Pelo

It’s all about quality, not quantity, at this small, modest Williamsburg salon, comprising just five chairs, two wash stations and three stylists. Tired of the pretentious, factory-run vibe found at many NYC salons, owner Nikki Flaming ditched that scene and began working as an independent stylist five years ago. After bulking up her client list, she decided to open her own establishment, where the focus would be solely on strands (hence the name, which is Spanish for “hair”). Although Pelo doesn’t offer a smorgasbord of services, Flaming believes that you don’t need to spend a week’s rent to get a fabulous long-lasting cut ($50–$100) or set of highlights ($75–$200). Clients can preserve their salon-fresh tresses long after they leave with the same products used in the parlor. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shaping cream ($18) is perfect for men looking for all-day hold without the heaviness, while Flaming swears by DevaCurl’s Set It Free finishing spray ($21), which locks out frizz and keeps flyaways at bay.