Hot Mess

It's me thirt time attending HOT MESS and everytime i go I love me hair! They have never offered me anything to write a good review as other people say..... what they have said is you get a free dry if you leave a review good or bad! I go for highlights and lowlights and hair cuts and dries!! Denise is amazing!!! I had to be at work the day I went in and she promised I would be out on time.... even having 2 clients she kept her promise I got partial hair color and was out in a hour in a half. I didnt have time to get a dry but I came back the next day just for that! denise does a amazing job styling my hair. I'll be back!!!! If its your first time getting color and your nervous..... its a good place to go they really listen to you. It's how I was now im a color junky :) HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Pros: Parking right in front, and they have a cute dog that makes you feel AT home and safe. Cons: I have nothing bad to say about Hotmess. more

I've been trying for 2yrs, to find someone to cut my very thick and curly hair. Denise was super!! She really took her time with my cut and color. I had a very bad experience at another salon in Janurary and waited three months before having enough courage to color and cut my hair. From the moment I walked in, I felt comfortable. Everyone was so very nice and the amopshere is upbeat and laid-back..no uptight front desk staff. The owner and shop doggie add a great aura to the salon!! I give this salon a Big Thumbs Up!! Finally, a salon I can call home!! Pros: Parking, Service, Schwarzkopf Products Cons: Nothing more

I went to Hotmess after letting my previous highlights and hair cut grow out for 4 months-I was not thrilled with the stylist I had seen, and was putting it off, hoping to find the right fit in a new stylist. I had seen Hotmess in passing, and decided to give it a try. I found my ""perfect stylist match"" in Lina...a true hair artist. Gladys greeted me warmly upon arriving, and Lina followed soon thereafter. Lina was very friendly and funny-we developed an instant rapport and had great conversations while she highlighted and cut my hair. Lina took the time to listen to what I wanted, and also suggested adding some lowlights. At first I resisted the lowlights-more out of fear that they would darken my hair too much. However, I soon found out that there was no reason to worry, as the end result proved that Lina had chosen the perfect color combination for my hair. In one week, I have never received as many compliments on my hair color as I have since going to Hotmess. They use products from Germany, and the quality of these products, along with the expertise of Lina, has left me with a beautiful blonde color that is not at all brassy, but rather perfectly bright AND soft looking. Lina also cut my hair exactly as I wanted-I suggested my bangs be a bit shorter, and she obliged, but only after she suggested I get a look at where they would fall after she dried my hair. I really appreciated that bit of caution-she didn't rush the cut, she took her time. Her expertise with a razor is really impressive. She wanted to know how much time I wanted to spend styling my hair, and gave me the cut that would match my needs. The final icing on this perfect cake was when I was given the bill-the price was totally right! I am very particular about the color of my highlights, and what I am looking for in a stylist and a salon-I can assure you that if you give Hotmess and Lina a try, you will not be disappointed! Pros: Down-to-earth, not pretentious. Exceptional quality. Great value and very clean! more

This place is great! Denise did such an awesome job giving me wonderful color and highlights to my hair. I wanted to go lighter and she gave me the color that I wanted. I am so satisfied with the service and the staff there were very friendly and accomodating. I will definitely be going back! Pros: Friendly service, skilled stylists, easy parking, comfortable atmosphere, great highlights! more

I have been going some where else to get my hair done, and the colors on my head, where well lets just say not good, too many colors going on. Then I saw a family member with her new color, highlights, and cut, it looked gorgeous, I had to ask girl where do you get your hair done, it looks great. So I called on a Saturday, of course last minute, nevertheless when the receptionist found out I needed it that day, she was able to squeeze me in with LINA. We talked, I told her what my family member had, I told her I trusted her, what she thought I should do. She had to color correct my hair, then did AMAZING highlights, and cut. WOW, I have never gotten my hair to look like that from anyone else. LINA ROCKS!!! She is going to help me grow my hair the way I want, which by the way was butchered by someone else. That night going out, LINA you were right, they where all jealous. They loved it and believe me I am sending them your way. I am also impressed witht he customer service, when I walked in I was greated, offered something to drink, topnotch. Hotmess is clean,sanatized, this is a 100% satisfaction experience. I can go on and on, but it will not allow me to write a novel. LINA, you are an angel, and i will keep saying that, you worked out a miracle, and gain a customer and recommendations, you ROCK!!!! Pros: Service, Ambience, skill, GREAT VALUE, STAFF Cons: NONE!!! more

