Smith & Davis Salon

I have been meaning to write this review since last December when I first met the god that is Michael Davis.
After doing some research before my first appointment, I knew Michael was the real deal. My first time in his chair I was planning on just trimming my very long hair. At the last minute, however, I told Michael I have always wanted a pixie, and asked for his opinion. Despite being the last cut of the day, he took the time to pull up a chair next to me, look at my Pinterest board, and create a plan I felt comfortable with. The cut was absolutely perfect, and I couldn’t have been happier.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time affording the maintenance that is required with a short style, and after a few months had to go elsewhere. A recent (traumatic) experience at another salon has left me running back to Michael. While the price is still more than I can afford, I will do what it takes to make it work. Michael is worth every penny.

I recently had my hair colored by Pranith and cut by Katie. Both did an excellent job.
Pranith did my balayage and it came out beautifully. I had color treated hair that was really dark and he lifted it and toned it to an awesome combination. He also focused on strands away from my face, so it wouldn’t wash me out.
Katie took my medium length hair that felt too thinned out by last cut and made it thick by cutting away the ends. I feel like I have a new head of hair! She also read my mind in terms of styling. She did a nice beach wave with volume and even styled my bags well. Styling bangs is a gift, if you haven’t had them you often don’t know how to blow them out. She nailed it.
Very worth the money I spent and I will be back.

Smith & Davis is the best salon in Chicago — hands down. Stevie helped me make a major change but was realistic about the outcome compared to my expectations. Not many stylists will walk you through a process like she will with total honesty and concern for the integrity of your hair.
For the first time in my life, I had beautiful, HEALTHY, strong and shiny highlighted hair. I recommend Smith & Davis Salon to everyone that I know!

Let me start off by saying I am the pickiest person when it comes to getting my hair cut, esp since my hair was butchered a few years ago at a different salon. With that being said, I can honestly say I found my salon that I can trust and Smith and Davis is it! I typically see Kaitlin who does such a great job, she listens to what you want and is so precise with her cutting. I was in dire need of a hair cut one day, however, Kaitlin wasn’t available so I made an appointment with Bria. I trust this salon so much that I would get my hair cut by any of the stylists. Bria did such an amazing job, my layers look so good! She was very personable and FUNNY, she had me laughing in that salon chair the whole time– Skilled stylist, funny, personable… what more could you ask for?! Obviously, I will be back! Kaitlin and Bria Rock!

I can’t say enough nice things about Smith & Davis Salon and the people who work there. I have long very curly hair so finding someone who actually knows how to navigate that and give a quality haircut is so hard– but not here! I’ve seen both Michael and Alicia and left very pleased both times. I live in the northwest suburbs so it’s not exactly convenient for me but I make the trip anyway because I know I’m going to leave with a great haircut. The atmosphere is fun and casual and the staff is friendly and accommodating. I would recommend the salon without reservation for anyone looking for a quality haircut.

