Karen Allen Salon & Spa

I received a pedicure and the massage chair didn’t work. The nail technician said it was broken. I was not given the opportunity to move to a working chair. When you come in to get a pedicure the chairs should be in working order that should go without saying. I have been in prior for a pedicure with a different technician and it was great but this time was a bummer. :(

I was greeted very kindly by the front desk. Asked if I had an appointment. Asked if I wanted wanted water or tea. *Amber* came out to greet me shortly after. She talked to me about my hair and what I wanted. She suggested a couple of things which I loved. She totally made me feel comfortable.
As she was putting the chemical on my hair she explained what it did and the process. When she was done putting the color on my hair she offered more tea/​water and or magazines. When it was time to rinse she walked me over to that station She asked how I like my water, room temp., hot, cold. She rinsed my hair, she added a product. While the product was on my hair she gave me a hand/​arm massage.
We then went back to her station. She explained what the hairstyling products were for before she started to blow dry. She then explained how to properly curl my hair, she started to curl my hair and shazzzzzzam it was done! When I was paying she told me about the products that she recommended. She didn’t try to shove them down my throat which I loved!!! I

Bad customer service, poor communication skills and overpriced. I have been going to Aveda for YEARS, and will now never go again because, after complaining once, they were unwilling to accommodate my disappointment with a service I have been so loyal to. I would not recommend going here, the haircuts are not anything unique neither is their coloring. I highly recommend not giving this location your service!

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE TERRY PORTER! All I have to say is that if you are looking for someone who knows what the heck they are doing with hair, then book your appointment with him. This was my first appointment with him and I was a little nervous. I took a picture of what kind of haircut I wanted and he cut my hair EXACTLY as the picture. Also, I was tired of being a brunette and I was looking for a change– so I asked Terry to put highlights in my hair. I was nervous, but my highlights turned out AMMMMMMMMMAZING! I will never go to anyone else again. I also need to give an honorable mention to new talent, Jesus who also helped with washing my hair and for giving me a wonderful shoulder/​neck massage.

LOVED my experience here! The staff was so sweet and genuine, I was offered hot tea upon arrival. And I waited for the esthetitian to come back from lunch to get my brows done. Dionne was absolutely AMAZING! My eyebrows have seriously never looked better! & she actually took her time to get them just right, which I loved! She also applied powder foundation to my face because I was so red which was so sweet! Definitely reccomend her!

Definitely high in the cost for services, but I have learned the hard way that you get what you pay for… I found Amber a few years ago when I moved to Riverside. Ive stayed with her until I wavered, and found a lady a little closer to my house. I regretted it and had to go back to Amber for her to help my hair go back to the way she had it. I love the whole experience at Karen Allen. They often will give you a foot soak, or an arm or shoulder massage while your color processes. Amber is my friend but she is also amazing at her job.

Went to get ombré… color turned out good but now my scalp is dry itchy and is flaking off… I did not have this problem before having my hair colored or any other time my hair has been colored. being that they only use aveda products I figured it would cause less damage … Even the stylist went on and on about how good and safe and natural the products they use were. Now I can’t even enjoy my new hair because I’m constantly shaking off flakes and it looks like I have the worse case of dandruff on the planet. Not really worth the $ 300 I paid for it.

Le is the best manicurist in Riverside, hands down. However, why doesn’t Karen fix the pedicure chairs? They have been broken for months. At those prices and given the Aveda name, seems they are slacking considerably. Come on, Karen, fix the chairs so Le can resume my pedicures and I don’t have to continue going elsewhere.

I have been a client for a little over a year and I absolutely love this salon and spa. The spa is nicely decorated and very well kept. The staff here are very friendly and professional. Getting your hair cut at Karen Allen’s salon is not just a cut, but an experience. As soon as you walk into the salon you are greeted by friendly faces. The first thing they do is ask if you would like some tea or water, which I love.
My hair stylist Jose Herrera is the best! He really takes the time to listen to you. One of the best parts of getting your hair cut with Jose is the massage that comes with it. He really knows how to give a good shoulder/​neck massage. Jose introduced me to some of the Aveda hair products that Karen Allen carries and I’m absolutely in love with how they feel and how they leave my hair. The products may be a little on the expensive side but you’re truly getting your money’s worth.
I would recommend Jose Herrera to anyone looking to have a great experience and a great hair cut, style or color. I would suggest you book your hair appointments in advance since they due get booked fast.

Terry is the greatest hair stylist ever.
I have a difficult head of hair: I want it to be straight and very short, but it is naturally wavy. Terry is an expert at navigating this, and also has figured out the perfect way to cut it so that my fast-​growing hair doesn’t look too awful when it’s grown out for a few weeks. I can manage to stretch my cut to last 6 weeks this way. We’ve even had some fun experimenting with new colors, and I trust him completely even though I’ve only been coming here for less than a year.
Bri has also worked on me briefly, and she has the lightest, most relaxing touch of any stylist who has ever touched my head.

