Custom balayage. Seamless dimension and a lived-in grow-out.
Customized dimension blended for a soft, diffused transition. Enjoy low-maintenance luxury and a flawless finish that fades perfectly and grows out gracefully.
You're not the only one.
Most "balayage horror story" clients walk into CK Studio with the same three issues — and we fix them with the same three commitments.
This happens when color is rushed or over-processed. We focus on healthy, controlled lifting and always finish with a premium gloss to lock in a rich, long-lasting tone.
This is the result of rigid, generic sectioning patterns. We utilize advanced, custom color placement to ensure every sweep of dimension blends seamlessly with the natural fall of your hair.
A true balayage should never leave you with a sharp contrast line after just a few weeks. When it grows out poorly, it's a placement error — our technique ensures a soft, diffused transition that grows out beautifully.
Three Techniques, One Philosophy.
Quick, panel-based highlights
- 30–45 min consultations skipped or rushed
- Foil-style sectioning, hard regrowth lines
- Same color formula for every client
- Drugstore-tier toner at the end
- $120–$220 for "balayage" that's really highlights
- Walk in not knowing the price, find out at checkout
True custom balayage
- Free phone consultation BEFORE you book
- Custom, freeform — no two strands lift the same
- Color formulated to your skin tone, photographed under salon + natural light
- Bond-builder protocol baked in, professional toner
- Custom Balayage from $450 — exact quote confirmed before booking
- 4–4.5 hour appointment, one artist, no rush
Balayage. Foliage. AirTouch.
The right one for you depends on your starting color, density, and grow-out goal.
Custom Balayage
Focused on seamless dimension and low-maintenance luxury. Using precise, customized placement tailored to the natural movement of your hair, we create a soft, diffused transition at the root.
From $450 · 3.5–4 hr
Foliage
Focused on achieving high-impact, maximum blonding while keeping a soft, lived-in root.
From $450 · 3.5–4 hr
AirTouch
By using air to separate the new growth and finer hairs before coloring, we achieve a flawless, micro-blended finish with absolutely no harsh lines.
From $450 · 4–4.5 hrA balayage appointment shouldn't be a mystery.
From consult to walk-out — exactly what to expect, in order.
The Consultation
A dedicated, one-on-one session where we review your hair history, daily routine, and goals before any color begins.
The Balayage
Precise foil placement tailored to the natural movement of your hair.
Processing & toning
While your color processes under careful supervision to protect its health, we custom-formulate a root smudge and toner tailored exactly to you.
Style & aftercare
Finishing blowout + style. Then we walk you through your personalized aftercare protocol recommending the professional products needed for home care and scheduling your next appointment.
One team. One philosophy.
Each of our master stylists trains continuously in balayage technique. Match to your goal — every artist's bio includes their portfolio.
Independent artists working out of CK Studio. Each manages their own scheduling.
Real numbers. No surprises.
Each price is a starting point. Final quote is built around your length, density, and chosen technique — and confirmed during your consultation.
Partial Balayage / Foliage
Custom lift on the top + crown for face-framing dimension.
- Top + crown placement
- Bond-builder included
- Custom toner + glaze
- Finishing style
Custom Balayage
Full custom balayage. Multi-tone melt, lived-in finish, low-maintenance grow-out.
- Full freeform painting
- Skin-tone matched color photography
- Bond-builder + custom toner
- Personalized aftercare protocol
- 3.5–4 hour appointment
AirTouch
Air-blown technique for the most blended, root-to-tip diffused transition.
- Air-detangling step
- Most natural grow-out
- Bond-builder + custom toner
- 4–4.5 hour appointment
Foliage at the full-service tier is also $450+. Color correction (covering up bad balayage from another salon) is quoted by consultation — send a photo with your inquiry.
Real chairs. Real clients.
No filters. No retouching beyond color correction for natural light.
5.0 across the board.
"When I first started my hair journey, I jumped from on salon to another trying to find a colorist that would do something I wanted and not convince me to do something else whether it was lack of experience or their preference. Cristina needed to do my hair ONCE for me to be a lifetime customer. She blends my hair beautifully and I never leave seeing streaks or missed spots. My roots are blended masterfully and she just GETS me. Isn’t that what we all want from our hair stylist?! I never want to book with anyone else in fear that my hair won’t be as beautiful as how Cristina gets it! She does a great balayage!! 💯"
"I came into the salon as a blonde with completely botched, muddy hair, and I was honestly so nervous after having so many bad experiences with hair stylists in the past. However, Cristina completely transformed my hair and gave me the blonde of my dreams! From the moment I sat in her chair, she reassured me every step of the way, explained the process, and made me feel so comfortable and confident that I was in good hands. The end result was beyond anything I could have hoped for: bright, beautiful and exactly what I wanted. After years of searching, I can finally say I’ve found someone who does my hair perfectly. I couldn’t recommend Cristina enough, she is truly amazing!"
"I wouldn't want to go anywhere else! I’ve been going to this salon for more than 5 years and never been disappointed. From the moment you walk in the door, you feel the vibe that this salon is special. Terrific service, attentive professionals, and an engaging owner. Cristina is extremely talented, knowledgeable and has an excellent eye for what works the best for my blonde hair. She takes great care of my hair during the color process, using all kinds of magical products to keep its shine, in other words she never compromises the health of my hair. I often get stopped in stores and parties with compliments for my hair. I strongly recommend this salon for the best beauty fairies!"
The questions everyone has.
Custom Foliage: Best for high-impact brightness. It uses foils and advanced diffusion to give you maximum blonding while keeping a soft, seamless root for an effortless grow-out.
AirTouch: Best for a flawless, micro-blended finish. It uses air to separate finer hairs before coloring, creating a 100% seamless transition with absolutely no harsh contrast or lines.
Skokie's trusted balayage salon — serving Chicago's North Shore.
Based in Skokie at 5041 Oakton St — minutes from Chicago, Evanston, and Wilmette. Clients drive in from across the North Shore for our balayage specialty.
Your perfect balayage starts with a conversation.
Book online in 60 seconds, or call to be matched with the right artist for your hair, your goal, your skin tone.