I was looking for a new salon since the girl I always went to before never did anything special with my hair despite repeated requests for something new. As soon as I walked into Maxine I knew this would be a different experience. Everyone was extremely friendly and I felt immediately comfortable. Bob met me at the waiting room rather quickly and took me up to his window seat styling station. He immediately made me confident that this would be a special haircut and that he would make my long stringy flat hair look like "movie star hair". He absolutely delivered. In the past hair stylists have spent about 10 minutes max cutting my hair and gave me a quick blow dry then shoved me out the door. Bob spent 30+ minutes cutting my hair with extreme finesse and also explained what he was doing and why throughout the entire process. He gave me a wonderful shampoo message and an even better head message after the cut! Then he gave me one of his famous blow outs and talked me through it so I could repeat it myself. He didn't oversell products to me that I didn't need but did suggest one or two when I was ready to try them. My hair looks and feels beautiful and I've gotten a million compliments. He gave me an anything but ordinary cut and for that I am very thankful. 100% worth paying more than usual for my haircut- Bob is fantastic! Don't settle for average hair-- go see Bob at Maxine!

Posted by Amanda S.

Girls, if you want hair like you see on tv or in the magazines, then you should make an appointment for a cut with BOB. Whether I've wanted to go for a shorter shoulder length cut or long layers that I can wear straight or with waves, he always delivers the cuts perfectly. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Posted on 12/01/2011 by A F.

Bob: The Best!! (and NO I am not his mother or sister), I found this salon while looking for a new hair stylist and while googling like a mad woman I came upon Maxine's. I am so glad I did! Everyone was very friendly and the salon was clean and inviting. I have been going to Chic salon in Palos Park and previously gone to Mario (total waste of $ there now days), Chic is great but I just felt like I needed a new pair of eyes to evaluate my hair. I had color done with Tracey Mangers, she was very good and very friendly. The color turned out beautiful. Then I moved on to Bob who turned out to be the highlight of my visit. He is sooo funny and it felt like time flew in his chair. He listened to every issue I had with my style (angled bob with some crazy cowlicks) and gave me his opinions and even showed me step-by-step how to blow dry it just like he did. H e also gave the BEST head massage ever!!!! How nice to actually be able to relax while getting a hair cut with someone new when I was so nervous about how it would turn out. He has years and years of experience and it shows with the precision and attention he gives to even the smallest details. My cut is absolutely gorgeous!! I haven't laughed so much in such a long time, thank you Bob, I will definitely be back! (maybe we can do those cornrows Bob... ; p ) Amanda~

Posted on 10/05/2011 by Amanda W.

Bob is the most talented stylist in Chicago. I have been going to him since 2002, and he has never given me less than a perfect cut. Ricky and Carlos in reception are so friendly and welcoming.

Posted on 07/19/2011 by fran a.

I took advantage of a Groupon to get my hair cut by Bob. When I called to schedule an appointment I was recommended to see him after mentioning that I have fine hair. The place itself is really nice and modern and for such an upscale salon I was surprised by how kind everyone was. It's also not too bad of a walk from Union Station. Bob was really kind and chatty. I came in not really knowing what I wanted; I just told him that I liked having bangs and gave him a range for the length I was considering and let him decide what would work best. I'm really happy the with result and would highly recommend anyone seeing Bob!

Posted on 6/21/2011 by Katherine H.

I used a Groupon to go and see Bob. I chose Bob because of his years of experience and off course all the great reviews. I had never been to Maxine before and found the salon to be modern and clean and people to be welcoming and professional. When I met with Bob, he was outgoing, funny and extremely friendly. I immediately felt comfortable and we had a nice rapport. I knew exactly what I had wanted and even brought a picture of the haircut and style that I was planning to get. Lucky for Bob...and me off course that he agreed that I would indeed look good with that cut and style. Bob started off taking less and offered to take more off if I wanted, which was good, because I was fine with taking off less, and by less I mean abot 3". He also gave me shorter and more bangs. Bob was kind enough to do a deep conditioning treatment (which he no doubt convinced me to buy later...I swear he could sell ice to Eskimos) and then added some great products to my hair before he straightened and styled. I thought he did a good job. Sadly after I walked home through the wind, most of his fine work had been lost... If you can can afford to pay $100 for a haircut every 3 months, Bob is definitely the guy to see!

Posted on 06/04/2011 by Zarina K.

Bob Gartlan (The Guru) . Never I have been so excited about a haircut as the lastest one this month at Maxine. It was the bets bday treat ever. I am very accustomed to cuts in India as they go well with my jet black thick hair. I did have a picture though guess it helped a lot( After all the bad experinces so far I was not in for any more ruins! Just Perfect

Posted on 04/05/2011 by namita m.

Best cut and blowout ever! Thanks, Bob! I'll be back soon.

Posted on 02/16/2011 by Adalisa F.

