MiniLuxe

MiniLuxe garners raves for its devotion to hygiene (technicians sterilize tools in the same machines used by surgeons and dentists), but the three-year-old chain takes its perfectionism a step further: The salon is immaculately clean, sleek, and decorated with gorgeous displays of high-end beauty products. Best of all, the manicures are the most detail-oriented in town. As far as technicians go, we're still partial to last year's pedicure winner, the ultrasweet Shayna Shirazi at the Newbury outpost — but everyone we encountered was pleasant and thorough. Bonus: Prices are only a few bucks more than at those blinking-neon-light nail salons — and polish colors are always on-trend. Try the new OPI Axxium gel polish, which lasts two blissfully chip-free weeks. RUNNER-UP: Mandarin Oriental