«Go ahead» is what Stevie the owner told me when I said I was going to have to write a review on her business… so here goes. (great attitude from an owner, right?)
I was originally going to write about the terrible haircut I got from Michael but after my phone conversation with Stevie my complaints about this business have been redirected. All in all, this was a TERRIBLE experience.
It began with color with Stevie which started a half an hour late. I didn’t get an apology for the delay or anything. As she started coloring my hair, I was making small talk and trying to make conversation when she says «I’m just going to zone out if you don’t mind… would you like a magazine?» Really? Get over yourself. Strike 2. Color is done finally and I went over to Michaels station to get my haircut. Unlike his counterpart, Michael is a great conversationalist and knows how to engage with his clients. Extremely important if you ask me. Very nice guy but somewhere, communication lines were crossed when I told him what I wanted with my hair (which was really to clean up dead-​ends, etc.- nothing monumental). The cut was terrible and I’m still trying to grow out the chop-​chop that went on. See pictures on their main page. Its like he took the scissors and cut my bangs (which are chin length) and kept cutting all the way to the back of my head. So I had long bangs all the way around my head and no longer could I put any of it in a ponytail. Make sense? To make matters worse, Michael started blow drying my hair and then passed off the dryer to an assistant who then «finished» the job (meaning it was still frizzy and fluffy). In my 30 years of getting my hair cut and styled, NEVER has my stylist left mid-​job to go work on someone else. I didn’t pay $ 70 for a haircut that couldn’t be completed by the stylist. So not only did I have to tip Michael, I had to tip the girl he passed the job off to! Does that seem fair? I didn’t think so. So that’s when I called Stevie to tell her about my concerns.
The second she started speaking I could hear the arrogant and pissy undertones in her voice. I knew this conversation was going to go south. I explained my concern about the cut and how it looked like I literally went to a chop shop and how long its going to take for this grow out. I explained my disappointment with Michael not finishing the session too. Her reply was…“Well, next time you are supposed to request that an assistant doesn’t finish the styling process” WHAT!!! Who says that? Second, she says «It sounds like YOU just don’t like the haircut even though Michael and I have 30+ years of experience btwn us». So essentially she was telling me that I didn’t know what looks good and that my haircut was done very well. So she asks me in her snippy voice what I want to do about this and I said «I want a refund». Plain and simple. She said that is not their policy and I would need to come in and have them «assess» the situation. FUCK THAT. So she wants me to drive ONE HOUR, find a babysitter, take off work, burn through gas just so they can «assess» their screw up? I said me coming in is not an option and I would prefer to be credited for the terrible haircut AND terrible service. She refused.
Summary:
…obviously there are several reasons why I would recommend to NEVER step foot in this salon. CUSTOMER SERVICE is #1 in my book and it should be yours too. When an owner or «professional» can’t own their mistakes and figure out a way to make their clients happy, then they are doing a shit job and frankly shouldn’t own anything. The arrogance alone was enough to make me write this long review. There are a million other places that deserve your business people… owners who care about their clients and who are willing to bend over backwards… and give you a great cut/​color. Moral of the story is… everyone gets a crappy cut or color in their life time. What matters is how those professionals handle their mistakes.
PS– Looks like a few other Unilocalers had the same to say about the owners poor treatment. I suggest you read the other negative posts below bc they are spot on. As the old adage goes… THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

I’ve been here twice now and loved it both times! The first time I got my hair cut by Alicia and the second by Kaitlin. I get a pretty simple cut but nevertheless they both did a great job and were friendly!
I will be going back to Kaitlin for sure and it’s also very reasonably priced!
They always play great music and the salon is really cute. It was an awesome find and I highly recommend!

I went and had my hair cut and colored when I was new to the city. My appointment was booked with two stylists– one that would suit my hair best for each service. Wonderful, professional staff. The salon is gorgeous, and the coffee was a wonderful bonus after a long day.

I was visiting friends in Chicago from out-​of-​town and found out about Alicia from reviews — let me just start off by saying that all of the folklore is true! Alicia is a goddess at cutting a perfect pixie. She was super attentive to what I wanted, and had an amazing instinct of what would look great on me as far as new things to try. I came in with a grown out and ‘blah’ short haircut and left an hour later with a trendy and beautiful new ‘do! I am so happy I was able to find her during my visit, and only wished I lived in Chicago so I could keep going back! I’ll be taking pics of this cut to show my regular barber next time! Alicia is the best!

This review is about being a hair model.
My advice: Don’t go here if your a person of color w/​textured hair.
Worst experience I’ve honestly ever had at a salon. I have natural African American curly/​kinky hair and was apprehensive about going to a salon that seemed to have no people of color (expect the Hispanic guy doing my hair) working there or as clients but when you can potentially pay 25 $ for a color correction one is willing to take risks. I was there to get a green color out of my hair and go to a ombré blonde, long story short I ended up leaving with my hair the EXSACT same color as when I came in. When I left my hair was dry & in worst condition then when I came in.
The apprentice doing my hair had no idea what it took to care for textured hair, he seemed nice but very overwhelmed by doing my hair, which was confusing since I emailed him a picture of my hair (you would think if they didn’t want to do black hair, he wouldn’t have responded). He made it seem like my hair was so damaged that he didn’t even want to touch it, yes my ends where bad since I was do for a cut but other wise my hair is in good condition. Honestly the only reason I gave this 2 stars was because the apprentice doing my hair was nice enough & there was a stylist next to us that was helping him out who knew about my texture. From the time I got there till the time I left I felt somewhat uneasy & a bit unwelcomed. To make things worse I was charged twice by accident & when I called to have the problem fixed the first time the lady didn’t even apologize or anything just told me to show them proof as if I was lying.
BTW I was able to do the color correction at home without compromising the integrity of my hair, funny how a YouTube trained, unlicensed person could do the job but they couldn’t.

