Touch Salons

I had a Groupon for a massage. I went on a Saturday morning, the place was empty and very quiet.
My massage was just okay. Not very memorable.
If this salon is convenient for you — check it out. I do not recommend going out of your way to go here. This place is, obviously, made for the downtown 9-​to-​5-​ers and I’m sure it serves it’s purpose in that sense.

I got a Groupon from this salon so I thought awesome!!! I have tried so many times to book an appt. and they are always busy when they answer their phone. Apparently they don’t answer it even when I call during their suppossed business hours. I am lucky to rarely get a hold of anyone. I don’t know why they don’t have an answering machine! Then I went to their website and I guess it doesn’t exist anymore! With no way to get a hold of them this GROUPON was a total ripoff!!!

I can see why they put out Groupons and You Swoops for this salon… there is no one in there! On a saturday afternoon! And, yeah, I got that same Russian lady. She is a little rough and a smidge rude. I’ll just chalk it up to cultural differences.
On impact the place looks nice but upon examine you can tell they were trying to look like a big time eco-​friendly spa but used cheap materials. All the tables and counters had a rainforest wood look as if they used some trendy eco-​friendly-​fair trade-​repurposed stuff. It was actually a finish ontop of plywood that was starting to peel. The walls had an inlay design of something natural like tree branches or wheat set in a mold that was begining to yellow. In a few years this will look like a bad old display from the Field Museum.
So I sat on the long pedicure bench and she began to fill the bowl with water only about 2 inches. I thiught I was going to be given time to soak my feet but she started sloughing right away. The whole thing was very rushed. While I was getting my feet done I noticed the receptionist was stting on the floor in the entryway outside the front door, legs crossed, on the phone and looking to be in dire straights.
When it comes time for polish she slid out a panel from under my seat, placed a towel on it, places my feet on the towel and for the next 10 minutes I had to hold my legs in place. It was not relaxing at all but more of a strength work out.
I wont even go into the sloppy polish job on my finger nails or how the woman was bitching about prices in America. blah blah blah… get me out of here! Oh, and they didnt have a drying center so I had to sit there and then go out into the humidity which didnt help to quickly dry either.

Hmm… nice salon, very pretty and zen inside. The green wallpaper makes me feel like I’m in a bamboo forest. But… my mani-​pedi was not so hot.
My manicurist was a SUPER abusive Russian woman. She has a very heavy accent so I couldn’t understand a lot of the things she was saying. Rather than repeating her requests, she would roll her eyes at me then act like I’m a member of the short bus because I couldn’t understand her! She told me to put an extra pillow between my back and the couch so my short legs could reach her and when I didn’t understand her command, she actually aggressively pulled me forward to insert the pillow.
She also got annoyed and seemed pissed off when she did my french manicure with jagged, messy lines and i asked her to redo them. She blamed it on the contour of my fingernails. Umm. isn’t it your job to make my retarded hands look beautiful? WORK WITH IT! She also mocked me when she asked me my age and told me I didn’t look at all like 24… which I guess explains why she thought she could treat me so poorly? Also… my nails kind of look like I could’ve done them at home. AND even after wasting 40 minutes waiting for them to dry, as soon as I reached in my purse to grab my phone, my thumb smudged terribly.
Anyways, long story short. No Thanks Touch. Won’t be coming back here for your $ 50+ mani-​pedis. Even if you realize you should treat all your clients with respect despite how young they look… I can still find better service elsewhere.

