Beauty Mark Salon

I had the worst experience here a few years ago. They were very friendly, but gave me the most horrendous haircut that left my hair frizzy and uneven. It took 2 additional haircuts and several months of growing my hair out to get it human-​looking again.

I had an appointment for a haircut and color with Rori. She was very sweet and personable. The cut was fine, btw I have very curly hair. She didn’t cut too much off so that was fine. I just had some layering done. The cut looks ok. The styling and coloring is a whole other story. She styled my hair in ringlets by wrapping my hair around her fingers and sitting my under a drying. The style was awful. I just ended up putting my hair in a bun. She also forgot I wanted my hair colored so she rushed and the hair color is nothing close to what I wanted. I guess my expectations were a little high from all the great reviews. I would not recommend this place or be going back. This is exactly the reason I usually cut and color my own hair.

Best place in the west loop area! Both Rori and Traci are experienced stylists and have a lot very loyal clients. Rori has been cutting and coloring my hair for over 15 years and I wouldn’t trust anyone else. She’s very funny and always has great stories to tell especially of her many travels. She books up fast so name sure you make appointments well in advance.

This is the worst salon I’ve ever been to. Rory used terrible tactics to cut my hair. My long, gorgeous, silky hair was a lopsided frizz ball by the time she was done. I had no idea my hair could look that bad. I had to go to a competent person to get it fixed, and then wait for it to grow back. Yes, she’s super cheap, but the price is still expensive for her skill level. I’ve never been so appalled.

Traci is fantastic and she is NOT for woman only. Seriously — she will makes your barber look like a child cutting paper. she knows how to make your hair fit your face and your personality.
thank you…

I’ve been a fickle client of Twisted Scissors for a couple of years now. Mostly because the price is pretty decent and it’s super laid back. Oh, and the hair wash is to die for. But lately, I’ve been feeling pretty «Meh» about how I look when I leave. Not to mention, it’s stupid far away for me to travel to without a car. So, I decide to bite the bullet and pay a little more and branch out on a search for a dedicated stylist that will really listen to what I want.
I’d been mentally bookmarking Beauty Mark Salon for some time now and decided to take the hint from all the sparkling reviews. The online reservation system was easy and straightforward. I was able to secure a Saturday afternoon appointment with Rori just a few weeks out. As others have mentioned, it’s not your typical salon building, it’s in a room in a large house. The room is cozy and welcoming, as are the stylists. Rori is cool and hip and super friendly, you’ll totally feel at ease. She took lots of time to study the pictures that I brought, asking me questions and making suggestions. And the end result? Super cute pixie cut, exactly as I imagined it! The boyfriend liked it so much he practically meowed.
I’ll update to give it the full 5 stars after I’ve been there more than once and things stay consistent. I’m sure that they will!

Those of us with curly hair probably have just accepted that there are no stylists out there for us. We are quite used to being discriminated against for presenting a challenge during appointments with simply having the kind of hair we do, and have a horror story or maybe five about treatment issued to us in salons.
I found Rori on
. She had excellent reviews, and it had been a year since my last big girl hair cut, or one that was not in a family friend’s basement. I decided to give it a chance, since my waist length curls were collapsing under their own weight and I had no spring.
Rori turned out to be one of the coolest people I have ever had the fortune of meeting. But her being an incredible, beautiful, down to earth zen goddess who makes you feel like you are in her home from the tea to the music, still isn’t what makes this place get five stars.
She made my hair look like Botticelli painted it.
Not only did she listen to what I was asking for, she intuitively knew how far to take it, approached my hair like an artist by focusing on the overall flow of the haircut, and wanted to coax the romance out of it into the haircut. Even if I didn’t specify anything, she would have already understood. She cut my hair wet and then once more after she’d diffused it dry to tailor the curls to frame my face. She went step by step on everything she was doing, explaining steps for care and maintenance without once making me feel like my hair was anything but a treasure. And when it came time to pay, she did not push forty products at me and and sneer when I didn’t opt in, like most places. She did tell me the name of the mousse and leave in conditioner she used and told me she bet I could find it somewhere cheaper (!).
I left with a head full of spring glory, not believing my luck.
If you have curly hair, you are safe in the hands of this amazing woman. I’m sure the same goes for every other type of hair too.
Book now for springy glory.

