Shea DeCoste Studio

Shea DeCoste Studio is a small, appointment-only hair salon in Chicago. The studio aims to be a place where clients can relax, and its work centers on lived-in hair that suits each client's daily routine, along with careful cuts and color tailored to the individual.

The color menu starts with a gloss that refreshes tone and shine on previous color, priced at $90 and taking about 40 minutes. A base color with gloss is used for covering gray or for all-over color ($175, about 1 hour 30 minutes). A new color consultation runs 30 minutes at a price that varies. A blowout is not part of color services and has to be booked as its own appointment.

Haircuts for men include shear and comb work, trimmers for the hairline, shampoo and blow-dry, for $80 in about an hour. Women's haircuts with Shiv include a wash, cut, blow-dry and style for $150 over about 1 hour 30 minutes. Men with hair longer than shoulder length are charged extra. Bang trims are offered only to current bang clients ($40, 30 minutes, without shampoo or blow-dry). Clip-in extension haircuts and fittings, which include cutting and blending the extensions, are $100 for about an hour.

Styling options include a post-color blow-dry with smooth finish and soft waves ($80, about an hour), and special event styling for updos, half-ups, down styles and roller or pin sets ($125, about 1 hour 30 minutes). Event styling requires clean, dry hair with no product applied, and extra charges apply when extensions are in.

The studio is open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and on Sunday for shorter hours; it is closed Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Clients are asked to arrive on time: arriving 15 minutes or more late may mean a reschedule, with the full service cost still due. The waiting area is very small, so extra guests, children and pets cannot join appointments. Changes are requested at least 2 days ahead, and cancellations or no-shows within 48 hours are charged half the services, or the full amount within 24 hours. eGift cards are available in $10, $20, $25, $50 or a custom amount.

The studio focuses on lived-in hair that suits clients' everyday lives, with expert cuts and color customized to each person.

The studio is meant to be a relaxed space, though its waiting area is very small.