SNAP Hair

I came here for a haircut and style with Ann Krause. Ann did a consult with me first, which I always appreciate, and I felt comfortable with the type of cut she described. My hair is very fine and thick, so it’s not real easy to cut into a long, graduated bob, but Ann’s very skilled and gave me an absolutely perfect, symmetrical cut that looks great for my hair type! She then talked me through how to style it, which stylists never do, and introduced me to some new techniques that will cut down my styling time significantly. She showed an old dog some new tricks! I love the product line Ann uses (forgot name). I am sensitive to various scents, but nothing irritated me at all. Ann is very personable, friendly, and professional. I highly recommend her for a cut and/​or style. I have been getting cuts downtown for almost $ 100, and she charges about $ 50, so I am definitely coming back. If anyone is wondering why I didn’t give it five stars, this is my first visit. I have to be a regular before giving 5 stars!

Awesome salon, great interior. Ask for Keith. You’ll love your new cut and color!

I was fortunate enough to purchase a style session coupon from G.O.E. Productions and am I glad I did! My hair looks and feels great! I have bought other promotions from Chris in the past, paintball outings for gifts and booze cruises, fun! I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed! The Salon is beautiful and the experience was awesome! Mylissa is the best! It’s unfortunate that another reviewer had such a bad experience with the style session coupon she purchased and in particular with the individual who sold it to her. I would say to make sure you are dealing with G.O.E. Productions when making your purchase!

If you’re lucky enough to not have to go to Paolo at Snap, I’d recommend against it. I cannot speak for the other stylists there – other reviews seem very positive!
If you are unlucky enough to have to go to Paolo because you (stupidly, like me) bought a pre-​paid session on the street from his hired guy JR – I have some tips for you, especially if you have curly/​wavy hair.
1. Do not let him cut it dry. While I understand the reason you might cut it dry (they can cut it into the right shape using it’s full, dry body), Paolo’s dry cut ignored the shape of my hair. Instead, he ziptied it into sections and cut using his comb to «measure». The result is the choppiest hair cut I’ve ever had. If I ever did want to straighten it, I couldnt, because it looks like a child cut my layers. Pro Tip: You might segue into the wet-​cut conversation by making him wash your hair first (which was not only included in the «coupon» I bought, but is just part of a normal haircut experience). I did not get a wash, or any of the other «services» included in the original coupon I bought.
2. Unless you want semi-​permanently relaxed hair, do not let him straighten your hair with the vibrating flat iron he used on me. The choppy cut wouldn’t be such a problem normally, because my curls and waves would hide it pretty well. But, after the «protein treatment» Paolo applied without asking me, and the intense straightening he did without asking how I wanted it styled (ironically, right after I said I don’t like straightening it), I cannot get my hair to curl like it usually does – the ends are stick straight even after 4 washes and a curl-​enhancing treatment. At one point while he was straightening another client at the back of the salon asked her stylist «why is it so smoky in here?” – the answer? My hair had emitted so much smoke from the flat ironing that it had fogged up the entire salon (and remember – it was fully dry this entire time).
3. Maybe just skip it altogether? If you can take the monetary hit on the pre-​paid session, I recommend just using this as a well learned-​lesson and going to a salon where they will do things like A. greet you when you come in B. wash your hair C. Ask you how you want it styled that day and D. generally treat you like it’s your hair and your decisions, not their hair to do with it what they want.
After I bought that pre-​paid session I spent a few weeks worrying that I had gotten scammed (which I would’ve deserved – who gives money to a stranger on the street?). I was so relieved that it wasn’t a scam that I didn’t stick up for myself in there, and now I have the worst haircut I’ve ever had. If he hadn’t chopped off about 4 inches I would go to a new salon and ask them to fix it. Ladies, stick up for yourself and tell him what you want and what you do not want. Don’t let Paolo intimidate you or do anything to your hair that you do not want him to do.
And Paolo, my feedback for you is to loop your customers into the process more, instead of just doing what you want with their hair. I understand that this is your craft and you are the expert – I really do get that. But, we are the ones that know our hair the best. I will not be back – you have a better chance of gaining lifelong customers by including them in their own haircut and making them feel like you care that they’ll be happy with the style at the end.

