Art+Science Evanston Salon

The company opened its first salon in a small Evanston storefront in 1989, and that original location later moved from Church Street to Orrington Avenue. The West Loop salon at 1144 W. Randolph St. is the newest location and offers the widest range of services, including a full-service salon, a barbershop and a dedicated coloring floor. Logan Square at 2569 North Milwaukee Avenue began in 2015 as a two-chair barbershop and later added cut and color services. The Evanston salon at 1629 Orrington Ave. sits in downtown Evanston, two blocks from the Davis Street Purple Line and Metra stops, and offers a Wildcard discount for Northwestern students. Hours vary by location: West Loop is open Tuesday through Saturday, Evanston Tuesday through Saturday, and Logan Square Tuesday through Saturday with later Friday and Saturday hours. Phone numbers are 312.787.4247 for West Loop, 847.864.4247 for Evanston and 773.227.4247 for Logan Square.

The business was started by David Raccuglia and Paul Wilson, and its owners and managing partners still work as stylists and colorists. Training is at the center of the company. Every stylist, colorist and barber completes an advanced apprenticeship before taking clients on the floor. The apprenticeship follows a European-style model, with programs running from nine months to two years, and assistants receive weekly education and work on live models. Clients who book model appointments can get blowdries, barber cuts and women's cuts at no charge, and color for models is listed at $25.

A visit usually begins with a thorough consultation, where the stylist talks through the client's hair and is candid about what it can and cannot do. The salon works in a departmentalized way, so a client typically sees one stylist for the cut and a different stylist for color. Perms and keratin smoothing treatments require a consultation before they can be booked. The barbershops have a relaxed feel and focus on classic barber shapes, and they welcome clients of all genders in the barber chair. Barbers have trained with American Crew All-Stars, Schorem, Wahl and other programs.

Hair Cares NFP is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit founded in 2016 to fundraise for causes the business backs. According to the business, it has raised over $100,000 for organizations such as homeless shelters, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the National Association for Down Syndrome and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Funds are raised through fashion shows, coat drives, raffles, cut-a-thons and an annual gala called Art + Soul, which pairs fashion and music with giving.

The salon describes itself as voted best hair salon in Chicago. According to the business, the Chicago Reader named it Best Hair Salon in 2014 and 2015, Salon Today named its Wicker Park location a Salon of Distinction in 2012, Chicago Magazine's Reader's Choice awards gave it Best Salon 2012, and it won the 2012 Business Card award from STAMP by Salon Today. Press coverage has appeared in American Salon, Salon Today, Modern Salon, Refinery29 and the Evanston Sun-Times.

The salon pairs a departmentalized booking style, with separate stylists for cut and color, with a long, education-first apprenticeship. Stylists are hired for their potential and willingness to learn rather than only for their portfolio.

The barbershops feel relaxed and traditional, and the three locations are described as having distinct personalities.