Butterfly Studio

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Orange fabric columns form the changing rooms, a koi pond complements the waiting area, and the washbasins and adjustable white leather chairs are designed by Philippe Starck. Butterfly Studio is undoubtedly one of the coolest looking places in the city’s salonscape, but do the services live up the decor? Its legion of die-hard clients, including newscaster Elizabeth Vargas, would say so. Owner Kattia Solano, a veteran of Frédéric Fekkai and John Barrett, teaches her stable of stylists how to cut hair so that it flatters the face—think razored layers—while colorists specialize in bold blondes and subtly highlighted brunettes; an in-store L’Oréal Professional Color Bar helps them work their magic. At the Kérastase Treatment Institute, a one-of-a-kind, high-tech, salon-within-the-salon, a trained technician analyzes hair and prescribes and applies highly-concentrated, customized potions meant to repair, refresh, and strengthen sun-, color-, and pollution-damaged tresses; soothing the scalp. In addition, makeup artists perform top-notch services using products like Malin+Goetz creams and Paula Dorf cosmetics. The salon often serves Corona and champagne in the evening, but on Thursdays, when they stay open until 9 p.m., Butterflytinis spiked with passion fruit become the beverage du soir. — Eve Gerber

This Gramercy Park salon specializes in black-tie- wedding makeup—full in-salon services start at $150, and on-location styling for the bridal party begins at $1,500. Veteran makeup artist Francesca Roman’s hand-applied makeup lasts up to ten hours with touch-ups; airbrushed makeup lasts ten to twelve.

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