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Sine Qua Non Salon
Rating Details »
Categories: Hair Salons, Skin Care [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, DePaul2766 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60686
(773) 871-2280
Happy Hour Weekday specials 1-4pm
Come in for free Bumble and bumble treatment with any hair service, free Brow wax with highlighting, $20 off 1 hour facials, 10% off retail!
Announced 2 weeks ago- Nearest Transit:
-
Diversey (Purple Express, Brown)
- Hours:
Mon. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tue-Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
78 reviews for Sine Qua Non Salon
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
11/18/2009
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Updated - 2/4/2009
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6/13/2007
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
Let's put it this way... I drive from the 'burbs to get my girl Summer to cut my hair. And I do. Religiously. LIke its my job.
I discovered this place after I moved back to Chicago and was living in the city. I called and asked who knows curly hair best and voila - five years later, I dont want to have another stylist lay as much as their eyes on my hair.
Not only is Summer fab, but everyone else is great. I walk out feeling like a million bucks because the receptionist is always quick with a compliment. Who wouldn't want to come back?!
Its hard to get an appointment with Summer since she's already in demand and I'll politely ask all of you to request another stylist.
This salon does pretty much everything right. The receptionists are always so friendly and helpful, the stylists are all super cool (I want to be friends with them all or at least go shopping with them), the decor is edgy, their merchandise is pricey but indulgent, and their location is slightly off the beaten path which adds a little something to the table.
I adore my stylist at this salon. Val is her name and fabulous haircuts are her game! She's been cutting my hair for years, starting when I had a layered bob, through the awful process of growing it out, to now maintaining the style. She is so nice, down to earth, and funny. I get excited every time I have an appointment coming up, because I always leave this place feeling sassy and wearing a cute haircut and a smile.
I haven't tried any other stylist here, but I've heard they're great. However, as much as I love all the other aspects of this place, it's Val's skills that are the reason I fork over a good chunk of change here.
I responded to an ad to be a hair model. Made the appointment by email which was easy. You have to be flexible. It took me a few weeks to get an appointment for a free cut.
The salon is very comfortable. I had a straight bob cut which is what I was expecting - no surprises there. I was hoping that there would have been a little more flair in the hair style. This is a stylish salon after all.
It took 2 hours. I was told it should take no more than 1.5 hours. Since I was not in any rush, it did not matter to me but they should tell people more accurately if it is more like 2 and not 1.5.
Overall, the hair cut was fine ... a little boring but since it was free and they had a specific hair style to cut, it worked out alright for me. The cut was even and overall, decent. If I had to pay for it, I would have insisted on a bit more style. I liked that they did not try to sell me any products.
David Is just the best! He knows how to make amazing layers.
i've been on a lifelong quest for the right salon and i have finally found it. i knew instantly upon entering the salon that i was in the right place...the staff just had that hip sense of style that i was looking for. i came about this salon by taking a fellow curly-girl's advice and made an appointment with david. and he gave me the best haircut i've ever had. i had super long, super curly hair and was wanting to go short, and he made feel comfortable right off the bat. i could tell right away that he understood my curls and he did an amazing job. i've gotten so many compliments on my haircut, and will be going back to him for sure. i'm so thrilled that i finally have a salon that i can go back to again and again. hooray!
Anna has been keeping my hair in shape ever since I moved back to Chicago three years ago. I can't say enough to recommend her! She always listens to what I want, and offers great ideas when I don't have anything in mind. She always finds a hip new style for my short hair--I've been to other salons where the stylists don't quite know how to make short hair look interesting, but Anna is a rock star.
If you have curly/wavy hair, you need to make an appointment with Amie - she is fantastic! I've always had a hard time finding the right haircut and way to style my hair, and have wasted lots of money testing out different stylists. Amie truly understands how to manage curly hair and is all about the no fuss. My hair has never looked so good in the past year I've been going to her. The price is reasonable for the quality and friendliness you get, and they offer free bang trims that help extend your cut a few weeks later. Since Amie is so awesome, you need to book in advance, but it is well worth it. I'm sad that I'm leaving Chicago soon and will need to start my quest again for a stylist as good as Amie.
