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Strange Beauty Show
Rating Details »
Category: Hair Salons [Edit]
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village1118 N. Ashland Ave.
(between Thomas St & Haddon Ave)
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-9522
- Nearest Transit:
-
Division (Blue)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
164 reviews for Strange Beauty Show
Audrey rocks my face off! The girl has some skills with a makeup brush-- you walk in all fresh-faced and natural and leave looking like a bombshell!
I recently came in and requested a nighttime look for no real reason except needing some guidance on what colors to wear with my brand new auburn hair. A little bit of sultry plum shady smudged there, a dab of gold in the pout here, and some fake eyelashes culminated in one hot party look. I looked like me, only enhanced with sparkle and gleam. And, Audrey's work didn't budge all night... I even woke up with my false eyelashes intact.
$40 for a full face of makeup or $25 for eyes... a steal!
Oh, and I love that they offer you a cold PBR upon walking in.
http://static3.px.yelp...
I'll likely never go anywhere else for Halloween hair and makeup (or bachelorette party fun, or when in need of funky new color or cuts, or to play old school Nintendo, or drink PBR).
The same duo from 10/31/2008, repeat 2009.
Alyse + Audrey = stellar combo. Glitter and bubbles, amplified. My theory is that if you can rock some crazy hair and makeup, no one will really care that you don't really look like what you are supposed to be, and your costume was purchased the same day. Serious!
Thanks girls, I sing your praises! Always.
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/1/2008
http://static.px.yelp....
Audrey did the makeup, Alyce did the 'do.
A picture is worth a thousand… Read more »
Hair cut by Lauren. :c)
I just moved here from Florida a few months ago and have been avoiding getting a hair cut because I'm not familiar with the area and was unsure where I should go. A friend of mine had gone to SBS and she absolutely ranted and raved about how much she loved her experience so I decided to check it out.
Lauren was a complete sweet heart, checked out the photo I had and gave her an idea of what I wanted. She really listened to me, asked questions, gave her input, and I could tell that she was really focusing on the style of my hair.
She made me feel 100% comfortable and was super easy to talk to and did such an amazing job on my hair. I love it. The price of this hair cut was super cheap compared to the $70 I use to pay in Florida and the atmosphere of the shop is really chill. I will definitely be going back to SBS in the future.
(Thanks Lauren for the great cut!)
I was very hesitant to try a new place to get my hair done! After all I sheepishly admit I have been going to the same place since I was in the 6th grade.
I was looking for something new and fun. My hair was such a mess when I walked in the door... I have very thick and hard to manage hair. I wanted to take a lot of the weight off of my hair without it looking plain. Thanks to Hilary I got exactly what I wanted! I liked it so much I am going back for color in two weeks.
Monica is the best! I was served PBR and got in and out quickly which I love!
Lauren and Audrey made me look so great for my wedding. I loved my party hair sooo much and my skin was magically beautiful with Audrey's skills. The makeup also withstood my weeping during the ceremony with nary a drip, blob or smear.
SBS provided the most fun environment to get done up with my friends. The stylists are so great. Their new location is awesome. My wedding party looked hot. Serious amazingness.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/22/2009
My mohawk days are over.
This is what I thought to myself when I entered Strange Beauty Show for my… Read more »
I have never had a bad haircut here. $30 plus tip for a men's cut. I usually just tell them to do whatever, i trust them.
They also have an old pacman game that I always try to paly and the alarm goes off and the owner has to reset it so I can play. But there is normally never a wait anyways.
*Beware that they do close early some Fridays for private events.
*Also, cash tips only!
Hair: Lauren
Make-up: Audrey
Awesome! I've always wanted to do something wild with my hair, and I never thought I could get away with a hairstyle like this. I loved it. And I loved ordering tacos at La Pasadita with David Bowie make-up on my face!
This was for their 3rd Anniversary Party at the hair salon...not your typical make-up job, but they can do whatever you need. Halloween anyone??
http://www.flickr.com/...
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/25/2009
Last time, I listed pros and cons. You can definitely remove "small place" from the cons list since… Read more »
I've been to both Virginia and Majel for hair cuts and color, and they are both wonderful! I always look forward to going in - it's more like a friend's house than a salon, very relaxed, good music, and very welcoming.
Can't say enough good things about the place and the ladies that make it work!
Strange Beauty Show is my new salon and I have bunches of love for it.
