Dolce Vita Salon & Day Spa

Linda was my hair artist and she is absolutely wonderful! She took her time and gave honest opinions on everything. I went in expecting to come out feeling shocked but instead I felt very comfortable and happy. I will always give an honest review and this is by far my best experience yet. Thank you so much Linda! You’re an amazing artist!

Carmella is awesome! As a guy I am not too big into the salon type of place. After getting two horrendous haircuts at Great Clips though my views changed faster than my butchered hair could grow back. I get a simple spike a little to the right and cut short on the sides and Carmella did it perfect. The salon had a nice vibe when I walked in and everyone seemed nice. Will be coming back next month!

I am so happy I have finally found Ellen! She is the best hair stylist I’ve ever had.
She is SO talented with color and always has ideas for my hair before I even do. She’s amazing!
She also even took the time to blow out my hair and curl it for me at the end of my last appointment. No stylist I’ve ever gone to has taken the time to do that. It meant a lot, really, and I left feeling like a million bucks!
THANK YOU, ELLEN! I can’t wait for my next appointment :)
Also, this salon is affordable, so for me, the amazing service combined with the great prices makes the drive out to DeKalb worth it.
As for waxing — when I got an eyebrow wax here, my skin broke out all around my brows for the next week, they were really irritated! Not sure if it was one of the products applied after or the wax itself… but the shaping was nice.

The ladies at Dolce Vita did a fabulous job on hair and makeup for my bridal party and I! Keela did a great job on the scheduling so that all 8 of us were getting our hair and makeup done within the same 2.5 hour window. There was a great private room in the back where Dolce Vita catered sandwiches for us and we brought our own cocktails. All of the prices were very clear ahead of time which you don’t always see at salons.
Alysa (hair) and Elenia (makeup) listened to exactly what I wanted (and didn’t want) for my hair and makeup and made it happen. It was nice meeting the women at the trial and then working with them on wedding day. Getting pampered at Dolce Vita was fun and relaxing!

I love this salon and especially my stylist, Sydney. Always does a wonderful time and I never feel rushed! Always recommend Dolce Vita for your new hair salon!

Jen H’s review made me laugh because I felt the same way.
I was a first time visitor to this salon. I traveled 35 minutes to go here, as I wanted to try somewhere different. The front desk staff was very prompt and friendly, which always impresses me because I have salon management experience.
I am also a hairstylist myself. My stylist caught onto that right away. I was going from a copper color to a dark brown and wanted some highlights. I showed a picture of the idea. She told me my highlights wouldn’t be that light, and I knew that. She made me feel insulted because she said my ends were dry and she didn’t feel comfortable doing highlights. So after waiting 15 minutes for her to mix the color, she made me sign a waiver disclaiming them if my hair was broken. I have been platinum blonde before. I know what it takes to get there. My hair won’t be perfect but I at least know how to take care of it.
She put maybe 8 foils in and i could not see ANY dimension in my hair. She probably lifted them a level or two higher than what I already was. There was absolutely no contrast. I told her in the chair it needed more highlights. She told me to come back in a couple weeks.
I paid 103 dollars for an all over color with very few highlights that I was extremely frustrated with. The receptionist asked how my experience was and I told her that I wasn’t happy. I went to Elle Salon in Elgin where they did exactly what I asked. and guess what? She used the highest level of developer and my hair isn’t broken!
I am not sure I’d ever return to this salon for my hair. Their spa side looked nice, but I’m mad I had to spend more money to get what I wanted originally.

I made a last minute appointment on Wednesday to get my hair cut. The place itself is nice. The people at the front desk were pleasant and efficient. That is the end of the things that I enjoyed.
I wanted the haircut because my layers were growing out weird and I wasn’t happy with the shape of my hair, although I did like it when I first got the cut 2 months ago. After discussing what I wanted with my stylist, she said it sounded «Simple enough!» and washed my hair. Then as she was just getting ready to start cutting, a man walked up with two small children. She spoke to them for a few minutes (completely ignoring me) then apologized and said he was a long time client. She was mostly silent for the rest of the appointment.
She trimmed my hair and the layers. She put a couple products in my hair, dried it, and straightened it, still without saying anything to me. At the end, my hair was so flat I looked like a wet dog and she said that she couldn’t really do much because I have a lot of hair and my layers are too short and I part my hair too far over on the side, so her recommendation was to just let the layers grow out. I’m not sure why she didn’t suggest parting my hair somewhere else or doing something different with the cut before this point. If she wasn’t going to be able to do what I asked, she should have said that at the start.
I told her that since I think it looks weird when it’s straight, I’ve been throwing some flat iron curls in because then you can’t really tell. She seemed really surprised that I could do flat iron curls, told me she can’t do them, it always looks frizzy. Then she sort of attempted to curl a few strands of my hair with a curling iron, but they just fell flat. Once I left the salon and ran my hands through my hair to try to fluff it up a little, my hands were so greasy I had to wipe them on a towel. Gross.
Now I get to make an appointment somewhere else to get it fixed. :(

I went here to get some waxing before my wedding. I could tell, once I got there, that they try to move people through as quick as possible because the person who did my waxing did huge sections on my arms. She didn’t hold the skin tight when she removed the wax strip, and when the wax would get stuck, she’d just tug at the strip. Now I have burst blood vessels and bruising on my arms that I have to get covered with makeup for my wedding. I’ve had my arms waxed several times before at other salons, and this shouldn’t happen. I won’t be coming back here for waxing again. I have no point of reference regarding their other services though.

