The best hair salons in Chicago

The beloved hair salon currently has three award-winning locations in Lakeview, Andersonville and West Town, and is well-worth the recognition it has received. Book a session with one of its expert stylists, starting at $70-75. Don’t have the bucks to spare? Sign up to be a practice model for new talents and receive a free haircut or discounted color appointment at $30 for single processes and $40 for highlighting.

Edit brings a refreshing, down-to-earth perspective to Chicago's salon scene with a new take on the "mom and pop salon." Here you'll find a laid-back atmosphere, with stylists who actually take the time to listen instead of pressuring you into trying the latest trend. Expect a warm welcome, a complimentary wine or whiskey upon arrival and a heavenly scalp massage with every cut. Women’s cuts start at $70 and men’s cuts start at $55. An all-over single process for colors starts at $105 and balayage at $210. Edit also provides an express keratin treatment option that will last for up to six weeks, starting at $150.

A Chicago fixture for more than a decade, Salon Buzz is constantly filled with sophisticated clientele who flock here for everything from manicures to highlights. All service prices vary by technician, but the affordability is always there. A basic blowout starts at $50 and a standard haircut session starts at $60. Salon Buzz has a second location at 310 W Superior St.

Art + Science has salons in West Loop and Evanston, and a barber shop in Logan Square. A fan favorite for more than two decades, this Chicago institution offers fresh, stylish cuts and coloring for Chicago's finest men and women. Inside the salon's modern, open setting, attentive, detailed stylists help bring hair dreams to life—from bangs to bobs and beyond. A standard blowdry starts at $57 and stylist sessions start at $67.

Not only can you get a stylish cut and color from a seasoned pro at this sleek Lincoln Park salon, but a full-service spa (waxing, mani/pedis, spray tans) awaits you pre- or post-treatment. Blowouts start at $40 and a single process runs from $70 to $95+. More perks: Salon 1800 is open seven days a week and is constantly running sweet promos to help people save on its Facebook page.

George Gonzalez has a pretty impressive celebrity client roster (which includes the likes of Oprah and Cindy Crawford, just to give you an idea), so it's no surprise his posh, award-winning salon is among the best Chicago has to offer. Aside from a full menu of cutting, coloring and styling offerings, the salon also offers facials and waxing. 

This Aveda salon and spa is known for its luxurious treatments. The first-floor environment is serene and nurturing. Six spa rooms are decked out primarily in bamboo—posts for the walls and planks on the floors—and are dedicated to an exotic menu of massages, facials and waxes. Rooms are padded in suede for sound absorption. Best of all might be the enclosed slate-tile steam shower room with heated floors, where you can customize your rain shower with aromatherapy.

A livelier upstairs level houses all hair services: cuts ($49 to $94 depending on talent level), color styling ($94 to $144) and specialty treatments. All services include an indulgent head, neck and shoulder massage. Don’t leave without a little Aveda retail therapy at the front of the house.

There’s more to this library-themed Logan Square salon than straightforward cuts and coloring for men and women. Owner/licensed barber Christine Conley and her business partner/licensed cosmetologist Coral Gable studied costume design at DePaul University as undergrads, where they focused on wigs and makeup—an expertise they also bring to the salon. Get a custom-made wig (or even a faux 'stache), artful costume makeup (regular makeup, too, for that matter) or an expert cut and color. Standard haircuts start at $40 and single processes start at $95. The studio also now charges a $4.25 surcharge to support its green initiative and employee wellness program.

It's easy to see why this Lincoln Park spot was voted one of America's top 100 salons by Elle magazine two years in a row. The gorgeous interior reflects the modern asethetic adopted by the stylists providing haircuts ($65 to $120), coloring (single process all-over: $120 to $140+) and styling (blowdry from $45, updo from $75). The salon also offers free cuts and discounted color services ($30 to $50) to training class models.

Solo Salon’s decor is what you'd expect of the West Loop—industrial-chic without trying too hard. The salon has expanded its services over the years. Nowadays, it ranges from haircuts (express style from $51 and full cut-and-style from $81), color (from $131), extensions and various treatments (keratin treatments from $31). The salon also offers barber services, waxing, facials, spray tanning and makeup servies. Solo Salon has a second location at 1134 W Washington Blvd.

Sparrow claims to be the salon for “sensitive people.” This is the best place for all your coloring needs, especially if you care about the planet, because Sparrow uses a color scale software to reduce the amount of waste that occurs in the hair industry. Sparrow is one of Chicago’s most beautifully designed salons and is also known for low-maintenance cuts and natural looking color. The salon has genderless pricing, where each stylist sets one standard price. Sparrow also offers a $10 price reduction to all students and all cuts booked within five weeks of the previous cut.

A favorite among the city's top professionals, this Near North Side salon offers trendy, yet timeless cuts ($70–$170), coloring ($90–$230) and specialty straightening services ($175–$720+) in a modern setting. Prices certainly aren't cheap, but is there really a price on perfect hair? 

Just like the name suggests, Good Beauty is chill, friendly and simply has good vibes all over the place. This is the perfect salon for all your essential hair needs without breaking the bank. Blowout starts at $62 and single process color starts at $77. Plus, this is one of the few hair salons in Chicago with quick maintenance services (bang cuts and clean ups from $20, conditioning services from $25).

This quaint little hair salon has two locations: one in Lincoln Park and another in Lakeview. Both locations have friendly, professional stylists and extremely affordable prices. Haircuts with blowouts range from $55 to $100 and coloring starts at $140. Lavender Park also has a sweet wedding party deal at $100 per person and $200 for the bride.

Epoch Studio Salon has been around for ten years and is still going strong. The interior features a bright, minimal design with a Polaroid photo wall showcasing happy customers. The salon offers a wide range of hair services, from basic cuts and stylings to pampering treatments. Epoch is also known for its hair extension services, which use Bellami extensions. Customers can get 15 percent off products (shampoo, conditioner, treatments, styling products) with any color service. 

Nomobo is heaven for those with sensitive scalp and high-demand hair thanks to its dedication to using healthy products. Stop by for a wash and blowdry for $60 or a dry haircut for $70. Standard haircuts are $85, with wash and blowdry included. And Nomobo is best known for its personalized color services—customized corrective and creative colors are $110/hour and the stylists will work with you for your dream results. So bring your screenshots, clips and Pinterest vision boards because everything is possible at Nomobo.

Paul Chambers is the place for those who enjoy learning about their hair. The stylists here are knowledgeable and patient, and the salon offers hair courses for customers interested in going deeper into the matter. The prices are more than fair: $75+ for a cut and style, $60+ for a shampoo and style, and colors start at $80. On top of regular hair services, Paul Chambers is one of the few salons in Chicago that specializes in Afro cuts, texturizing and hair relaxers. You can also get semi-permanent and permanent colors here.

This woman-owned salon is here to make everyone feel beautiful and powerful. The salon uses a flat rate system and is gratuity free. All the services are charged by sessions, starting at $80 for a simple cut or a blowout styling. Since Glow also offers makeup applications and instructions, this is the perfect spot for someone who needs to doll up for a special occasion.

Lira Guzi specializes in balayages, extensions and AirTouchs, but also offers all the standard hair services. You’ll find plenty of hair lovers online raving about how the stylists here can handle all challenges. Blowouts start at $55, full balayages start at $225 and AirTouchs start at $325, but are well worth it if you’re working with creative colors and want that seamless, perfect look. Lira Guzi also does men’s hair: cut-and-style from $65 and colors from $60.