Categories: Shopping
How to Shop: High-End Salons
Author: Constance Cooper
Keep your hair on the cutting edge at Chicago's hip hair salons, where you'll get cut, color, and style with an edgy urban flair.
What’s more fun when visiting a new city than trying out a new look? Chicago has some of the best hair salons in the country – with the city’s top stylists regularly featured in Elle Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Lucky and Allure, just to name a few of the publications that have showered accolades upon the city’s hip and edgy salons. Getting an appointment with a senior or master stylist can take weeks, and may not fit into your travel plans. But never fear, each salon on this list utilizes the European system of apprenticeship, requiring that all stylists train one to three years under the salon’s master stylists before booking appointments, regardless of their previous salon experience. No matter whom your appointment is booked with, rest assured that you will be in capable and creative hands.
Art + Science
Founded in 1989 by four internationally recognized stylists, Art + Science has become something of an oxymoron – a cutting edge institution. Now with three locations – in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park and Evanston, Art + Science has been creating unique styles for twenty-something hipsters and well-heeled suburbanites alike for almost 20 years. Prices for haircuts range from $55 for a cut with a stylist to $85 for a cut with an artistic director. Color prices range from $58 for a single process touch up with a stylist to $148 for full highlights with an artistic director. Art + Science also offers hair extensions, conditioning treatments, hair relaxing, make-up sessions, and body and facial waxing.
Michael & Michael
Housed in an 1895 storefront in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, Michael and Michael is a salon dedicated exclusively to the health and beauty of the hair and scalp. Michael & Michael offers a number of innovative conditioning treatments, such as Noiraude ProThermal ($90) and Caviar Rejuvenation ($75). Michael & Michael also specializes in hair straightening treatments, such as the Liscio System Japanese Thermal Straightener ($700 and up) and Davines Anti-Curl Relaxer ($250 and up). Have embarrassing dandruff or a scalp that’s been damaged by coloring? Michael & Michael offers nourishing scalp treatments such as Royal Jelly ($135) and Energy Activist ($135), which improves the scalp while also counteracting hair loss due to stress. Men’s haircuts start at $55 at Michael & Michael, and women’s start at $70. Single-process coloring starts at $75 and full highlights start at $140.
Salon Red 7
Located downtown, just across the street from the Merchandise Mart and steps off the El’s brown line, Red 7’s location is uber-convenient for most travelers. The salon’s downtown address would make one expect a gutted space, all clean lines and bare walls, with blaring techno and staff walking around in tight black outfits. Hardly. Red 7 is warm and homey, adorably decorated with soft curtains, comfy sofas, and lots of inviting nooks and crannies. Coffee, cocktails, candy, and snacks are served at the salon. Red 7 is known for the attentiveness of its unpretentious and welcoming staff. The salon also offers a relaxing complimentary hand massage while your hair is being done. Haircut prices are $45 and up for men and $60 and up for women. Single-process color starts at $75 and full highlights start at $140. Red 7 also offers thermal reconditioning, starting at $575, as well as make-up sessions and facial waxing. If your vacation is taking you north of the city, never fear, Red 7 recently opened a second location in Evanston.
Check out places of interest near How to Shop: High-End Salons:
Art + Science
1971 N. Halsted St.,
Chicago, IL 60614
Four famed hair dressers from around the world came together to create the ultimate salon experience: international high-fashion style in a down to earth, relaxing setting. Offering everything from cutting, coloring, styling and waxing with unique organic products, Art + Science is a revolutionary salon.
Art + Science
811 Church St.,
Evanston, IL 60201
Joining together from the best salons in London and New York, four renowned stylists gathered in Chicago to start their own luxury salon: Art + Science. Making style and comfort a priority, everyone from rising fashionistas to soccer moms have grown to rely on this salon.
Art + Science
1554 N. Milwaukee Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60622
As one of the most prestigious salons in Chicago, Art + Science provides customers with high-fashion stylists in a relaxing environment. The salon is the brainchild of four internationally recognized stylists who strive to cut hair in a creative and customer-pleasing fashion.
Bachrach
106 Woodfield Mall,
Schaumburg, IL 60173
This 130-year-old menswear store places an emphasis on service and relationships. European designs are available in suburban Chicago.
Colletti Gallery
67 E. Oak St. #1E,
Chicago, IL 60611
This Oak Street art gallery purveys a strong collection of antique posters and art-accompanying furniture.
Guise | Chic
2128 N. Halsted St.,
Chicago, IL 60614
Combination boutique/salon offering classy designer apparel and extensive styling.
Haberdash
1350 N. Wells St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
Schedule a one-on-one fashion experience at this high-end men's fashion shop in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
Michael & Michael
365 W. Chicago Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60610
Hair is the most important factor at the upscale boutique salon Michael & Michael in the River North neighborhood. The salon has gathered the best hair professionals to ensure perfection in not only hair style, cut, and color, but in state of the art hair and scalp treatments.
Rochester Big & Tall
840 N. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60611
Premier clothing for the bigger, taller man is available at this iconic Mag Mile shop for those who don't always color inside the lines; they won't shoehorn you in at this shop!
Ruby Room
1743 W. Division St.,
Chicago, IL 60622
Dedicated to wellness and healing, this spa/boutique/hair salon/sanctuary is the spot to relax and spend some quality personal time.
Ruehl
5 Woodfield Mall,
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Abercrombie up-and-coming brand casual wear designed for college students and young professionals.
Saffron
2064 N. Damen Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60647
Clothing made with natural fabrics, jewelry, and bath products is available at this Bucktown boutique.
Saks Fifth Avenue
700 N. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60611
Situated on the Mag Mile and synonymous with high-end, department store shopping, Saks Fifth Avenue offers a wide range of mostly high-end, if not straight out luxury, items.
Saks Fifth Avenue Men's
717 N. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60611
This top-notch menswear store calved off from its big sister department store and offers a range of high quality men's products: apparel, shoes, men's jewelry, belts, and more.
Salon Red 7
210 W. Kinzie St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
One of the most well-known salons in Chicago, Salon Red 7 has been impressing clients with their modern, high-class boutique for years. Only the most highly trained stylists cut, color, and treat damaged hair. Salon Red 7 also offers makeup sessions and lessons about how to correctly apply makeup.
SEE Eyewear
835 N. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60611
Selective Eyewear Elements are the key at SEE, a shop dedicated to original and stylish sunglasses that are celebrity-worthy, but still affordable for anyone. Choose from any of their five locations in the Chicago area.
Spa Space
161 N. Canal St.,
Chicago, IL 60606
Specialists in massage therapy and skin care, this Chicago spa offers a wide range of services.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60604
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the heartbeat of Chicago. The CSO has numerous concerts and special events throughout the year. See the full list at their website. Tickets range from $10 to $200.
Ruby Room
1743 W. Division St.,
Chicago, IL 60622
Dedicated to wellness and healing, this spa/boutique/hair salon/sanctuary is the spot to relax and spend some quality personal time.