Since I have longer hair nowadays, I switched stylists to Holly and am super happy. I feel like she's honest with me about what my hair can do, she is friendly, but not too chatty, and does an excellent job.
(I strayed once to go to Elizabeth Arden Salon and the stylist there complimented me on my haircut. I think that's fine praise!)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/19/2007
I've been going here for about three years (maybe four) off an on, and really like this salon.… Read more »
I realized I never wrote a review of this location since I started going here after Tracey stopped working at the Andersonville one.
Tracey is the amazing. I had no idea what I wanted, I thought had an idea, but she knew it wouldn't look right if I wanted to straighten it. She then gave me a haircut that I loved, even though the only direction I gave was it needed to work curly or straight. I am thrilled.
I had the same general haircut for about 10 years and had to find a new stylist because mine moved. Plus, 10 years is a long time for the same 'do. I asked and fellow curly-haired yelpers pointed me in the direction of this Salon and David, specifically.
So, I made an appointment & went last night. I am totally pleased and will go back for sure. I was offered coffee straight off the bat (folks after my own heart) and my coat was hung up. It's a small detail, but everyone was very personable about it. Then I met with David.
David is awesome in general, and in particular with curly hair. And my hair is super curly. Outside of being personable, he took the time to really look at my curl pattern, face shape, took my height into consideration for the style & found the right cut for me. This guy also knows how to care for curls (curly girl hair care guidelines) & offered suggestions on how to make my hair awesome every day. He actually gave me several style options.
My cut is dramatically different from the last 'do I had & I love it,love it, love it. I feel like a new woman. It was reasonably priced, given that I have spent the same amount on a pair of shoes, and I will wear this style every day. Today, I received some of the best compliments I've gotten in years. Someone even said I had "red carpet" hair! After what felt like the red carpet treatment, it's no surprise.
(By the way, he books up fast & is very versatile with all hair: the client after me was a guy with straight hair & it looked good when he was done too)
Well I'm hopping on the David bandwagon and can definitely assure you he is an awesome, amazing, and wonderful stylist.
I have insanely curly hair, so getting a hair cut is always very stressful, especially when going to a new salon. David made me feel comfortable immediately, and it's truly one of the greatest hair cuts I've EVER had. Typically I just get the same old boring curly hair cut, but he styled it and shaped it in a very modern and super cute way, and I've gotten TONS of compliments. I couldn't be happier!
There's a picture on my profile in case you're curious!
I've been coming here for five years and have never been disappointed. The staff is always very friendly, accommodating and they're very stylish. This salon offers fantastic services and products. David and Anne rock my world. I have never felt more comfortable with a stylist as I do with David. He always knows the right cut. Anne is amazing with eyebrows. Plus, the eyebrow service is completely affordable ($20). I will pay any amount of money to feel comfortable and satisfied with my cut/color any time.
Give it a try!
David at Sine Qua Non is the BEST for curly hair. I have super curly hair. I always have to go home and re-style my hair after a cut because people just don't know what to do with it--not with David. Best hair cut for curly hair I have ever had, and he knew exactly how to style it.
Schedule in advance, he fills up quick. I had an apt scheduled for a few weeks from now, just called to see if he happened to have any cancellations, got in for this Friday, I feel like I won a jack-pot!
Fantastic hair cut, always running on time, friendly staff and the best hair salon I've ever been to.
I never take the time to write these but I felt compelled to after I got the haircut of a lifetime from Anna at Sine Qua Non! I'm beyond impressed with everything about this salon and my new lifetime stylist.
The salon is edgy and unpretentious with a great vibe. I felt comfortable from the start and I had a blast throughout the whole process with Anna. She recommended a cut for my thick curly hair that was complete opposite of what any other stylist has offered me before and I'm so glad she did because she really knows what she's doing.