Dolce Vita is actually the most relaxing place in the tri-​county area. When you walk in there is a soothing quality to the environment and the whole staff is incredibly kind. Price is fair and honestly too low of anything. The level of quality service you recieve is far beyond the modest price point. My mom was a barber back in the day and cut my hair for the large majority of my life. Since moving I have had to find someplace that could replace those peaceful days sitting in the kitchen and watching TV while she trimmed around my ears. Dolce Vita achieves that level of serenity. And I get to watch Pawn Stars now. Win win. (PS Carmela is the only one I have had cut my hair and it is going to stay that way. If you gents are coming in fir the first time and do not know who to request, ask for her. She is fantastic!)

I’ve gone to dolce vita to get my hair colored ombré with peek a boo style streaks– going for pink to purple. The colorist complained about her job, told me that my sister in law that’s also a hair stylist, must hate me for doing ombré because it’s such a pain in the ass and everyone does it now these days. She also told r she dyed a clients hair like a rainbow and how the client lied it but it was the ugliest thing she’s ever seen. Talk about horrible and rude!
She was AWFUL and unpleasant so I sat there and hardly spoke to her.
She took my streaks to be dyed and bleached them partially. When she put in the ombré color, she started putting in the pink halfway on the strand and purple on the end. I was very confused why she was dying the strands starting halfway and not at the root, but who am I to tell her how to do her job? Perhaps she’s only bleached half the strand because my hair was light enough to take the shade of dye? I wasn’t sure .
Long story short, she didn’t dye my hair from root to tip. I was blamed for not telling her what I wanted when I’m not sure how else I could have explained it to her better.
I argued with her and the woman at the front desk about what ombré is and how it’s my fault that the colorist started mid strand. Who does that?!
In the end they forced me to pay and sent me out the door crying my eyes out at how awful she dyed the strands and how much of a joke I looked like.
I will NEVER return to them again. They didn’t offer a fair resolution and left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. I’ve already informed my friends and family to stay away! If you want something other than your hair dyed, like a massage, they might be ok. DONT let them touch your hair unless you want to look like a joke and pay for it.

I have been to Dolce Vita for my hair. They do an amazing job. I went in there with platinum blonde hair looking to get back to my brunette roots and Renea did the most amazing job! Not only did she get my hair the exact color I wanted but she also styled my hair better than it has been done before! I wanted to take millions of pictures of myself and I am not that sort of person. I also was a hair model for Mary some time after being brunette for awhile and we decided to go with an auburn red and Mary did a fantastic job! I loved the color and it’s an Aveda salon so their products are natural and don’t destroy your hair. The salon is awesome and almost makes you feel like you’re in the city, the way it’s designed. Front desk is warm, approachable and fun and the waiting area is so comfy you just want to take a nap! It’s a full service salon so make sure to check out all that they provide and almost my entire family goes here. You should too!

The salon is beautifully decorated, organized, appealing, and most of all, clean. There is a separate barber space for males and separate floor for females. This is my first time at an Aveda salon and I am pleased.
Jenifer G. was my colorist. She is very sweet, nice, and extremely personable. I have blonde hair and needed to get my roots done. My hair is originally pitch black, so I knew it would take a lot to get my roots to the light blonde. I left the salon happy with the way the color turned out. My bill was $ 60 because it was my first time.
However, two weeks later I started to see that the roots were turning a burnt orange color. My entire head had orange bars of where my black hair used to be. So, I scheduled a consultation with Jenifer to see why my hair changed colors and she explained to me why it happened and that she would re-​do the color free of charge. I was not expecting her to color my hair again, but she did an amazing job at blending and toning.
I did not expect Dolce to be so accommodating and client friendly. I am extremely happy with Dolce and will recommend anybody to go. Before Jenifer, I have had the same hair stylist for years but while I am in Dekalb for school, I will definitely be going to Jenifer.

Jessica did such an awesome job doing my hair and makeup for my wedding! I showed her a few pictures I liked as inspiration and she had no problem making them happen. I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out. All four of my bridesmaids also had their hair styled at Dolce Vita and they looked gorgeous too. I don’t live in Sycamore, so I just picked this salon based on the reviews I saw online and its location (we got married at Blumen Gardens), but I’m really glad I found it! It’s a really nice place and everyone working there was really friendly.

I began going to Dolce Vita when I followed my massage therapist, and I began to get my hair cuts there when I had my hair and make up done for performances. Now, I get hair cuts, massages, and facials there, and I won’t go anywhere else. The employees at Dolce Vita are well-​trained, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly. The whole building is very clean. I especially appreciate the teen discount card, because when I was eligible for it, it saved me a ton of money! This is the best place in town for every salon/​spa service they offer!

