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Tucked away on a quiet West Village street, Xena's Beauty Company is a refreshing break from the uppity attitude of many Manhattan salons. Opened in 1991 by owner Xena Parsons, the small, just-below-street-level space caters to students and artsy types (photographers, designers, Broadway actors) as well as college deans and corporate CEOs. At the entrance, a tiny retail area is crammed full of brightly packaged Bed Head products; a funky track of halogen lights snakes throughout and illuminates the space. Xena handpicks and personally trains each of her low-key staff members, who go out of their way to make clients comfortable and happy. Signs posted in the salon encourage you to try different stylists from time to time;letting clients know that there are no divas or massive egos here. Apart from its inviting, laid-back ambience, Xena's is best known for easy-to-maintain cuts and long-lasting color jobs. The salon uses Framesi dyes and products, which are vegetable- and coconut oil-based, gentler on tresses, and famous for covering gray. Framesi also boasts the industry's widest range of reds, from subtle strawberry blonds and deep auburns to the shocking, Ronald McDonald red favored by a few of the neighborhood's NYU students. — Tara Mandy

Ask for a copy of Xena's neighborhood map, a great insider's guide to nearby bars, restaurants, and boutiques put together by John Galietti, Xena's business partner and husband.