Ever since Touch opened a few years back I’ve went in for a mani/​pedi combo. Every experience has been just, eh, so-​so. Nothing to rave or write home about… just so-​so.
The atmosphere is very nice and comfortable; however, I’ve only had one manicurist/​pedicurist who was exceptionally nice. I’m not sure what you like in a salon, but I favor on the side of silence when I’m there. Each time I’ve been in Touch the manicurist/​pedicurist have been extremely talkative while only doing an okay job. I’ll endure 90 minutes of mind numbing banter for an exceptional job but definitely not for a so-​so one.
I’m still on the hunt for my favorite nail salon so if anyone has any referrals please let me know. :-)

Last night, I finally got to use my groupon at Touch Salon. The person I made my appointment with RAVED about my masseuse, Alfred. I got excited.
First of all, to get to the salon in the Aon center, just go down the stairs on Randolf and its the first left hand door. By the food. Do not go through security because… you don’t need to.
Anyway, I got my 1 hour long Swedish massage with Alfred. He was surprisingly strong. Not every moment of my massage felt good… it kind of hurt actually, but it was clear that Alfred knew what he was doing, and I feel great today. I was so relaxed and tired after, I really couldn’t move.
Anyway, I can’t compare this Swedish massage to others, because it was my first — but it wasn’t my best massage ever, yet it wasn’t that bad.

I actually love this place for eyebrow waxes. I think they MAY have raised their prices (though they’re denying it), but I’m ok with it. Maybe it’s masochistic but I love getting my eyebrows waxed– I absolutely hate sitting in the middle of the salon while others watch you have hair ripped off your face, so I love that eyebrow waxes are done in a private waxing room, just like other private waxings. I don’t remember my waxist’s name but she works during the week at lunch hours, and is chatty, friendly, and does a great job.
Really not too big a fan of the manicures. They’re never all that great and a bit pricey. Mostly I’m bitter because the last time I got my nails done there my manicurist told me I was a dead ringer for Punky Brewster. I’m thinking she means the 8 year old.

So this girl was/​is going through a pretty rough patch… quitting a debilitating PhD program, trying to find a job, being rejected, lied to by employers and having to move because of tough economic times.
Oh — and did I mention that one of her cats decided to go on strike and stop using her litter box and start peeing on the sofa?!?
Needless to say — she was in serious need of an intervention.
Comes around her BFF and: swoon: a Groupon, You’ve Got to Get It, We Give to Get sort of deal (sorry — don’t know which one, was too busy enjoying the treat to pay attention to the name tag)
1-​hour massage for that gal — on a Saturday afternoon, to forget about the world and just r-​e-​l-​a-​x.
After a few missteps (yes, East is actually TOWARDS the lake, duh) we arrived at a deserted Aon Center. Eerie but who cares???
We walked down, and in, were greeted promptly and had little time to admire the very swanky décor before disappearing in our own dark room for a lovely 60-​minute.
Even though I was super tensed (my therapist kept telling me to relax, which apparently is not so easy to do these days) I thoroughly enjoyed my treat. Firm but not painful. Heavy on my sore, always-​running legs. Light on my back. LOVE.
I saw that they offer threading for $ 8.
I might totally come back for that… recessionista at heart, oh yeah!

I only get massages when I have coupons. So I came here because I had the Groupon for the hour long Swedish massage.
When I entered, the place was empty and elevator music was playing. Décor was nice. The girl behind the counter was nice and hung up my coat for me.
She then said «Do you prefer male or female masseuse?» I said I didn’t mind, then she replied, «Oh ok, good, the female masseuse we originally booked you with was feeling under the weather and isn’t here today. Al will be your masseuse.»
I was ok with this, but, what if I wasn’t? If I wasn’t ok with it, I would have come all the way downtown for nothing and had to reschedule. They never called me before my appointment to confirm that this was ok. I WAS ok with it, but to me, that is just not very considerate.
Anyway, after I waited for about five minutes I went in for the massage which was VERY nice. I really enjoyed it and I feel fine afterward, which is a good thing. I have back problems and sometimes after massages my back hurts rather than feel relieved. But the masseuse took it all into consideration.
The walls are paper thin, and I think the room I was in was next to the break room. I got to hear all about this girl’s crazy Friday night and how many beers she drank. Yeah… Plus, it sort of smelled like lunch.
Or was that smell from the coconut oil used for my massage, which was clearly labeled on the container, «Great for cooking!!» I simply found that little detail humorous (=
I wouldn’t pay full price for a massage here, it’s just not entirely relaxing. The room was kind of cold, too, but I’m always cold to begin with. A-​OK, Touch Salon, I suppose. What’s for lunch?

