Business Details
Your Premier Hair Extension & Styling Salon in Elmhurst, IL
Alter Ego Hair Design is a boutique hair extension salon specializing in precision haircuts, color correction, and Brazilian Blowout treatments. Located in upscale downtown Elmhurst, Illinois, we provide a relaxed, private environment where clients receive personalized attention from experienced professionals. Our co-owners, Caitlin Curiale and Erin Kelly Haines, bring over 30 combined years of expertise from corporate salon backgrounds to create a retreat-like atmosphere focused on individualized care. We prioritize one-on-one consultations to understand each client's unique needs, using advanced techniques and products to deliver tailored results. Our commitment to ongoing education ensures clients receive up-to-date advice and innovative solutions for their haircare goals.Every service includes guidance on recreating salon-quality styles at home, empowering clients to maintain their look between visits. We specialize in hair extensions, color transformations, and styling services designed to enhance natural features while aligning with personal aesthetics. Our state-of-the-art facility combines professionalism with comfort, offering a respite from traditional high-pressure salon environments. By focusing on quality over quantity, we ensure every client feels valued and leaves with confidence in their refreshed appearance. Our dedication to client satisfaction has established us as a trusted destination for those seeking expert haircare in a welcoming setting.
Services
Hair Extensions
Precision Haircuts
Color Correction
Brazilian Blowout
Styling Services
Wedding Hair
Hair Therapy
Color Services
Updos
Blowouts
Highlights and features
- We offer over 30 combined years of experience in advanced haircare techniques
- Our private, retreat-like environment prioritizes personalized attention
- We provide complimentary consultations to understand individual hair goals
- Our stylists receive ongoing advanced education in hair extension methods
- We teach clients how to maintain salon-quality styles at home
Services
Hair Extensions
We specialize in safe, natural-looking human hair extensions tailored to individual needs. Our expert stylists create seamless blends using advanced application methods that protect your natural hair. Each consultation determines the optimal length, volume, and maintenance plan for your lifestyle while maintaining hair health.
Color Correction
Our color specialists transform damaged or unsatisfactory hair color using precision techniques. From subtle adjustments to dramatic makeovers, we employ Redken and other professional products to achieve vibrant, long-lasting results while minimizing damage through our conditioning treatments.
Brazilian Blowout
This keratin-based treatment eliminates frizz and creates smooth, manageable hair with natural movement. Our stylists customize the application process for different hair types, ensuring salon-quality results that last up to 12 weeks with proper aftercare.
Precision Haircuts
Tailored haircuts consider face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle needs. Our stylists combine technical expertise with artistic vision to create flattering styles that maintain shape between visits, using high-quality cutting tools and techniques.
Wedding Styling
We offer comprehensive wedding hair services including trial sessions, on-site styling, and party coordination. Our stylists create timeless updos and elegant styles that last throughout your special day, with options for both in-salon and location services.
People
Caitlin Curiale
Co-Owner
With 15+ years in advanced haircare, Caitlin specializes in hair extensions and color transformations. She brings technical precision and creative vision to every service, ensuring clients achieve their ideal look while maintaining hair health.
Erin Kelly Haines
Co-Owner
Erin combines 18 years of experience with ongoing education in the latest styling techniques. Her expertise in hair texture transformation and smoothing treatments makes her a trusted advisor for clients seeking dramatic hair makeovers.
Questions
What hair extension methods do you offer?
We specialize in multiple application methods including tape-in, clip-in, and strand-by-strand extensions using 100% human hair for natural results.
Do you offer bridal hair services?
Yes, we provide full bridal services including trial sessions, on-site styling, and party coordination for weddings in Elmhurst and surrounding areas.
What color correction options exist?
Our stylists handle all color corrections from subtle adjustments to complete overhauls using professional-grade products that minimize damage.
Are consultations free?
Yes, we offer complimentary consultations to discuss your hair goals and create personalized treatment plans before any service.
What are your operating hours?
