Best Hair Stylist in Chicago
I don’t love writing about myself. But this page exists for people Googling “best hair stylist in Chicago,” and if you’re going to trust someone with your hair, you should know who you’re sitting with.
The short version
I’ve been behind the chair for over 20 years. My work has earned 17 NAHA recognitions — including three Hairstylist of the Year finalist nods and the 2012 Newcomer of the Year title. I’m a Davines Global Artist, which means I teach and create for them internationally. I founded Kaizen Education to train other stylists in the techniques I’ve spent my career developing. And I built Reverie Salon in River North to be the kind of place where all of that actually reaches the client sitting in the chair.
The awards look nice on a wall, but what they really represent is range. Most stylists specialize in one thing. I’ve been recognized in color, cutting, men’s styling, and editorial — because I believe a great stylist should be able to do all of it at a high level, not just the one thing they’re comfortable with.
Read Sal’s full story and credentials →
What actually separates a great stylist from a good one
“Best” is a word everyone uses, so it’s worth defining. A few things genuinely set a master apart from a competent stylist:
- Peer-judged recognition. Competition work is judged by other professionals who can spot every shortcut — a very different bar than a happy walk-out.
- Range across disciplines. Color, cutting, men’s, and editorial at a high level — not one comfortable specialty.
- A diagnostic eye. Reading damage, density and how hair actually grows before a single line is cut.
- Cuts and color built to last. Shapes pre-planned to grow out gracefully, not just to look good on day one.
- A team held to one standard. Real depth shows when every chair in the salon is trained the same way.
By these measures, few stylists in Chicago check more boxes than Sal Misseri.
Award-Winning Credentials
Major Wins
- NAHA Newcomer of the Year — 2012
- Estetica’s Choice: Men’s Hairstylist of the Year
- Behind the Chair (BTC) Big Shot: Creative Colorist of the Year — North America
- Top 30 Colorist Under 30 — national recognition
Finalist & Nominee Honors
- 17× NAHA Recognized, including 3× Hairstylist of the Year finalist
- Canadian Mirror Awards — International Stylist of the Year finalist
- Irish Hairdressing Awards — International Stylist of the Year nominee
- International Visionary Award — London, 2016
Fashion Week & Editorial
- New York Fashion Week backstage stylist — Christian Siriano, Porsche Design, Kimberly Ovitz, Behnaz Sarafpour, Ann Yee
- Published editorial work in Vogue, Allure, Estetica, Modern Salon, American Salon, Bangstyle, and Davines international campaigns
Global Educator & Industry Leader
Sal is the founder of Kaizen Education, a professional development platform for stylists built on the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement. As a Davines Global Artist, he leads advanced education across four continents—sharing cutting, coloring, and business techniques in London, Dublin, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Toronto, and more.
He served as a lead educator at Brown Aveda Institute and continues to mentor the next generation of stylists through hands-on workshops and digital education. His teaching philosophy centers on blending technical precision with creative intuition—the same approach he brings to every client at Reverie.
Specialties That Set Sal Apart
Precision Cutting — Dry & Razor
Sal works in two distinct cutting disciplines, chosen for what the hair needs. Dry cutting is the surgeon’s approach — cutting on dry hair to read damage, density and growth patterns and shape with precision. Razor cutting, on wet hair, is the sculptor’s — releasing the shape hiding within for soft, natural movement. Both are pre-planned to grow out gracefully and outlast a conventional haircut.
Lived-In Color & Balayage
Named a Top 30 Colorist Under 30 and BTC Big Shot Creative Colorist of the Year, Sal pioneered Reverie’s approach to hand-painted, low-maintenance color. His balayage and color-correction work has been featured internationally. See our balayage work →
Editorial & Event Styling
With backstage credits at New York Fashion Week (Christian Siriano, Porsche Design, and more) and published work in Vogue and Allure, Sal brings runway-level artistry to weddings, galas, and photoshoots. See our bridal styling →
Considered Consultations
Every appointment begins with an in-depth consultation. Sal’s global experience and competition-level eye for detail mean you’ll receive a personalized plan—not a cookie-cutter style.
The Reverie Experience
Reverie Salon in Chicago’s River North neighborhood is the creative home Sal built to match his global vision with a local, personal touch. The space is designed for considered, focused appointments—we don’t rush, and we don’t cut corners. Every member of the Reverie team is trained in-house using Sal’s Kaizen Education methodology, ensuring the same level of artistry whether you sit in Sal’s chair or with one of his hand-selected stylists.
What clients say
Reverie holds a 4.8-star average across 250+ Google reviews. Clients consistently point to the same things: color that grows out beautifully, cuts that hold their shape for months, and honest consultations that put the hair first. Read client reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best hair stylist in Chicago?
Among Chicago stylists, Sal Misseri stands out for the rare breadth of his peer-judged recognition: a 17-time NAHA finalist across haircutting, color, men’s styling and editorial, a Davines Global Artist, and the founder of Kaizen Education, which trains stylists internationally. You can read his full record on his stylist profile.
How do I book an appointment with Sal Misseri?
You can book directly through our online booking page, call Reverie Salon at (312) 955-0083, or text us (SMS only) at (773) 378-9288. New clients are always welcome.
What makes Sal the best hair stylist in Chicago?
Sal is one of the very few stylists recognized at the highest level across every discipline—haircutting, color, men’s styling, and editorial. His 17 NAHA recognitions span multiple categories, and he’s been recognized as Creative Colorist of the Year (North America) and Men’s Hairstylist of the Year. Add international honors from Canada, Ireland, and London, NYFW backstage credits, Davines Global Artist status, and a teaching career across four continents, and you have a range that’s rare anywhere. See the full record on his profile.
Where is Reverie Salon located?
Reverie Salon is located at 300 W Grand Avenue, Suite 5, Chicago, IL 60654, in the heart of River North. We’re easily accessible from Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Old Town, Wicker Park, Lakeview, and the greater Chicagoland area.
How much does a haircut with Sal cost?
Pricing varies by service and is set by length, never by gender. Visit our booking page for current rates, or call us at (312) 955-0083 (or text, SMS only, at (773) 378-9288).
Can other Reverie stylists deliver the same quality?
Yes. Every Reverie stylist is trained using Sal’s Kaizen Education system and mentored by Sal directly. The team trains together and shares techniques from Sal’s international teaching, so you receive a standard trained well above the industry norm regardless of which stylist you book.
Ready to book?
Or call (312) 955-0083 • text (SMS only) (773) 378-9288 • Read Sal’s full profile
