Best Salon Near Chicago, IL | 3rd Coast Salon

River North's Premier Hair Salon for Color, Cuts, Styling, Texture, and Extensions | Serving Chicago from 223 West Erie Street

Welcome to 3rd Coast Salon: Chicago's Most Trusted Hair Salon in River North

Welcome to 3rd Coast Salon, tucked inside a boutique suite at 223 West Erie Street, Suite 1E, right in the heart of Chicago's River North neighborhood. Just steps from theMART, the Chicago Riverwalk, and the River North Gallery District, this is where Chicago residents come when they want expert color, precision cuts, and personalized styling done with real care.

The team at 3rd Coast is built around one belief: every guest deserves a stylist who listens, understands what they want, and delivers results that feel completely like them. From Phillip Fowler's precision cuts and extensions to Kevin's standout color work, the talent inside this salon keeps clients coming back year after year. Whether you are walking over from the Magnificent Mile or making the trip from Lincoln Park or Wicker Park, 3rd Coast is where Chicago hair gets done right.

Salon Location: 223 West Erie Street, Suite 1E, Chicago, IL 60654

Phone Number: +1 (312) 929-2627

Email us: Info@3rdcoastsalon.com

Hours

• Sun-Mon: Closed
• Tues-Fri: 10am-7pm
• Saturday: 9am-5pm

Book Your Appointment Now

Why 3rd Coast Salon Is the Best Salon Near Chicago, IL

Chicago does not give hair an easy time. Winters bring freezing temperatures, relentless wind off Lake Michigan, and dry indoor heat that strips moisture from every strand. Summers push humidity levels that frizz out color-treated hair and swell the cuticle. The stylists at 3rd Coast know this city's climate inside and out, and every service they offer is built around what Chicago hair actually needs all four seasons of the year.

A Collective of True Specialists

At most salons, you get a generalist. At 3rd Coast, you get someone who has put in real hours mastering exactly what you need. Kevin's color work is exceptional, particularly his reds and balayage technique. Amarii handles textured hair, color corrections, bleach and tones, and updos with a depth of skill that is rare in Chicago. Lydia brings fantasy colors and creative cuts to life. Owner Phillip Fowler ties everything together as a master stylist, educator, and mentor who raises the standard for everyone on the floor. This is a collective, and it shows in the results.

A Hidden Gem That Delivers Every Time

Clients have described 3rd Coast as a hidden gem in River North, and that reputation is earned through consistency. Consultations are thorough. Results hold up. And the experience feels personal every single time. Taylor came in chasing a hair color she had wanted for years and left blown away. Allison sat with Diana for a gloss consultation and John for a cut and was already planning her return visit before she walked out. Phillip took his time walking one client through every step of a cut and teaching them how to maintain a healthy scalp at home. That is the standard here.

Premium Products Matched to Chicago Hair

3rd Coast carries Milbon and Unite, two professional brands chosen specifically because they perform in Chicago's demanding climate. Milbon's Japanese precision formulas are particularly effective for maintaining moisture and protecting color through dry winters and humid summers. The team recommends what your hair actually needs, not just what is stocked on a shelf.

Services at 3rd Coast Salon

Haircuts

Haircuts: Starting at $50

Every haircut at 3rd Coast includes a shampoo, the cut, and a blowdry. Hot tool styling is available as an add-on. Pricing varies by stylist. Amarii's haircuts start at $95, Phillip F.'s at $125, and Lydia's at $90. If you are booking a haircut alongside a color service, book color first. The team shapes every cut around your face structure, texture, and lifestyle so you leave with something that actually works for you day to day in Chicago.

Styling

Blowouts and Up Styling

Styling at 3rd Coast covers two options. The blowout service includes a shampoo, condition, and full blowdry, with hot tool work available as an add-on. The up styling service is done on clean, dry hair and includes hot tool work and up styling, with the blowdry not included. Whether you are heading to an event near the East Bank Club or just want to feel polished walking through River North, the team delivers clean, lasting results.

