Chicago - July 12, 2005

Hair No Evil

Aaron Salon

Some people like going to the hairdresser. The yip-yapping. The wafting scent of hair chemicals. Getting jerked up and down in your seat.

Then again, some people also like cutting themselves with knives.

That’s why stylist Aaron Clark, who spent more than a decade pumping chairs at spots like Heidi’s, opened his own West Town space, Aaron, which feels more like an artist’s hangout than a hair salon. Local artwork hangs on the hooker red walls, and Lucite shelves store the goods. There are free-floating mirrors, steel roller chairs, tall photography lamps, and Rotofugi toys to complete the indie vibe.

When it comes to your hair, Clark is a renegade. Rather than give you a complete beauty overhaul, he centers his design aesthetic on the word “modify.” He believes in small details and endless versions — so we don’t all look the same, even if we want the same cut. And Intelligentsia espresso, complimentary booze, and a modest $50 price tag (regardless of gender) make the whole process seem a lot less painful.

Which, for most people, is a good thing.

Aaron, 1530 West Superior Street, between Ashland and Noble Streets (312-421-1918).