Salon Mario Russo

The past year has brought a lot of new life, and drama, to the local salon scene. There was Bradley & Diegel and Patrice Vinci and Kent Newton, to name a few startups, as well as the launch of Mizu, which pulled off both the largest staff poaching and most bumping opening party in recent memory. Thing is, we don't want to feel like guinea pigs as a new salon works out its kinks. And the puppy-mill approach (rows and rows of stylists) favored at some more established spots isn't our bag, either. So we go with the tried and true and still terrific: Mario Russo's salon inside Louis, where the staff is intuitive, services are always up to snuff, and we never get lost in the shuffle. RUNNERS-UP: Bradley & Diegel, Kent Newton Salon LAST YEAR: Salon Mario Russo