My first experience was the rocking 40's pin-up 'do they gave me for Yelp Spring Fling. I also went all out and had my make-up done complete with fake eyelashes. Suddenly I was all "helllooooo sailor" and ready to be painted on a B-52 bomber.
They did such a great job that when it was time for me to get my hairs cut I went back. Hillary is my stylist and she is great! She listened to what I had to say, gave me some feedback, and then gave me the exact cut I was looking for. Sometimes stylists will give you what they think you should have. Not so at Strange Beauty Show! She was able to fix my last (bad) haircut that I was letting grow out and as an added bonus she gave me a fun curly hairdo when she was done because I had mentioned I was going out later that night. Nice touch!
I love love love Strange Beauty Show!!
Ah, Monica!! She's been doing my hair for about 6 years now. I about had a heart attack when she moved out of Chicago, so I am very pleased that she is back! She has managed to always give me an amazing hair color & style, and her cuts always grow out beautifully. Sometimes I just tell her to just do what she wants with my hair, I trust her that much. She's never let me down!
majel rocked!
like many others, i have a rather conservative job and can't have crazy hair. she does great cuts, no matter what the style. she's very approachable and totally listened to what I asked her to do.
the place is totally laid back and cool. best thing? the retro board games. they had girl talk!!! i used to love that game!
anyway, it was very cheap -- $45 and I got a great cut. i'm definitely a strange beauty show believer!!!
My wife had her hair and makeup done here. She said that she really liked the service. I loved the way she looked. She had her bangs trimmed and her hair blown out. Her makeup was perfect. She looked great before she went in and even better after. It was a great way to start the weekend.
5
11
I have been getting my hair cut at the Strange Beauty Show for almost two years and I highly recommend it to both guys and gals. The cuts are great, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is unbeatable. Virginia and Audrey have really bought something special to one of Chicago's most unique and fun neighborhoods. The new location is great. They have an assortment of games and comfortable seating arrangements.
Two big toes up for the Strange Beauty Show. Also, I think they are looking for a steady shampoo boy cuz I can't make it in all the time ;-)
So Monica is pretty much my hero. I went in for a pretty short cut, had some worries about coming out looking like an 8 year old boy... but was quickly put at ease.
I let her go nuts, and ended up with the cutest cut I've ever had, for the best price I've ever paid. I love stylists that make suggestions, and really get into your haircut.
The music was fabulous, though death metal with scissors can be kinda scary.
Yay for Strange Beauty Show's new location! The place is huge, crazily, kitschily, and beautifully decorated! More local art, more hair cutting stations, party area, shampoo area . . . but same down to earth, fun and friendly staff! Did I mention prices have stayed reasonable?
I have been a satisfied customer of SBS for over a year now (!!). Thanks to Alison I have gone from dark to blonde, blonde to dark and lots of fun random stuff in between. I can word vomit the inkling of an idea I have and with Alison's expertise, eye for color and style, leave with a fabulous new look, for which I receive nothing but complements!
Thanks for consistently being great and congrats on the new location!
Please note: I have had more than one person tell me that the SBS staff "intimidate" them. I promise, if you go to SBS for something "normal", they will not make fun of you, dye your hair purple or give you a mohawk . . . unless you ask!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/8/2008
So I have been a regular to SBS about every 6-8 weeks since my original review. It is so great to… Read more »
You know that 60's beehive I was rockin' at the Spring Fling? It's courtesy of Strange Beauty Show. So was the amazing makeup job.
Virginia is a visionary. I walked in with no idea of what I wanted other than "a retro updo." Right.. not too specific. So she did a bit of googling and came back with an idea for a cool 60's inspired beehive. Because I have the fine hair, she padded my noggin with a bunch of fake tresses, teased the shit out of it and whipped it up into something amazing. The final flourish? Hot pink hair extensions wrapped around the beehive, headband style. Now that's awesome, huh?
Audrey was super skilled with the makeup, too. I was a flurry of fake lashes, tons of silver eye shadow and black winged liner and pouty pink lips. She made me look glowy, amazing, retro and fabulous! Highly recommended.
Granted, I paid for my services ($50 for the updo, $40 for the makeup, plus tips) but it was worth it to get pampered for the evening.
Let's get a little background information out of the way first. I could never be described as edgy. My career is ultra-conservative, I don't have tattoos, my hair is boring. Yet, I've always had a secret desire to be one of those hot, tattooed ladies with crazy-colored hair that look like they could kick the sh*t out of you with one look.
Well, these ladies made me (and my friends) look fab-u-lous for a big night out.