I am huge fan of Touch Salon in the AON center. I work in the Illinois Center, which is just a couple steps away, so I am a frequent visitor at Touch.
I have only had mani/​pedi services here but they are fabulous. I always use Jeannie and she is amazing. I don’t know what she does, but my manicure paint always stays on and in great condition for at least a week. Plus, she is super nice and we always have funny conversations (never awkward or forced).
In my opinion, the price is right and the service is great here. I will always come back.

Used my groupon last night for an hour-​long swedish massage. The experience was pretty average.
I’d never been to the Aon Center before but my cab fortunately dropped me at the right entrance — the place looked pretty huge and multi-​layered. When I arrived all the rooms were full so my massage therapist (Paris) told me there would be a wait. Maybe I’m used to non-​urban spas but I expected to be led to a relaxation room or something. Nope. Sat in a chair 3 feet from the door and thumbed through magazines for about 15 minutes.
Although my massage started late, Paris was apologetic and more than compensated by going slightly over the full hour appointment. The massage room was clean and tastefully decorated (as was the rest of Touch) but the walls were paper thin. I was there at the end of the day so it was pretty empty but I can only imagine how loud it would be with lots of employees and customers around. The massage of my upper body was standard but she did a fantastic job on my legs and feet. Paris also gave me a wonderful scalp massage at the end — I think that’s what took us beyond the allotted time.
While Paris was really attentive and did a good job, there wasn’t anything special about Touch that would bring me back. My groupon made the trip worthwhile :)

I had my massage yesterday. Overall, the massage itself was good and the therapist was very considerate and concious of my needs. Unfortunately, the massage therapist was late and started 10 minutes late. The only sticking point I had was that it did not last a full 60 minutes. When the massage ended, it was noon and my massage started at 11:10 — 11:15!
I am scheduled for my complimentary massage in December. After that, I am not sure if I will return. I get a better, longer massage at Heavenly Massage.

*Sigh* This review is for my first and second visits to Touch.
I purchased the Groupon and think the same thing that happened to Joanne B, happened to me. I originally had an appointment booked for a week, which I was looking forward to. The night before my 9:00 AM Saturday appointment, a flustered receptionist calls me at 6:45 PM asking me if I could move my appointment to 2:00 PM later that day. Grumble, grumble… that’s fine, I guess.
So, later that afternoon… patiently waiting to use my Groupon for a 1 hour Swedish Massage, I get a call at 11:45 AM informing me that the massage therapist had a «personal emergency» and was unable to make it in and the next available appointment was in 10 days. At this point, I was pissed!
I requested a call from the manager, Sonya, who graciously called within a few hours and explained that there was nothing she could do except offer to reschedule and throw in a free service. I appreciated her willingness to try and make up for the inconvenience, and went on my merry way.
Massage #1, I found that the parking garage for the Aon Center is incredibly difficult to get into (imagine the security screening to cross the border… yeah, they take a copy of your DL and look under your car with mirrors). Upon arriving to the salon, I found a young girl at the counter who was balancing their register. It seems that this task is slightly out of her capabilities, as she stood there for at least 10 minutes cursing and shaking her head while staring at the receipts. Finally, when she reached a point where she was happy… she went to inform the massage therapist I was ready. Seriously? I just waited on YOU? Who is the customer here?
The up front register business should have been my first sign that the place was closing shortly after I arrived… but in case I missed it, during my entire 1 hour massage, I got to hear the other girls working there pack up there stuff and gab about bargains they purchased, so-and-so’s boyfriend, and ramblings that sound like high school pep assembly. Needless to say, the rooms are not sound proof and it creates a less than relaxing environment when a group of individuals are chewing the fat on the other side. I mentioned this to my massage therapist, and was met with an answer of «Oh, they’re just getting ready to leave… they’ll be gone soon.» The massage itself was OK. A little more than a Swedish massage, using techniques of a Shiatsu which left me sore in spots for the next 2 days.
I opted to have a second massage for free, at the offer of the owner for the scheduling mishap the first time. I intentionally scheduled it for 2 weeks later, so I would be able to give this place one last shot with an open mind.
Upon arrival for Massage #2, I was met by a different receptionist who wasn’t any friendlier. It seems that there is a real morale issue here, as I sat 10 feet away staring directly at her, she called on of her co-​workers and starting gossiping about how someone who was supposed to work that evening was a no-​show and the owner was going to come cover for her. To me, this should have all been handled outside of the reception area and or at least out of ear shot of customers. Since the receptionist was so occupied with the latest office dramz, she was unable to offer a glass of water… which I would have really appreciated.
The massage therapist, Paris, was friendly and provided a great massage which was again, accompanied by chitter chatter of someone on the other side of the wall. Bottom line going into this place, you must realize that it won’t be a relaxing environment. Employees are less than stoked to see you – obvious in what they’re all wearing (raggedy, stained khakis and tight fitting old polos) – and the noise level will be hustle/​bustle. Both times I was there, the place was DEAD with myself and a maximum of 1 other client present. I think this is a sign…

