Lather Chicago

Finding someone who cuts your hair just how you like it is about as hard as finding a mechanic who keeps your car running smoothly… I’ve had mine cut at the Montrose location and at the Damen one, and always was happy. Quick and easy, out the door, and it looks great. Thanks Maggie!

Got a great haircut from Philip about 4 weeks ago, and since I’m getting married in 2 short weeks, I had booked an appointment for color. Since I just moved from out of state, I trusted my fellow Unilocalers on where to go for my hair needs.
Although the haircut was great, I have to say, I am extremely disappointed with their follow-​up procedures. I called today to reschedule my color appointment (following a pretty extensive color consult at my haircut), and they informed me that they had made the appointment for «Katie» (my name is Amy) and for a haircut (to review: I wanted color).
Whoever was answering the phone picked up on my confusion and handed me over to Philip to correct the discrepancy. I reminded him of our conversation, consult, and other information, and he told me, point blank: «To be honest, I don’t remember you. Maybe I’ll remember you when I see your hair.»
I’m pretty upset about the horrible clientele system at this place, and although I got a great haircut, it’s abundantly clear that the stylists don’t care about keeping a steady clientele. When you’re paying upwards of $ 50 for a hair cut, it’s reasonable to think that the stylist will remember you, especially if you booked a follow up appointment with special considerations.
Needless to say, I canceled my appointment and I won’t be going back.

Called on a Saturday for a last minute haircut and the receptionist squeezed me in at 12:30. They offer you tea, water, or coffee when you come in which is always a plus! Veronica cut my hair and I couldn’t be more pleased! She’s been working for Lather for 7 years and you can tell — total professional and taught me a lot of tips and tricks with styling my naturally wavy hair.
Only thing I would semi-​complain about is the pricing on their website. It says a women’s haircut is $ 44 but when I was rung up, it somehow ended up being $ 53. Not sure if they went up in prices or I was charged for something else, but I was prepared for the price listed on their website (not to mention my tip which I had set aside beforehand was a reflection of the $ 44, not $ 53!)
I’m still giving them a 5 because she did such a great job with the cut and especially the styling. In the end, it’s really not a bad price for what I got!

Praise Jesus and hallelujah! After living in Chicago for over a year I’ve finally found a salon that feels like «home» to me… well, except they don’t have wine and any house of mine clearly would, but…
I called on a whim, based on really good Unilocal reviews, and they had a cancellation today which was then an opening for me. I had no idea who I was getting but needed someone to save my life… well, fix my hair that had been destroyed and over processed by other stylists in this city. I walked in and met Danny… and I have to say… Danny is fan-​tastic! I was so pleased I bought a bagful of products and scheduled appointments through December. Great location… great price… great atmosphere. I heart Danny. The end.

I got two pretty great haircuts by Kristen a while back, and she was fantastic. Then I went through chemo, lost my hair, and enjoyed the sole perk of no hair — not having to worry about doing anything with my (lack of) hair. Once my hair starting growing back, I was at a loss for what to do with what was turning into a grown-​out crew cut. I stopped in one day on my way home from the El and Tim, the owner, took time between his appointments to convince me that my hair wasn’t really the train wreck I thought it was and trimmed a little to make me feel better. He seemed to know how to deal with post-​chemo hair (which is fragile and a little finicky) and very sweet about the whole situation. He let me know that when I was ready for a cut and color to make an appointment, and didn’t even charge me for the consult and trim.
A few months later I made an appointment at their Montrose location, and he did some highlights to try to get me back to my much lighter natural color. He was, again, so sweet — we talked about babies, and hair, and chemo (I would much rather someone ask me about it when I bring it up than pretend they didn’t hear the word «cancer»). Since my hair was so short, he charged me half price for the color. I walked out feeling more like myself than I had in months.
I have since moved from the neighborhood, but every time I have gotten a haircut since Tim, I can’t help but think back to how wonderful he was to me on both occasions. I can’t recommend him or Lather highly enough.

I recently got a great haircut from Erica, but I believe she’s moving to the other Lather location on Montrose. She was very friendly and informative about hair care and the best way to style. She listened to me carefully and gave me exactly what I wanted, so I’m very happy! Also, I loved that they didn’t ignore me when I was on the couch waiting for my appointment (the wait didn’t last more than 10 minutes) — they acknowledged me and offered me coffee.
In addition, the salon accidentally double charged me for my cut. I called and talked to Tim, the owner, and he went above and beyond to make sure that I was taken care of and that everything was put right.
Overall, a great experience and I’ll definitely be coming back to Lather.