The staff here are inviting and professional: Jose and Emily are excellent hairstylist!!! This franchise utilizes Aveda products, which are considered healthier for the hair. In addition to hair services, the salon offers waxing, massage therapy with an on-​site nail specialist… Voted #1 Best in the Inland Empire, a Customer’s choice award. Definitely a one-​stop-​shop for grooming, beauty and relaxation without a long waiting period. Remember quality service is worth your investment… $$$

The spa I frequented for years closed a while back so I had wanted to find a new spa close to home. Up until yesterday, I was resigned to only having spa visits when I was in the Palm Desert area or Las Vegas. Thankfully, I had the pleasure of visiting Karen Allen Salon & Spa and loved it!
I had scheduled an hour facial and was promptly greeted when I arrived. Shortly after, Dionna came out and took me to a calming little room where I enjoyed soaking my feet and acup of hot tea. After a few minutes, Dionna returned and explained the facial options and asked what I wanted to achieve for my skin. I decided on the dual exfoliation. then she walked me to the treatment room.
The sounds of waves crashing, dim lights and the smell of essential oils makes for a great spa setting. I was in heaven being pampered. There are so many amazing details to give but I won’t provide them all. I will say however, that my skin is glowing, Dionna has an excellent touch.
I would absolutely recommend this spa and Dionna’s services to my family and friends. You will feel pampered, relaxed and blissful. This will be my go to place.
I would also recommend that you call and make a reservation ahead of time because they do seem to book up quickly. The salon/​spa wasn’t crowded however each esthetician/​stylist present was busy with a client.

Very disappointed. Received a call told I would get a follow up call from mgr. That was two weeks ago. No call as of 9÷9÷15. Will not endorse or return. Guess they really don’t care about customers.
I’m very happy with the follow up call I received. She was professional and very kind. My stylist tinted, highlighted and styled my hair. I have another appointment in four weeks.

If your looking for an amazing haircut and to leave with a smile I would ask for Jose. Listens to the clients needs and delivers an amazing service. Check him out you won’t be disappointed. Amazing colorist as well

Lynnette has been doing my nails for quite some time (I’ve followed her from other salons!), and I must say, I will not let anyone else touch my nails. She is excellent – her attention to detail, cleanliness, and friendly personality all make for a relaxing experience. And the mani and pedis she does will last – often up to three weeks for nails, and sometimes over a month for pedis!
After getting my nails done, I visit Nina, the excellent massage therapist. She can give you anything from a gentle, relaxing Swedish-​style massage to a more rigorous therapeutic one. I always come out relaxed and happier than I went in! Thank you Lynnette, Nina, and Karen Allen Salon!

I came here to get my hair in a pink ombré and specifically said I did not want it to look like dip dyed tips. It is done like dip dyed tips, not an ombré. I also got charged for toning my hair but did not receive toning. I decided to opt out because I had already been there four hours and did not want to spend as much money. My receipt said extra charges for using more product. I have hair with low density that should not have to use more product.

Terrible attitude of people checking in clients! I made a haircolor appt 5 weeks ago– they confirmed with me 2 days prior!
Then they called me day of service & cancelled– said stylist is dick. I said No problem– I’ll see anybody– they said no everyone else is booked!
I told them I’m a physician & hVe limited time available & I need to go to a function in 2 days! They said sorry there is nothing they can do!
God we can’t treat patients like that! Terrible attitude!!!
I’m not going back there again!

This place is in a great location and looks wonderful, however I left feeling pretty disappointed. Apparently they don’t have very many nail techs working here because I called wanting to set an appointment for a mani/​pedi before I left for a wedding and they didn’t have anything that could fit my schedule. They have very limited time slots that are inconvenient if you work and some of their nail techs don’t know how to apply acrylics so it is even more limited. I decided to go somewhere else for the acrylics but to come here for the pedicure anyways.
I called to ask what the difference was between the express and the signature treatments. The person on the phone told me that you get a longer massage with the signature. When I asked how long the express pedicure lasts they informed me it was about 45 minuets, which included the massage, so I decided I would go with that.
When I arrived, I was greeted, asked if I would like some water, then taken to the back. I picked a polish, sat down, and Marline started working on my feet. After a short while I realized I wasn’t going to be receiving a massage. So I asked again what the difference between the express and the signature were and Marline informed me that the express was just a nail trim (which I didn’t want but noticed after it was too late), cuticle trim, and polish. Marline did a great job on those things, however I left upset since I thought I was going to be receiving a massage as well. I didn’t even bother asking if she could do the signature because they were very busy.
When I got home I called to ask a third time what the difference was between the two types of pedicures and was given the same answer that Marline had given me. I had been looking forward to a relaxing pedicure all-​day and rushed over after work so I’m pretty bummed that I missed out on that massage. Also, I didn’t know I was supposed to turn on the massage chair so I sat almost the entire time without the chair on. Once I did turn it on there was little to no pressure on my back and it didn’t vibrate (very sad). To top it off the bottom of my feet are still scratchy and gross, but at least the nails look good (just short). It seemed like such a hassle to end up with a $ 28 nail trim, which I could have done at home. Apparently, someone who works there doesn’t know the differences between their services. Overall, 2 stars I’m better off going to my regular nail place. I expected a lot more out of a fancy place like this.

I love the Aveda products!!! I can’t write a review for the salon services because I go to a different Aveda salon for that. But the Aveda hair dyes are wonderful, and seem to be less damaging! I come here to buy more products when I am running low, and don’t feel like driving further to my usual Aveda salon. I love the damage remedy line of shampoo, conditioner, and the deep repair mask. I also recommend the culy line in the blue bottles if you have naturally curly hair because they take away frizz and make it curl better!

5 stars to Diana!!!
Though I was a little disappointed because the receptionist when I called to obtain prices indicated that a cut is included with a color but found out otherwise when I was already in the chair… i was okay with it because I had the extra money anyways… but for some I am sure it would’ve been a problem.
Diana…she is a new talent stylist but OMG she was very informative and was able to interpret what I wanted done she really brought my hair back to life and told me all the things that I was doing wrong.
I definitely will return to see her and refer her to family.