A Human, being
BIO
Known for gentle, conscious hair coloring practices I have now been in the hair industry for over twenty years, working exclusively as a Color & Balayage Specialist. My goal always is to create natural looking hair color and also help to heal clients hair in the process. I mindfully use the most gentle, organic (low-toxic) ingredients while creating custom hair color for each individual client. Even though most of my training was with brands that aren’t as focused on clean ingredients I have always chosen the most low-toxic that I could for my clients and for myself. I now have access to the cleanest color and products on the market. The healthier the hair, the better the color looks and keeping the hair as healthy as possible is the most important thing to me. I hope I can just enhance your natural color and I hope to bring a different perspective to hair color. One of my favorite things about my appointments is the time spent together sharing holistic advice and talking about life.
“The ‘slow lifestyle’ advocates adopting a slower pace of life, consciously making an effort to be more present in the moment, and therefore living in a more balanced, meaningful and life-affirming way.”
-Harriet Clifford
Education
I attended Beauty School in Chicago where I also graduated from an advanced three year training program at a top salon- training under some of the best Colorist in Chicago.
Extended education includes:
Classically trained in a two week course at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica,Ca.
L’Oreal Professional Paris-Academy in Rome,Italy
L’Oreal Professional Paris-Academy in Soho, New York with Nancy Braun
L’Oreal Professional Paris-Academy in L.A. with Kaz Amor
Mane Addicts-Jen Atkin Color Education with Tracey Cunningham in L.A.
Numerous classes with Nancy Braun of L’Oreal Professional Paris- for Balayage in Chicago
L’oreal Professional Paris-Balayage training with Debbie Mcginley in Chicago
L’oreal Balayage Professional Paris- Balayage training with Jay in Chicago
BTC Color Theory with Justin Anderson of Chris McMillian
Sunlights Balayage training with Candy Shaw in Chicago
PRESS RELEASES
“Shores deposits flattering hues that add a healthy dose of shine and even seem to soften fuzzy textures.".”
— ALLURE MAGAZINE
VOTED BEST COLORIST IN CHICAGO 2017
"Technique matters, of course--Shores is perhaps best known for her Balayage which requires a high level of skill--but this "creative chemist" as she calls herself mixes that with passion to make her clients look great..”
— CS MAGAZINE
view more here.
“I never recommend highlights on pixies. Not only do highlights look busy with all those layers_they also resemble polka dots on the back of the head, where the hair is really short." says Shores”
— REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE
"Solid tones will get lost under bright stage or set lights, says Leslie, so always build dimension into your color design. She turns to Balayage to create dimension in nearly every clients color."
— BEHIND THE CHAIR
"Grow out your summer highlights, or just ask your Colorist to paint a caramel tone on your ends," says Shores.
— REDBOOK MAGAZINE
"When working with brides, Leslie asks for details on how the hair will be worn on the wedding day so that she can identify the sections that will benefit most from the pop of a highlight. "And generally," she adds, "I advise my brides to book their color about a week before the wedding. That way there is time to make adjustments if necessary."
— BEHIND THE CHAIR
“Leslie’s passion is providing thoughtful, on target advice for complete and captivating, head-to-toe style”