What to Expect at Your First Visit to 3rd Coast Salon

Most first visits to a new salon feel a little uncertain. You do not know what the space looks like, you do not know what the consultation will cover, and you are not sure whether you will love the result. This article walks you through every step so your first visit with us is calm and predictable.

We are 3rd Coast Salon, a boutique suite at 223 W Erie Street, Suite 1E. We have been in River North since 2022. The salon is small on purpose. Here is what your visit will actually look like.

How do I find the salon?

We are on the first floor of 223 W Erie Street, Suite 1E. Erie is between Wells and Franklin. Look for the suite-style entrance off Erie. The Brown Line Merchandise Mart stop is a five minute walk south. The Red Line Grand Avenue stop is a five minute walk east. If you drive, there is metered street parking on Erie and Huron and a paid lot on Hubbard one block south.

When you arrive, the suite door is the entrance. There is no big lobby. We are a boutique, so the space is smaller and quieter than a typical floor salon. Your stylist or a teammate will greet you within a minute or two.

What happens in the first 15 minutes?

This is the consultation, and it is the most important part of any first visit.

Your stylist will sit with you, hair down, in good light. They will ask what you want, what you have done in the past, and what you do at home. You should be ready to talk through:

• What you want this visit to look like (cut, color, both, change of length, etc.)
• Three photos of looks you like (real people, ideally with hair texture similar to yours)
• One or two photos of looks you do not want (this is more useful than people realize)
• The products you currently use at home
• Any color or chemical work in the past 12 months (highlights, single-process, smoothing, keratin, perm)
• Your timing on follow-up. Do you want this every 8 weeks, every 12 weeks, or one-off?

Your stylist will tell you, honestly, whether the look you want is achievable in one session or whether it will take more than one. If it will take more than one, they will lay out the timeline. We do not start a service we cannot finish well.

How should I prepare my hair before the appointment?

A few simple rules.

• Wash within 24 hours, but not immediately before. Day-old hair processes color more evenly than just-washed hair.
• Skip the heavy product. No thick masks or oils the morning of. They can interfere with color and toner.
• Bring photo references on your phone. Open the photos before your appointment so you are not scrolling during consult.
• Eat beforehand. A balayage appointment runs three to four hours. Hungry guests get crankier guests. We have water and tea, but eat.
• Wear a dark top. Toner and color can flick. We use a cape, but a dark shirt is safer.

What does the service itself look like?

It depends on what you booked. The most common first visits we see:

Haircut only (45 to 75 minutes)

Consult, then wash, cut, finish. Your stylist will show you the finished look in good light and walk through styling.

Single-process color or root touch-up (90 to 120 minutes)

Consult, application, processing time, wash, tone, style. Kevin handles most of our same-day single-process work.

Balayage or full color (3 to 4 hours)

Consult, sectioning, painting, processing, wash, toner, style. Plan for a half day. Bring something to read or a laptop. We have wifi.

Extensions consultation (30 minutes for consult, separate installation appointment)

Phillip leads our extensions program. The first appointment is a consult only. He will assess your hair, talk through method options, and quote the install separately.

What happens at the end?

Your stylist will style you out and show you the result in good light. They will walk through how to recreate the look at home. They will recommend one or two retail products from our Milbon and Unite lines. These are recommendations, not a sales pitch. If you do not want anything, that is fine.

Most first-time guests book their follow-up at checkout. We will tell you the maintenance window based on the service. Color generally refreshes every 8 to 12 weeks. Maintenance cuts every 6 to 10 weeks. Extensions move-ups every 8 to 10 weeks depending on method.

What is the boutique suite setting like?

Smaller, quieter, and more private than a typical floor salon. We have five stylists, so there are usually two or three appointments running at the same time, not twenty. You can hear the conversation at your chair without yelling. Most guests appreciate that. A few miss the energy of a busy floor. If you want a buzzing open floor with retail walls and a coffee bar, we are honestly not it.

Chicago humidity in July gets discussed at almost every consult. We tone and treat with that in mind, especially for color and smoothing work, which is one reason we carry the Milbon smoothing line.

What this visit is NOT

This is not a 30 minute in-and-out. If you have a lunch hour and you need a fast trim, we are not the right fit for your first visit. Book a real window. The consultation alone takes 10 to 15 minutes, and we will not rush it. If you need same-day in 30 minutes, call us and we will refer you to a faster option.

How to book your first visit

Call us at (312) 929-2627 or Book Online. Tell us when you book that you are a new client. We will pad the schedule for the consultation. Browse our services menu, haircut page, color page, or about page before your visit if you want more context.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive for my first visit?

Five minutes early is plenty. We do not have a waiting room, so we will start the consultation as soon as you arrive.

What if I am late?

Call us. If you are more than 15 minutes late we may need to reschedule because the consultation is part of the time slot, not an extra.

Do I tip at 3rd Coast Salon?

Tips are appreciated but not required. Most guests tip between 18 and 22 percent. You can tip in cash or on the card terminal at checkout.

How much should my first visit cost?

It depends on the service. Single-process color, balayage, extensions, and cuts all run different price points. We will quote an all-in number during the consultation before any work begins.

Can I bring my child or a friend?

Yes for children if they are also getting a service. Friends are welcome as long as the suite is not crowded. Call ahead if you are bringing more than one person.

What happens if I do not like the result?

Tell your stylist before you leave. We will adjust on the spot. If you notice something the next day, call within seven days and we will rebook you to fix it at no charge.

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes. Call us or ask at the suite. Useful for new client friends or family.

Are pets allowed?

Service animals only. The suite is small and we want all guests comfortable.