Antonio Vitale, Studio for Hair
When the avant-garde salons of Newbury Street mistake overzealousness for creativity, only one man can come to the rescue: Antonio Vitale. You won't find posh ambiance here; Vitale revels in his tiny Kenmore Square studio's perfunctory décor and pretense-free atmosphere. Instead, come for careful, thoughtfully rendered hair coloring. The 29-year-old sixth-generation stylist started working with hair at 11 in his father's studio and came back to it after years of toiling as an artist. That's exactly what he still is—an artist layering subtle shades of color to tone down or brighten in all the right spots, fixing what has been put asunder and putting his clients at ease through every step of the process. 464 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA studioforhairboston.com.
Odalisque Belly Dance Studio
Energetic dancers, engaging repertoires. 1927 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Forêt Design Studio
First comes love, then comes the wedding florist, who can singularly set the tone for your big day. Ensure a blossoming affair with Rose Mattos and Erin Heath’s ethereal bouquets and centerpieces, characterized by stunning foliage, fruiting branches, and local, seasonal blooms. Some of their recent floral feats include wrapping lush white flowers around a wooden archway, stringing garland on a vintage Volkswagen, and swathing tree branches in lace. foretdesignstudio.com.
Karma Yoga Studio
1120 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA karmayogastudio.com.
B/Spoke Studios
This locally owned studio leads the pack with top-notch amenities, including free shoe rental and impeccably clean locker rooms stocked with Aesop products. The various options—from super-sweaty hot rides to all-levels community classes—offer the perfect blend of cardio, core work, and conditioning. 101 Federal St., Boston, 617-951-9900; 50 Central St., Wellesley, 781-772-1920; bspokestudios.com. 101 Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, bspokestudios.com.
Ronnie Brissete, The Yoga Studio
Teaching in a beautiful home studio, this yoga expert has a loyal following—and an unbounded passion for her discipline. Individual and group classes are taught with precision, kindness, and humor. Her specialty, the Iyengar style of yoga, results in the mind-blowing sensation of a rigorous physical workout mixed with a soothing mental escape. 57 Waverly St., Brookline, MA .
Cindy Jensen, Studio 9
Trained in the school of Michaud, Jensen calls on her years as a makeup artist to deliver brows that enhance the whole face. Plucking, not waxing, allows for maximum precision. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
MuckyKids Art Studio
No thinking inside the box here — offbeat class offerings like jewelrymaking, fiber arts, and even miniature-world creation (doesn’t that sound nice right about now?) are guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing. 2404 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02410, muckykids.com.
Wyldflower Hair Studio
There’s nothing worse than spending hours in a salon chair only to come out with a too-short cut or hair that’s suddenly much blonder than you wanted. Thankfully, when we went in for an appointment at Wyldflower Hair Studio — the brainchild of Amanda Gillespie and Kristin Williams, two veteran stylists with more than 20 years of experience — our stylist listened to our vision, delivering glowing and subtle highlights and a blowout that lasted for days. 25 S. Main St., Cohasset, MA 02025, wyldflowerhairstudio.com.
Greenhouse 1
Where the coleus and caladium play. 385 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Daniela Corte
Somewhere between couture and casual wear, there is the striking work of Daniela Corte. First, there are her designs: wrap shirts that evoke Pucci's colors and Prada's lines; pants that run from pristine silk trousers to leopard-print capris; and vibrant halter dresses that would be at home on both Newbury Street and Cannes beach. Then there's her fit: each piece custom-cut to your exact measurements, and in the precise fabric, pattern, and color you want it. The pint-sized Corte, every inch a style doyenne, takes customers beyond mere label obsession and into the realm of real fashion: She fuses cuts from the best international designers, puts her own distinct stamp on the pastiche, and tailors it to perfectly flatter every customer—all from a tiny Back Bay studio. In a town that tends to be too buttoned-up in the clothing department, Corte is just the right fit. 271 Newbury St., Boston, MA danielacorte.com.
Andrew Zona Studio and Day Spa
Past the bustling ground-level salon is one of the area's most soothing (and healing) oases. Andrew Zona's second floor is a temple of quiet body treatments, cleansing facials, and massages so relaxing they're practically coma-inducing. And if you just can't stand to bypass the boutique, browse its selection of international products and pick a tube of Kérastase shine serum or Sundãri moisturizer that will keep your skin in shape until the next visit. 65 South St., Hingham, MA .
Melanie Rokes, Liquid Hair Studios
There are men who prefer to have their locks styled while breathing purified air at a Newbury Street day spa, and there are men willing to roll the dice at the corner barbershop. Then there are the rest of us, and for Melanie Rokes, we are grateful. She charges $25 for a basic cut, and that includes a complimentary beverage. (Ask for the mint lemonade.) She's chatty but not too chatty, doesn't rush, and, like a good wedding DJ, goes out of her way to fulfill special requests. Even if all you're asking for is a little off the top, you'll still feel a bit cooler after basking in the atmosphere of Liquid's neon walls and kitschy décor, which feels like it was acquired at a yard sale in South Beach—complete with a shrine to Elvis in the bathroom. 640 Tremont St., Boston, MA liquidhairstudios.com.
Beatriz Camacho, Hair FX Studio
This fairy godmother carries a hair dryer instead of a wand. Betty will blow away any bad hair day, turning you sleek when you're frizzy, and stylish when you're frumpy. 627 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Nicole Rueda-Watts, NYX Studio
There’s nothing wrong with a chunky necklace from J.Crew, of course, but if you truly want to stand out from the flock, snag a handmade feather collar—with elegant plumage that wows—from Nicole Rueda-Watts. The designer, who honed her metalworking skills in a Mexican artist community, fashions her eye-catching wares with semiprecious stones, leather, and beads. Catch the collection at her West Cambridge boutique Observatory, which also stocks arrangements from Laura Jean Floral & Design, as well as vintage furniture and home accessories. nyxstudio.com.