I have truly been blessed by the hair gods. Not in the sense that I was born with beautiful hair, but that I've been very lucky to sit in the chairs of some of Chicago's most talented, in-demand stylists and colorists. Maxine's Amy and Tina are as good as it gets IMO. About 10 years ago when I first moved to Chicago I randomly walked in a salon on Rush. Fortunately for me, the salon was Maxine, and the cut was fantastic. I would have been back, but soon thereafter I started working at Harpo Studios and using Oprah's employee spa, as well as taking recommendations from producers for stylists around town. Those ladies know their stuff--I ended up in the hands of some of the city's best hairdressers. For awhile I was going to Michael Jacobson at Michael & Michael, who is extraordinarily talented, and Shane Talbott for color, who is fantastic as well. I may have been with them forever if I hadn't decided to call up Amy to find out more about thermal straightening. I still remember our first phone conversation because she answered my questions about thermal straightening and the keratin/Brazilian treatment so frankly and honestly. It was like she had absolutely no vested interest in my patronage and just enjoyed answering all my questions as a public service or something. I think she even recommended I see someone in Florida instead (where I was vacationing at the time.) Possibly the best sales technique ever, because in an industry where you can encounter so much b.s., I knew I had to meet this woman and immediately called to schedule an appointment. Do you usually hear the Charlie Brown teacher noise whenever someone in a salon or spa starts talking about services or products? "Wahn wahn wahn wahn, here's some more junk for the drawers in your bathroom." This is not the case with Amy at all...you'll find yourself hanging on to her every word. I'm sure she's great to talk to about movies or vacation plans or whatever, too, but I love spending the time picking her brain about hair. There's a Picasso quote, "My mother said to me, if you're a soldier, you will become a general. If you're a priest, you will be Pope. Instead I was a painter, and I became Picasso." If Picasso had been a hairdresser, he would have grown up to be Amy or Tina at Maxine :)

Posted on 06/06/2011 by Anna S.

I cannot say enough good things about Tina Deeke - not only has she brought my hair back to shiny, glossy condition, but Tina has the most amazing eye for skin tone and color. I have been through single process browns to highlighted warm toffees with smooth dashes of caramel. Every time Tina got the tone just right for my skin and eyes. She truly is a find! One of Tina's secrets is that she tells you honestly what is possible and what wouldn't work. So she listens to her clients but makes sure they profit from her expertise to find the solution that achieves what they want but within a natural range. Maxine runs one of the best salons in Chicago. Technically, the staff is among the best trained in the country. They are always off to national and international events to learn the latest. And Maxine is a test salon for Kerastase, first out with the latest innovations. The support staff is wonderful and the service is personal, cheerful and flexible. If Maxine was in NY you would need a waiting list to get in! We are lucky to have them in Chicago. When we lived in California I would go back to Chicago for haircuts with Bob and I have girlfriends from Boston and San Francisco who plan their flights so they may stop-over in O'hare and make a quick dash to Maxine. Nina

Posted on 08/19/2010 by NinaGermeyer

I've been going to Maxine's since 2000. Tina and Sanda are the best for color and style. Being Latino with curly and lots of hair, I always walk out of the place feeling great. It's a bit pricey but well worth it.

Posted on 10/17/2009 by Vilma L.

I have been a client for 6 years. I am extremely picky about my hair, especially color... My colorist always gets it right, perfect highlights every time. I highly recommend Tina or Brooke for highlights, these two are amazing. * Pros: professional * Cons: parking

Posted on 5/30/2009 by busydoc

Talented staff with great attitudes. Becca freshened up my bob, Tina gave me beautiful, warm, high & lowlights, and Rivkah gave me a sleek blowout. Everyone there seems so friendly & genuinely accommodating. Also, they're really good at reading you, i.e. they won't yap your ear off when you're tired & just want to bury your face in a magazine. I think I've found my new salon.

Posted on 5/24/2008 by Melissa J.

I am a black woman and have been going to Maxine's for over 8 years. Amy cuts my hair and takes her time and does it right. Tina colors me and really warms up the tones in my hair. I have had other services done here including manicures, pedicures, and waxes. Those are great, but the hair cuts are second to none. Great salon for black and white customers. Timely, clean, cutting edge salon!

Posted on 10/19/2007 by Krista H.

I was looking for a new salon and a friend told me about Maxine. Tina colored my hair and I love the highlights and lowlights she put in it. Brigette did a total new cut on me and i have never loved my hair more. I will tell any one who is looking for a new salon to go here. * Pros: valet, good service

Posted on 1/28/2006 by 3844

I had a fabulous experience here. I got my color done by Tina and my hair cut by Aimiee. Both were unbelivable. Tina listened to every word that I had to say and worked with me to get exactly the look I wanted. Aimiee did not make one cut to my hair until she looked at exactly what I already had (layers, lenght, ect) and explained to me in full of what she wanted to do. Once I agreed to the plan she went on her way to giving me an excellent haircut. The place is clean and the people are so nice. I will be returning. * Pros: Nice Staff, Clean, Talented Individuals

Posted on 1/17/2003 by mweinstein

I love Maxine hair salon. I've been going to them since they were at another location. Thier colorist Tina is truley a miracle worker. My whole family loves Maxine. * Pros: Professional stylists, up-to-date looks, friendly people * Cons: not open on sun-mon

Posted on 9/26/2002 by webbygal