What a great experience!
Recently I made a rash hair decision and decided to get a spur of the moment trim, which turned out to be an absolute hair massacre! I was given Rori’s name by a friend and immediately called in my distress. She got me in within days, making plans to stay late for me. At this point anything was better than my post-​massacre look which my brother compared to «a bad Halloween mullet wig.»
Rori exceeded any expectations I could have had. She was calming, sweet, and made me feel at peace just by stepping foot in the salon. She listened to what I wanted and remedied my bad hair cut. Not to mention great music and a wonderful cup of tea. She explained to me how to best style my new look and gave me great product recommendations.
I would recommend Rori and the Beauty Mark Salon to anyone, any day of the week! Look out for Rori’s new yoga studio!

I love Rori!
I found Rori on Unilocal a few years ago, and have gone to her religiously since. I’m someone with «trust» issues when it comes to who I let touch my hair. I’ve had friends refer me to hair stylists, and I ended up disappointed and unhappy with the result.
Rori is the first stylist I’ve found in Chicago that is 1. amazingly talented at what she does, 2. genuine and easy to talk to, and 3. reasonably priced. The list goes on, but you get the idea. ;)
Not only can Rori envision a look and style, she can deliver. It’s like she reads my mind and gives me exactly what I had envisioned. Rori adds dimension to my hair without taking off too much length, and goes light on the product, giving me the natural look I love using all organics. Rori doesn’t push you to buy expensive products off her shelf, but rather gives natural styling tips that won’t break your bank.
Rori is a true artist in all senses of the word. Not only can the girl cut hair like the pros, she designs Ireations jewelry (see her stuff at
) and teaches private yoga sessions. Rori has to be one of the coolest people I know, I’m lucky to have her as my stylist!
You have the ability to book appointments online, but if Rori is booked solid and I really need a cut, I’ll just send her a quick text and she’ll get me in no problem. Rori will always make time for her clients. I’ve never had to wait more than a week for a cut… my last appt. was a Friday night at 6:45 pm! Rori puts her clients first (unlike the 9 – 5 salons), you have to respect that.
The salon is located in the West Loop near Ada and Washington, street parking is easy and free… bonus!
Trust me when I say this… Rori is one of the best, and will not disappoint. If you can find someone out there better than her, let me know, but so far I haven’t had one person prove me wrong.

Rori is awesome. She listens to what you want. She is great at color and cuts. Your not going to walk out of there with a cut you cant manage when you get home. You also arent going to walk out of there looking like some over made/​over hairsprayed person.
There is also no pushing product or services. It is an extremely comfortable enviroment. Its just like going to your friends house to hang out, talk and by the way get a great haircut and highlight at a totally reasonable price.

I would love to give Rori 5 stars, she was very nice, however she gave me the worst haircut of my life. After all of the 5 star reviews I was expecting competence at the very least. I should have paid more attention to the reviewers who gave her lower ratings and commented on her lack of precision, they were right!
Setting my appointment was a breeze! The experience at the salon was nice. Rori is very sweet, the salon is pretty and has a personal touch. My hair looked conservative, but decent, when I walked out the door. It had been cut, «styled», and blown dry with a round brush so it was curled under a bit. I have a bob… looks simple, deceptively difficult. She was very quick to cut it, no attention to detail and I knew walking out the door I would not be back, but I had NO IDEA how bad it really was.
I washed it, blew it dry and straightened it the next day. It was a full half inch longer on the left! It also looked like someone had gotten ahold of it with safety scissors, there wasn’t one straight edge on my entire cut, it was chunky. I am not talking about texture chunky either, I am talking about «I tried to cut my own hair when I was 5» chunky.
I had to go to another salon and get it fixed. My new stylist exclaimed, «Oh my god, what happened to the back of your hair?!» I can’t even imagine… My bangs had also been butchered and actually cut rounded (high above the center of my nose, long and wispy by my cheekbones) making my eyes look too close together and my jaw huge. I am still waiting for the sides of my bangs where she cut them too wide to grow out. My new cut thankfully allows for and hides this…
Rori was inexpensive, yes. Would I recommend getting a haircut from her? Absolutely not.

I had been going to a very trendy Wicker Park salon for many years. I loved my stylist and colorist, but their prices kept going up and I was freaked out by how much money I was spending there. I had been looking for a more reasonable place in my West Loop neighborhood for quite a while, but I had never heard about Beauty Mark until a read about it on Unilocal.
Rori is, as so many people have described her here, a warm person who is fun to talk to and seems to have an instinctive sense of just what kind of haircut to give you. I have had many complements on my hair and color since I’ve been going there. Even my cousin in Detroit, who always hates my hair, loved it when I visited her last month.