I never knew my hair could even look like this, its like I have a complete new head of hair. I'm used to haircuts that make my hair look decent when I go curly and good when I straighten it but this is not the case. She meticulously cut each section of my hair so it is perfectly layered on my head and gives me body where I lacked it and less volume where it is usually overbearing.
Anna taught me the art of styling it curly (which I thought I already perfected myself up until this haircut). She offered great advice and many options on the ways to use products and diffusers on my curls depending on how much time I want to spend on my hair in the morning. She was so knowledgeable about curly hair that I find it hard to believe that she doesn't have naturally curly hair herself.
Any question I ever had about my hair was answered during this one hair cut and now I spend less than 5 minutes in the morning styling it out of the shower. I used to hate my curls but Anna promised to give me a cut that would embrace my natural texture and she did, for once in my life I can honestly say I prefer my curls over flat ironed hair (even though the cut made my hair look awesome straightened too!). I'm so glad I came across such a knowledgeable stylist that shows great passion for her artistry. Anna is the first stylist that I feel the absolute need to see for any and every haircut from now on.
I love love love this place and I'll never go anywhere else. I have curly hair and it's impossible to find a stylist that I trust, but I've had a great experience with both April and Summer. April gave me a good cut and great styling tips and Summer gave me the absolute best haircut I've ever had that I hope to repeat for the rest of my life forever. Plus they never make me wait, they always offer to do fix-ups if I need them, and they use Bumble and Bumble products on me. They also often have good sales on Bumble and Bumble stuff, which makes the whole experience pretty rewarding. I'm a fan.
April is my girl -- I'm so glad I tracked her down after she moved to this salon. She gives a GREAT haircut and is always entertaining and fun to talk to.
Sine Qua Non is reasonably priced and has the perfect feel -- homey, but hip. I think just about anyone could feel comfortable and enjoy their experience at this salon. It's very clear that the staff really gets along, and they treat customers no less nicely than each other. I came in in the middle of a melty snowstorm, and they were even kind enough to accommodate my request to let my pitifully soaked Ugg boots dry out on the rug. I was super embarrassed, but what can you do? Leave it to Sine Qua Non to solve all of my problems!
I have medium-length Asian hair that I am pretty finicky about. Finding a stylist was a priority when I moved to Chicago. The search ended after my first appointment with Ryan here. I've not worked with the other stylists nor gone to the other Sine locations, but I've seen Ryan here six times in the last year. He has never disappointed, and each visit has been better than the last. He has amazing technique and artistry, and usually knows what I want even if I don't know how to describe it. He is friendly and hip while still extremely professional, and is cool with not making conversation if you're not the chatty type. The staff will take your coat and get you coffee, but aren't excessively pampering (which I appreciate as a guy just going for a routine visit). They're also not overly pushy about products or appointments.
I'm not a fan of salons. I always feel "not-fab-enough" when I walk into one. Why? I don't know.
But Summer! For Summer I would brave any salon! She took one look at my hair and knew what this battles with frizzy/curly/wavy/thick haired girl needed. She was upfront about everything, doesn't insist I go every, like, two weeks, and never pushes product (although has been very helpful the few times I've needed something). She goes with the flow of my ever changing hair moods, but isn't afraid to make suggestions. Trust me, follow her suggestions...this lady knows her stuff. I always get compliments on my hair now. Seriously, I've had random people ask me where I get my hair cut. Top that off with the fact she is a joy to talk to and just gets it. I am never bored when in her chair.
And...I walk out feelin' and lookin' fab. And I know exactly why: it's Summer!
April is the best stylist, bar none. And I am so thrilled she is at such a friendly, stylish, clean salon! April plus Sine Qua Non Salon equals a match made in heaven. I have recommended April to all my friends and they too have nothing but rave reviews! Best hair I've ever had thanks to April.
After years of bad cuts and even worse color-jobs from sub-par, over-priced salons, my boyfriend of all people convinced me to give Sine Qua Non salon a try...the same boyfriend who insists on going everywhere in his holed-up Spiderman t-shirt that he's had since the 7th grade (he's 27) with Cheetos crumbs caked in as though they were part of the original tee.