To be clear: THIS REVIEW IS NOT ABOUT THE SALON. It is about their stylist and Fraud: Paolo Bivona.
I pre purchased a style session (not at the salon) with him from an individual he hired — J. R — and spent $ 66.00 for, what seemed like, not only a great offer but a chance to get to know another salon and possibly a ‘forever’ stylist.
Sadly, no calls were returned (except for ONE where i could not even hear the person, and i sent a text to the number — they didn’t leave a vm — and then dead silence when I told them i’ve been trying to set up an appt with Paolo for weeks).
I don’t know how he is as a stylist and I don’t have anything against SNAP Hair, BUT, this is unethical. When i have PAID for a service, trusting the person and what I recently found out — his seller J.R. actually committed over $ 500 of credit card fraud with my cc when I purchased it — is horrible. I’ve also asked for a refund. Someone from Snap hair was kind enough to answer one of my calls (when i had to call their salon directly since Paolo was not answering his cell) with the promise that Paolo would return the call but nothing was every solidified (no appt). If I do not get a refund for my pre-​purchased style session, than I’m sorry, but that is called Fraud. People think there are no repercussions for bad behavior and taking advantage of customers and that’s frankly bad. I don’t know what customers Paolo has but being disrespectful and unkind to someone who is looking for a good stylist (not to mention hiring a cc fraudster for marketing), HAD PRE PAID for a service, is frankly pretty crappy.
AGAIN: This is not about SNAP Hair as a business but their stylist Paolo Bivona. They seem to be doing very well with their other stylists who are honest and not fraudsters, unlike Paolo and his marketer J.R.

Mylissa is THE best! I’ve been going to her for a few years now and she has done the most amazing work on my hair. Her ideas and techniques are the best. She’s always honest and helps guide me when I’m not exactly sure what I want but will come with 100 pictures to help me decide. Mylissa takes a lot of pride in the work that she does. I love how excited she gets when she just did a new color on my hair and she just can’t wait to do my blow out. Her personality is fabulous and I truly enjoy my time in her chair in addition to walking out looking amazing and feeling gorgeous! I highly recommend her services.

Keith M is a mild-​mannered BEAST (armed with scissors). You can’t get a better men’s hair cut in this city. I guarantee.

If you want to get the best haircut you’ll ever get, go see Keith at Snap-he’s an artist, technician and miracle worker. I’ve been going to him for a few years now-​and I live in LA, but he cuts me every time I’m in town because he is literally the best!

So happy with my hair! This review is for both the salon and stylist JACKIE. Jackie had recently changed locations to SNAP Hair and I’m happy she did. I’ve always loved what Jackie has done with my hair (and she has done A LOT). From blond bobs to auburn pixie cuts and over the years I have always left feeling better than when I walked in. She is a perfectionist and notices things I’d never see but makes sure that everything from the cut to color is exact and AWESOME. Jackie is also accommodating when I try to last minute schedule an appointment literally days before my flight out of the city. Thanks Jackie =) It’s always wonderful to see her, not only for the obvious hair related reasons, but because she is such a treat to be around. She is too nice, funny and quirky which I greatly appreciate. I also want to mention that everyone I met at SNAP Hair was very nice and the clients they were working on all seemed very comfortable and pleased. I’m happy for Jackie (and myself) that the environment is as great as it is! HIGHLY RECOMMEND their newest addition JACKIE — good call, SNAP! You got the best!

Great place, great people. Keith is the only one who’s been able to figure out my hair. He managed to find a way to cut it and style it based on the type and the way it naturally lays. I would recommend to all my friends.

Work in the area came by as a walk in — left extremely impressed and happy with the talent and care that was put into my haircut. Very current styling and attention to detail — highly recommend Keith

I’ve been coming to Snap for years because of Keith. He has been super flexible with his schedule, always gives me a fantastic hair cut and his prices are so reasonable. Keith is personable, professional and amazingly kind.
Simply put, Snap is the best hair salon in the neighborhood!

I have been coming to SNAP for quite a few years now because of Christine. It’s hard for me to find someone who I can trust with my hair. Christine is that stylist. She listens to what I want to have done and more importantly, will follow through. She takes the time to get your hair right and she makes sure you walk out of the salon satisfied with your look. Christine has a great personality, friendly and fun. It makes the process of getting your hair cut and colored much more tolerable when you can have an interesting conversation with your stylist. :)
About the salon itself… yes please! It is hip, clean and comfortable. And I love being offered a refreshment while getting primped and prepped. It adds a nice little bonus to make for a very relaxing experience. Recommend this salon to any and all.

Keith Middleditch is the only person I let touch my hair. This review should have been written 10 years ago when I first started seeing Keith. Myself being 32, I think it says a lot about my stylist and his abilities to keep up with the current trends. In my opinion all the stylist here are true artists and deserve my praise. The studio is clean easy to find located on the corner of Grand and Ogden. Parking lot located in the rear is really useful and free. Keith is easy to converse with — always offers tea or coffee — and his clients love him so much that there may be some baked goods brought in. I digress, Keith is a good listener and understands that your hair is an extension of the personification of your personality. He is very good at translating those celebrity trends we all love so much. I suggest him to all my friends and family.