Joey’s been cutting, styling and coloring my hair for 5 years. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and great at what he does. Without fail, I always leave with a cut that looks fantastic and works with my lifestyle (I work in an office and i bike to work, so I straddle two different worlds of style). After getting a cut from Joey, i look in the mirror and can’t help but be overwhelmed with glee (seriously). I leave the salon smiling and feeling like a brand new person.
Joey’s totally easy going and super nice. If you’re looking for a great stylist, I would totally recommend Joey. You will love your hair!

*My review is for the salon when it was under different management. I haven’t been back, but the new owner said they have new stylists …

I needed a haircut that day! My original salon was closed and I was getting a headshot the next day. So, I called Erica DeVitto at Lather Chicago on Damen. I had heard a lot of people really like her and I love her newsletter. She seems to know a lot about what works, what doesn’t and how to care for your hair. I got in the next day and she did my hair quickly (but not TOO quickly — cause I DOOOOO love those shampoos and massages and someone going through my hair with a comb and fingers). She was great — no small chitchat, just talk when I wanted to. Phillip made a YUMMY cup of coffee for me — with cinnamon! I felt very pampered. And when the cut was done I was so happy! It looked great and she cut the front of my hair as I wanted it. So many stylists don’t get it right but Erica did! And it has been months and it is growing out beautifully. I’m so glad I found her.

Ask for Phillip. He’s wonderful. I get a haircut with him every few months. I’ve gone in for a blowout at least twice (once for engagement photos) and he always does a great job. I’ve already scheduled my wedding day hair with him.
I think the prices went up just a bit, but they are still reasonable.
I love that they have on online system where you can make and cancel appointments. Very convenient.

Clean, modern salon with great prints, many of Chicago, on the walls. Lee, on the phone and at the door, is good with people — his anticipation and sense of humor goes a long way.
I went in on a weekday late afternoon, so not too busy. Still, I was treated with the full experience of tea (green or black?), and not robed immediately after being greeted. The laid back staff are really refreshing — not pretentious — and have a good rapport. I got the feeling that they know — and like! — each other.
Annie gave me enough info about the product she was using to where I didn’t feel like I was being sold — very straight-​forward. She listened and produced a nice cut while holding a light conversation about Chicago nuances. It seemed to take a looong time to get through the blow dry and style portion, and I wasn’t that impressed with how it turned out in the salon. In the time since, though, after having had a chance to work through it myself, the cut is what I wanted and it is working well — worth what I paid. Overall, I’m pleased!

I wrote about Philip once before when he was at one of the other locations, but since he moved over to the Damen location, I just had to post again.
Philip is a hair artist. No lie. Nevermind, I take that back, he’s a hair ninja, trained in the deadly art of tiny snips and (still) the most. amazing. scalp massage. ever. Not only that, he’s a genuinely sweet guy. I’ve seen him twice now, and he not only remembered me but remembered details about my last visit, down to the fact that the cut was for a job interview. We talked shop (I work in the spa industry), and I never felt like the conversation was forced or awkward. He’s just that cool.
On top of the super niceness, he doesn’t BS. I told him I wanted bangs and he kind of cocked his head and said «are you suuuure?» whereupon we had a brief but informative exchange about bangs and the texture of my hair.
I could go on and on, but I’ll cut this one short. Two days later and exposure to steam later, my hair looks awesome. I’m so happy with my repeat visits to Lather. As soon as my henna grows out (WTF is taking so long!), I’ll be back for a color and a trim.
Oh and as a heads up for the lazy and forgetful like me? Lather has this fantastic thing where they call you six weeks after your cut to remind you you’re probably due for a trim. It’s super low pressure, and a great way to remind yourself you’re getting splitty at the ends. =)

My hair is one of my greatest sources of confidence. There’s nothing like a great haircut to motivate me to take on the world!
Okay, enough with the cheese, but Sarah at Lather on Damen is THE hair stylist I’ve always wanted. Not only does she somehow end up doing EXACTLY what I want with my hair, she’s so personable and laid back that my haircuts always feel like visits with a friend. I have only seen her a few times, but at this point she remembers me well enough to not have to ask many questions. She knows what I like, she knows what my hair needs, and she always sends me away feeling awesome.
Yesterday I tried color with her for the first time and I’m so happy with the finished product. Highlights in all of the right places! This woman is really great at what she does and is passionate about it. So go make an appointment with Sarah! You won’t be disappointed!