David, David, David...simply put: AMAZING. He's a great conversationalist for one and as long as he's still snipping away, I will never ever trust my locks to anyone else.
I have ALWAYS received compliment after compliment on my hair since i've been seeing him. He always finds a way to put a fresh, unique twist on any cut you're looking for, while making it look completely fab. My hair is also naturally curly, though I wear it straight usually, and he's amazing at giving me a cut that works wonderfully whether I opt for curly or straight.
He's also great with experimental color and has worked with me to create some gorgeous shades. No matter the color, he's always been able to customize the color to my skin-tone and include tones that will enhance the coloring and maximize the quality.
You'll definitely want to book well in advance, as there have been times i've had to wait 1 1/2 months for my next appointment. Rest assured he is well-worth it and the $64 you'll spend is a STEAL for the quality of the cut/color you'll be getting.
Even though I've been going to Sine Qua Non for about a year now, I didn't want to write a review until I felt that I had a good 'sampling' of experiences to be able to sum up the average. As it turns out, I've never had a bad experience at the salon (minus some scheduling/ location hiccups at the very beginning) and, to the contrary, leave with a haircut and/or color that's easy to maintain and looks great.
In my experience, hairdressers often turn a blind eye to the request of the client, assuming that they know what's best for them. While this is true in many ways, the hair dressers at Sine Qua Non never ignore my requests and, this past Saturday, Amy barely trimmed any length off b/c I told her I was trying to grow it out. She also helped out with my bangs, offering suggestions for things to do when they grow out. The color is amazing and is EXACTLY what I was hoping for. I just appreciate that they're willing to work with you and not convince you of something else, and as a result I absolutely trust what they're doing.
I see Ryan here and really love the whole experience. He offers a totally reasonable price and gives me cute, edgy cuts. And he's not interested in gabbing the whole time I'm in the chair. We do talk when we feel like it but he can usually tell if I just want to relax. And I think the cut is about $52. Well worth it!
Note: I have fine, sort of wavy hair that needs a lot of texturizing, so I can only speak to his ability to cut my sort of hair.
I feel guilty this morning because I totally cheated on my hair stylist last night. After a few cuts that I wasn't too happy with and especially after my last cut I decided to try and seek out a new stylist. Did some searches on http://naturallycurly.com and here on Yelp and it lead me to Sine Qua Non and to Aimee.
Went in for my scheduled appointment late yesterday afternoon and met with Aimee and she asked me about what I liked and didn't like about my hairstyle and my hair maintenance regimen and from that she told me exactly what she wanted to do to my hair. She mentioned the words "light", "tendrils" and "framing" and I was sold.
Yep, she did wash my hair first and then started cutting away, no razor here or thinning shears just slicing away with her scissors. About halfway through the cut she rinsed my hair out and then sat me under a dryer for about 15 minutes and then continued to cut my hair dry. The end result is exactly as she described...light, with cute little tendrils framing my face and my own added description of sexy! Meow!
There was a bit of a miscommunication in my scheduling as I also wanted my hair colored. She apologized profusely and I am going back next week for my color along with a coupon for a complimentary Bumble and Bumble conditioning treatment. The manager actually gave me the coupon and again apologized and thanked me for being so understanding. I kind of had a feeling going in that there might have been a misunderstanding when I originally scheduled and thought about calling to double check but I just really wanted to get in and get rid of the nappy sheep on my head.
I woke up this morning and rinsed out my hair, conditioned and gelled it myself and you know what? It still looks hot! Yep, Aimee is definitely my new stylist...she rocks!
Very disappointing. I read the reviews and was expecting a great cut for how much I paid ($80). It look like I cut it myself without a mirror! I can't style it. Now that it has grown out a little I can see my right side is longer than my left. I know hair grows unevenly but this is ridiculous. If I could save anyone some hard earned cash...don't go to Kimberly. I really hate to give someone a bad review but during these hard economical times...you should get what you pay for.
