Meet Kevin: Master Colorist at 3rd Coast Salon

Kevin is the colorist clients ask for by name at 3rd Coast Salon. The homepage testimonials call out his color work, the local pages name him for blonding, and the reviews on Google point to him again and again. He works out of our boutique suite at 223 W Erie Street, three blocks from the Chicago Riverwalk and a short walk from the Magnificent Mile.

This piece walks through how Kevin works, what to expect at a first appointment with him, and the kinds of color he handles best.

What kind of color does Kevin specialize in?

Kevin's color book covers the full menu: single process, balayage, money piece, foil work, virgin tint, and bleach-and-tone with Olaplex. The two services that anchor his reputation are balayage and color correction.

Balayage is hand-painted. There's no foil packet to fall back on if the placement is off. Kevin paints the way the hair will live: brighter around the face, softer through the mid-lengths, with the depth left where the light doesn't catch it. The result reads natural in Chicago daylight and still reads finished under salon lighting.

Color correction is the other half of the book. That's the appointment where a client walks in with brassy tone from a previous service, an even line where there shouldn't be one, or a result that didn't match the photo they brought in. Kevin handles those calmly. The fix usually takes more than one appointment, and he'll say so up front.

How does Kevin approach a consultation?

Every new client books a consultation before any chemical service. It runs 20 to 30 minutes and it's where the whole appointment gets planned.

"I want to see the hair in natural light before I commit to a formula. I want to know what color services the hair has had in the last year. I want to know the photo references and the photos you don't want to look like. By the time I mix anything, we've already agreed on the result. That's the only way I work."

Kevin asks about previous box dye, henna, and over-the-counter glosses because all three change how the hair will lift. He looks at how the existing color falls across the head, not just at the roots. He also asks about your wash schedule, your water (Chicago water is hard, which matters), and how often you can come back for upkeep.

How does he match color to Chicago light and climate?

This is one of the small things that separates a colorist who's worked in Chicago for years from one who hasn't. Chicago light is mixed: long stretches of gray cloud cover, hard north-light off the lake, then bright reflected light off downtown glass. A blonde that reads warm in a salon mirror under tungsten can read green or ashy under that mixed light.

Kevin tones for the light the client lives in. If you spend most of your days indoors at an office, he'll tone one way. If you're outdoors most weekends along the Lakefront Trail, he'll tone another. The formulas shift to keep the result reading the way the client expects.

Climate matters too. Chicago humidity in July expands the cuticle and pulls warmth forward in lifted hair. Winter dry heat from forced-air furnaces leaves hair porous and fade-prone. Kevin builds the gloss to push back against whichever season you're walking into.

How long do color appointments take?

A single-process touch-up runs 90 minutes to 2 hours. A full balayage runs 3 to 4 hours. Color correction can run 4 to 6 hours and sometimes needs to be split across two visits. Kevin will give you a real time estimate at the consultation. He doesn't pad them, and he doesn't shave time off to fit you in.

If your time window is tight, tell him during the consultation. He'll either find an appointment slot that fits or recommend a service that does. He won't promise a result he can't deliver in the time you have.

How often should you come back?

Maintenance depends on the service.

Single process: every 4 to 6 weeks for full root coverage. Some clients stretch this with a root powder between visits.

Balayage: every 8 to 12 weeks for refresh and a tone. Balayage is the lowest-maintenance lift Kevin offers, which is part of why it's the most-booked service on his list.

Bleach and tone / high lift: every 6 to 8 weeks, with a gloss in between to keep the tone honest.

Kevin will pre-book your next appointment at the chair before you leave. That isn't a sales push. It's the only way to guarantee your preferred time stays open.

What this is NOT

Kevin is not the stylist to book if you want a flat-rate, one-and-done color service with no consultation. Color at 3rd Coast Salon prices by the work, not by a posted menu number, because the same service can take half the time on one client and twice the time on another. If a flat-rate model is what you're after, he isn't the right colorist for you.

He's also not the stylist to book if you want a service that other professionals have already turned down because the hair can't take it. He'll do color correction, but he won't push hair past what it can handle. If a strand test fails, he'll tell you and propose a slower plan.

How to book with Kevin

Kevin works Tuesday through Saturday. New color clients should book a consultation first. Existing clients pre-book directly. The fastest way to hold a slot is to book online and request him by name.

Book Online or call (312) 929-2627. We're at 223 W Erie Street, Suite 1E, in River North.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kevin good with blondes?

Yes. Balayage and blonde work are the largest part of his book. The Lincolnwood and River North blonding pages on our site name him for a reason.

Does Kevin do color correction?

Yes. He treats color correction as a planned project, not a single visit. You'll get a phased plan at the consultation with timing and pricing for each phase.

How much does balayage cost with Kevin?

Pricing is by consultation. The amount of hair, the starting color, and the target color all shift the time and the formulas. A short balayage on level-7 hair is not the same service as a long balayage on level-4 hair.

Will Kevin work over box dye?

Sometimes. He'll need to see the hair and may do a strand test. If the box dye is dark, recent, or layered, the correction will take more than one appointment.

Does Kevin tone every appointment?

Yes. Tone is what makes the difference between a result that reads finished and one that reads raw. Every color service with Kevin includes a tone before you leave.

How long does a first appointment with Kevin take?

Plan on the consultation plus the service. For balayage that's 4 hours total on the first visit. For single process closer to 2 hours.

Can I bring photos?

Please do. Bring two to four references of color you like and one or two of color you don't. Photos in natural light are more useful than photos taken in a bathroom mirror.

What products does Kevin recommend for color maintenance?

Milbon's color-safe lines are the retail he reaches for most. He'll pick the specific line based on whether the hair needs moisture, repair, or smoothing support. Aftercare goes home with you at checkout.

Book with Kevin Online or call (312) 929-2627. See our full service menu or learn about our team.