We're open Monday 10am-8pm, Wednesday 9am-2pm, Friday 10am-5pm, and offer appointments Tuesday and Saturday by request.
Reviews (5)
Elizabeth Lahey
Feb 13, 2022
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Erin is the absolute best hairdresser I have ever had. She is a true perfectionist and professional. She cares about her clients and Is an expert especially if you are interested in hair extensions. Disregard negative comments from people who add multi colors to their head and expect miracles! I Highly recommend Erin. Services: Highlights, Hair coloring, Hair extensions, Hairstyling
Elizabeth L.
Jul 19, 2021
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Alter Ego Hair Design is the Very Best! Both Erin and Caitlin do amazing work. My hair extensions are beautiful and the quality of work is top notch! Erin has taken my fine, limp and over processed hair to a new level. From extensions, to color, to a new cut, SHE HAS IT ALL! She is a professional and a truly kind and wonderful person! You will NOT be disappointed with any of the services offered at Alter Ego.
Kathy Starbeck
Nov 30, 2019
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I could not say enough about Alter Ego! My stylist and moved out of state and I was looking for a new place. I initially went to Mario Triccio. I have not had to seek out a stylist in so long and figured I should go to a name brand place. Boy was I wrong. They ruined my hair at Mario's. I had three diff colorist trying to cover my gray. I never had issues covering my gray roots before and they could not get it right.
My hair started to break off and it was a mess! My daughter's wedding was coming up and I needed help. Not only did Erin fix my hair color, she put in extensions for wedding for the hair that broke off and it looked amazing. Now my hair is healthy, no extensions because she cut it (I wanted to get it to one length after wedding (not the choppy look I had) and I received so many compliments! Everyone wants to know what I am doing differently. Erin is a professional and really took time to listen to me and really brought my hair back to life. Erin is up on all the new "fads" etc. I would recommend this salon and would give this salon 10 stars if I could!
My hair started to break off and it was a mess! My daughter's wedding was coming up and I needed help. Not only did Erin fix my hair color, she put in extensions for wedding for the hair that broke off and it looked amazing. Now my hair is healthy, no extensions because she cut it (I wanted to get it to one length after wedding (not the choppy look I had) and I received so many compliments! Everyone wants to know what I am doing differently. Erin is a professional and really took time to listen to me and really brought my hair back to life. Erin is up on all the new "fads" etc. I would recommend this salon and would give this salon 10 stars if I could!
Tori R.
Dec 19, 2018
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Y'all, I can't even! I found this place right here on Yelp and decided to take a chance. I had originally planned on going to a salon in Arlington Heights until they wanted to charge me an obscene amount of money. When I found Alter Ego, I had decided I was going to give up my almost two year adventure of going blonde (I'm a natural dark brunette with incredibly stubborn hair) and do something more practical, yet fun. Based on some of the reviews, I decided Emily was the way to go, and I (along with the other yelpers) was right!
She did a gorgeous color mix on my hair, where I was back to being a dark brunette, but it was a deep violet brown. She also cut my hair, which had about 4 of dead ends, so I was happy to see it go. She did such an amazing job. I've been growing my hair out for years, so I'm a freak about taking any length off my hair, but she did it so perfectly that I didn't feel like it was all gone. I booked my next appointment and already can't wait!
She did a gorgeous color mix on my hair, where I was back to being a dark brunette, but it was a deep violet brown. She also cut my hair, which had about 4 of dead ends, so I was happy to see it go. She did such an amazing job. I've been growing my hair out for years, so I'm a freak about taking any length off my hair, but she did it so perfectly that I didn't feel like it was all gone. I booked my next appointment and already can't wait!
Ann Marie A.
Nov 07, 2018
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Nicolette did an awesome job touching up my highlights and fixing the blonde tone! She was also efficient which I really value- I hate when I'm at a salon for hours upon hours, and that was not the case here without any sacrifice on the quality of her work. Emily followed my color with a great cleanup haircut and blow dry. Will definitely be back!