I give the salon, the stylist, and my hair 5 stars.
I began my relationship with Rori about 2 years ago when I moved to Chicago. There is no such thing as cheap haircuts or highlights in Chicago, but Rori’s fees were manageable and worth it.
Rori is a very friendly woman who is alot of fun. She will always offer you tea and some organic snack. She’ll also let you bring booze if you’d like.
She always knows what I’m trying to ask for and can usually explain it better. She gets my highlights right every time. Last summer I had to stop getting my hair highlighted because I couldn’t afford it. She was able to lower my highlights so that they were very close to my natural color and they grew out flawlessly. Recently, the highlights have summoned me back to her. I asked her to go easy on the highlights so I’d have freedom to maintain them as often (or as little) as I like, and she did it wonderfully. I also love that she spoils me with sweet-​nothings about my hair, which I’m sure she does with everyone :)
The salon is very small and cozy. Like many people on here, I like that because it is more personal.
She’s getting a little too popular these days, but she always does her best to fit you in when she can. So if you can’t get an appointment, call the salon or email her. Also, come with cash or check. They don’t accept cards. On my first visit, she allowed me to run to an atm down the block and come back. How awesome is that?!

Predicament: Hairstylist out on maternity leave. (Julia R, Hairitics… congrats!)
Reaction: Fret. She’s the only stylist/​colorist I’ve been faithful to. (10 months!)
Unilocal Search: Hair Salon, Chicago.
First Result: Beauty Mark, all 5-​stars.
First Thought: Where is this place?
Realization: Hidden gem!
Perusal: Read many 5-​star raves, even from close Unilocal friends.
Follow-​through: Appointment made with Rori, via email. (takes a few days)
Result: Pretty damn good!
Location: 1304 Washington, it’s in a seemingly residential building between Ada and Throop streets. Walk up the stairs, and buzz Beauty Mark, they are located right on the first floor. Street parking is relatively easy in the evening (watch out, some side streets are permit, most aren’t), but may get tricky during the day with a multitude of West Loop workers flooding the area. There is a pay lot (mechanic shop) just east on Washington that is about $ 5 (cash only), short walk. Green line is walking distance, though it’s 6 blocks at least. Don’t wear heels!
Setting: Cute ‘n quaint, funky ‘n spunky. It’s an old, vintage building with all the touches. My kind of place. Comfortable, non-​pretensious. It’s a small salon (two stylists), but the vibe is stylin’. No rushing around, great music (XM Coffeeshop makes for a very lovely haircutting vibe, I must say), eccentric trinkets. No cold factory-​esque salon people, all dressed in black with harsh red lips and asymmetrical bobs unfit for the real world. None of that. In fact Rori (who I now adore) sports dreads to her waist and an old soul full of stories, wisdom… and a fresh face. Seriously. She’s great.
Cut: FANTASTIC. It’s been almost 4 weeks, and it actually keeps getting… better? Yes, better. Funnily enough, I HAVE an asymmetrical bob… but fit for the real world. Rori is a sculpter of hair, a wizardress with the scissors. I feel very confident going back… she’s got a great eye, and whips up a wonderful head of hair.
Color: This is the ONLY part that gets docked a star… though I LOVED the color when I left (rich red), it faded within a few days, and despite a few applications of toner, I could not get it to stick. Finally, I resorted to «red-​in-​a-​box» which has proved quite beneficial. However, for the price tag I would’ve really wanted more than a week’s worth of hair color. I realize it’s not always possible to predict how color will hold, though… and do not hold Rori responsible for my hair’s inability to commit to this reddish color I had been forcing upon it. Just think its noteworthy.
Total price: $ 160 for cut, color, blowdry and tip. They do NOT take credit cards, but do take cash and checks. Be prepared!
Overall: Would definitely come back for a cut… will be more careful with the color (expressing what I really need out of it), and would send anyone to Rori. She’s great. She’s gone for the month of February in Indonesia, but I suggest you call if you are looking for a great ‘do.
Appointment only.

Rori is the Holy Grail of stylists. She’ll read your mind, improve on it, then polish you off with a mean blowout. I got exactly what I wanted both times — plus great conversation, and I’m not usually a talker.
You see this page full of 5-​star reviews. They’re all true. Just schedule your appointment already.

I had had the same stylist in since I was 10 years old and I always waited to go back home to get my hair cut… not many people can cut Asian hair well.
I have had some not so great experiences in the Chicago area but after reading multiple reviews praising Rori, I decided to go to Beauty Mark.
It was a great decision as Rori was completely professional, gave me her honest opinion on what to do with my hair, and gave me the best haircut since I’ve gotten to Chicago.
A random stylist even commented on how he loved my haircut about two months after Rori cut it… she is awesome! Definitely 5 stars.