I had both an eyebrow wax and a mani/​pedi at this place. Overall the experience was just not good. The nicest thing I can say is that they didn’t mess up my eyebrows. They didn’t turn out outstanding, but weren’t a train wreck.
On the downside, everyone here is grumpy. I felt very rushed. The pedicure bench is really uncomfortable. My toes looked OK, but they really didn’t get all of the dry skin off. My nails didn’t look good at all. There were air bubbles in the polish and she didn’t get all the way to the edges on every nail.
This place is in my building, but I would not go back.

I finally came for another mani/​pedi and had a great experience with the Japanese manicurist. She gave me a ton of color recommendations and tried a bunch on my nails before asking me to decide. Upon finishing my pedicure, she asked me if I was satisfied with the color because she could change it if I wasn’t. That was pretty sweet.
My manicure also came out well this time. There were absolutely no bubbles!
I’m reserving a star because of the prices (normally $ 45 for a mani/​pedi) and the fact that you have to air-​dry. That said, I won’t hesitate to come back and ask for the same manicurist!

so nice to have a «lunch time» spot to get my nails done…
touch is very clean and always has the newest polish colors in the essie and OPI lines. i love the lemongrass or the black currant scrubs and lotions they use! the mani’s and pedi’s i’ve had have all lasted a very long time. the pedi «bench» (not massage chairs) aren’t as comfortable as they could be and i do miss the foot spas at other spas though.
all the technicians i’ve had were great. they can all strike up a conversation or sense that you need a break from your computer and phone and just need a dose of mindless US Weekly :)
my last visit — out with a rep and co-​workers — i did unfortunately feel uncomfortable as i felt that one of the technicians made it obvious that she was not impressed by one of our conversations… a bit awkward.

Let me preface this by saying I am very particular about my eyebrows. In each city I move to, I visit a number of salons in my search for the perfect brow groomer. I couldn’t believe I found my salon in Chicago after only one try! I have to say I was a little dubious that Touch’s $ 12 brow wax would meet my expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised.
First of all, the place really is as well designed as everyone says it is and it smells great! I don’ know if there is a busy time, but I got there at 6pm on a Thursday and it looked like I was the only customer. Erin was very friendly and professional and my brows were perfectly shaped. I haven’t tried any of their other services but I will certainly return for my brows.