I let the ladies of SBS do what they wanted with me for the night. Only instructions: color on the eyes and hair up so I don't have to mess with it all night.
Audrey whipped my eyes into a purple haze. I was thrilled at how my eye makeup turned out. In fact, I loved it so much so that I wanted to leave it on for the next day. Unfortunately, my boyfriend informed me that after sleeping it it, I kind of looked like I got punched in the face. Not gonna lie, I still wanted to make it work for the next day.
Lauren worked my hair into a fantastic messy updo that looked perfectly undone. Loved it. Again, wanted to rock it the next day, but the ache in the back of my head from sleeping in all those bobby pins precluded that.
They were so accommodating to my group, allowing us to bring our own cocktails and snacks, and basically have the run of the joint, playing their records (frickin' awesome, right?) and their Nintendo. Loved spending some time here, and all the ladies of SBS treated us wonderfully,
Thanks again, Audrey and Lauren: you let me to pretend I can hang with the cool chicks.
Yay for Erin! Moving to a new city means finding a new person to cut my hair. I dreaded the process of elimination...but I lucked out. I went to Strange Beauty Show and had Erin cut my hair and it was so cute! I went back to her again last night (I get mine cut once a month) and we did something completely different than before, and I didn't even have a photo. I love it.
She works quickly...I've never had such a cute hair cut in such a short amount of time. The other staff is really nice, they offer you drinks, the price is very reasonable.
They can give you crazy out-there type cuts, or keep it more simple, whatever you want they can help you with. You have to try it!
I pretty much think this place is all that.
I went here and had awesome experiences with both cut and color. Then I got a little broke. Went to Big Hair (which I know sucks ass) and immediately remembered why I (and almost everyone else in Chicago, it seems) stopped going. I mean Big Hair, really??? How desperate could I possibly be?
Needless to say, I will never stray again! Majel and only Majel may cut/color my hair from now on!
I stopped back by to get my bangs trimmed, and it was free! They have a sweet deal - if you get your hair styled/cut at SBS, they trim your bangs and clean up your hairline for you if you need it btwn cuts! Love, love, love it. I've already decided on my next new style, too :-)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/21/2009
I'm not quite sure how to word this review (a new one for me, normally I've got the blarney when it… Read more »
--My first four star review is under Hot on Yelp --
But this time...five! The new salon is wonderful! big, clean, shiny. More places to sit while you are waiting...I even got a Bell's Oberon instead of a pbr or highlife! Joy - just what I needed after walking a half hour in 85 degree weather. Sorry I left your chair a bit sweaty. Oopsies!
Virginia still gives a great haircut. Love love love!
remember..cash tips.
Loved this place. It's funky and laid back, and not pretentious like a lot of salons tend to be. Erin cut my hair, and did a great job. I brought a picture in and while I don't think my cut is exactly like the photo (which I think is because of my hair type, not because of the cut) I love it. It's easy to manage and has the funky look I was going for. She also didn't try to push any products, which I really appreciate. I hate when stylists make you feel cheap for not wanting to buy expensive products.
The PBR was a great plus and fun to sip as she cut my hair.
Good indie tunes, too!
Finally finally finally made it over here. I had been growing out my curly-ish hair for almost two years and it was in desperate need of attention (not like it was some hot mess but I needed a new style).
Virginia was great. I love this haircut. I think I finally found a stylist! Yahoo!
(And since we talked about Miss Molly and Yelp, I wonder if she'll see this and start laughing at what a nerd I am.)
I feel like such a jerk...I can't believe I've been going to SBS as long as I have and am just now getting around to reviewing them. It took me a couple of years to find the perfect salon for me in Chicago, and SBS is it.
Virginia is my stylist (though I've seen the other ladies' work and it's great as well). She has done some fabulous cuts and color on me, which have gotten me many compliments from strangers and coworkers alike. Virginia also did a sweet conditioning treatment last time that made my hair feel heavenly (it's some test tube-looking thing if you go there).
I found out about SBS thru Yelp when I lived in Bucktown. Now I travel all the way from Edgewater to get my hair did by Virginia, and it's well worth it. Bonus - they moved to a much bigger location and have a Nintendo!
Well it had only been 2 years since my last salon visit and I'm damn glad i picked SBS. Now yeah i'm a dood and don't have a bunch of hair to worry after, but i do mind how I look! So after careful review i chose SBS.
I managed to get an appointment last friday a day before their move to their new and improved space up on ashland.
