Burlington, VT, recently named the healthiest city in the country by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a mecca of outdoor activities, art galleries and hip hair salons. Nicole Palmieri found four that keep locals' hair healthy and looking its best.
1. The Men's Room
The Men's Room's owner Glenn Sautter ensures the success of his salon by keeping it on the cutting edge, according to his daughter-in-law and salon manager Michelle Sautter. Even though the salon targets men, about 30 percent of its clients are female. "All stylists here are hairdressers with additional barber skills," Michelle says. "While we don't advertise that we serve women, we are very welcoming if they come in for a service, either alone or with their significant others."
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The 1,900-square-foot Aveda Concept Salon features an urban contemporary decor with an art gallery featuring artwork from local artists, four styling stations and one spa treatment room. "It's a lot easier to maintain an intimate space than to get so big that you lose your connection with clients," Michelle says. "We aim to develop lifelong relationships with clients and their families."
In Stock: Aveda
2. Indigo
Indigo was created as a result of two salons that merged in 1998. The 3,800-square-foot salon, which offers views of Lake Champlain and the mountains, offers only cut, color and waxing services. According to owner Stephen Bevilacqua, the Intercoiffure salon is adamant about education so that stylists can offer clients the most current styles and techniques. The salon features a relaxing atmosphere with earthy, natural colors seen throughout in addition to artwork from a different local artist each six weeks. Since the salon is located in a college town, many clients are students, however the majority of clients are professional men and women who enjoy the salon's views, atmosphere and quality of customer service and treatments they receive there.
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In Stock: Kevin Murphy, PureOlogy, Bumble and bumble
3. Stephen & Burns Salon Spa & Boutique
As an Aveda Lifestyle Salon, it's no wonder Stephen & Burns knows a thing or two about being "green." The three-level salon, which opened 23 years ago but moved to its current location four years ago, features a full staff kitchen, eight styling stations, a separate processing room, manicure and pedicure stations and spa treatment rooms. Designed to create the lowest impact on the environment, the salon features locally constructed cabinetry, glass shelving, floors made from double-layer recycled cork and curved corners to encourage the flow of energy. "We have the same environmental philosophy as Aveda," says Marjorie Minot, who co-owns the salon with Stephen Rainville. "We've been recycling since long before it was fashionable."
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In Stock: Aveda
4. Shear Envy
Casie Relyea, owner of Shear Envy, describes her salon as industrial and edgy because of its white drop ceiling, black track lighting, 5-foot-tall mirrors, blue walls, and silver and metal accents. Located on the second floor of a building, the salon features a waiting area with two oversized leather couches, a television and a bistro table that overlooks a park. Although its only been open less than a year, the salon already has a loyal client base, some of whom were Relyea's past clients, and many of whom heard about the salon through word of mouth or through the salon's ads in local newspapers. It has established itself as not only a place to receive a top-notch cut and color, but also as a hangout for clients. "We offer WiFi here, so many of our college student clients come in to study, relax or use the Internet," Relyea says.
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In Stock: Enjoy, American Crew