A few weeks ago I went from having shoulder length hair to a long pixie. I’m a all or nothing gal, so I decided to go shorter!
I was so glad I didn’t delete my email from Kaitlin! She is finishing up her apprenticeship this month, and was able to do whatever cut she wanted!
When I first sat in the chair, we talked through what look I was aiming for, and I did tell her I was open minded about the cut, as long as she took most of the length off. Michael came by and gave his input and helped direct her with some ideas also.
I must say, she did a fantastic job! She was very meticulous and really got into the cut! I love my hair now! I also liked being able to sit quietly without the annoying salon chair chatter! Sometimes it’s awkward to make small talk, especially when I’m worried with how much the stylist is paying attention. I think she got that and stayed concentrated on the cut instead of trying to talk me up a ton.
I also liked the atmosphere of the salon. Open space, and very smart.
I do have one thing that I disliked. There was one receptionist that did give me a bad vibe from the moment I walked in, till the moment I walked out. She was on the heavier set side and had a ton of tattoos. She pretty much gave me the stick eye the whole time I was there. The other receptionist who got Kaitlin for me was extremely nice though! So I refuse to let one bitter girl bring my review down!
If your looking for a fresh face, Kaitlin is a great stylist to go see!

I love this salon. Everyone makes you feel so comfortable as soon as you walk in the door. Great vibes, always great music playing. I’ve gotten my hair cut with Bria twice now and I have nothing but good things to say about her. She’s attentive and she listens. Best of all, she knows how to cut my hair in a way that I can still manage it (I fairly low maintenance, don’t spend a lot of time doing my hair, etc.) She explains every thing she’s doing to my hair and way she’s doing it… best of all, recommends great products. If you have the extra cash, splurge on the products. They’re amazing! Thank you Bria and thank you Smith and Davis… this salon is truly a gem in Lincoln Park!

I went to Alicia for a hair cut when she was just an apprentice and I will never leave her side. She is amazing! She really works with the client and tries to get them a cut that suits their face, lifestyle, and styling habits. I would and do recommend Alicia to everyone I meet.

Micheal is an impeccable craftsman. He is highly perceptive and intelligent and he applies that to his work. I’m someone who has always dreaded getting my hair cut, and I can honestly say that sitting my Michael’s chair is the first time this has been a pleasant experience that I look forward to.
My wife has gone to Stevie since 1996, when it was a real treat and probably the only expense for vanity she made sure to save for. Over the years, I noticed she had haircuts more often — Stevie made her feel great!
We are thrilled and inspired that they have struck out on their own. They are a unique team — two amazing artists who have a wonderful relationship. Their skills complement each other beautifully. Their unparalleled experience combined with their fabulous, dedicated staff and a devoted clientele will make this salon an enduring success.

This review is painful for me to write and I would like to start to say that Michael is an amazing artist and if you are just getting a cut, please go see him. I have followed him around Chicago for 5+ years and love my hair cuts. With that being said, I must find a new salon after a disastrous visit in June.
I went in to get a cut and color a week before my wedding. After speaking my with colorist a few months back we decided to do a slight refresh on my strawberry blonde hair. I was nervous to do this so close to the wedding but she reassured me everything would be fine.
I go in for my appointment and learn that she no longer works there.
I was never informed of this prior to my appointment. I was shell shocked when I was put in someone else chair who said they could do exactly what I discussed with my previous colorist. I stated I DONT want to be bright red for my wedding. I just want a refresh. I thought the new colorist knew what I was after but I should have known something was off when she dd not use a color brush to apply the color. Anyways, my hair was BRIGHT red. I was in instant tears.
It was disastrous.
The colorist wouldn’t even speak with me and instead sent Stevie to intervene. (mind you this was a week before my wedding, so I was very upset). Stevie never apologized for the mistake. Instead she made me feel like I was the problem– she even told me to stop yelling at her. (I wasn’t yelling– I was crying so hard that i couldn’t stop). She insisted that they did right color I asked for. So they proceeded to try to remove the color. At this time, an assistant even told me it was the wrong color. She was so nice and tried to make me feel better. She was the only person who seemed to care that my hair was bright red a week before my wedding. They said they removed the color but I knew they didn’t get it all. In addition, Stevie said that I was informed my voicemail that I would have a new colorist. Lucky for me I phone saves deleted voicemail and I gave her my phone to listen that she was wrong. I was never informed.
I went home still upset and my future husband (who I didn’t tell what happened because I wanted to see what he thought) asked why I died my hair so bright? He thought i was just getting a refresh. I spent the next 2 days washing my hair with anything that would take the dye out. Luckily it worked and my hair looked normal.
Looking back on this experience, I know that mistakes happen with color. What bothered me the most was how I was treated. I had been going to Smith and Davis Salon since it opened and I felt like I was worthless. Like I was just an annoying customer who they wanted out of the salon instead of treating me like a person who just and something awful happen to her hair. I decided to wait a few weeks before writing my review to make sure I still felt the same– and I do.
Do not go to Smith and Davis Salon for your color. It might be fantastic for a few years, but when something goes wrong– they will blame you.

