Chicago's River North neighborhood is home to some of the city's best hair salons — which makes choosing the right one harder, not easier. Whether you're new to the neighborhood, looking to switch salons, or booking your first major color service, here's what to look for.
1. Specialized Training in What You Want
Not every colorist specializes in every service. Before booking a complex service like balayage, color correction or AirTouch, check that the salon — and the specific colorist you're booking with — has genuine training and experience in that technique. Ask about their training background, who they've trained with, and how long they've been doing the service.
At Reverie Salon, our colorists train under Sal Misseri, a 17-time NAHA finalist and global educator who has taught advanced color techniques internationally.
2. Consultation Culture
A great salon offers consultations — and means it. Your consultation should feel like a real conversation, not a five-minute glance and an "I've got it." A thorough consultation covers your hair history, your lifestyle, realistic expectations, timing, and a clear estimate of cost.
If a salon skips the consultation or rushes through it, that's a red flag.
3. Portfolio Consistency
Look at the salon's Instagram and website gallery. Do the results look consistent and high-quality? Or do they look varied and uneven? A salon that consistently produces beautiful results across many different clients is a far better bet than one that has one or two amazing photos buried among average work.
4. Honest Pricing Transparency
The best salons give you clear pricing before they start — not surprises at the end. Ask upfront what your service will cost, what variables might change that price, and whether there will be any add-ons. At Reverie, we provide transparent pricing at consultation and never surprise our clients at checkout.
5. Product Quality
Professional-grade products matter for both the quality of your results and the health of your hair. Ask what color line the salon uses, whether they have treatments available for damaged hair, and what they recommend for at-home maintenance.
6. Reviews and Reputation
Read beyond the star rating — read the actual reviews. Look for consistent themes: are clients raving about a specific colorist? Are there repeat mentions of particular services? Do clients return? Repeat clients are the truest sign of a salon worth trusting.
We'd love the chance to earn your trust at Reverie Salon. If you're looking for a new home salon in River North, we offer complimentary consultations for new clients.
300 W Grand Ave Suite 5, River North, Chicago | (312) 955-0083
