Nostallja Studio — Local services in Winona

I’ve been a loyal client of Nostallja Studio for years, and it’s honestly disappointing to say that my most recent visit will be my last. When I first started going to Nostallja, I was drawn in because it was an Aveda salon — the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and professional. There were several stylists, the space was full of life, and it felt like a place people truly enjoyed working at and visiting. Sadly, that version of Nostallja is long gone. Now, only the mother and daughter remain, and the change in energy is undeniable. The daughter, in particular, has been consistently rude and unprofessional during my recent appointments. I’ve tried to overlook it in the past, but it’s reached a point where I no longer feel comfortable or respected as a customer. It’s disheartening to see how many former stylists have left — many of whom have gone on to open their own successful, much more welcoming salons right here in town. From what I’ve heard (and witnessed myself), the common thread in their departure seems to be the toxic work environment created by the daughter’s behavior. Frankly, I question whether Aveda still monitors or cares about the quality of the work being done here. This is a large, prime retail space on a main street downtown with more than enough room for 8–10 stylists, yet it's being operated by just two people. That simply doesn’t add up. The responses I’ve seen from the business to reviews speak volumes — defensive, snarky, and dismissive. Not exactly the professionalism you'd expect from a salon carrying the Aveda name. What was once a bright, thriving business in Winona has become an uncomfortable place where clients are treated like an inconvenience. My honest advice to anyone considering Nostallja is to support one of the many newer salons in town started by former employees — places where the environment is positive, the service is excellent, and you can actually enjoy your appointment without the drama. It’s truly unfortunate to see how far this...

I have had my hair cut approximately three or four times by Marissa Flynn. Each time I have gone in looking like a mix between a surfing lumberjack and the rhythm guitar player from a mediocre indie band, the less handsome one of the group, unruly, unkempt, and not very handsome. Each time I have left the studio, the ladies with the tinfoil in their hair reading the magazines crane their necks to catch a glimpse of me. One time a woman who was getting her hair washed fainted after exclaiming, "OMG, HE IS SO HANDSOME WITH HIS NEW HAIRCUT" and nearly drowned (she's fine.) After my most recent cut, an angel got its wings. I walked in to see my wife at work after I got done with the cut and all of her coworkers in unison whistled at me. I got "the nod" from an entire construction crew as I walked past, even the crane operator called in to one of the guys on the ground saying, "Dang, look at that guy's haircut, he looks GOOOOOD." One time I walked in with a picture of myself and and one of Chris Hemsworth from Thor: Ragnorok and asked her do something in between the two and she somehow did, I looked and felt really attractive, and I could bench 25lbs more than when I walked in that day.

I will likely continue going to see Marissa for as long as she is willing to cut my hair. She is happy to carry on some conversation so things aren't weird, but it is easy to tell she is focused on her work, checking in every now and then to make sure I approve. 10/10. Would let her sculpt my...

I'm appalled. I used to only use this studio, then covid happened and then my go to hair stylist left. I had several previously bad experiences with cut (if you have long hair DO NOT GO HERE). Today I went in to attempt to use a gift certificate for product. There is nothing on the certificate that says only for services or not for product. The girl working the desk was snotty from the jump with a clearly fake "customer service" voice ready to go. I asked if it was applicable to product she informed me it was not. When I pointed out that it says no where on there that it can't be used for product she ignorantly pointed out it doesn't say anything about services either. As a business your certificates should be clear from the jump. Whatever though, not the end of the world. However,this receptionist informed me I could "give it to a friend". With my experience with this studio outside my once wildly talented stylist that has since left (for good reasons) I wouldn't recommend this establishment to someone I liked or even someone i disliked. The moral of story is, I would have bit my tongue if this was my first bad experience here, especially regarding...