Gold & Braid Salon

I’m not generally one to write reviews, however, based on my experience getting a Brazilian Blowout from Jessica, I did feel compelled to write a review. (Please note that each of the stylists rents a chair at the salon, so this isn’t a review about the salon as a whole, only about the stylist who administered the treatments.)
I have been getting Brazilian Blowouts for the last 4 years, and have varied between two different stylists. When I moved to Chicago this past summer, I was forced to find a new stylist who would do the treatments. After reading the Unilocal reviews, I decided to call Gold & Braid. The receptionist was very nice, and referred me to Jessica, while noting that the other woman who used to do the blowouts was taking a break.
I scheduled the appointment with Jessica, and, when I arrived, I asked her how long she thought the procedure would take. I was very surprised when she said it would take between 90 minutes and two hours, given that, with all of my other treatments in the past, it has taken close to 3.5 hrs. I did question her on the timing, to which she replied that she was a «fast worker». (This should have been my clue to leave right then, and I wish I would have.)
She started working, and was fine through the hair washing process (although we did wash my hair multiple times with the product, which no one one has ever done before) and initial blowdry. The real issue came when she went to flat iron the sections.
The Brazilian Blowout method stipulates that you take small sections (generally partitioned off with a small comb) and run the flat iron over them, root to tip, around 8 times. However, Jessica was taking large chunks of hair and haphazardly running the flat iron over them. When I questioned this fact, she told me that she knew what she was doing, even though the process was completely random.
She did finish in about 90 minutes, and it was clear at the end of the process that I was unhappy. She kept telling me that it «looked good», even though my dislike was clear. It almost seemed like she was trying to convince one or both of us that she hadn’t done a bad job, and not even administered the treatment in the right way.
I went home from the treatment, and noticed that my roots were very greasy, and my ends were extremely damaged. Given that I had just had my hair cut two days prior, I knew that it was in good shape when I went in there. I scheduled an emergency appointment with my usual stylist, who had me come in. When I got there, he told me that my ends were completely fried, and we had to cut 1.5 inches off of my hair (even though he had just cut an inch off two days before). He also noted that my scalp and roots were very greasy, so we tried getting the grease out with a clarifying shampoo. (He ended up sending me home with the shampoo, and it took two weeks for my roots to stop being greasy.) He brought several other stylists over to look at my hair, and none of them could figure out how in the world this could have possibly happened, particularly since I’d been doing this treatment for years now before this mishap.
After my $ 100 trip to my stylist, I texted Jessica, and told her what had happened, and that I was very unhappy. She said she would refund the $ 300 that she charged me, however, to date, I have not seen the refund on my card. (This happened over a month ago.)
I did give her the benefit of the doubt, however, it just didn’t work out. Instead of waiting my usual 3 – 4 months to have another treatment done, I have to go back in two months and spend another $ 300 to fix something that wouldn’t have happened if the procedure had been done correctly in the first place.

Where do I start? Annie has been a lifesaver for my long hair. I moved here from FL in August and she has done my hair twice now. She has been nursing it back to health after I went all over silver blonde in FL last year and she is succeeding! This time she did highlights but also something she called a «base bump» to hide the dark ring around my head from the all over blonde growing out that I used to have. It made my hair look so much more natural which is great because I work in a conservative industry.
The appointment I had today was especially awesome as she also gave me a haircut with long layers and bangs. I never try anything new with my hair so this was a huge step for me and she did a beautiful job, even teaching me how to dry them so they will lay correctly. I am even considering going back to get the bangs cut even shorter! She also gives free bang trims. She was so patient with me during the haircut and blowout as I had a last minute phone meeting I had to be on… she turned off the music and continued to cut my hair while I was on the call. She is not only the best blonde colorist I have ever had, but also patient, kind, and so accommodating. Annie is the best and I am a client for life!

Well, I went to G&B based on the strong Unilocal reviews and had really high expectations. I looked forward to a cozy, neighborhood salon where I could relax with a glass of wine while my stylist worked magic on my split ends and tired roots. Unfortunately, this place just missed the mark for me on all points. No pampering, no friendly greeting, and a below average haircut. I even visited twice, just to make sure I didn’t catch them on a bad day! However, my second visit was worst than the first… in fact, I walked in to my house after my appointment and my boyfriend said «I thought you were going to get your hair done this afternoon.» Yikes. For me, this place is a pass.

