Lillian Dion Salon

As I’ve stated in my photos, the styling At the salon had caused my hair to grow. The atmosphere is great and positive, above all professional.
Click the link below to book an appointment with Portia my fabulous stylist.

Dedric Deshon is my stylist and has been for several years… he saved my hair from completely falling out of head! He cares about his work! He does the best sew-​ins and keratins! Period. So if you need a stylist I highly recommend Dedric and I am picky as they come :)

I haven’t been to Dedric in about 6 months, mainly because he did a terrible job on my sew-​in. He layered it way too much, and I was not happy with the results. Then I checked my emails the other day, and saw that Dedric Deshon was offering his clients $ 5 off if they wrote a positive review on Unilocal.I’m sorry Dedric, but that says a lot about your work if you have to bribe your clients into saying positive things about you. He is overpriced and does not deliver for what he charges. Find a different salon, I’m happy I did.

BEWARE! Of this salon! They have amateurs working here. I went in for an ombré and came out with a buzz cut! A stylist by the name of Dedric Deshon applied bleach to my hair, left me under the dryer for way too long, and burned my hair completely off. Maybe he should start paying attention to his clients… He had to do an emergency sew-​in because I refused to leave without my luscious long locks. The weave was OK, nothing special. To my disbelief, I asked him to redo the ombré on my weave because that was what I came in for the first time and I still wanted to achieve that look. He actually burned my hair a SECOND TIME! Yes! A SECOND time! Why did I go back to the salon you ask? Because we had an agreement because of the color mishap and I forgave him for the FIRST mistake. But the SECOND? Ridiculous!!! The owner thought this was laughable… Terrible customer service and I had never thought someone would keep someone on staff who clearly needs to go back to HAIR SCHOOL. BEWARE of this salon if you are considering color!!! Beware of the owner who will do nothing but offer you some cheap hair and claim that it’s top of line just in case the hairstylist accidentally burns your hair off.

Lillian Dion broke my heart. I trusted her with my locks– I thought we had something special but I guess she didn’t feel the same. I have called and called, almost a stalkerish amount, and she doesn’t return my calls. I guess she doesn’t want to use her magic on me. Which is a huge shame because I don’t think I will ever find a better hair cut. This is the most painful form of rejection. I will have to talk to my therapist about it.
Seriously a bummer. I’m actually pissed.
WORST BREAK UP EVER!
Update: Lillian and I are on speaking terms my therapist says this is a start to my recovery. I’m very excited to have my hair look like the gods have blessed my head.

I have seen several really good stylist leave this place due to the extreme lack of professionalism. On the flipside, I met a really great stylist there, Micki Faine, who is now at Toss. I am consistently pleased with Micki’s professionalism and talent.

Let me first start off by saying that I have never actually made it through the door way of Lillian Dion Salon, and let me explain why…
In the mart I made the mistake of making eye contact, and therefore getting roped into a 15 minute sales pitch for a groupon-​esk package at Lillian Dion Salon.
…Partial Color, Cut, Style, Deep Conditioning treatment, Mani/​Pendi a $ 300+ value for a mere $ 65…it seems too good to be true and as it turns out, it was! Well, I was tempted and ended up buying int the package receiving my voucher right on the spot.
The first two times I called the salon was to try a schedule my mani/pedi…“try” being the key word. I was met with the response «Oh our manicurist actually just left the salon, we don’t know if we’ll be replacing her». Interesting, well you ought replace her and pronto if you’re selling deals that include that service, no?
So I figured, OK I’ll let them work that out and in the mean time I DO need a haircut, so I’ll give that service a whirl. I called an additional 4 times throughout a 3 month period to schedule a cut/​style. The receptionist was pleasant enough but I was blocked with filled schedules, or «Lillian is sick» or let me get back to you about availability. (mind you i never asked for or requested lillian herself).
We all know where this is going… there was never a call back. Never an appointment scheduled.
I’m not one to back down after I’ve paid money up front for a service or PACKAGE of services — after 6 phone calls I was feeling stalkerish but I moved up to Lakeview and decided this battle wasn’t worth the fighting for anymore. Hell, Lillian Dion Salon may be miracle workers with hair, pampering and the rest… I wouldn’t know. Instead they left me extremely pissed off and with a bad taste in my mouth by the way they run their business.
Lesson learned, if it seems too good to be true… it most likely is! Such was the case here.