Color Services

Single Process Color: Starting at $93+

Single process color is a solid, foundational service for clients maintaining their shade or trying something new. Pricing starts at $93 and varies by stylist. Book color first when combining with other services.

Highlights: Partial Starting at $213+ | Full Starting at $243+

Both partial and full highlight services include one gloss. Partial highlights start at $213 and full highlights start at $243. Kevin and the color team approach highlights with precision and an understanding of how Chicago's UV exposure and seasonal shifts affect color longevity.

Balayage: Starting at $159+

Balayage at 3rd Coast is a freehand painting technique that creates natural, sun-kissed dimension with minimal upkeep. Starts at $159 and includes one gloss. Kevin's balayage technique is one of the most talked-about services at the salon, known for results that grow out beautifully and suit Chicago's four-season lifestyle.

Gloss: Starting at $127+

A standalone gloss service for clients who want to refresh vibrancy, correct brassiness, or add shine between color appointments. Starting at $127.

Color Correction

Color corrections are complex, multi-step services handled by Amarii at 3rd Coast. If you have had uneven results, box dye buildup, or color that has shifted in unexpected ways, Amarii's expertise in bleach and tone work and layered color services makes her one of the best in Chicago for getting your hair back on track. Pricing is determined by consultation.

Fantasy Colors

Lydia handles fantasy color work at 3rd Coast. Vivid pinks, purples, teals, pastels, bold panels, and full transformations. If you want color that makes a statement, Lydia is your stylist. Her technical background with bleach and tone means she approaches creative color with the kind of knowledge that keeps hair healthy through the process.

Texture Services

Keratin Treatments

3rd Coast is a Keratin Complex KCELITE salon, which means they are certified in the Keratin Complex professional system. For Chicago clients dealing with the city's humid summers from June through August, a professional keratin significantly cuts dry time, reduces frizz, and keeps your style intact through the heat. The team matches the right service to your hair type and walks you through realistic expectations for how long results last in Chicago's climate.

Extensions

Custom Hair Extensions

Extensions at 3rd Coast are handled by Phillip Fowler, Lydia, and Luke. Phillip is the primary extension specialist, with years of experience matching the right method to your hair type, lifestyle, and maintenance comfort. Whether you are adding length, volume, or both, extensions here are done with precision. Pricing is determined by method and consultation. The best first step is booking a consultation so the team can assess your hair and recommend exactly what will work.

Conditioning Treatments

Conditioning Treatments: Starting at $35

3rd Coast offers several conditioning and treatment options depending on what your hair needs.

Conditioning treatments start at $35. A mid-level treatment option is available starting at $50. A more intensive treatment starts at $75. The premium option starts at $50 as well, with multiple levels available depending on your hair's condition. The standout service in this category is the Scalp Treatment, which starts at $129 and includes a full one-hour scalp massage and targeted treatment. For Chicago clients coming out of a brutal winter with a dry, sensitive scalp, this is one of the most restorative services on the menu. All conditioning treatments follow the same booking rule: if you are pairing with color, book color first.

Meet the 3rd Coast Salon Team

Phillip Fowler, Owner and Master Stylist

Phillip is the foundation of 3rd Coast. As owner, stylist, educator, and mentor, he brings decades of experience to every client and every interaction on the floor. His extension work and precision cuts are some of the best in Chicago, and the way he mentors the stylists around him has made 3rd Coast a place where real talent grows. Clients who sit with Phillip consistently describe feeling genuinely heard and cared for. Cuts with Phillip start at $125.

Kevin, Colorist

Kevin's specialty is color that makes people stop and look twice. His reds are rich and dimensional, and his balayage technique is refined and intentional. If color is your priority and you want someone who treats it like an art form, Kevin is your stylist.

Amarii, Color and Texture Specialist

Amarii is the person to see for color corrections, textured hair, bleach and tone work, and updos. Her understanding of how color interacts with different hair types and textures is exceptional. Haircuts with Amarii start at $95.