I was looking for a salon near my new home and found great reviews on Unilocal.I initially was just going to get a hair cut, however, had been thinking of coloring my hair for the first time. Not only is this place great, Beatriz is even better! She is kind and efficient. She also talked me through the coloring process and addressed the many concerns I had as I had never colored my hair before. I am SO happy I decided to go through with it. She did a fantastic job of lightening my hair and making it look like a natural/​soft sun-​kissed look. My sister plans on visiting her in the near future for the same treatment. You can definitely trust Beatriz with your hair, she is a pro! I know I’ll be going back there in a few months. Thanks, Beatriz!

I’ve been going to Annie for almost 3 years now and she is my life. I was desperate for someone who could handle red color and who wouldn’t have me in tears on my way out the door, (unless they were tears of joy of course.) After moving to the city, I needed to find a stylist who could consistently deliver a great cut and color, and Annie is my girl! She has a vision and I trust her every time. She works with you to get your hair exactly as you envision it.
I’m always recommending friends because you can’t go wrong. Not to mention the convenient location of this salon and how cute it is. Plus the wine. I mean what are you doing with your life? Go book an appointment already.

I’ve been seeing Natalie for over 3 years now… nobody cuts my hair better! She’s absolutely wonderful, professionally as well as personally, and deserves a 6 star review. I’m not the best at scheduling hair appts, and it’s upwards of 5 – 7 weeks before I get back to her at times. She’s always taken that into consideration, cutting my hair so that it not only looks good that day, but grows out perfectly over the weeks to follow. I simply cannot say enough good things about her and I’m excited she’s landed at the Gold & Braid. What a great salon! Cheerful and cozy, it has such an inviting and relaxing atmosphere. I’ll follow Natalie anywhere, but I’m so happy she’s landed at a great salon that lets her true artistic talents shine. HIGHLY recommended

I had a Brazilian blowout about 2 months about with Annie who is a DOLL! My thick coarse unruly hair still looks AMAZING with a simple blow dry. I have long hair and had to flat iron or seriously style to keep it under control. I have been to southern Louisiana, Miami, & the Caribbean (aka hair humidity nightmare) in the last 2 months & did NOT have to use a flat iron to calm the fro so I didn’t look like a horrific flash back to the 80’s. I’ve had a co-​worker & others comment how great my hair looks. It’s smooth, healthy & SUPER easy to style & blow dry. I highly recommend Annie & this treatment. Thank you!!!

If I could give Allison more than 5 stars, I would!
I first found Allison a few years ago after scouring Unilocal for reviews and am so glad I did. When I called the salon to book my second appointment with her they told me she had moved to a different salon, and I literally called around town until I found her. I have never found a stylist that I’ve stuck with — but now, I will never go to anyone else!
Allison always listens carefully to what I want, but also gives guidance on what will work best for my hair/​face. I have a chin length style that requires a lot of detail in the layering and she gets it right every time. She is a perfectionist! I regularly get compliments on my cut.
In addition to being top-​notch at what she does, Allison is a delightful person. I look forward to my appointments just to catch up with her (and if you ask, she’ll give you fitness motivation too!) I always leave her chair with a fantastic cut and feeling great. I can’t recommend her enough!

This review is long overdue! This salon is adorable and cozy and great and all but Annie is AMAZING! I’ve had all sorts of colors on my hair with meh results but she has managed to totally nail the exact color and cut I’m looking for every time. I’ve also been growing out a mohawk and she’s handled all of those awkward cuts beautifully. She’s talented, adorable, super fun and has great taste in music, as does the shop owner. The music at Gold & Braid is so good that I’m convinced every time that it’s an amazing station but it’s just the owner’s ipod and I want to duplicate it SO bad! Their hair washer is pretty great, as well. I can’t remember his name because I’m the worst but he’s really great at just letting you relax in those awkward bowls. All and all, Gold & Braid is awesome, as is Annie, and I definitely recommend it.

I found the salon on Unilocal and booked an appointment with Jessica for a brazilian blowout. After a failed keratin treatment (literally did zero), my super frizzy curly hair was a huge pain and I was nervous to drop a few hundred dollars on another treatment. She took me through all the steps and very carefully applied product, flat ironed, and even though the brazilian blowout is more anti-​frizz than straightening, my hair has almost no curl and is super soft and shiny. I can’t wait to go back for another and to try some color as well!

I love Annie at Gold & Braid! I’ve been a couple times already and every time it is wonderful. She really takes her time and makes sure the cut is perfect before you leave!

