Luxury Styling Products and Local Art at Abeille Beauty

BY MARIS CALLAHAN

There is nothing more devastating than finding out that your fabulous hair stylist has moved on to a new salon, unless, of course, said salon is equally fabulous. This is a true story, one that led me to Abeille Beauty, a full-service salon for haircuts, color, straightening, waxing, manicures/pedicures and make-up.

Led by Chicago Magazine’s “Best Long Hair Stylist” Melissa Conley, who has worked at Prive in Las Vegas and several luxury resorts in the Caribbean, Abeille (which translates in French to ‘honey bee,’) stands for everlasting beauty, sophisticated glamour and of-the-moment style. While I typically visit the salon for haircut, color, waxing and make-up services with Heather Bear, there are a few elements that keep me returning for more – aside from the great magazine selection and the comfy chairs, of course.

While most salons peddle every hair styling brand under the sun, Abeille has a retail area that offers a selective collection of the uber-exclusive Oribe line, developed by fashion icon and celebrity hairdresser Oribe. The line features custom-blended, styling formulas that Oribe developed with guidance from cosmetics guru Sonia Kashuk to carry out his belief that people desderve elegant beauty, high performance, hand craftsmanship and luxury in their hair care products.  Choose from  high-performance, cutting-edge and luxurious shampoos and conditioners, creams and gels, waxes and pomades, and sprays and mists.

Sharp and modern, the 1500-square-foot open floor plan is features a fresh color palette of plum, yellow, white and gray. While some salons cover their walls with cookie-cutter styling posters and celebrity portraits (you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, right?), Abeille features a rotating selection of art from local artists. Today, you’ll find colorful paintings from B.L. Edwards of  Chicago’s B+L Gallery. If you want something to look at besides Jessica Simpson on the cover of People Magazine while you wait for your highlights to set, Abeille is where you need to be.

One of Abeille’s specialty offerings is its bridal services. Though my own summer weekends are blissfully nuptial-free, Abeille Beauty specializes in creating a one-of-a-kind looks for the sophisticated bride and bridal party from hair and makeup right down to the accessories you need for a special day.

Abeille Beauty, 2405 North Clark Street (next to Lincoln Park Supermarket). For more information call 773-904-8710 or visit www.abeillebeauty.com.

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