I had gotten my hair done purple prior to going to Hotmess, and three weeks after the purple it was a mess!\r The color was fading all over the place, and I needed something done to it quickly. So I went to Hotmess, and that is where I got it corrected. It looked so fabulous!!!!\r Lina and Denise gave me good ideas for my hair and instead of going for all black or all purple, they suggested I got black with purple highlights and it looked gorgeous!!!\r Denise, you rock girl! You're such an expert when it comes to hair!!\r I will DEFINITELY be coming back for more!!\r -Jasmine Pros: Wonderful environment, friendly people, excellent service more

I was looking for a new salon and based on the other reviews decided to give Hotmess a try. I couldn't have been happier with the great job Lina did. It was everything you hope for in that she listened to me, but then took over and used her expertise to for both my cut and color. I got rave reviews and will definitely be returning. Another plus is it was half the price that I use to pay downtown! Pros: Great experienced person who really knows hair more

OH MY GOD... I HAVE NEW MAN IN MY LIFE & ITS KEN.. I WALK INTO HOTMESS FOR THE FIRST TIME & I WAS TREATED LIKE I WAS FAMILY ... GLADYS THE OWNER GREETD BY MY FIRST NAME & HER DOG HE WAS SO CUTE & FRIENDLY I LOVED HIM & EVERYONE THERE.. I WAS HAIR VIRGIN.. I NEVER HAD COLORED OR DID ANYTHING WITH MY HAIR. I SAT DOWN IN KEN CHAIR & HE TOOK CONTROL VERY PROFESSIONAL & LISTEN TO ALL MY RAMBLING.. HE GAVE ME GREAT IDEAS & DID SUCH A GREAT JOB ON MY HAIR I WILL NEVER GO ANYWHERE ELSE NOW BUT TO KEN..THERE ARE THOUSANDS SALONS IN CHICAGO BUT NONE OF THE EVEN COME CLOSE TO HOTMESS..EVEN IF I DIDNT LIVE CLOSE TO THEM I WOULD STILL GO THERE.. THEY TOTALLY *ROCK* Pros: BEST STAFF & VERY PROFESSIONAL & FREIDNLY Cons: NONE... I CANT FIND ONE FLAW!!!! more

WHERE DO I START! I HAVE BEEN GOING TO LINA FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS!! I HAVE FOLLOWED HER WHERE EVER SHE GOES!! I HAVE NO REASON TO REPLACE HER!! WHAT EVER I WANT TO GET DONE TO MY HAIR SHE DOES!! SHE ALWAYS GIVES ME HER INSIGHT ON WHAT SHE THINKS ABOUT MY CRAZY HAIR IDEAS!! SHE ALSO HAS NEW IDEAS FOR ME EVERY TIME I STEP INTO THE SALON!I !! SHE HAS ALWAYS TREATED ME LIKE FAMILY. GLADYS IS SO LOVING AND FRIENDLY!! SHE IS ALWAYS ASKING ME IF I AM OK, IF I WANT SOMETHING TO DRINK, SOMETHING TO EAT, SOMETHING TO READ ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF TO OFFER ANY ONE SHE OFFERS! SHE IS SOOOOOOO NICE!! IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY, AND OUTSTANDING PLACE TO DO YOUR HAIR YOU MUST GO TO HOTMESS!!! THEY WILL MEET YOUR NEED TO THE EXTREME!! DONT WASTE YOUR TIME GOING ANY WHERE ELSE HOTMESS IS THE ONE STOP DEAL!! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE AND EVERY WHERE I GO I RECOMMEND THEM TO EVERYONE!! I USE TO GO TO GALLERY OF HAIR BEFORE I MEET LINA AND THESE PEOPLE ARE ONLY OUT TO GET YOUR MONEY! THEY DONT DO YOUR HAIR HOW YOU WANT IT, THEY DAMAGE YOUR HAIR AND ONCE YOU PAY THERE OUTRAGES PRICES YOU ARE JUST ONE OTHER CUSTOMER THEY ARE NOT FRIENDLY, THEY ARE REALLY STUCK UP AND VERY IGNORANTE!! ANYWAYS I WILL RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO GO TO HOTMESS AND SEE LINA SHE IS THE S***!! I LOVE HER!!! THANKS LINA FOR THE OUTSTANDING JOB YOU ALWAYS DO ONE MY HAIR!! YOUR GUINEA PIG THE ONE AND ONLY LEE!! \r \r P.S THANKS FOR MY AWESOME HAIR CREATION, I DONT KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT YOU! \r Pros: ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THEY ARE THE SHIZZLE!!! Cons: THERE ARE NONE!! THEY ARE PERFECT IN EVERYWAY!! more

