Their specialty is twofold—really great cuts and life changing color—recently voted best coloring in Chicago by both City Search and Google+. Many of us (myself included!) get stuck in a hairstyle rut, keeping the same style for years and years. I knew I wanted a change and had an idea about the look I wanted, without going too far outside of my comfort zone. As soon as a met Custom Hair Lounge Founder & Artistic Director Nevena Rothe, I was put at ease. Her background as a stylist is tremendous, from styling for large events including New York Fashion Week and the Academy Awards. She also holds an honor as an educator as she was trained in the acclaimed American Crew method. As a member of the elite International American Crew All-Star Team of educators, she is one of only 12 in America. With over 15 years of experience working at top salons in Europe and the States, celebrity clientele Lionel Richie, Nicholas Cage and Sandra Bernhard, not to mention, trained by beauty masters Vidal Sassoon and Louis Llongueras, I knew I was in good hands. My tired look of long brown locks was transformed into a cut with great layers, bangs and scrumptious color that gave my look new life—and something I could keep up at home.

Custom Hair Lounge also has introduced a really creative way to achieve the most dynamic updo’s. For your next event, whether you want something unique for a gala or a wedding, check out their updo’s featuring hair stitching —a technique using a needle and thread that makes for a longer-lasting style (think 2-3 days). Besides color, cuts and updo’s, you can also book for weddings or something as simple as a blowout, mani/pedi or even waxing.

The salon itself is gorgeous—a lofty white ceiling, reclaimed wood floors, and it’s all about sustainability and modern minimalism with high importance being put on reusing as much as possible when they were designing the salon. The same holds true for their recycling practices. As one of Chicago’s green salons, they care about the environment by recycling and re-purposing things like hair, foils, color tubes, plastics and chemicals to ensure such waste doesn’t get put in our water stream or landfills.

Look for the top, organic products to add to your collection with their main line Neuma Beauty, as well as Moroccan Oil, Kevin Murphy, and American Crew for men.

For more info, check out www.customhairlounge.com. Book your appointment by calling 312.772.3073. Reach the salon by email at CustomHairLounge@gmail.com. Mention Factio and get 20% off your first visit!