over 10 years and had followed her to Salon Elan Vital. When you find an extremely competent, knowledgeable and personable individual with talent that #1 can make ANYONE's eyebrows look fantastic through threading and #2 Is an expert at laser treatment - you will follow them anywhere. I've also had laser treatments from Jackie - another amazing individual who is an expert in her field, takes the time to explain the process and makes you feel at ease and comfortable. The entire staff makes you feel welcome and appreciated. If you are looking for a salon to provide excellent personalized service in a relaxing atmosphere, Salon Elan Vital is it! read more

Great salon! Super effective laser hair removal- quick appointments, friendly staff, and their laser hair removal program works. I'm so pleased with my results. No more shaving! read more

Amy for haircuts, color and overall hair advice - the best. Especially for my fine curls! Nahrein for laser treatments - as a woman of color, I was pretty nervous, but 4 treatments later - I am so happy with both the service and the treatments. Love this place! read more

My friend and I made appointments for gel and regular manicures. The appointment for one manicurist to get both of us in took about an hour and a half, which speaks to the quality of the service. We were offered beverages to enjoy while we were being taken care of. My friend is very involved in beauty and nail care, so her expectations were high for a manicure. She was incredibly impressed with how well the manicure was done. It lasted about a week before the ends started to chip off. As regular manicures go, this is very impressive. My gel manicure is still going strong, 2 weeks later. The polish is still shiny and solid on my nails. We are very happy with our manicures and will absolutely return for the other services. read more

Went here for a manicure and was serviced by Nahrein, formerly at Renessence in Lincoln Square. I like the location of the salon right off the brown line in a quiet neighborhood and the ambiance inside is very relaxing. I especially like the toxin free nail products - I opted for the gel manicure and the polishes were formaldehyde free, etc. There were also lots of gel colors to choose from. The salon is very clean and offers pedicures, hair cuts, waxing, and more. I'll be back for another manicure! read more

Some people think that it's easy to cut hair when your client is a guy with short hair. Well I'm a guy with short hair, and after years of bad haircuts, I've finally found someone who can do an amazing job. Megan (formerly of Renessence) does amazing work and is such a nice person to boot. The newly opened salon is really cute and clean, and everyone at the front is incredibly nice as well! read more