Comment from Laura B. of
Sine Qua Non Salon
5/5/2009
Dear Aster S., I'm so sorry to hear about your experience…
More »
Though I've never considered myself to be particularly girly or overly concerned about my appearance, I love my hair. And that's thanks to Valerie.
Sine Qua Non is great--the staff is friendly and professional, the space is funky, and, unlike some reviewers of this salon, I like the dog! But, really, this review is more of Valerie, who is fantastic. She gave me such a great haircut one of the first times I saw her, that I haven't changed it since (and that was more than 4 years ago!). Also, she's very funny. Do be careful though--sharp scissors near your face and sudden fits of laughter do not mix well. Potential facial disfigurements aside, haircuts with Valerie are great. Of course I'm joking--go to Sine Qua Non and ask for Valerie--you'll get a fantastic haircut (and color too)!
This is my favorite salon. The receptionist is nice, they don't bug you to buy product unless you ask.
Ryan is my favo. He is always booked and I try to book on the fly, however he will cut your hair any way you want and I love his ideas. He is fun and doesn't overly talk it out if you don't want to. Overall, amazing experience. My fav location is the one in andersonville.
Valerie does a fantastic job on haircuts at Sine Qua Non's Lincoln Park salon! I've been seeing her for several years and followed her to Sine Qua Non from my previous salon. I have thick, wavy hair past my shoulders that's not easy to cut, but Val consistently makes my hair look amazing (and much more manageable!) with layers and a razor cut. My hair always looks fresh and modern while still looking sophisticated and stylish. and the cut is good enough that it even grows out well. Val is a great stylist with a fun personality who always listens to what I'm looking for.
The salon carries an impressive array of Bumble and bumble (one of my favorites) and Aveda products, and if I recall correctly, you can add on a deep conditioning treatment to your hair service for something minimal like $7. Definitely a great deal for me, since I have eternally thirsty hair always on the lookout for extra nourishing. :)
I haven't tried any of Sine Qua Non's other hair, facial or waxing services, so I can't comment on those, but I definitely recommend giving the salon -- and Val! -- a try. I won't let anyone else cut my hair!
I have long curly hair, and until I went to Summer at Sine Qua Non, I dreaded getting my hair cut because stylists always cut it too short and insist on straightening it.
It's so simple, so why had I never realized that my hair would be better off in the hands of a stylist who actually has curly hair herself?
What a world of difference!
Here's why, if you have curly hair, you should go get your hair cut by Summer:
1) As she understands that depending on the bounce in your curls, one inch off could result in a look that is several inches shorter once the hair is dry, there is less likelihood that you will end up with a too-short haircut;
2) She knows that girls with curly hair have tried every product out there looking for the perfect combination, and that at a certain point most of us find what works well enough, so she will ask about your hair routine and offer suggestions. Summer has given me a few suggestions on how to tweak what I was already doing, and I have had great results incorporating these modifications; and
3) She likes curly hair and will therefore not tell you that curly hair is "unprofessional" and that you should seriously consider chemically straightening your hair once you have finished law school (as a previous stylist once informed me).
My husband can't get a decent haircut to save his life. He's tried everything from the Hair Cuttery to Aveda Salon and it always comes out looking like crap. He is a musician and needs a cool haircut and not a boring stockbroker haircut.
He made an appt at this salon because it's closeby and the cost is almost half what it was at the last fancy salon he went to.
We were happy when we saw Jenna had tattoos and piercings, because we figured she'd be a little more in touch with modern hairstyles and we were right. She gave him an awesome cut and it was only $38. He will be back soon!
tracey gustave is an amazing artist.
her skill as a stylist is unprecedented.
she is really easy to talk to. she makes it enjoyable to get a haircut. add her conversational skills to her cutting skills and all around you are in for a real treat.
i HIGHLY recommend seeing her if you are interested in getting a quality cut by a talented artist.