Lydia, Fantasy Color, Extensions, and Cut Specialist

Lydia brings creative vision and technical depth in equal measure. Fantasy colors, bleach and tone, extensions, and cuts are all part of her practice. Her clients love her for both the results and the experience of being in her chair. Cuts with Lydia start at $90.

Luke, Colorist and Extension Stylist

Luke handles color, highlights, cuts, and extensions with a clean, thoughtful approach. His clients come back consistently because the results hold and the process feels easy.

Mark and Tammy, Color and Style Specialists

Mark and Tammy are versatile stylists who handle color, cuts, and styling with the same care and professionalism the rest of the floor brings. Reliable, consistent, and great to be around.

Independent Stylists: Olivia, Christopher, Mya, Krista, Parto, and Kristen

The independent stylists at 3rd Coast add tremendous range to what is already a strong team. Olivia, Christopher, Mya, and Krista all handle color, cuts, and styling. Parto specializes in cuts and styling. Kristen is a colorist with a loyal following of clients who have been seeing her for years and consistently rave about her attention to detail and how thoroughly she makes sure you love your color every single time.

Monika, Independent Nail Technician

Monika handles manicures and pedicures, making it easy to take care of your nails during or after your hair appointment. River North runs fast, and having both in one stop is a real convenience.

The 3rd Coast Experience in River North, Chicago

Steps From the Best of River North

3rd Coast Salon sits at 223 West Erie Street, Suite 1E, in one of Chicago's most walkable and energetic neighborhoods. theMART is right there. The Chicago Riverwalk is a short walk. Marina City, the Magnificent Mile, and the River North Gallery District are all within easy reach. After your appointment you can grab lunch near the Riverwalk, browse the galleries, or hop on the Brown or Purple Line at the Merchandise Mart station and get anywhere in the city easily.

Built for What Chicago's Climate Does to Hair

Chicago does not give hair an easy time across any season. Winter means dry heated indoor air combined with freezing wind off Lake Michigan, and hair becomes brittle, static, and thirsty for moisture. Spring brings unpredictable humidity and transition weather. Summer from June through August hits with heat and lake humidity that swells the hair cuticle and fades color faster than most clients expect. Fall is the best time to restore summer damage before the cold returns. The team at 3rd Coast builds all of this into how they approach every service, what they recommend, and what they send you home with.

Serving Chicago's Neighborhoods

3rd Coast draws clients from across Chicago. River North regulars are the core, but clients from Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview, the Loop, Bucktown, Logan Square, Uptown, Edgewater, and neighborhoods throughout the North, South, and West Sides make the trip consistently. The talent here has built a reputation that travels well beyond the block.

Frequently Asked Questions From Chicago Clients

What makes 3rd Coast Salon stand out among hair salons in Chicago's River North neighborhood?

3rd Coast stands out because it is a true collective of specialists operating under one roof in River North. Kevin's color work, Amarii's expertise in textured hair and corrections, Lydia's fantasy color and extensions, and Phillip Fowler's mastery of cuts and extensions create a team depth that most Chicago salons cannot match. Clients consistently describe thorough consultations, consistent results, and a genuinely personal experience every visit. In a neighborhood full of options, 3rd Coast is the one people stop looking after they find.

Where is 3rd Coast Salon located in River North and how do I get there from other Chicago neighborhoods?

3rd Coast Salon is at 223 West Erie Street, Suite 1E, Chicago, IL 60654. The closest CTA stop is the Brown and Purple Line at Merchandise Mart Station, just a few minutes walk away. Street parking is available on Erie and surrounding blocks, and parking garages are accessible throughout River North. The location is easy to reach from Lincoln Park, the Loop, Lakeview, Wicker Park, and most Chicago neighborhoods.

Which stylist at 3rd Coast Salon should I book for a color correction in Chicago?

Amarii is 3rd Coast's color correction specialist and one of the best in Chicago for complex, multi-step color work. She handles bleach and tone, layered corrections, and textured hair with patience and precision that is genuinely hard to find. If you have had uneven results, box dye buildup, or color that has shifted in the wrong direction, Amarii is the person to call. Start with a consultation so she can assess your hair and walk you through exactly what the process will involve.