Alyse did an excellent job and kept me talking, which is unusual because i find myself all too hesitant to delve in my personal life with a complete stranger. Next time i'll take the free PBR.
SBS is totally laid back, stylish without the proper posh and pretension. Resist the competition. Look to Strange Beauty Show for yer next primp and prim.
P.S. Cash-only tips!
Wow, this review is long overdue.
This salon is very inexpensive and down-to-earth. I am pretty mainstream when it comes to hair, but these eccentric girls treated me well. Majel gave me a really great haircut, somehow my babyfine hair looked thick. I got so many compliments on that cut.
Also, Victoria did my updo for Yelp Around the World and it was rockin. Picture 1940's glam/ punk with blue pieces.
AND, Majel was so thoughtful and gave me free product when I left to help my hair get stronger... what a doll.
I went back to Alyse after far too long and she did an amazing job. I was a little worried about it the finished product because of the humidity that day. Alyse new what she was doing! my hair is perfectly amazing! She did exactly what I wanted and it's one of the best cuts I've had in a long time. Everything lays just as it should and I have no poof! perfect!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/3/2008
I went in today and had my hair cut and colored by Alyse. She did an amazing job!
that pretty much… Read more »
Strange Beauty Show has my credit card number, expiration date and three-digit what have you!!!
I don't give a flying fuck. Actually, ya know what ladies? You treat yourself. Buy yourself a week's worth of subs from Janik's or go to Disney World.
Ugh seriously though... go wear a tin-foil hat and curl up in your fall-out shelter. SBS is awesome.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/13/2008
I was more excited than a middle age woman in the audience of an Oprah show.
Earlier in the week… Read more »
Sigh, I'm bummed to write this review. I am a regular customer of Alyse's but the last two times she highlighted my hair she missed the mark. The first time I asked for highlights and lowlights (which we've done before) and they turned out a little too dark. The second time we did lowlights I mentioned they were too dark and too ashy, so we selected a color one level lighter. Well, the lowlights still came out too dark against my natural brown color. The ends looked atrocious. I went back in and she put a soap cap on it my hair to pull out some of the darkness. Well, that only really worked at the roots, not the ends so I had slightly lighter roots and dark ends. Not good. I decided two weeks, after wearing nonstop ponytails because I hated the way my hair looked, that I wanted her to highlight over the lowlights. When I went in for my appointment she was obviously sick. She said she didn't feel well. I appreciated her coming in to do my hair because she knew I had an interview upcoming. She highlighted the top section, but she didn't leave the bleach on long enough to "lift" the blonde color to match the rest of my blonde hair. The result was yellowish/brassy steaks that were once my brown lowlights. It's a disaster. I need to find a color correction salon ASAP.
Sorry Alyse, but two times of attempted color adjustment makes me upset and I need to find someone else. I'm sad because I dig Strange Beauty Show and I always looked forward to seeing you at each appointment because you're so cool and down to earth.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/13/2008
Ayse, I am forever your client. Your ability to take my heavily highlighted blonde hair dark brown… Read more »
After leaving the stylistloveofmylife Brian at Suite Five Salon in San Francisco, I've been anxious and hesitant to let anyone else touch my thick curly locks for a trim or style. After 4 months of hair growing bigger and longer and more and more annoying I finally caved and made an appointment at Strange Beauty Show.
Majel was super nice and did a really great job with my color and style. She put in subtle yet noticeable purple streaks and really listened to what I wanted when talking about the cut. I'm very happy with the end result.
I also got a PBR and a student discount both bonus points.
My last visit definitely warrants an update. I go to SBS about every 3 months or so. My hair grows like a weed and I really should be going back more often but it is pretty far out of my way. I have seen Majel plenty of times since my first visit 2 years ago and I love my haircut every single time. This last visit she cut straight across bangs for me, which I was dead set on getting, but still wasn't sure how it was going to look. She did an AWESOME job. I also love that Majel cuts my hair in a way that makes it look great even after it grows out for 3 months.
One of my favorite things about Majel is that she doesn't try to fill the time by having a superficial conversation with me. I'm not one of those people that sits in the chair and looks for therapy from their hairdresser (b/c I am a counselor myself), so I really appreciate that Majel lets me sit in my chair, enjoy the music and my PBR and RELAX. I wish I could go everyday. I've also had my haircut by Virginia, who several of my friends see and LOVE. She is very precise and thoughtful about her work.
