ABOUT US

Kelsey | Owner & Stylist at SHADE salon studio Licensed since 2007, I am the founder of SHADE Salon Studio, located within IMAGE Studios in the heart of River North. With nearly two decades of artistry behind the chair, I’ve designed SHADE to be a premier destination for luxury hair and wellness at 460 W. Chicago Avenue. SHADE is more than a salon — it’s a luxury, wellness-focused space where confidence, creativity, and self-care come first. Whether you’re here for a quick refresh or a full makeover, SHADE is your escape. Specialties & Services At SHADE, hair extensions are my true passion. My luxury custom hair extension bar allows you to see, feel, and try on your look right in the chair, ensuring the perfect match for volume, length, or color pops. Other specialties include: •Custom color & dimensional blonding (foilyage, color melts) •Precision cuts & tailored barbering •10-minute gray coverage & Keratin Complex treatments •Makeover & transformation packages – hair, styling advice, makeup touch-ups, and mini photoshoots •Maintenance services – weekly blowouts, gray touch-ups, and weekend-ready styles to keep your look consistent Plus, SHADE offers custom retail products & care kits to maintain your style at home. The Heart Behind SHADE "I love your hair in the mornings, you know... You love to run wild and let the mane flow." The name SHADE is a nod to those lyrics by my favorite band, Phish. To me, it represents the many shades of hair color, but also a sense of confidence, wellness, and those beautiful, full-circle moments where creativity and healing meet. Every detail in this studio carries a story. From the resin rose-petal coasters I created using flowers saved from my Grandma Jennie, to the refurbished 1960s Singer sewing desk transformed into a glam vanity by my sister—this space is a reflection of memory and love. Why SHADE? ​Come in, relax, and treat yourself to luxurious service and personalized attention. My goal is for you to leave the chair feeling like your most radiant, confident self.