Second City Style

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Make A Match With A Stylist at Maxine Salon Chicago

Maxine Salon at 712 N Rush street (located near some of the best shopping on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago) is a top-rated luxury salon that has received national recognition since it opened over 25 years ago. I visited this sleek, modern and bright salon recently and was impressed by the friendly and expert service. The owner Maxine Kroll is there every day, running from floor to floor and checking in on customers and stylists. She told me they are like one happy family. Maxine is so warm and easy-going, I felt like part of their familyinstantly , too. My colorist Sarah has been with the salon for 20 years, and for many of Maxine’s staff, it is the only place they ever worked. I always think it says a lot about a place when you see enthusiastic employees who have worked there for a long time.

A salon like Maxine may seem intimidating because great haircuts and color are not inexpensive, but you can go online and meet the stylists - much like a match-up dating site - and find the right person to fit you budget and your needs! Maxine’s highly trained stylists and colorists work with you to achieve your best look.

First I went to the color floor where I met Sarah for color and Rivkah for styling. My highlighted hair had been in the sun too much, needed conditioning and was overdue for a cut. Sarah suggested warming up the color and doing highlights along with an overall color to cover my grey. I usually get only highlights to avoid a grown-out effect at the roots, so she suggested a semi permanent for the allover color part of the process. She told me that my hair would look shiner, too. Maxine Salon is one of the few flagship L’Oréal Professionnel Haircolor Centers in the US. Sarah and other colorists at Maxine are well trained in Baylayage, which is a highlight paining technique. A client sitting next to me with beautiful natural looking highlights told me, “Sarah is the best! And you hair is so important, you know it is the first thing people notice.” I think hair is almost as important as going to the doctor, so why not go to the best.

Next I met with Rivkah, who in her earlier consultation asked me what I wanted, if I wanted any changes and then made some suggestions. This is what I really liked about the salon. Sarah and Rivkah both explained everything that they were going to do, step-by-step, so I knew there would be no surprises. I told Rivkah I wanted a longer look, but my did not need to actually be long, so she told me exactly how much she was going to cut off, and gave me ideas about products to use. They carry Keratase which I have used before and I love how it strengthens , and then she used a wonderful Shu Uemura hold cream called Kengo Feather, which worked to give my fine hair some body and lift and also separate the hairs so you can see the layers a bit more. It’s wonderful stuff!

My overall experience at Maxine Salon was definitely a good one and I recommend the salon if you want a new style or to simply to look your best.

Prices range from $50 to $120 for a cut and 120-195 for Baylayage (hair painting) or highlights, and $70 – $130 for single process color. Check out Maxine’s website to match yourself up with a stylist and a colorist! For more information go to maxinesalon.com and visit the blog.

— Carol Calacci