Since moving to the city several years ago, I had been cutting and coloring my own hair in my bathroom. I wasn't bad at it, but I wasn't good at it either. So, I decided to spring for a professional. A neighbor of mine suggested HotMess, so I made an appointment.\r When I arrived, I was greeted warmly, and paired up with Ken. He took the time to ask me where/how I have been getting my hair done, and what sort of cut/color I was looking for. He asked questions, made suggestions of his own, and took the time to explain what he was going to do before he did it. He was able to decipher my vague description (""I dont know, something sorta red, some sort of layer cut, nothing to hard to handle, nothing to bright or dark, maybe some highlights?"") into a gorgeous style. What was once limp and lifeless is now layered and lovely. What was once an average color is now beautiful. \r I used to think that paying for a stylist to do I was perfectly capable of doing was a waste of money. An unnecessary expense. Now I can't remember why I wanted to do my own hair. \r \r I will return to Ken when it is time, and I will point my friends in his direction as well.\r \r Many thanks to Ken!! Pros: easy parking, knowledgeable and friendly staff Cons: a bit far from my neighborhood, but still worth the time and effort more

I've been getting my hair colored and cut professionally for over 15 years, and this was the worst place I've ever been to. I had been going to Robert Jeffrey in Lakeview, which I love, but it was inconvenient to go there after I moved to Portage Park (but I'll definitely be going back there now). I thought Hot Mess would be my Robert Jeffrey replacement, because it had sort of a similar vibe, but was I ever wrong! I went in for color, partial highlights, and a cut - my usual. I didn't want anything fancy - I just wanted exactly what was already on my head but touched up. Well, it took 3 hours to get the color and highlights - and my hair came out bright orange all over. My stylist, Denise, tried a toner to fix it, but that did nothing, so then she blamed me for picking out the wrong color. (What????) Then she said we had to re-color it using a different color. That took another 2 hours (we skipped the highlights this time). My color still isn't what I wanted, but thankfully, it's not bright orange anymore, so I can live with it. I think I must have been delirious from being there so long, but I told Denise to go ahead and give me a trim - another mistake. She did it all wrong, and one side ended up significantly shorter than the other, which I didn't notice until I got home. (How hard is it to just trim the layers that are already there?) That took another hour, and my hair is only shoulder-length. Throughout the whole process, I was left alone for long periods of time, which is why I think the color turned out wrong in the first place. And to top it all off, the whole thing cost WAY MORE than what I was paying at Robert Jeffrey, where they do an amazing job in under 2 hours. The blow-out was adequate, and that's the only semi-good thing I can say. I'm still traumatized (and now broke) from the whole experience. Pros: Background music Cons: Bad color, bad haircut, took WAY too long more

San Fran, CA native lady looking for Chicago Hair Guru :\r \r FOUND!!!!! HOT MESS IS THE SPACE and KEN IS THE ACE!!!!\r \r \r I felt so sassilicious with my new fab hair and rockstar treatment at Hot Mess. From the 2 seconds it took me to find parking, to the(dont ""p"" yourself) kind and courteous receptionist and welcoming stylists....instantly they were attentive. \r \r TOP 5 reasons your a foolio if you dont check Hot Mess first:::\r \r 1. decor is super fabtabulous\r 2. easy parking\r 3. awesome uber staff\r 4. (oh wait, you want to know the talent right?) Okay I had Ken....extrordinarily charming and articulate on the process of how he was going to fix( corrective color) my super messed up puple/red uneven dye job I did myself 3 days prior. Not only did he explain step by step....he listened to me and what I wanted from the get up. He also gave me a red carpet cut that I (and I used to be a hair model and work in a salon)have never really had used on me.\r First of all....I looked very sophisticated & urban with out looking too young. fashionable without looking trendy, and sexay with out looking cheap. He really spent his time with me and gave me real advice on the next steps he'd like to take my hair in the future. He also said my bangs had to go long to soften my features(which [features] are hot by the way...ok?!)\r \r and lastly:\r 5. acceptable prices of which I will gladly return.\r \r bonus: right next store to ultra cool coffee house...get 2fixes in one. Yay!\r \r Ken....I'll be back, Hot Mess thanks for bringing sexay back!\r \r Uber Happy and new loyal girl,\r Keturah\r p.s some spelling had to be changed to phonetics so this progam would not flag as unappropriate. Im not sure how it is ...but,,, Pros: Ambience, Parking, Service, Knowledgable, Genuine Kindness, Style-arrific, Talented Cons: I more

After seeing my friend's super cute hair color and style, I took her reco and went to see Lina at Hot Mess. I only came in for a touch up for my roots and after talking with her and seeing another customer leaving looking gorgeous I asked for a cut as well. I love it! She really listened to what I needed (cute, easy style) and delivered. I never like my hair and am really happy. Also gave me realistic at home styling advice and the color is prettier than what I have gotten at the popular downtown salons. I will be back! Don't let the location deter you if you don't live nearby - Lina is a true professional and you will be happy. more

