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this week's feature
Red 7 Salon

Hair and Make-up Meets 'Alice in Wonderland'
by erica bethe levin

Finding a good salon is like finding the perfect pair of black stiletto boots. The search is painful – trying on style after style – but in the end, it fits perfectly.

Such was the case when I stumbled (probably because of my senseless stilettos) into Red 7 Salon on Kinzie Street a few days ago.

After climbing a fantastically cartoonish set of stairs, I landed on a platform, immediately smelling salon air. Red 7’s part whimsical, part rock ‘n’ roll, part David Mamet Chicago, and a large part Alice in Wonderland. I half expected the tea I was drinking (that the very friendly staff brewed for me) to bear a signing reading ‘Drink Me.’

First things first, they bathed my untamed hair with high quality Bumble & Bumble product. However, the quality product was secondary to the scalp massage. This wasn’t the obligatory scratch-client’s-head-for-17-seconds-to-make-the-customer-feel-good scalp massage. This was a complimentary, very thorough service that they offer to all clients. (Another comp service: easy check out. Pay from your chair and walk out the door.)

Wet and clean, I made my way to David’s chair. Oh David!…one of the very few stylists (and co-owner of the salon) who actually cares about what the client wants. “Trim or cut?”; “Layers or no?”; “Bangs or wisps?” And at the end of my haircut (after stimulating conversation ranging from color guards to dating to Chicago architecture, and a complimentary, hot lotion hand massage) – guess what? – he listened. My hair was barely shorter, but a whole lot healthier, bouncier, and bangier. Plus, I made a new friend.

Two, in fact. Crystal – the cutest, spunkiest thing you ever did see – completed my look with a make-up consultation. I like to think I know a thing or two about make-up (duh, you can’t wear pink lipstick with blue liner), but this one knows it all, and you can see it on her face. Flawless, fun, and composed, I think she pulled the same look off on me.

I was now ready to take on the town….or the Red Queen…whatever happened first.

So head to Kinzie Street – up the whimsical, red-carpetted staircase and past the steam of salon air. After your services, you’ll be thrilled with what you see reflected through the lookingglass…

A Salon Experience Like Alice in Wonderland
Red 7 Salon fits perfectly
by erica bethe levin

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Finding a good salon is like finding the perfect pair of black stiletto boots. The search is painful -- trying on style after style -- but in the end, it fits perfectly.

Such is the case when you stumble (probably because of those senseless stilettos) into Red 7 Salon (210 W. Kinzie St).

After climbing a fantastically cartoonish set of stairs, you realize that Red 7's part whimsical, part rock 'n' roll, part David Mamet Chicago, and a large part, Alice in Wonderland. You'd half expect the tea (which the very friendly staff brews for clients) would bear a sign reading 'Drink Me.'

First things first -- Red 7 uses high quality Bumble & Bumble product. However, the quality of the product is secondary to the scalp massage. This is not the obligatory scratch-client's-head-for-17-seconds-to-make-the-customer-feel-good scalp massage. This is a complimentary, very thorough service that they offer to all clients. (Another comp service: easy check out. Pay from your chair and walk out the door.)

Now that you're wet and clean, make your way to David's chair. David is one of the very few stylists (and co-owner of the salon) who actually cares what the client wants. "Trim or cut? Layers or not? Bangs or wisps?" And at the end of your haircut (after stimulating conversation that could range from color guards to dating to Chicago architecture, and a complimentary, hot lotion hand massage), guess what? He listened. Your hair is no shorter than you wanted it, no more layer-y, and no more bang-y. It's what you asked for. Plus, chances are, you made a new friend.

You're now ready to take on the town -- or the Red Queen. Whatever happens first.

Erica Bethe Levin is embracing her new bang job as she edits and writes for CheekyChicago.com.

210 W. Kinzie St. 2nd Floor, Chicago IL 60654
Tel: 312.644.RED7 (7337)

816 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60202
Tel: 847.866.RED7 (7337)
Web: www.RED7SALON.com E-mail: info@RED7SALON.com