I had my bridal hair and makeup done here and it was great!
First, Keela — she did a great job directing me to the right stylist at makeup artist for the look I wanted. She is very organized and thorough, and recognized me right away when I came in to pre-​pay, even though it was three months after my practice session and I had completely changed my hair color.
I had my hair done by Renee. Originally I wanted finger waves, but she created a waaaaay better vintage-​looking updo for me that got «ooooohs and aaaahhhhs» from everyone I showed the practice photos to. She is very gentle and didn’t tug on my hair or gouge me with bobby pins.
Jill did my makeup and she rocked it. I’d had a bit of a stress breakout a few days before the wedding, and you could not tell after my makeup was done, but my face didn’t have the pancake look either. She knows different brands and products well and makes good recommendations.
All in all, a great experience, and if you’re fair-​skinned, Aveda probably had a foundation that’ll work for you.

I had a most awesome facial last week with Rebecca. I selected the botanical skin resurfacing (exfoliating and relaxing, but without extractions), next time I’m going to try the enbrightenment. Although I’m loyal to Bioelements/​PCA products, I love the scent of the Aveda products and I am pleased with the results — my skin is so soft and I did not have any redness or irritation.

I went to dolce vita for the first time recently to have my first experience with waxing. I decided to get my legs waxed and a Brazilian. I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect and of course after doing Brazilian research online expecting lots of pain. I was referred by a friend to request Elenia and I’m so happy I did. She is very good at get job! Super friendly, full of knowledge about waxing dos and don’ts. She was calming and helping me to remember to breathe during the Brazilian because the pain makes you forget.lol.
We used lavender wax on my legs because I know my skin is sensitive. There was hardly any redness and the pain was more of a sting but it was tolerable. Again it was my first time and I was told it will hurt less over time. And I plan to keep waxing so that’s exciting.
My Brazilian experience was not as bad as I worked up in my mind but it certainly did hurt a lot! It goes by fast and if you keep your mind on the prize you just grin and bear it… our in reality make a constipated face and bear it haha. We used the technique of sugaring because its better for sensitive skin and to me faster. Is weird going on because it feels like its pulling the skin not so much hurting but uncomfortable… then is ripped off in tugs. I found numbing cream online which I will try for next time also.
Waxing is worth the pain because it certainly makes the skin smoother and you don’t see the hair left over like shaving leaves.
I will say though that I do have baby hairs that were not long enough on my legs to be waxed yet so those are still there. When I go back for maintenance then they will be gone. But if it’s your first time it’s normal. You really can’t even see the left over hair unless you’re starring at it.
The salon itself was very nice. Nice people, classy looking. When I walked in I was very nervous because of the waxing to come. I had to fill out a first time client sheet and I was lead to a spa room to do so which had dim lighting, calming music, and a relaxing aroma… I was still nervous but that room really helped my nerves. When Elenia came to get me we waked down a long hall to our waxing room. Even the hall was nice, there was a fountain at end as well. In the room calming music was playing and it seemed tranquil. Be aware the lights are like spotlights for your esthetician to see what they are doing so they are a bit bright but only in certain areas so the whole room isn’t blinding.
I absolutely recommend this spa!

I come here at least 1x every three months and it’s consistently excellent. It is evident that they spend a great deal of time on training their employees and everyone there is positive and fun to be around. They are laid back and always warm.
This salon is constantly donating to local charities and always encourages the Aveda charity promotions.
As for the stylists, I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I’m moving to the city and I will miss this place. They do an excellent job. I go to Jessica on a regular basis, but when she isn’t in I’ve tried other stylists. They have a record of my color and they always do a good job. They always style my hair when they are done with the color and I couldn’t do as good of a job as they do in a thousand years.
The price is very fair, and they give lots of deals on recommendations and weekly e-​specials. I have recommended this place to lots of people in town and all have come back as repeat customers. This place is the best.

I have now been to Dolce Vita twice, once for a massage and once for a cut/​color (both at the new location). Both services were fantastic!
I had a massage from Erin, who did a terrific job of hitting the spots that needed extra love and avoiding the spots that didn’t. (I have a medical condition that leads me to bruise easily on certain areas, and she avoided these so I wouldn’t have pain or get marks.) I will definitely be back for another! :)
I just got a cut/​color on Wednesday from Jen G. She is AWESOME! I’ve never had someone be so professional, helpful, and SKILLED work on my hair. She turned a dry, messy pile of multi-​colored straw into silky ombré deliciousness. I LOVE HER. (AND all of the compliments I’m getting!)
And a kudos to Keela, their hardworking front desk/​receptionist/​information guru! Sweet, helpful, awesome.
Not only are the staff polite, helpful, funny, and all-​around terrific, but the décor is just beautiful. I never saw what the previous location looked like, but this one is definitely great! This is not only the most «upscale» spa/​salon in the area, it would be a perfect fit in any suburb or Chicago area. I recommend it to everyone!

Rating for my husband. Suprised him with a massage for his birthday. He said erin was great and wants to go again.