Today's distinction in definitions: Classy (adj.): stylish, admirably smart, elegant Wealthy (adj): having great wealth, rich, affluent If this is your first visit and you were a modest or middle class person, you might walk into Maxine and worry that you are not wealthy enough to be here. The atmosphere and front-desk service is a bit sterile, you'll feel a bit lost, but please, walk in anyway. You'll have made an appointment to meet with Bob for a haircut. You'll be guided to the area where you can change into a smock and be sent upstairs to wait on Bob. Bob, I repeat. Bob. You may wait for a couple of minutes. Passers by will notice that you are waiting on someone, and will offer you a drink, coffee or tea or water. You'll take or deny the drink, then wait. Just a few more minutes. Enter Bob, the one person in this place who can make you relax and remind you why it is that you've come here. If this is your first time meeting, he'll introduce himself, then bring you to his chair and have a talk about your hair while combing through it with this fingers. He'll spend some time figuring out how your hair falls, how thick it is, what kind of texture it has. Then he'll send you to get your hair washed before he begins. See? So far, not so bad. I won't go into the experience of the haircut itself because, well, to each his own head of hair. But Bob treats both your hair and you very well. He is super friendly, and just loves to chat. You forget you're in an upscale salon because, well, you're with Bob! At the end of the appointment you'll be past the point of beaming (Bob likes to think his haircuts will make you look 'so hot' once he's done, or that 'so many guys will ask for your number once you walk out of here'--I know this is psychological but it's actually happened to me on two occasions!), and seriously in love with Bob. Oh, back to our distinction with definitions. Now in the avenue of price range, sometimes the cost classy haircut falls in line with a wealthier cost. But for $100 you'll have a haircut that can last you 4-6 months (seriously---Bob tells me not to come back for half a year because he knoows that his cut will grow out well) with free bang trims. (I should also add that Bob has given me the best set of bangs in hair history.) A stylish, elegant haircut that's noticeable and attractive? A hairstylist who is treats you and your hair like the best thing that ever happened to him, if only for a short hour? At least you won't be wasting tons of money on a mediocre haircut that makes you feel decent at best. At least you've chosen a place and person who offer the best of their services at a reasonable cost. AND to get a discount once you mention Yelp? Now that's an experience that only the classy will go for. P.S. Bob, if you're a Cylon and you've replicated yourself, please send one of your models over to San Diego--the westcoast is in dire need of good hair professionals =).

Posted on 02/11/2011 by Kat S.

Go see Bob!! For my birthday, I had Bob cut my hair and it was the best present I could give myself. Not only did he do a beautiful haircut that left my hair looking healthy, but his blowouts make me want to strut down the street and whip my hair back until i have whiplash (and the blowout lasted a good 3 days - loves it). Bob is kind, funny and he definitely knows what he's doing. I felt very confident in him and could just relax and let him work his magic.

Posted on 2/22/2010 by Wren B.

UPDATE THREE This may be getting tedious that I keep making updates, but after a decade of putting up with shoddy hairdressers who claim to be elite (Toni & Guy, Charles Worthington etc salons), I am so thrilled that I found Bob and Josh at Maxine. Bob is the best - I don't need my hair cutting that often but i do need my bangs taming as they go wild inbetween cuts and i start to look like a porn version of Jill Munroe. Bob lets me run in to see him for 10 minutes to tame my bangs and then I'm off looking less pornish for another couple of months. Josh is the best colourist I have had, period. He's an artist with his balayage skills. Love you both!! And if my friends don't start using you, I'm cutting them off.

Posted on 6/11/2009 by Victoria G.

DEFINITION OF MAGICIAN: One whose formidable skill or art seems to be magical. EXAMPLE OF A HAIR MAGICIAN: Bob Gartlan! He really does have the ability to make you look like a movie star. Just let him do his thing and bask in the results. With all of the compliments you'll receive, you'll be addicted to Bob's cuts. I promise! It took me 6 long years in Chicago before I finally found my hair magician. Thanks BOB! Recently I switched colorists. I am with Robert now. Bob has the ultimate confidence in him and that is what I was looking for after being disappointed with my previous experience. I have worked with Robert only once so far and I was impressed. I look forward to seeing what else he has in store for me. If you are looking for HAIR MAGIC, check out Bob and Robert at Maxine.

Posted on 1/4/2009 by MELEK L.

I just moved to the city and was a little nervous about finding a new stylist. My search is over! I have hair extensions and plan to fly back to Scottsdale to have them redone every 3 months but was looking for someone to trim them up in between (not an easy task). BOB GARTON is "THE MAN" ! I left feeling and looking like a movie star! I seriously noticed people staring at my hair as I walked down Rush Street :) I was happy that when I washed my hair and styled it by mybigself it still looked fabulous. He even sent me home with styling products that really made a differnece. I will be back

Posted on 11/19/2008 by Denise R.

Bob, Bob, Bob. It is all about stylist Bob and his miracle cuts. He knows what I want before I know. I am thinking of a style, and when I walk out I have it. He can read between the lines when I chat about what I think would be good. His cuts last longer than usual. A good thing since I have moved to the burbs and have to travel to get there. (One of the things I miss about living in Streeter area). Would and have recommended Bob to numerous people. Those that tried Bob have great comments about their experience. He makes the whole experience fun!!

Posted on 7/28/2008 by deborah z.

The only reason I can't give Maxine a 5 is because it is pricey. I guess it's not their fault - it's the neighborhood - I just wish I weren't so addicted to Bob. Not only does he always give me a great haircut (and is mindful of the fact that I'm not coming back every 6 weeks or buying $100 worth of product), but I have a HUGE crush on him.

Posted on 6/27/2008 by Molly S.

This place is incredible. I get my haircut with Bob, and he's fantastic. It's such a joy to get a haircut! The colorists are so talented as well...I have had Jasen color my hair and he's dynamite. The salon is beautiful inside and always busy...so you know they are doing something right. It is more expensive than most salons, even in the downtown area, but you get what you pay for, and it is very much worth it!

Posted on 4/8/2008 by Jennifer H.

I love this place. Everyone is so friendly--not snooty like a lot of upscale salon employees. I recommend Josh for color. He is the only colorist I've ever been to that understands exactly what I want to do with my color--and I've been to a lot of salons. He's also got a delicious southern accent and good sense of style. And I recommend Bob for your cut. Again, understands what I want and has NEVER left me traumatized and I am really picky and weird about my hair. He's handsome in a classic way and extremely charismatic. This place rules.

Posted on 12/9/2007 by Angela H.