FANF*CKINGTASTIC!!! That’s really all I can say. Rori is a gem. I have had the hardest time finding a stylist that I like in the 9 years I’ve been in the city. I’ve been comtemplating trying this place out for awhile but I was too chicken and kept driving up to Lakeview to my old stylist. Well not anymore. I have found my person, finally!!!
Like everyone says this is unlike any salon I’ve been to. There’s no snotty receptionist looking you up and down. There no 19 year old there to wash your hair and not speak. And there’s no weird small talk about the weather. Rori has gorgeous dreads to about the middle of her back and makes jewelry on the side (also gorgeous). No one is pushing you to buy bumble and bumble or aveda or any other product for that matter. I f*cking love this place.
The place is small, 2 chairs and one sink. Rori sat me down and we talked about what I wanted and didn’t want. She explained what she thought I should do and then busted out pictures. You can tell she’s really trying to make you happy. During the cut she doesn’t ask you generic questions about your life or talk about your plans for the weekend. She talks about real shit like you’ve been friends for ages. And she’s got amazing stories… she’s totally the type of stylist I’d want to drink wine with and get hammered. I just hope all these rave reviews don’t make it impossible for me to get back in next time. :)

I like to think of beauty marks as charming and lovable surprises that one only finds when one is patient, attentive and persistent.
They are hidden behind a knee, delicately placed at the base of the neck or concealed in a remote spot nobody knows about.
Beauty Mark — the salon — is exactly the same.
It is not a trendy, right-​in-​your-​face place.
Quite the contrary my friends.
It is a wonderful little place (one room, two chairs, one wash station) situated in the back of a wonderful red brick building.
No sign to lead you there.
It is a secret for the happy few in the know.
Don’t be afraid to climb the 6 steps and ring the bell. You will be rewarded.
Once inside I had the most satisfactory and valuable two hours of my hair life. Rori walked me through my indecision, put some sun in my curls, used scissors and razor and let me leave with a nice wavy mane, totally smitten.
So smitten that for the first time in my life I may come back again and again and endlessly let her work her magic.
The hair experience in itself was not life-​transforming — for the first time I went the safe way — but I love the cut she gave me, the highlights are spot on.
I now trust her to do WHATEVER she wants of me.
But more than that Rori is an incredible person who came to hair to «touch» people in all possible ways, who talks with passion about her travels in Bali and the Easter Island and just brings happiness in your day. Her positive energy is so contagious that I left her enchanting place with a big smile on my face and a myriad of projects to think about.
Being touched by such radiance is even more precious than finding the «comb» of your life.
How lucky for me that I found both on the same day.

Once again, I am faced with a review I don’t want to write. I don’t want to share the enchanting hour I had with Miss Traci. I want to covet the grand hallway in an unmarked location that leads into an oasis of girly, unpretentious delight.
Everything happens inside a wonderful room with buckets of natural light and plenty emanating from Traci herself. She’s a sunbeam, for sure. While I gave her minimal direction (I trust artists implicitly, even if it’s licentious), we got down to business on who we are, where we’re from and where we’re going. The whole experience was spirited and genuine. I feel like getting this satisfaction from a salon is somewhat blasphemous but, I’m officially a follower.
The coterie that has found Beauty Mark won’t be so exclusive for long. Charming, enchanting and a GREAT cut. I’m enamored.

My quest is over. 2 years, 4 stylists, three salons, hundreds of dollars later, I’ve finally found what I was looking for.
I’m no girly girl. I don’t get my nails done, I rarely properly groom my eyebrows, and I don’t like Vogue or Cosmo. When I walk into a salon, I feel like a whore in church, afraid I’ll be found out for chewing my nails or not using the proper hairbrush. It’s uncomfortable and threatening and odd.
I made an appointment with Rori after trying for four months to avoid a salon. My roots were terrible, my ends should have been burned at the stake. She was friendly, welcoming, down to earth, nonjudgemental. She didn’t want to talk about celebrities. She wanted to talk about world travel and Buddhism and happy things. She didn’t mind that i brought my own beer. She matched my color perfectly and didn’t recommend products or cover my hair in spray crap. She did what I asked and she did it well.
The salon is tiny and in a bedroom in the back of a gorgeous victorian house. Just two chairs, one sink, and three tall windows. But totally laid back.
If you’re one of those girly girls, please go somewhere else. We need Rori for our own!