Ok, so you know how you usually leave a salon… hair looking amazing, walking down the street with a boost of extra confidence. The next day you wake up and you JUST CAN’T replicate the work they did the day before. Special stylist magic? Well, let me say this, Bria is definitely magical. She took my worn down, wavy ass hair and gave me the lightest cut I’ve ever had. Yet, it has more volume and body than ever. I was a first-​time client and she took the time to ask me about my hair, what I wanted to fix, how I style/​wash it. She told me what I was doing right, and also what I was doing wrong but not in way that made me feel like I was being scolded. Each step of the way through my cut and style, she explained what she was doing and why she was doing it, so I could replicate it all at home (Spoiler: I was able to!)
She explained why she was using each product and what it would do for my hair (without pushing the product on me… guess what, i bought it all anyway). I learned a lot sitting in that chair. I’ve been all over this city, to many stylists, and none have been able to do what Bria has done. I’m really loving my cut and I’m really grateful she took the time to treat me more like a friend than a client. I’ll keep coming back to S&D as long as she’s there!
–for reference, my hair has always been pretty difficult. it is healthy and i have A LOT of it, but the combination of my natural wave and fineness of hair has always proven difficult, especially on humid days. if you have similar hair or similar problems, bria is your girl–

The dye used to make the corrections on my hair came off in TWO WASHES. So even after the «correction,» I’m still living with the mistakes. I loved what I got after the owner fixed it, but what use is it if it lasts me a week…
I’m finally just like «oh, forget it» with this place now. Not going back for a third time for what should have been done right the first. I paid a premium to get it done by a pro. I’m so sick of paying up the wall only to have my hair look worse than my fellow DePaul girls’ hair they got done for $ 40 at Great Clips with their student discount.
Hate writing bad reviews for small businesses but people that don’t treat your hard earned money better than this need to learn to be more careful. Don’t charge what you charge if this is the risk I run with coming to you. My hair is looking like crap… once again… and now I will have spent $ 400 to get it done instead of $ 200 because you couldn’t get the job done, so someone else will have to go at it again. And damaging my hair more in the process. THANKS.

I moved to Chicago 2 ½ years ago and have been looking for a hair stylist since. I’ve tried a handful of places but have never been wow’d.
I am in love with this salon! From the moment I called, I received nothing but stellar customer service.
Michael was recommended since I have a lot of wavy/​frizzy thick long hair. While Michael was finishing up with the client before me, I was already impressed with what he was doing. Michael is amazing! He’s very personable, knows what looks best and does an amazing job. The test for me is always when I have to style it myself. It’s a week later and I couldn’t be happier!
I had a consultation with Coco for color and she was very intuned with what I want. I definitely plan on going back for color.
I can officially say that Smith & Davis, specifically Michael is MY hair stylist! He is amazing!

I recently got a haircut through Salon Apprentice with Samantha. I’d had a stressful week and Samantha helped me relax. She took into consideration my requests and thankfully used far less heat than the last salon I went to.
The salon is open air with minimal décor. This gave it more of a laid-​back vibe, whereas other ones I felt like I had to dress up for getting my hair cut. :-p The staff were all very nice and Samantha needed few pointers. I hope she and her cat do well.

I have finally found my salon!
I recently moved to the area and so began my search for a new hairstylist. I went to another salon in the Lincoln Park area, and was greatly disappointed. Great haircut, but poor service and over priced hair cuts. I live 2 blocks from this salon, and have walked by multiple times. Finally I decided to look it up and was happy to see there were great reviews.
Decided to go to Alicia for a haircut. I do not regret my decision. Alicia is super sweet and chatty. She took the time to talk to me about how I wear my hair, and what I like, and what I am looking for. In the end I walked out with a great haircut, and could not be happier!!! She even offered me to come in and get my bangs trimmed as often as I need.
I would recommend anyone to come to this salon. The salon itself has a cool vibe with lots of art and vintage chairs. I will definitely be back!