This place is fantastic! I moved to the area about a year ago and had driven past a few times and decided to give them a shot. I have long brown hair and I needed both a color and cut service. I contacted Mario Tricoci, where I had previously been serviced for about 10 years and was a little nervous when they would not disclose the color they used on my hair. I wanted something warm and natural and hoped this new experience with Snap would be to my liking. They exceeded my expectations! I was fortunate to land in Keith’s chair and I couldn’t be happier with my color and cut. He knew from looking at my color treated hair, exactly what I needed and he kept the warm tones. The cut, was fabulous and grew out very well. I love when I could just wash and go and put much effort into styling my hair. He used shears on my long layers, a technique I was not too familiar with and I was very pleased with the look. My ends looked wispy and light and overall I couldn’t be happier with the service.
I appreciate that Keith knew exactly what I was looking for, which was not a drastic change. Conversation was pleasant and the music and vibe in this place is friendly. I had my fourth visit yesterday evening and will continue to return for a long time! I get so many compliments on my hair and I felt compelled to give credit where due. Keith is always very flexible with my schedule and that’s great customer service.
Snap also sells Pureology hair products for a great price.

I found Irene Grutman! She has been cutting my hair for years at Mario Tricoci — she’s now at Snap Hair! Stopped by last week to see her, and she did a GREAT job as usual! Love her! Call or stop by… I PROMISE you will be happy with the end result! :)

SNAP Is awesome. Keith is a great guy with some top notch cutting skills. As a guy with medium to long hair who dreads haircuts, I’m very happy to live close to this place. Price is reasonable, and the cut is perfect. Would highly recommend.

** Update September 09, 2013 –
I received a note from the owner, Keith, with some clarifications. I will be honest. I was very tempted to downgrade the rating to a 2-​star after the note, but it would not be indicative of the service I actually received.
While I will, for the sake of this place, mention a few things below, be aware that Keith did accuse me of posting my review solely to divert business to another salon. My referral to Roots is 100% based on my trips to that salon and expresses my preference an opinion of where my fellow Unilocal-​ers should go. Unilocal is a venue to review my experience, give feedback to the business and express opinions to the online community.
I do not appreciate being accused of acting dishonestly
Anyway — here are some clarifications
(a) My experience here was fine. It was comfortable and while the hair style was not my preference, it looked fine and I did not specify what I wanted so knowingly took the chance that Keith’s style would be different than mine.
(b) I have been informed that Snap will begin accepting cards at all of its stylists. Apparently, all of the other stylists already accept cards which is something I would not have known
** Original Review April 29^th 2013 **
Overall… this place if fine. But I’d suggest going down to Roots instead. (Down Grand St. about 3 blocks).
Before I start… CASH ONLY!
I called up for a same day appointment and Keith answered the phone.
He offered me a few times and I decided to give this place a try. I like when my stylist can see what to do with my hair and I don’t have give them a play-​by-​play. They are the experts right? Well Keith sat me down and said «I know exactly what to do» which got me excited.
My 45 minute experience from shampoo to massage to cut and clean was rather pleasant and included good, but not overbearing conversation, offers of tea and smiles all around. The only thing that detracted was the numerous phone calls which interrupted the hair cut and which he and other stylists took on speakerphone. Not really a big deal. In the end, Keith paid a lot of attention to my hair. Even after I got up, he saw something he didn’t like and fixed it (a small nit).
So why the 3 star rating?
(1) Cash only is a big turn off. Hair styling can really get pricy and my wife and I both want the option to get different things without worrying about if we have enough cash on hand. (FYI… no mainstream banks near by).
(2) My hair cut was «fine», but it was kind of out dated (and I’m a dude saying this). I looked like I was back in 7^th grade. I was looking for something more current and edgy and this was very 1980’s business man with briefcase.
Not a bad place and not badly priced, but I will not be returning

Great salon in west loop. Christina Tassi is amazing with color. I’m always very happy when I leave.

I love this Salon. It’s unpretentious and yet hip and cool. It’s bright with lots of windows, tall ceilings, big mirrors and it still manages to feels cozy and comfortable. The salon chairs are all vintage! Love it.
Keith, the owner is phenomenal! I got my hair cut last night and it was the BEST darn haircut I have ever gotten from anyone ever. I felt like to he totally «got it» with only minimal instruction from me and showing him 3 photos! Keith took his time, was on time. He takes the task very seriously and although is kind and talkative, got very serious and quiet while in the hair cutting zone. I felt like I was some kind of sculpture being shaped! He also took the time to instruct me on how to apply product, how to style it and how to dry it properly.
While there I couldn’t help but notice how Christine, the other stylist there at the time was so sweet and funny. I admired the work she did on several other clients during my visit. She’s got a great cut as well! I wonder if Keith cuts it?!