Panache Hair Designs

I found this place by accident while looking for Biostrand products. A lady was being finished and I thought her hair was flawless. I booked an appointment with Betty.
I had to wait a couple weeks but I was okay with that. Durning my consultation, Betty talked to me about my issues with my hair. I told her that I wasn’t a big fan of heat after having my already fragile edges (darn genetics) burned out after visiting another salon. I’m a natural girl and have been for about 15 years. I usually go straight once a year and get a good trim.
She listened to me and I really appreciated that. She was not scissor happy like a lot of stylist are. I have to admit, I did not feel any heat on my head. My hair was full of life. When I washed, my curls bounced right back and we’re just as soft as they were before the straightening. That was a little over a year ago.
I went back for an annual visit for a cut and style two weeks ago and once again Betty did her thing. I got some nice curls and maintained them by pin-​curling my hair at night. The owner was there and was very welcoming and friendly.
Sorry for the long review but it was definitely worth the wait and the money.
Thanks Betty!!!

What happened to my hair :/
It is really hard to find someone who can style hair that fits your face and understand your texture.
Love the ladies here! All very nice and professional. I have gone here twice for a trim once in Sept and again in Jan.
The first time I went, from start to finish lasted about 1 hr. Although I just wanted a wash and end trims, I received a treatment of bio-​strand (sans having the option of declining the treatment), had my hair dried and flat ironed. My hair was silky soft and smooth but due to the texture and oils applied, it fell flat after a day. The cost was about $ 110 for hair trim, wash and blow-​dry. Since I really just wanted my ends trimmed, I wasnt looking to walk down a runway and my hair was trimmed (not cut)
I went for a second time assuming that things would get better. I had Stephanie as my stylist again. (set up through the receptionist but was hoping to try out the other stylist Betty)
. Very nice as usual. I went for a trim (ends trimmed) and had my hair washed, protein treatment and styled. This cost was $ 135
I think my hair was more cut 4″ + ALL AROUND MY HEAD, than ends trimmed (to the point of me not being able to do anything with it except hide behind my ears for months if that is even a style? It is Really short and no style to it. I did not look great or feel great leaving out of the salon… My hair actually looks like my name should be Bertha and I just walked out from getting my hair pressed with a pressing comb on a stove when my hair is already fine. So now it’s beginning to look like a straight mop… It really isn’t attractive. I don’t even know what to do with it. It is really REALLY bad. if you look at my pictures on my profile just note. I do not and probably will take YEARS to look like this again. I shall wear a hat FOREVER so it seems
its just hair right? there is no body to it because of this straight mushroom cut that I have. It is pretty lifeless.
Hoping that it grows back to my comfort zone of buns, ponytails (or even just wearing it down in a style of some sort and I do mean quick!. the worse part is that I have to renew my drivers license in 2 days looking like a Crazy woman with this fly away, do away, mess that I’m sporting right now.
Come here for treatments but not for scissor work. Im not sure if I will return. It may take months or more than a year my hair to grow back so that I can get a style to it. I need to buy enough pins to try to just hide it behind my ears.
On better notes this salon is by appointment only (yes!)
Their dryers etc are all high quality. The receptionist is very nice as well.
I am new to the area and hoping to become a regular nearby for trims etc. will have to discuss trim vs cut if I come back
The price is a bit steep but I am not going weekly so its not a big deal (it averages out)
don’t take my word for it. your experience may be better but I don’t believe I will enter into this lovely salon again. unfortunately

I am very particular about who does my natural hair. Basically, I have to be convinced that the stylist is concerned about the long term health of my hair. I have had stylists in several major hair metropolises — L.A., D.C., ATL but I have to say that the best experience that I’ve had by far has been with Stephanie at Panache. Before she even put heat to my hair, I could see the difference in the condition of my hair. The products and method used at Panache are optimal and the personal care given by Stephanie is wonderful. On top of all that, the staff was professional and friendly and I was in and out with a style that made heads turn. Overall, a refreshing and extremely satisfying experience.