What color services does 3rd Coast Salon offer in Chicago and what do they cost?

3rd Coast offers single process color starting at $93, highlights with a partial starting at $213 and a full starting at $243, balayage starting at $159, and a standalone gloss starting at $127. All highlight and balayage services include one gloss. Color corrections and fantasy colors are priced by consultation. If you are booking color alongside another service, always book color first.

Does 3rd Coast Salon offer keratin treatments for Chicago's humid summers?

Yes. 3rd Coast is a Keratin Complex KCELITE certified salon, which means they are trained and certified in the Keratin Complex professional system. For Chicago clients dealing with the city's humid summers, a professional keratin can dramatically reduce frizz, cut dry time, and keep styling manageable through the wettest months. The team will walk you through the right option for your hair type and how long results typically last in Chicago's specific climate.

What conditioning and scalp treatments are available at 3rd Coast Salon in Chicago?

3rd Coast offers a range of conditioning treatments starting at $35, with more intensive options available at higher price points. The standout is the Scalp Treatment, which starts at $129 and includes a full one-hour scalp massage and targeted treatment. For Chicago clients dealing with dry, sensitive scalps coming out of a long winter, this is one of the most restorative services on the menu. When combining treatments with color, book color first.

Does 3rd Coast Salon in River North work with textured and natural hair?

Yes. Amarii specializes in textured hair and handles color corrections, bleach and tone work, and styling on all curl patterns and textures with real skill and care. Extensions on textured hair are available through Phillip, Lydia, and Luke. 3rd Coast is a welcoming space for all hair types, and the team's range of expertise makes it one of the more inclusive and capable salons in Chicago.

How do I book an appointment at 3rd Coast Salon in Chicago?

You can book your appointment online or call +1 (312) 929-2627 directly. The salon is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 7pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Booking online lets you choose your stylist and service in advance. If you need to cancel, 3rd Coast requires a minimum 24-hour notice by speaking directly with a staff member. Late cancellations under 24 hours may be charged 50% of the scheduled service, and no-shows may be charged the full amount.

Book Your Appointment at 3rd Coast Salon

Whether you are coming in for the first time and want to feel what a real consultation with a specialist is like, you are ready to fix color that has not been working, or you just want a precision cut and a professional blowout in one of Chicago's best neighborhoods, the next step is easy.

Book Your Appointment Now

Salon Location: 223 West Erie Street, Suite 1E, Chicago, IL 60654

Phone Number: +1 (312) 929-2627

Email us: Info@3rdcoastsalon.com

Hours

Sun-Mon: Closed

Tues-Fri: 10am-7pm

Saturday: 9am-5pm

Service Areas We Proudly Serve

3rd Coast Salon is located in River North and welcomes clients from every Chicago neighborhood and surrounding suburbs.

Rogers Park, West Ridge, Uptown, Lincoln Square, North Center, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Avondale, Logan Square, West Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown, the Loop, Near North Side, Edgewater, Irving Park, Portage Park, and communities throughout Chicago's North Side, South Side, and West Side. Clients also make the trip from Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, Naperville, Schaumburg, and across the broader Chicagoland area because the level of color, extension, and styling work at 3rd Coast is genuinely hard to find closer to home.

Your Best Hair Starts at 3rd Coast Salon

From rich, dimensional color built to hold through Chicago's demanding seasons to precision cuts, certified keratin treatments, scalp treatments, and extension installs done with real expertise, all delivered in a boutique suite steps from the Chicago Riverwalk and theMART, 3rd Coast Salon is where Chicago comes when the result actually matters.

Phillip and the team built this place because Chicago deserved a salon where the work was done with intention, the consultations were real, and the experience felt personal every time. The clients who have been coming back for years already know it.

They are right here on West Erie Street in River North, and they are ready to meet your hair.

Book Your Appointment Now | Call +1 (312) 929-2627