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Critics' Choice Top Salon 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
The holidays are an ideal time to freshen your appearance in conjunction with those self-Improving-centered New Year's Resolutions that are an annual traditional for many of us. A new hairstyle is a great way to stat the year with confidence. A facial and manicure will surely rejuvenate you through the seasonal festivities. Or, perhaps you will give the gift of papering to someone you appreciate. Salon and spa gift certificate are a welcome surprise in anyone's stocking.
No-VA Living magazine sent five writers into local salon to shed light on what happens when you surrender you image to their master stylist. Salons were selected based on their reputations for talented professionals, variety of service and moderate prices. Read on to discover what style secrets lie within these five northern Virginia salon and day spas.
Mancini de Paris
Mancini de Paris' modest exterior does not prepare you for the sleek, impeccably designed European-style salon and day spa flourishing behind its front doors. Contemporary leather and blonde wood fixtures give a clean look to the décor while energizing club music keeps a soft beat overhead. Smiling receptionist greet clients followed by a hospitable offer of cappuccino and owner Mancini proudly offers tour of his custom-design 4,000 square foot creation.
In addition to manicure and pedicure packages that many salon offer, Mancini de Paris sets itself apart with spa treatments unique to northern Virginia. The Vichy Shower, created in France, offer massaging water jets paired with a body scrub or massage. Further down the hall is the DermaLife™ therapy bed promising skin rejuvenation and cellulite eradication. A delightful menu of spa packages exists to accommodate any schedule or beauty request including, color correction, facials, massages, reflexology, mircrodermabrasion, and make-up application as well as doctor-supervised laser hair removal.
After returning from my daydream of pampered hours spent in this beautiful environment, I found myself seated in Mancini's stylist chair. My treat for this visit was to be cut, color, and style y master stylist, Mancini himself. A bit apprehensive over surrendering my appearance to a complete stranger, I was quickly put at ease by Mancini's easy manner and down-to-earth charm. He determined that my hair should be shorter, and for color, highlight in a "coup de soleil" style.
Mancini clearly know what he was talking about. My freshly staled coif framed my face n blended layers and a bright glow. The cut is so well crafted that after just a few minutes with a hair dryer, my hair falls into place…even at home. The highlights are flattering and stylish without looking to trendy.
In 1999, Mancini started a business with himself as the sole stylist. In just four years, he has built a salon reputation to command a staff of nearly 20. Every detail is in place from foot rests and scalp massages at the shampoo bowl to the customized bridal spa packages. At this cultural crossroads in Arlington, Mancini caters to the divers populous with stylist specializing in a variety of skin and hair types and a total of eight languages spoken among them
As Mancini de Paris prepares to celebrate its first anniversary, no doubt it is the first of many. The skill, care, and attention to detail that Mancini pour passionately into his salon and say spa will surely draw a wide clientele and keep them. The salon web site at www.mancinideparis.com offers service list and exciting photos of Mancini in action
-Candace Radoski
3045 Colombia Pike Arlington, Va 703-920-4699.
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