leaves people banishing some items to the can’t- afford section of the budget, the one thing that isn’t going anywhere is hair care. Tat’s why new shops are popping up throughout the city and so many chairs are consis- tently filled. So which are the best

shops and stylists, and where are the best deals? We surveyed the city’s

salon know-it-alls, the people whom we’ve chosen in the past as top-notch as well as talented newcomers on our radar. And we asked them to do something out- of-the-ordinary: to talk not just about themselves but also about other salons and stylists. We learned an awful lot about area staples as well as new salons, micro-co-ops and mega-establishments. Frankly, the excitement of top stylists for their craft is contagious. “Tere are a lot of really

talented people throughout the city,” says Ralph Van Atta of Te Art of Hair. “We have a really sophisti- cated salon environment.” Indeed. We sorted through the surveys, did follow-up phone interviews and salon visits, read hundreds of user reviews on various websites and interviewed customers. After amassing all of that information, we picked the area’s best. But one caveat: Even the

best stylist isn’t a mind- reader or magician. Bring in pictures showing the kind of hairstyle you want (it’s an urban myth that stylists hate them) and take the consultation seriously. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and be clear about what you want. Our list of salons should make choosing a stylist much easier. But anytime you make a date, you have to do some of the talking, too.

The Role ModelS

These salons have some of the best training programs and have tutored many of the city’s stylists.

Erik of Norway

From its urban, 10-chair location to a full-service salon and spa in Mequon, Erik of Norway remains one of the fa- mous names in the business. With internationally educated colorist Tammi Savic and

stylists Scott Yance and Matt

Mackai, the salon exudes effortless expertise. Many of the city’s salon owners were first trained here. Synonymous with high-end, the Downtown location offers complimen- tary valet parking outside the second-floor space. With vaulted ceilings, white walls and top-notch furnishings, the experience is luxurious. Cuts $35-100; color $55 and up.

(726 N. Milwaukee St.; 1505 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-5111.)

NEroli SaloN aNd Spa

It’s all in the details, says owner Susan Haise. From hair products to coffee service and the mug it comes in, “It’s how you’re guided through the experience.” Neroli is a salon others try to emulate, so it must be doing something right. It employs nearly 200 in four locations, including top stylists Josef Stempinski and Sidney Graven, and all but its East Side location are open seven days a week. Avoiding a cookie-cutter layout, each Neroli shop boasts a different feel but with comfortable, soft, clean design. Cuts $25- 60, color $50 and up. (1919

E. Kenilworth Pl.; 325 E. Chicago St.; 3885 N. Brook- field Rd., Brookfield; 5714 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale, 414-227-2888.)

BEauty

A teaching salon, Beauty has trained much of the city’s young talent with

Tom Miller and Bjorn

Nasett (who writes for

Erik of Norway

60 | Milwaukee Magazine | July 2010 » milwaukeemagazine.com

milwaukeemagazine.com) at the helm. Also notable is veteran colorist Thomas Dewing, who works as an educator with color line Goldwell. Color program trainer Bree Herlitz serves as the style director, and Mary Malec is a master hairdresser. With an eclectic East Side location in an old Victorian, a Third Ward coffeeshop-turned- salon on Water and two Cutting Groups (walk-in training shops with $25 cuts), Beauty main- tains a well-educated, impres- sive crew of stylists. Cuts $35- 70; color $66 and up. (514 N.

Water St., 414-224-1422; 1633 N. Farwell Ave., 414-276-5054. Cutting Groups: 2216 N. Farwell Ave. and 773 N. Jefferson St.)

CarENza Color CuttiNg ExpEriENCE

Laurence Seybold avoids

short-term trends or the overly edgy. He’s a self-described “technical fanatic” who strives for mainstream hair done with a signature style to perfection. He’s meticulous, knowledgeable and the “bob” king. Can’t get in to see the king? Try the bob princess, Nicole Musil. “If you learn how to do great bobs, you will always be busy,” Seybold says. Cuts $34-85, men’s $30-65; color $40 and

up. (15455 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, 262-827-1000.)

aNtoN’S SaloN aNd M Spa

A Milwaukee-area staple for 30 years but always changing with the times, its modern, bright Pewaukee escape houses M Spa, which offers traditional and nontraditional services such as Botox. At the Zen-like Delafield location, hair is the focus. Both salons feature strong stylists and colorists, including Laura Aszman, who prefers edgy but wearable and does a lot of curly, short, thick hair, as well as color

pros Julie Pofahl and Kelli

Jordan. Cuts $24-91, men’s $20-51; color $49 and up. Looking for less expensive? Try Anton’s Academy and its model program for cuts around

$20. (1231 George Towne Dr., Pewaukee, 262-691-9888; 2566 Sun Valley Dr., Delafield, 262-646-9888.)

Studio 890 aNd thE art of hair

With more than 100 staffers in her three salons (two Studio 890 locations and The Art of Hair), Barbara Zeppos stresses constant education, creativity and top products. To keep up on trends, she developed a Color Team, comprised of veterans and newcomers alike, which gets beyond chemistry and technicalities and takes color into creativity and personal- ization. With stylists such as

Cindi Bindrich, Rita Race

and Ralph Van Atta at The Art of Hair, chances are good she’ll continue to succeed. Studio 890 cuts $26-100, men’s $18-60; color $45 and up. The Art of Hair cuts $28-80; color $45 and up.

(890 Elm Grove Rd., Elm Grove, 262-785-2890; 18900 Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, 262-785-2899; The Art of Hair, 18000 Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, 262-785-2888.)

BriaN houStoN SaloN

Simultaneously a local legend and a bit of a secret, Brian Houston is a one-man show. Tucked into a Shorewood storefront with a manicurist, Houston works long hours and does it all, from shampooing to cut, color and style. He will spend as much time as neces- sary to ensure each client has a thorough consultation and loves the result. Cuts $90; color $50 and up. (4479 N.

Oakland Ave., Shorewood, 414-967-1637.) Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12