Three women posing together elegantly, with one seated on a beige cushioned chair and two standing behind her, against a plain background.

821 WEST THE SALON

Welcome to our intimate hair salon, where a small but exceptionally talented team awaits to redefine your hairstyling experience.

At our salon, we take pride in our well-rounded expertise, confidently specializing in both men’s and women’s haircuts, blondes, color, and extensions. We prioritize authenticity by never endorsing brands or products that don’t align with our beliefs. Our curated color selection and product lineup are a testament to our tried-and-proven choices throughout our collective career. When you step into our space, whether for a quick blowdry or an extensive color service, our commitment is to ensure you feel comfortable and indulged. Consider yourself not just a client but an extension of our salon family. We don’t follow trends blindly. Instead, our thorough consultations focus on what suits your lifestyle, hair texture and face shape, ensuring realistic maintenance post-service. Your satisfaction and comfort are at the heart of our salon philosophy.

Modern hair salon interior with brown salon chairs, arched mirrors, a wooden stool, and elegant lighting fixture.

The 821 WEST way.

OUR SALON FAMILY

  • Experienced hairstylist posing on a stool in a studio setting

    Hanna Oh

    OWNER and STYLIST

    Chicago native Hanna, born and raised in the heart of the city, discovered her passion for all things creative at an early age. With 16 years of experience, Hannas personality, kind heart, and exceptional creative abilities sets her apart. She continues to expand her repertoire by traveling around the world to participate in classes and find new tools to keep her at the forefront of the industry. Hanna’s goal is simple yet profound-to make people feel their best. She firmly believes that hair is one of your best accessories, and she is dedicated to helping you achieve a look that reflects your individual style and confidence. Hanna specializes in lived in color, blondes, dimensional color, and hair extensions.

    Instagram: @Hannahair_

    Certified in Bellami Hair Extensions, Combline Hair Extensions, and Habit Hand Tied Wefts

  • Balayage and color specialist sitting on a stool in studio space

    Nicole Rajski

    COLORIST

    Nicole Rajski is an accomplished colorist with 17 years in the industry. Specializing in blondes, single processes, gray coverage, keratins and corrective techniques, Nicole has a passion for creating natural color! She prides herself in formulating and believes consulting with clients to achieve a realistic desired look is the most important goal. Forming genuine connections with her clients and spending the day with 821 West team makes her feel like she’s never worked a day… “It’s truly a blessing to be part of such an incredible team, while having this warm, welcoming space to do what I love!” On her off time Nicole enjoys Lagree pilates, hiking, experimenting in her kitchen and learning all things nutrition and holistic health.

  • Ally smith, West Loop Chicago fine hair and extension specialist

    Ally Smith

    STYLIST

    Specializes in: Fine hair, extensions

    Hi! I'm Ally.

    I love helping women with fine hair achieve the hair they've always wanted through seamless extensions, intentional color, and precision cuts.  My goal isn't to completely transform your hair — it's to enhance what you already have, in a way that feels polished, natural, and effortless.

    But honestly? What I love most is what happens beyond the hair. I want you to settle into my chair and unwind, feel taken care of, and trust that you're in good hands. My hope is that you leave not only loving your hair, but feeling more refreshed and confident than when you walked in.

    When I'm outside the salon, you can find me in a coffee shop, taking a workout class, baking a sweet treat, or plotting my next vacation.

    I'd love to have you in my chair.

    Instagram: @allysmithhair

  • Young woman with long wavy brown hair wearing a dark blazer over a white top, standing in front of a white backdrop with professional lighting environment.

    Aitu M

    MAKEUP ARTIST/BROW EXPERT

    Aitu is a professional makeup artist and brow expert with ten years of experience in the beauty industry. Over the years, she has honed her skills, creating flawless looks that enhance each client’s natural beauty. Her attention to detail, refined sense of style, and personalized approach make her a sought-after specialist in her field.

    Beyond her work, Aitu finds inspiration in music, Pilates, and outdoor walks. She has a keen eye for beauty in the smallest details—whether it’s the perfect arch of a brow, the way light plays on the skin, or the harmony of nature around her. This aesthetic perspective enriches both her profession and her life, filling it with creativity and harmony.

  • Small dog sitting in fluffy chair in a salon

    Snoopy

    SALON PUP

    Meet Snoopy! Hanna’s dog, Snoopy, is our 821 West mascot and everybody’s favorite salon pup. Expect to see him snoozing in a chair or playing with one of his favorite toys. He’s usually at the salon daily after daycare, so appointments after 4pm get a very cute addition to their salon experience!

Join the team

We are looking for talented stylists and colorists to join our salon family. Message us to find out more.