I loved this salon. It has a great look, very artistic and warm. The atmosphere was very friendly and non-intimidating. They were right on time. I didn't have to wait at all.In fact,I got introduced to my stylist as soon as I walked through the door. Ken really listened to what I wanted and was did a fantastic job coloring, highlighting, and styling my hair. I couldn't be happier.He made me a new woman! I highly recommend going to Hotmess and working with Ken. He's the BEST! more

Lina was great, helpful, and very friendly. She corrected an awful haircut from a couple months ago. I also received soo many compliments on my highlights. I plan on going back to hotmess every 2 years when I am in town for the holidays. I highly recommend this salon to anyone! Pros: great stylists, friendly staff, great atmosphere more

Lina made fantastic changes to my hair. It never looked better. My boyfriend absolutely loves my new look she created. Hotmess is a very nice salon and the upbeat relationship between employees really shows. It is apparent that the owner really respects and appreciates the stylists. I will go wherever Lina works to have her do my hair. Pros: freindly staff Cons: Greeted by a smelly dog? The owner allows this? more

I have had my share of bad salon experiences. Ever gone to a salon and requested a hair cut or color for yourself that you were so sure was going to look hot. Only to get ""that look "" from family and friends because they didn't want to hurt your feelings. Been there, done that. l have been so blessed to have found Lina at HOTMESS. She shoots straight from the hip with her honesty. As a client I give her full artistic freedom to do with my hair as she sees fit. After all she is the professional. Lina always takes her time to go over what it is you want to have done. To make sure you are going to be happy with the end result. Lina will also steer you away from ideas that are either bad or not right for you or your hair type. This is not just a job but someone you genuinely cares about what you and your hair look like. Thanks to LIna's great work even my husband gets his hair done by her. Don't miss out on a great hair experience next time you need to look fabulous make an appointment at HOTMESS and ask for Lina. Tell them Ms. Pain sent you. Pros: Very knowledgable, professional, reasonably priced Cons: non that I could find. more

Ok when I see so many positive reviews for something I am leary because I think that ""Hey these are all from friends and relatives""! I rose above my suspicions and decided to try HOTMESS because I loved the pic of the salon and the description of the Miami vibe. If you have ever been to South Beach the people are just beautiful!. So I figured if you are going to put it out there like that you have to be good! I called Gladys the owner and explained my disappointment wih 2 salons one ofcourse being The Gallery of Hair. She was a TRUE Customer Service Professional! She listened to my rants and was so sincere and explained how she heard all this before and was ready to help! That impressed me and she said come right in!! I rushed over and was greeted by Gladys and her sweet dog Nostredamus. No pretention just a pretty, friendly and knowledgeable gal. I thought- The SALON GOD HAS ANSWERED MY PRAYERS!!! The Salon has a great CLEAN feel with a very smart artsy style and Gladys is just a genuine friendly person. You can even have a glass of wine! Although I did not partake in that (why I do not know??) later on Gladys gave me a glass of water ,she did not ask if I wanted one ,she just did it!! Anticipating a customers needs and just acting on them is true service and as a business owner I believe this is what sets HOTMESS apart from every ""Chain"" Salon, every so called ""Boutique"" salon in the city or burbs. Denise (my stylist) is just the same and she is very good at what she does. She took time and care with my Foil/Cut consultation. Among much useful info she suggested the conditioning treatment and I ofcourse was like hey great upsell darlin' BUT was it going to be worth it? It was. If you FOIL your hair alot the treatment really worked. Surprise Surprise! I love my cut and dry as well and lets just say I am one PICKY @#$@$.This was my first time there and I was very impressed and satisfied. Many salons CLAIM to Specialize in color but HOTMESS/DENISE really do! Pros: Friendly Service, Great Cut and Color, Graet Ambience, Thumbs WAY UP! more

When my home dye job turned my hair green, I decided to go to a real salon, and I made a great choice. Not only did Denise do everything humanly possible to get my hair back to a normal color, she also gave me the most stylish hair cut I've ever had! I'm so glad I finally found a salon with such knowledgeable and friendly stylists. more

The moment I stepped in the door everyone was friendly. Denise took her time cutting my hair- unlike other stylist who are always in a rush. She gave me the most adorable cut. My highlights were also really amazing. I couldn't believe how awesome they looked. I had compliments for weeks after my cut and highlight with Denise. The entire experience was wonderful and very affordable. I am a school teacher so I needed to find something reasonable. I found everything in Hotmess! more