Hey ladies! Just an fyi that Mikke is no longer stylin’ it up at this salon. She has since moved to Toss Salon. It’s just down the street on 13^th St. in between Wabash and Michigan. As I mentioned before in my previous review, wherever she goes, my hair will follow! Check her out!

This review is for the magician herself… Miss Lillian. I came here on a whim as her salon is in my neck of the woods and while skeptical at first it turned out to be a grade A decision.
For as long as I can remember I’ve had a huge complex about my hair. Shallow? Maybe. Necessary? 100%. My hair is pretty wavy/​curly and thick. With the exception of my hairdresser in my college town circa 2008 I’ve had the worst time finding someone who gets me. I can’t tell you how many times where I’ve heard, «Oh…wow. You have so much hair» which as we all know is code for «Cough cough your hair sucks girl.»
Lillian just got me. She’s absolutely adorable and the sweetest thing ever and most important girl is amazing at hair. Not once did she complain or make a bitchy comment (which most girls know goes a long way). She can blow dry like no one else I’ve ever met and the best part is she took the time to teach me how to do it myself! She’s always giving me great tips and tricks and mentoring me on what to do next with my hair.
I like to think of Lil as my own personal Nick Arrojo from TLC’s What Not To Wear. :)
Side Note — Minus 1 Star for the guy who answers the phone. I’m not sure he quite understands the art of being a receptionist. It’s pretty much like pulling teeth to get that damn appointment… homeboy needs to lock that shit down.

Crizen is hands down the best ever! I followed her here from another salon actually. I just go for haircuts, but I am picky… the wash and styling they provide with it is very enjoyable.
Everyone that works here is very nice and helpful too! I have been able to sneak in a last min cut before due to others canceling, and the online booking system they use is nice and easy too.

My stylist Dedric is amazing! My hair always looks incredible after I leave. He creates contemporary styles but his primary concern is maintaining healthy hair. He’s def one of the best!

I went to Crizen for highlights and a haircut (after asking someone where they got their hair done; so I saw her work in advance). She gave me the best cut I’ve had in years, at a fraction of the cost from the Gold Coast. area. My Color is also great; and a price I didn’t choke on. Crizen took me a few minutes early, didn’t b.s. and went right to business. I also want to mention the ladies at the reception desk couldn’t have been nicer; I will certainly be back and referring clients! Thank you Crizen!

Now to be fair, I’m sure the other stylists are also excellent, but this review is really just for Crizen. She is PHENOMENAL. And worth it to follow her to any salon.
It’s amazing how much she knows about hair… and all different kinds of hair. I’ve seen her work with my girlfriend’s hair which is thick and super curly, whereas I have really thin hair, and it was her that convinced me to chop off my long hair and have a really short, trendy, angled cut. When I returned for a trim, she gave me the best highlights I’ve ever had. And the best part is… she is super nice! She really listens to what you want, what your hesitations are, and she’s not afraid to tell you what she thinks would look best. I’ve come to just trust her with everything that involves hair and makeup.
When I moved to NY I actually refused to go anywhere else for my hair and I would wait to come back to Chicago just so Crizen could do my hair! Granted it’s been a while since I’ve been back and although I’m happy with my stylist now, no one compares to Crizen. And FYI. I saw her yesterday and she’s preggers and about to give birth, but STILL working as hard as ever to make your hair look fabulous!