Beatriz is the shiz. Seriously. My sister has been a hairstylist for 25+ years, and my personal stylist for 13 so you can imagine my chagrin when I moved 1,000 miles away from her. I had a terrible two experiences at a salon in the suburbs when I discovered B. She is my hair-​color hero! She fixed a bad dye-​job and gave me a beautifully, radiant red! Then she proceeded to transition me to a brunette and then a blonde. All within a year. I may be her most hated client for this, but I am absolutely the most grateful! Her highlights are fine and natural (my request) and she’s a wonderful chemist that can create the exact color you’re just dyeing for (pun intended). Check her out!

I’m taking my time to write this review because god, I’m on cloud 9 happy with how my hair looked today.
I booked an appointment a week ago with Jessica, I knew her before as she did a Brazilian blow out for me (which was FYI the best one I have ever had, and I have done it several times before at other places).
I have never ever dyed my hair before. making the hardest customer ever right?
Jessica took her time walking me through the process, making sure what I WANTED to have and what will suit me hair type and eyes. I just did not except that someone would include me in the decision making that I was extremely relaxed and excited before she even started.
The results, phenomenal! I loved loved loved it!!! lEveryone on Instagram are showering me with compliments. Her work is very professional and very well done, the girl just has all the technique and the fine taste.
If you are feeling blue, just go for a small hair change, jessica would come up with something that fits you so well you would even think it was your idea! And you will brag about your hair for months!

«Now I can see why you drive five hours to Chicago just to have your hair cut.» Simply a sample of the numerous positive exclamations I get regarding the fabulous job John Marinucci has always done. I’ve been with John for the past 13 years and will not stray. He knows my head. He knows my hair. He has never failed me. Side note, he is also an artist and had a stint at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Cute little salon! I came in looking not so hot, and left looking like a million bucks! Jessica is the best– she gave me a cut and color that was better than I even imagined! I’ve already gotten a bunch of compliments. Thank you Jess, and thank you Gold and Braid!

So I know I’m technically «cheating», but the loving at Gold & Braid is just oh so good! Being an avid Kelly Cardenas customer for the last 2 years, I was less than thrilled with my last few visits and decided it was time for a change. Jumped on Unilocal and found that this little salon a mere 1.5 blocks from my front door had stellar 5 star reviews (and no, there was not a single review with less than 5 stars), so I decided to give it a try. In the past 2 months, I’ve seen Jessica twice with a 3^rd appointment to test out some extensions tomorrow. Needless to say, she is the cats meow and I am in love. Period.

Amazing!!!
This salon is the cutest, classiest, most inviting salon I have ever been to! The staff is great… especially Annie! She is so caring, honest, and overall a fantastic hair stylist! She always makes sure you are happy/​satisfied before you leave the chair! Monday she even came in on her day off to cut/​color my mother in law and my hair because it fit in our schedule… you cannot get more accommodating then that! Overall a highly recommended salon!

Hands down best cut and highlight I have ever gotten in my life! I just have to sit back and relax and let John work his magic. I’ve never felt so comfortable with just letting someone take the reins when it comes to my hair.
Color is always perfect and the service is fast. While waiting they serve you whatever you wish. Also the head massage you get while having your hair washed is to die for!
I will never go anywhere else and refer all of my friends to John!
I promise you will go home happy :)

ONCE YOU GO JACKIE YOU’LL ALWAYS COME BACKIE! I have been going to Jackie for more than 8 years. I have referred many of my friends to her and they love her just as much as I do. She is an expert at what she does. Jackie always has great suggestions and creative ideas on what hair cut and color would fit my style and personality. I trust her so much that there have been many times that I’ve sat in her chair, closed my eyes, and said «Just do whatever you want». I’ve always left the salon satisfied and you will too!

I’ve been seeing Allison for the past 6 years and I have never left her with unhappy hair. She has this instinctual talent when it comes to finding the right style that fits what you’re looking for. I could come to her with the vaguest description about what I want and with a peppy nod she seems to know exactly what I’m talking about and goes to work on creating me something fantastic. The quality of her styles extends well after your hair begins to grow out as well; with my shorter preference I never have to worry about getting that unfortunate mullet look that often comes with a little growth. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking to go a little shorter or for just something new; in fact I have recommended her to pretty much everyone who compliments me on my hair! She is really worth my trip in from the suburbs!