Walking past the shop you might think they draw a "hipster" crowd. I am not a hipster by any means and get relatively conservative haircuts and I still love it. They do it all here, folks.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/1/2007
i've been going to the same stylist since i was a teenager so it was hard for me to try and find a… Read more »
Why haven't I written anything about SBS here yet?
I love this place, I love these girls, I love that they give you the "Champagne of Beers" when you come in, I love the way they cut and style hair, I love the free bang trims, and I love that they always remember you. It really feels like home from the very first time.
Virginia is for Lovers....of a GREAT HAIRCUT!
I had a very good experience at SBS. Virgina is as sweet as pie and did a great job giving my medium lengthed hair some personality. It was kind of Niles from Frasier, now it's a bit Karen from Will & Grace.
Don't be afraid to go just bc you are conservative. SBS caters all across the board.
This location is tiny-tiny and just not as pretty as their staff and customers. Good thing it houses great pieces of artwork to make up for it. =) I would love to come back when they open up their new home not too far from their current location.
I was worried about writing a non-positive review, seeing how some other reviewers were treated when they went back after a mildly critical review.
This place is not really my cup of tea I guess. I mean, I my crowd does have tattoos and neon hair and appreciate getting a beer when they get their haircut, but that's not me personally.
Majel was nice and all, but I wasn't really happy with what I ended up with. Maybe I didn't communicate very well. It wasn't horrible, just not how I wanted it.
I think it's still worth a try if that's your scene.
we all make life mistakes. some of us got married too young. others dropped out of school or had tribal tattoos etched for all eternity on our lower backs. others still were fans of glitter makeup. it's ok. these things happen.
i - i got...a perm. yes. a perm. the phrase itself makes me cringe. "i got a perm." it's right up there with "let's hang out at the mall" or "isn't it a shame wham broke up?" to make matters worse, my perm was BOTCHED. YES! BOTCHED. i FOOLISHLY followed five-star yelp reviews to kchula salon where holly ignored my split ends & the existing dye on my hair, poured chemicals willy-nilly about my scalp, removed the curlers early & sent me off WITHOUT drying my hair, shooing me out the door in an hour (an HOUR for a PERM, which is like flying from l.a. to new york in fifteen minutes) to bike through the rain to my home where i discovered CHEMICAL BURNS all around my face & down my neck. my hair turned into a rat's nest of kinky, hay-like non-curls of doom. i was devastated.
enter lauren.
i give lauren my sob story as she takes a gander at the pathetic mop on my head, & she proposes an intense conditioning treatment plus a trim to remove as much damage as possible without sacrificing my hair's length. cue great-smelling hair treatments & good conversation, followed by a cut of just the right amount & hair that's been returned to a hair-like texture. watch as i schedule another appointment right then & there, & return in two weeks for further conditioning, color, & more excellent banter & appointment scheduling. be amazed as i settle down & write an overly long yelp post praising strange beauty show for its glory & grandeur. bravo, sbs. bravo.
oh, by the way - did i mention that they'll save you a mean dollar? yeah. that too. so many awesome things.
They had me at PBR....
For serious tho - great stylists, good vibe, fab location.
Whether you get the same color/cut every month or ur super experimental the gals will take care of ya, check it out!
You know when you walk out of a salon feeling so fantastic you want to make a plan to do something, even if you had no specific desire to do so before? That's what happened to me at Strange Beauty Show today.
Virginia was SO great, really listened to my concerns and fear of haircut change with my naturally curly hair, gave me bangs, and did an amazing job blowing my hair straight.
She's a superstar, and she's for keeps.
Bangs! Love them! Virginia did a great job. I was a little nervous, being my first time here and also getting bangs. Virginia was really patient with me and we figured out together what kind of bangs to cut. She really listened to what I wanted and did a fantastic job. My new cut took a little getting used to but I love it now. I totally recommend this place.
Besides the friendly staff and quality hair cut+color, the salon was dirty. That left such a negative impression on me during and after my hair service that I won't be returning. The wood floor and stylist station had a thick layer of dust on it like a college student's first apartment. The baseboards/molding were so filthy and all that I could stare at when I was asked to look down during my haircut. On a side note, they need better below-sink organization and a new paint job in the sink area. The gallon of ammonia and cleaning products on the floor under the sink is not badass cute - it is grimy. Also, the decision to sponge paint the walls and not fix paint mess-ups all over the ceiling made that area look sloppy and juvenile. This is a chill salon environment that gives a nod to the whole dive bar experience. Unlike a dive bar, no beauty salon can get away with being laid-back with overall cleanliness in my mind.