My review is based on merely attempting to get an appointment there, but never having actually set foot inside. The experience alone was enough to let me know I would NEVER give them my money.
A friend gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure, and after 3 failed attempts at an appointment I gave up. The first time I called I had to leave a message and never got a return phone call. The 2^nd time I actually spoke to a live, albeit flippant receptionist, who sounded like she was doing me a huge favor by answering the phone (should have been my first clue) and granting me the privilege of booking an appointment for me. The day of my appointment, which was scheduled for after work and right before I was leaving for a business trip, they called me (no joke here, people) 15 FRIGGIN MINUTES before my appointment to tell me that the person scheduled to do my manicure & pedicure had called in sick, so I’d have to reschedule. Now what, now? You have ONE person in the entire salon who does mani/​pedis? For reals? There was no other hand and foot specialist who could handle my appointment? Is it me or is that bad business? Oh, and, mind you that the oh-​so charming imp who called me didn’t bother to ask if I wanted to reschedule while she had me on the phone.
The third time was the charm. Called to make yet ANOTHER APPOINTMENT, and was left on hold for 7 minutes. At that point I gave up and decided that a prepaid pedicure wasn’t worth the janky atmosphere.

The salon looks great, but is way overrated. I saw the article in Chicago Mag and the reviews on here, but my experience was far from what I was expecting based upon the reviews and the article.
I had Willy as my stylist. It was a bit uncomfortable, because of his attitude — very superior. I was worked on for 20 minutes, period — the time I spent waiting was longer than that. He didn’t wash my hair, or have my hair washed by anyone else; I had a trim (two — three inches), and told him I wanted bangs. When I went in, I didn’t have them; I told him what I wanted and that I hadn’t had bangs before, and he started cutting. When he was done, that was it. No shampoo at the end, no advice on how to style my hair or how to make the new bangs do what I wanted them to do. Then he asked if the receptionist had told me how much it would cost; I told him now, and was floored when he told me that it would be $ 80. I can’t believe how ridiculous that is — $ 80 for 20 minutes of cutting and discussion, no styling advice, and no shampoo? After that visit, I was thinking about how I really should enroll in a beauty college if I was going to be able to charge $ 320 per hour. Never would I visit again, regardless of how convenient it is to my work, and I wouldn’t suggest the place to anyone.

Were do I begin with this place… Well for starters I choose to have my gorgeous hair cut here because the place looked cute and what the hell I live across the street.
So I did the everyday research of looking places up on line and comparing prices and what not. Well for starters the price range for a hair cut was $ 35-​$ 90. So you would assume 1. maybe the range is for the length and/​or type of hair and 2. they would tell you what the price would be for you service before hand since the range is HUGE. (I worked at Mario Tricoci and I understand the range for new stylists versus senior ones, im down with that lingo). But no I wasnt told anything except to be at my appt at 1pm. Hey it was 11 and I thought I could relax my behind a lil more before I got ready. Hey it’s summer and I like to relax!!!
Anywho, I was greeted my a receptionist who asked me to be seated and my shampooer would me with me shortly. Well once he decided to come back into the salon at 1:15pm I was taken to the shampoo bowls, which I have to admit was the absolute highlight of the whole experience. They recline and massage you like the chairs at the nail salon, oh and I forgot to mention how cute they are by serving ginger ale in wine glasses. Ok now back to the «experience», so I get to the bowl and see another woman sitting at a bowl with her hair everywhere, and I really do mean everywhere. Thought she was for another stylist. Ooh little did I know we had the same stylist and she was before me. Its now 1:20pm and I am getting shampooed. Now mind I tell you that I have naturally curly hair but I straighten it. I take great care of my hair and it was in descent shape, I was just having a girl moment ad wanted a lil different edge to my current cut. The shampoo guy went into great lengths to tell me how horrible my hair was and he was going to put a deep conditioning conditioner on it. Well who the hell am I to know any better. So I sat there, and sat and sat. I started to feel like a lost child. Now its 2:15pm and I get rinsed and brought to the chair. Only to be greeted by a rude stylist who rolled his eyes at me when I was discussing what I wanted. Thank god I paid attention because I had to stop the cutting before I looked like Sinade O’Connor. Then as he «blow-​dried» my hair he just just a plain flat brush and talked on his phone the whole time. My hair was curly on the bottom and I had a Farah Faucet flip on the top. He took the cape off and walked away. I then only assumed that we were finished and I proceeded to the front desk. At this point it was after 3pm and I had already rescheduled 2 work meetings because of the ridiculous tardiness of the salon.
Then the heart attack came when she told me my bill was $ 90. I was so disgusted that I paid and left. Seriously? Does that salon think they are in the Bloomingdale’s building doing Jennifer Aniston’s hair? I will never and I mean never personally step foot in that place and I hope by reading this you never will.
There was «1» stylist there and they charged $ 90 and were over and hour late? Yeah im pretty sure I was in Chicago and not London.
So please do yourself, your time and your pocket book a favor and dont get services here. Go to Aniko Salon across the street where they are so nice and upfront with their services… oh yeah and on time.