I have been here before yesterday many years ago. I only stopped going because my favorite stylist was no longer working there.
Upon arrival, I was immediately offered something to drink– or a lapdance. I instantly remembered why I initially liked this place. The staff is so friendly! I believe it was the owner who offered the lap dance. What a hoot!
My stylist for the day was Zaharoula. She was absolutely the sweetest person I have ever met. Most stylists I’ve had were a bit snobby and don’t really care what you want. She however, immediately asked what I wanted. I gave her a picture and she proceeded to explain to me exactly what she planned to do. I felt very comfortable in her capable hands and my cut was EXACTLY what I wanted.
I know I will be booking future appointments with her. So happy that my return to Lather was such a positive one.
My friend also got a cut that day and she had Mary, who was also very helpful. She pretty much gave her two haircuts cause I thought my friend could lose a few inches. She was happy to do it. She also plans to get her future cuts at Lather.
The prices are up there but fair and well worth it. I couldn’t be more pleased with my cut.

Went to Beth for a deal… shes a new stylist here. So accommodating with my crappy schedule.
Got there, the staff is so freaking nice and unpretentious, which I totally LOVE!!! Beth is so sweet…5 stars all around
Hair color-​pretty good… I have definitely had worse. She did a pretty good job, however, I just am still used to my fav hairstylist that moved to Greece (damn her). So I stack everything up to her… so in comparison Beth did about a 3… which is pretty good. Also, the cut… she kind of took a lot off… again…not terrible, not fantastic.
Blow dry… I have to say it was not a good blow dry… you know when you go to the salon and your leaving and its the best your hair has looked and you dont want to lay on it because the blow out is perfect… not the case. Definitely could work on the blow out.
Overall Lather was a pretty good salon. I paid $ 70 for cut and color which was worth it… I would not have wanted to pay full price, but it was worth $ 70! Again, I just love the non pretentiousness of the salon… cant beat it!

Still going strong! I swear this is the only place that knows how to handle my hair.

Skippin the foo-​foo extra text, Tim continues to use his expertise to keep my hair healthy and me a happy customer. He applies subtle changes to the color and placement of my highlights with each visit to naturally compliment my skin tones throughout the seasons. The end result is always a refreshed look instead of just a touch-​up.
Tim also knows my hair and uses masterful cutting techniques to nudge this and that to allow me the freedom of a low-​maintenance style that simply looks great whether I want to fuss with it or not.

Still lovin’ Linda. So much so, I gotta bump them to five stars. What put them over the edge was my husband telling me (four weeks after my haircut) how much he liked my haircut. Now I know he loves me and thinks I’m beautiful, but when it comes to ‘Do you like these jeans?’ or ‘Do I look ok?’ or ‘Which shoes do you like better?’ he is a very ‘whatever you want, you look great’ kinda guy. (He says this without looking up.) So for him to tell me my hair looks nice, well, I about teared up with joy.
And I’ve cured myself of my every six months haircut habit. Every six to eight weeks, and I’m back. And if I do stretch it to eight weeks, it still looks great. Linda cuts my hair like she knows it, and she knows I won’t be spraying on three products and blowing it out for twenty minutes. I’m five minutes tops. It looks it’s best when she does it, but my five minute blow dry does the trick, and it looks pretty darn close. I heart Lather!

I needed a change and my old stylist wasn’t doing anything for me. I had boring, heavy hair and I needed a new style. I looked up salons closer to my home and I was pleasantly surprised that Lather on Damen had quite a few 5 star reviews :) I stopped in last night for a haircut and I could not be happier with the results.
Linda cut my hair and she did such an awesome job! She took the time to look at my hair before washing it and asking me what I wanted to be done with my hair. I had an angled bob with no movement and it was very heavy. I have a lot of hair but it’s fine and it needs to be thinned out and texturized. My new haircut looks extra sassy and I’m in love! It took me 10 minutes to style it this morning and 5 of that was blow drying.
I will be making the switch (so sorry old stylist) to Lather. I can’t wait to go back and experiment with color. Lather has great prices on their services, friendly people and an awesome space! The owner brings his dog to work with him and I love that a dog is just hanging out in the salon!

I dont mean this to sound cocky and conceited, but have you seen me recently? I look awesome. I wish I could say I wake up everyday looking this fabulous but alas that is not the case. I owe my current fabulosity to Maggie at Lather. I called Lather early last week and gave them the run down on my hair. It went something like this:
«Hi, My name is Dallas, I have relaxed hair and I would like highlights.»
Lather: «Ok first we’ll need to do a consultation and see if your hair is healthy enough for highlights».
I cant say how much I appreciated the fact that they insisted on a consultation before just throwing color on my hair and possibly damaging it. I went in for a consultation on Thursday and Maggie tested a piece of my hair to see how it would respond to color and then gave me the go ahead to come in the next day.
So on Friday we start the highlighting process and everything went fine. No, I take that back, everything went great! I love the final look. Its also worth mentioning that Maggie gave my hair one awesome blowout! My hair looks and feels amazing.
I’m so happy to have found a salon near my house and I pray that Maggie stays there as long as Im in the neighborhood.