Got a free haircut here, long layers, about 2 months ago by David I believe. I hadn't had a cut in over 2 years, and I was long over due. The cut took a while, as it was for instruction, but I knew that going in. They also did my makeup, which looked hot, even for someone who wears no makeup on a daily basis. Two months later, it's growing out nicely, I still look awesome, and I plan on going back and actually paying for a haircut, which says a lot coming from someone who has cut their own hair for 5 years. I met a lot of the staff and all of them were totally cool and laid back, not what you'd expect in a high-end salon, in a good way. Highly recommended!!
low quality services, impersonal, and rude! not returning
Sam is the greatest stylist in the world! The salon is beautiful and everyone is really pleasant.
It is a bit on the pricey side but it is so worth it!
I was very impressed by Sine Qua Non! I've been shopping around for a new hair stylist for about a year, and figured I would give this place a shot because of the great reviews. I'm glad that I did! The environment is very friendly and not pretentious at all. Valerie cut and highlighted my hair and did an excellent job! I'd been having a lot of issues with my hair and she took the time to listen and offer some great advice as to what cut and color would help. Some added bonuses: great music (at least when I was there) and a goodie bag of samples for first timers! Sine Qua Non may just make me stop whoring around to different hair salons and actually settle down with the same salon and stylist for a while!
Don't come between a girl and her hair stylist!
I have curly hair and grew up always having hair that was just not quite right. That all changed when I booked an appointment with Summer at the Lincoln Park location of Sine Qua Non. She books up fast, but I lucked out and got an appointment within the week. Summer's cool and fun to chat with while she's cutting your hair and she absolutely knows what she's doing with curly hair. It is amazing what a difference it makes. Pre-Summer, stylists always wanted to straighten my hair before I left, so I left the salon liking the look but knowing full well that I could *never* recreate it home. Summer believes that you should just let your curly hair be curly. Now, when I leave the salon, it's bouncy and springy and happy.
I got a free haircut from Koren as part of her training. I had to get the specific cut she needed to work on, but she was right in that it suits my hair type and preferred styling time (as in curly hair and not wanting to straighten it or do anything else that takes more than 5 minutes out of the shower). She was really nice, as were the instructors. Overall the salon looked very nice and I felt very comfortable and would go back.
I do prefer the Andersonville or Lakeview locations, only because its a bit quieter...but hell, the buzziness of the LP location is just fine, because I still get a great haircut, everyone is still nice to me, I leave feeling like a rockstar and it stays that way for weeks.
So, yeah. Good stuff. I love it when my hair looks happy.
Oh, and street parking isn't too bad around here (lots of meters)...tips cannot be put on credit cards!
Sine Qua Non is cute, bustling, and friendly. And if you have tons of thick hair like I do, I recommend David. He is an amazing stylist with a good intuition of what will work for your hair, face shape, and personal style. My hair looked better than it had in years when he finished.
This stylist is SO worth it. Last week, my sister came to town and let David cut her super-long hair into the most sophisticated chin-length bob. It looks amazing!
Plus, they use Bumble & Bumble products. Yum!
If I'm picky about one thing, it's where I go to get my hair cut. I am always afraid to go to someone new without getting recommendations from people (with cute hair) first. I went to the Sine Qua Non Salon in Lincoln Park on two recommendations and I haven't gone anywhere since. The salon is open and airy and stylish without being pretentious. Everyone who works there is laid back and so friendly. Libby is my stylist and she does a fantastic job. Not only ido I completely trust her with my hair, but she is super fun and visiting her is like catching up with a long lost friend. Everytime I have been there, I have gotten superior customer service from the time I walk in, to the 15 minutes hair wash and scalp massage, to the cut/color itself. The receptionists are extra nice and always complimentary when you leave (as they should be). Always a fun and relaxing experience!
One thing to remember-you can only put tips on debit cards!
I almost forgot to mention, Libby shares her time between the salon at Lincoln Park and the one in Andersonville. I've always gone to the Lincoln Park salon, but I hear the Andersonville location is nice too!