UPDATE: This place is either closed down or renovating. All the stylist stations are gone and most of the stuff has been taken off the walls. Hmm…
I received an incredibly nasty, error-​laden message from Jai, who saw my review. I was accused of being a «loser» and a friend of former employees, which couldn’t be further from the truth. What I am is a longtime South Loop resident who doesn’t like having her time or money wasted. I was truthful about my experience at the salon and absolutely stand by my review. Instead of trying to make improvements in service, I get an illiterate and disgruntled customer attacking me. Even further proof of why I would not recommend this establishment to anyone.

Ladies— if you were confused on the first go around then let me be clear. I press my hair – I do not have a relaxer. I have been chemical free for 8 years. I get asked if I have a weave at least once a week. why? Because Willie helps me keep my «do» looking right.
Willie and Carrie the dynamic duo. Remember you heard it here first!
If you want «natural hair styling» this is NOT the recommendation for you. If you you wear your hair straight from time to time holla at me.
However, they do carry a great product called CURLS at the salon that Willie told me all about – I liked it better than curly pudding.
Might I also add my favorite hairstylist was recently featured in Chicago Magazine.

If you have natural Black hair. DO NOT come here! The only thing they know how to do is blowdry it to cut it, or give you a straw set… I mean hello! Just because you have natural hair doesn’t mean you want to change the style of your curl into small shirley temple ringlets! Also beware of the amount of heat they apply to your delicate hair… I had to cut a couple parts out since they singed it straight with hot combs and what not. Plus it’s very expensive. Lastly, the shampoo lady did not know how to properly comb through wet naturally curly hair. Natural hair takes time and care. these people didn’t care.

I went here once, during July. Let me start with the positives… my hair actually looked really great. The stylist (can’t recall her name, but she is Caribbean) was an amazing colorist. Cut was so-​so, but the color was great.
And yet, even with the great color, I will never go back:
First, I was in the salon for a total of over seven hours.
Second, there was a weird stylist switch… I went in after making an appointment for a highlight touch up. The stylist that I had the appointment with called over another stylist (the Caribbean woman), who suggested that I add low lights because my hair was very blonde and did not «look serious» … okay, fine. Not what I asked for, but fine.
The weird thing was that the first stylist then sort of started picking at my hair for about an hour or so, and then kept calling over the second stylist to help her decide what to use. And then she just left and let the second woman take over for the entire service. And then, even though the second stylist did my entire color and even blow dried me, when I went to pay, the owner of the salon (who was also the cashier) told me that the two stylists split the service. I asked her whether I should just tip on the total amount, even though one of them did the whole service. She said «well, did you like your service?» which made it sound like she thought I was asking how tipping worked or something. So I ended up having to tip both of them on the total amount, which was sort of unfair considering the first woman got a giant tip (see below for cost of service) but didn’t do anything.
The worst part, though, was that I was honestly shocked by the cost of the service when I went to pay … over $ 400! … the stylist charged me for a corrective color, without telling me at the outset that she considered low lighting/​highlighting combo to be a corrective color. That really surprised me. I did not go in seeking a corrective color. The stylists did not say «we need to do corrective color» or «this will be pricey» or any of that… she suggested low lights, and then charged me for corrective color. I felt a bit trapped by when I saw the bill. I honestly had no idea that was coming.
I am just too weirded out to go back. But that being said, the color was quite good. So my advice is to be prepared to pay a lot, and to be very clear on the pricing…