Really a toss up unfortunately :(
Went here off recommendations from Unilocal and was generally pleased with my consultation and stylist. My main issue is the hours of operation, just like another reviewer. Point blank — I called my prior stylist to make an appointment and was left with few options. I wound up with an appointment three weeks out (I love my stylist and I understand she was on vacation but still. really?!?). Needless to say, I got frustrated and went somewhere else. In the end, I’m not likely to come back because it should not take three weeks to fit into your stylist (s) schedule for an evening or weekend appointment. sad face :(

Called today to book a 10 minute consultation. Was EXTREMELY excited after reading the reviews. The person that took my call (a gentleman) told me an appointment would not be available until Oct 31^st (the week after next), which was just fine with me. He asked me if I could come in at 8:45 am… nope, will be at work. He told me they don’t take appointment after 4pm, Wed-​Fri and late appointments are reserved for long-​standing customers. HUH? Let me just say, I completely understand house rules, as far as opening and closing times. However, I don’t know too many people that get off work before 4 pm on a week day. I was also expecting to be offered other options. When I responded with, «Oh wow, I guess I’ll have to pass». His response, «Okey Dokey». LOL. Funny. Oh well, the search continues.

I have been a client on and off for about 10 years. The stylist are very professional and thorough. I’ve NEVER been disappointed in my hair when I leave the salon. The salon itself is very clean, calming and great atmosphere all around. If you’re looking for to be «Panached» then you have to visit this salon.

This is the mecca of black hair care salons! I’m 19 and until I came here I can only remember getting my hair done like 3 or 4 times, needless to say it is a luxury I can rarely afford. so when I recently considered getting my hair done I researched many places in my area & this was by far the best place I saw. So I made the appointment, (they are busy so be planned to wait a week or so) I went in and the place feels & kind of looks like a home beautician, the people are professional NOT RUDE OR LOUD OR GHETTO, the salon is very clean. They really take time to get to know you and your hair. My hair had never felt the way it did after i left! It had body, movement, shine and felt like weave lol but it was me. The Biostrand products are AMAZING, I bought some for home use & my hair still feels like it did when I left the salon weeks ago. Just do yourself a favor and come to Panache, one visit will change your life!

Yep. What the ladies said about Panache and Stephanie is absolutely true. I LOVE my hair. I needed a salon close to home and Panache is perfect. Stephanie gave me a great cut — I asked her to do what she thought was best, and she did not disappoint. I’ve received so many compliments on my new style and my hair looks great.
I highly recommend Panache. You won’t be disappointed with the way you look when you leave.

This is my very FIRST review i have ever written but since I found Panache on Unilocal I had to return the favor because Unilocal helped me to find a salon that I could truly call home. Like the others who have reviewed Panache, I found these stylists to be warm, engaging and professional. Panache s one of those places that from the moment you walk in, you know you are in good hands. The clientele are professional women as well yet there is no stuffy air here. From the outside décor and quiet tree lined streets to the pleasant waiting area indoors… you feel like you are at home. These are some classy, wonderful women who are absolute gems at what they do. As one of a growing group of women who have abandoned relaxers because my hair can not tolerate the chemical, I was pleased to find experts in natural hair care. They can straighten natural hair just as well as any egyptian salon I have ever gone without excessive and damaging heat and in a lot more personal and warm environment. At Panache, it is clear that they care about the health of your hair. And the texture of my hair when I left the salon? Silky, incredibly soft and bouncy. Probably the best it has ever looked. They also do relaxed hair styles as well. Bottom line, they are into healthy hair. Bettye did my hair but I saw Stephanie’s work as well and she is equally amazing. I almost hesitate to write this review because selfishly I would like to keep them to myself but a hair salon this lovely deserves to be shared ! God bless you guys! You are the bomb. Really !

I have natural hair– and was searching for a salon closer to home that would be able to do a great job without damaging my hair. I wanted my hair straightened.
In the beginning of my first appointment with Stephanie, she went over my expectations for my hair. What I liked, disliked, etc. Most stylists will ask similar questions— but Stephanie actually follows through. Each time I’ve seen her since, I feel like she styles my hair keeping my preferences in mind.
This salon pays close attention to the health of your hair. They have never used excessive heat to straighten my hair. This means my hair is staying healthy, so I’m happy. (I had gotten to the point where I close my eyes and brace myself when I hear the blow dryer get close to my head — and break into a nervous sweat in anticipation of the hot irons initial contact).
They’ve earned my trust! Highly recommended.
They’re good… so you’ll need to plan your appointments in advance.

