There are thousands of people in Chicago who can color your hair. There are far fewer who should. I don’t say that to be elitist — I say it because I’ve spent 20+ years fixing the work of colorists who were in over their heads. The difference between a good colorist and a great one is the difference between hair you tolerate and hair you love.
Not all colorists are created equal
A cosmetology license means someone passed a state exam. It does not mean they can execute a seamless shadow root on double-processed hair, or take a level 2 brunette to a clean level 9 blonde without causing damage. Color is a specialty within a specialty. And within color, there are further specialties — a balayage expert isn’t necessarily great at vivid fashion colors, and a highlights wizard might not be the right person for a complex correction.
When you’re searching for a colorist, match their specific skills to your specific goal. Generic “I do everything” doesn’t mean they do everything well.
Training tells you more than Instagram
Every colorist has an Instagram page with gorgeous photos in perfect lighting. That tells you they can take a good photo. It doesn’t necessarily tell you they can handle your hair.
What to ask instead: Where do you train? How often? Who taught you? A colorist who lights up at these questions — who’s proud of their continuing education, who can name the workshops and mentors that shaped their technique — that’s someone who takes the craft seriously. The ones who get vague? Keep looking.
At Reverie, every artist trains through Kaizen Education — the curriculum I developed specifically for advanced color technique. It’s not a one-time certification. It’s ongoing, because the science and techniques evolve constantly.
The consultation is the real audition
A good colorist asks more questions than they answer in a first consultation. They want to know your hair history — every box dye, every bleach, every perm. They want to know your lifestyle — how much time you spend on your hair, how often you’re willing to come back. They want to know your budget, your tolerance for maintenance, your expectations.
And they should be honest about what’s realistic. If you walk in as a natural level 3 brunette wanting platinum in one session, the right answer is “we can absolutely get you there — it’ll take 2–3 sessions to do it without compromising your hair.” Not “sure, let’s go.”
If a colorist says yes to everything without pushing back on anything, they’re either inexperienced or more interested in your money than your results.
Look at the right things in their portfolio
Before-and-afters matter more than finished photos. Specifically, look for befores that resemble your starting point. If every before photo is already halfway to the final result, you’re not seeing the full picture. A colorist who only shows easy transformations might be great — or might just be selective about what they post.
Also look for range. Can they do natural brunette AND icy platinum AND corrective work? Versatility usually signals deeper technical skill than someone who only does one thing.
Price tells a story, but not the one you think
The cheapest colorist in Chicago isn’t saving you money if you end up needing a $600 correction three weeks later. And the most expensive isn’t automatically the best. What price should tell you: how much time is allocated for your appointment, what products are being used, and how experienced the person is.
At Reverie, a balayage starts around $165 for a partial. That price reflects 2+ hours of focused attention with a senior-level colorist using professional-grade product. If someone’s quoting you $80 for the same service, ask yourself what corners are being cut.
Read reviews differently
Five-star reviews that say “great experience, love my hair!” tell you nothing useful. What you want to find: reviews that describe specific problems that got solved. “I came in with three inches of grow-out and banding from my last salon and she blended it perfectly.” That tells you something real about the colorist’s skill.
Reviews that mention honest consultations are also a good sign. A colorist who tells clients what they need to hear — even when it’s not what they want to hear — is worth finding.
Come meet us
We do complimentary consultations at Reverie because we want you to meet your colorist, see the space, and decide if it feels right before you commit. No pressure, no obligation. Book one here. River North, Chicago.
