Rachel Bezanson, Michaud Cosmetics
You want natural? Tell Rachel Bezanson so, and, when she's done, you'll see only the gleam of your features, not cakey foundation or madly mod eyeliner. You want dramatic? Tell her, and instead of the annoyed streetwalker look that so many "artists" render, you'll come away with lips that pout, eyes that pop, and cheekbones that could cut butter. 297 Newbury St., Suite 21, Boston, MA .
Bruce Percelay, Mount Vernon Company
Chances are Mount Vernon owns that gem you've been looking for in the Back Bay, on Beacon Hill, or in Cleveland Circle. Percelay buys and rehabs buildings in choice locations and turns them into rental units, tidying the exteriors and making the interiors downright luxurious. If you get in on the ground floor of renovations, you might even be able to customize your digs—virtually unheard-of for renters. And tenants praise the building maintenance and quick response to problems. 276 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Frankie's Laundry
It doesn't get any easier than this: Pull the sheets off in the morning, and leave them in the vestibule for pickup, and they're waiting for you, cleaned and folded, when you get home. Frankie's has been keeping Bostonians' whites white for 13 years, with same-day service at a bargain-basement 75 cents a pound. Sorry, they won't make your bed. 411 Meridian St., East Boston, MA .
Martyn Duff, Vidal Sassoon
Heads will be turning now that Duff, Sassoon's North American creative director, has relocated to Boston. Masterful cut aside, we loved his approach—assessing your lifestyle, hair type, and sensibilities before lifting his scissors. "I want to know how this works for you," he asked repeatedly. Just be sure to call ahead for appointments—the man is a bigger jet setter than Austin Powers. 14 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Ed Robichaud, Berkeley Barber Shop
He can clip you any way (And, truth be told, anywhere) you want. His shop is clean, and his manner is refreshingly old-fashioned. He speaks when spoken to, doesn't take offense if you just want to sit there and meditate, and always works until he's sure you look your best. 86 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Victoria Turovsky
She will work around a hair appointment, filing and pumicing feet to a glow while you enjoy a deep hair conditioning; she will also advise you on suitable shades of nail polish, from baby pinks to urban-decay green. No matter what state of disrepair your feet are in, Victoria can rebuild them, or at the very least make them look decent enough for those Manolo Blahnik sandals. City Salon, 118 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Blades Board and Skate
Next time you're strolling the Esplanade, don't let that cute rollerblader pass you by—strap on some skates of your own and pull up alongside. How to make a good impression when you finally catch up? Stop at Blades first, the ultimate purveyor of all things wheeled and wooden. The staff will hook you up with the best selection of skateboards and in-lines in the city; they'll also keep you looking fly with rack after rack of fashions from Flosport and Aesthetics gear. 349 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Dorfman Jewelers
The old-world charm of this boutique on the first block of Newbury Street harks back to a time when people dressed for dinner, casual Friday was something out of an Orwellian nightmare, and men really did spend a month's salary on trinkets for their wives. It's also a place where the collective gem knowledge of the staff goes way beyond the four Cs of diamonds. Its lines include Picchiotti for stones, DeVroomen for enamel jewelry, Tahitian and South Sea pearls, a Bulgari boutique, Patek Philippe watches, and Van Cleef & Arpels. 24 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Pageo Jewelers
Jewelry stores can be intimidating— a combination of security guards, glass cases with steel locks, and salespeople who do not encourage trying on the merchandise. But at Pageo, the jewelry is displayed invitingly, and the staff encourages questions and try-ons. With prices ranging from $200 to $20,000, the jewelry will make your pulse race— but the prices don't have to. 843 Beacon St., Newton, MA .
Louis Boston
A double winner here. The four-story style mecca is the arbiter of quality men's fashion for both those who are looking to stand out from the crowd and those who are classic and cautious. You'll find Italian made-to-measure masters, standard faves like Ralph Lauren's purple label, and Louis' own line. Fashion-timid men may require some education— not to mention a platinum credit card— but Louis' staff are masters in the art of dressing. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Peter Capozzoli
Peace of mind is not typically something you buy along with a used car. But when Capozzoli sells you a '95 Lexus, you know there's no need for further haggling: He's fair, he knows what he's doing, and the cars at this small independent shop are in top condition. Bonus: No additional charge for processing your registration. and they service cars there, too. Cohasset Imports, Inc., 508 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Cohasset, MA .
Boston Book Annex
Signs of authenticity in the book world: the musty smell of old paper and bindings; the creak of the wooden floorboards; a house cat lounging on the counter as if she owns the place. Add seemingly endless warrens of well-organized books and you have the prototype for the perfect used bookstore. Room after room has been organized here into such eccentric but irresistible categories as "Polar Exploration" and "Disasters." The store also offers recent releases and first editions. (A larger collection of rare books is in the company's 705 Centre Street branch in Jamaica Plain.) 908 Beacon St., Boston, MA .
Blades Board & Skate
This is legit streetwear— not designer clothing posing as the original. Surfwear labels like Billabong, QuickSilver, Vans, and DC are the labels of choice. Accessories include skateboards, or, depending on the season, snowboards and Timbuktu bike messenger bags. For parents clueless about what their kids really wear, the multi-pierced sales help are hip to what your kids want. 222 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
True Bistro
Despite the proliferation of earthy-crunchy types in town, only a handful of restaurants here dedicate their menu to meatless meals, and even fewer elevate the concept past casual fare. At True Bistro, though, the offerings actually fall into the category of fine dining. Everything, right down to the wine, is completely vegan, from the English-pea ravioli in lemon-thyme cream to the decadent crepes at brunch, all of which will satisfy even your most staunchly carnivorous friends. 1153 Broadway, Somerville, MA 2144, truebistroboston.com.
Trattoria Toscana
We're reluctant to give up this little storefront gem, but its ribbons of house-made pappardelle and tender raviolis are just too delightful not to share. The bubbling braised tripe and perfectly charred tagliata are right out of Nonna's Tuscan kitchen—which is fitting, since the wood tables, simple wine selection, and servers with alluring Italian accents could be, too. 130 Jersey St., Boston, MA 2215, .