I moved here from Tennessee a couple of years ago and I have been to a few salons in Chicago and in Naperville just trying to find «The One». Well, I think I found it at Panache. Stephanie (the owner) did my hair and she is wonderful. She is extremely professional and she is a great hair stylist. She uses this product line that I had never heard of until I went to her, but it worked wonders on my hair. My hair is very light and has alot of body. Stephanie is also very knowledgeable about how to create and maintain a healthy head of hair. Also, I have had about 4 appointments so far and I have never been there more than 1.5 hours… even for a touch-​up.
Stephanie’s partner Betty is fabulous as well. The ambiance of the salon is very relaxing and inviting. I go as early as 7 am and there is always hot coffee, tea, cold water, etc. available for clients.

OMG! omg, omg, omg, omg! There IS a God after-​all. I’m in love. For all you ladies going to Yehia, Osama’s, Max (and he is a personal favorite of mine for 15 years), etc., there is a new place in town to meet ALL our black hair needs. Let me say this, I have been looking for ANYWHERE to go to get my hair down where I can DISCUSS the nature of my business and life and how it affects my hair — or lack of desire to deal with it. A special place, apparently in my dreams only (or so I thought…) where someone would be not only interested in me as a client, but not shovel me through their place of business like cattle.
Let me introduce you to «Panache Hair Designs». I was referred to this little gem by the owner of a salon in Lincoln Park where my BFF gets her curls done (I don’t have curls :(…). Anyhoo, let me say, I was FLABBERGASTED when I called and was ACTUALLY ABLE TO MAKE AN ACTUAL APPOINTMENT THAT WAS FOR ME ONLY!!! Say WHAT?! You heard me. I-​could-​make-​an-​appointment-​at-​a-​salon-​for-​black-​hair. This is NOT an urban-​legend — such a place does exist in the Chicagoland area.
Now, I was not lovin’ that it’s in Oak Park ’cause I am never in Oak Park. I called and left a message for the owner because I wanted to make sure she was able to meet my specific needs: discuss my hair problems, how my job messes with my hair, how I want my hair to be, etc. Plus, I desire to color my hair but might have an allergy to some products and could she work with this? I left a message with Betty who said Stephanie, the owner, would call me back. She did. The same day. Stephanie’s phone manner was so professional and she so kind that I went ahead and scheduled the appointment and mentally prepared for the road-​trip on 290…
Well, after recovering from the shock of being able to make the appointment, I almost fell off her couch when Stephanie sat me down for a 15 – 20 consultation. I felt like I’d gone to OZ and had no desire to click my heels 3x. Now, the tricky thing was that I was due for a relaxer at the end of January but was going to Puerto Rico at the end of February and wanted to try and hold out until then but, well, as the hubby said, «Good luck with that.»
Well, lo-​and-​behold, using a product line I never heard of (now I own it all and won’t be switching. Unless, of course, Stephanie tells me to!), a flat brush and gentle blow drying… I walked out of there with my hair looking like it had been relaxed and feeling so light. I got about 5 comments on it that day from people — most thinking I’d gotten my perm re-​touched.
The other weird and awesome thing is that the product line Stephanie use’s, Biostrand, requires me to do things I would never do: wash my hair 3x with a shampoo PER hair washing, use a conditioner that does not leave my hair feeling silky and yet — WOW, spraying a leave-​in conditioner lightly on dry hair on days I don’t wash. I also had to do this process 6 – 8 times prior to my relaxer to remove the build-​up other products had left. Now, an avid Aveeda user, I was skeptical that all this was necessary but wholly hair-​folicles what a difference.
Additionally, Stephanie’s colleague, Betty, is a wonder as well. The two of them have totally found their niche and so completely compliment each other that they almost complete each other’s sentences. Both have done my hair and each and every time it has come out fabulous. When I went Puerto Rico, using the product line that her salon uses, it was so much easier doing my hair and I’ve also noticed that less of my hair is on the floor after blow-​drying.
I just LOVE this place. It is worth the drive to from «the city», actually only takes me 15 minutes or less from downtown. Worth every penny and I am just RELIEVED that this salon exists.
They are open every day except Sun, Mon & Tues but they are open 6am-​6pm. Make sure to check it out!!!