Touch Salons is conveniently located right by my place. The hours listed on this website for Sundays is incorrect. I went at 11am to discover the salon opens at noon. I called back at noon and was told that they were booked for Sunday so I scheduled an appointment for that upcoming Tuesday just before I would leave for DR. When I arrived I was greeted promptly and taken to the room for my waxing session. It was my first time getting a brazilian and the young lady was extremely helpful in making it as painless as possible. Afterwards, I got a pedicure. The woman did a great job. However, the salon does not have a UV dryer light used in some other nail salons. My pedicure lasted me through my trip at DR but not much longer after that.
I would definitely come back for more waxing needs! You can’t beat these prices.
Bikini $ 25, Brazilian (partial) $ 35, Brazilian (full) $ 45

This place is weird. Really, really weird. The décor is pretty and comforting, and I suppose I’ve liked the work that’s been done. I’ve gotten a manicure there, and spent a day getting everything waxed.
First, when I went in for my manicure a few months ago:
I was the only one there. They took ten minutes to «find» someone who could do my manicure, even though no other customers were there. My manicurist was nice enough, though barely saying anything — the manicure was great, and still looked great a few days later. My cuticles didn’t crack despite this awful weather, and that’s saying something. All the products were high quality, and smelled wonderful. The only complaint I have is the massage — in fact, I don’t even remember getting a hand massage. If I did, it must have been short.
I tipped the standard — 20%, and the manicurist said «wow.» What the hell? Weird.
Anyway, the second time I went in, I was again the only one, and everyone was sort of rude and distant. And it wasn’t the typical salon just-rude-enough-so-you-know-it’s-a-cool-place kind of rude. Nor was it that chatty and cheerful bitchy attitude that some other salons have. It was a very odd, sullen, quiet sort of rudeness that made me feel uncomfortable.
Imagine this. A violent dictatorship. All sorts of problems. You’re a soldier, a bright eyed naïve little thing, and you, in the name of all that is good, and under the command of your noble country, move into the régime to save the people and bring them democracy and hope. Only you’re years too late to save one family — the government took away their business and life savings, the youngest son has become a transvestite prostitute, the daughter has married a communist bum who sleeps with his cat, and old grandpa, once full of wisdom and laughter, keeps farting nonsensical stories about bears on unicycles.
Imagine the cynical way the family would look at you when you offered help. That look. .. that’s the way the staff at Touch Salon looked at me when I showed up for my waxing appointment.
The waxer did all my waxin barely saying a word. In a few places she pulled up instead of pulling across, which makes the chance of me getting ingrowns later on higher. Otherwise, it was an all right experience, though she made no effort to put me at ease, and the soothing after-​lotion wasn’t that great.
Anyway, I again tipped 20 percent on the credit card slip, and they all looked shocked. Truly shocked and amazed. I don’t get it. I really don’t.
I keep going over the two visits in my mind, looking for some sort of explanation of the odd behavior there. I think I’m just going to die confused. If someone else can come up with an explanation, feel free to give it to me.
Anyway, I might go back if I’m walking by and I feel it on a whim. Otherwise, there are lots of salons in this city left for me to try, so I might as well look elsewhere.
But I just don’t get it.
Update:
A few months have passed, and I’ve gotten a lot of bad manicures all over the city. This place is looking a *lot* better than before. I still wouldn’t go back for waxing, since my hair started growing back soon and it’s clear she barely got anything by the root. But despite the impersonable service, in retrospect it’s a really good manicure with great results.

Another reviewer, Sarah S. hit all the right points about her experience because we had the same pedicurist and somewhat similar comments. She, too, talked about her daughter’s cheerleading. I also felt she rushed me but for a different reason… unknown, but I’ll probably go back to Nordstrom Spa for the pedicure.
While I was having my pedicure, I booked an «environmental shield» facial for a couple days later just to see how they’d do with facials. While the young lady had a beautiful technique on massage and putting the products on, one of the products caused a bad reaction, and my skin had a burning sensation. A day later, my skin is a little splotchy, and there are a couple tiny red blisters. So… if I go back, I won’t do the «environmental shield» facial.
I will say this about spas: while it’s nice to get a deal, you generally get what you pay for.