New spots for a new 'do

Thinking about cheating on your stylist? Or breaking up altogether? Here are a few new spots for guys and girls to try a new hairstyle, color and change of pace.

FOR GUYS & GIRLS

Mode
There's something sophisticated and exclusive about the location of this salon, situated on the fourth floor of the historic Pike and Pine Building. Though it lacks a visible street-level storefront, clients are finding it due to the reputation of its three-year old sister salon on Roosevelt. The salon has won numerous accolades for service and recognition for exclusive use of organic products, including color and Pureology shampoos and hair-styling products. The new light-filled space features Feng shui elements of wood, earth, metal, fire and water; a color palette of sage, Chinese red, and black; and a bank of large windows that wrap around the corner location.

Owner Joe Carlin searched for a decade to come up with an organic color system that performs best. There's no nasty ammonia smell with these products—just a pleasant anise scent. Pregnant women often choose it as the safest alternative to traditional hair dyes. Another bonus: The all-natural formula ensures you won't walk out with dye stains all over your head. The salon has 10 stations staffed by experienced stylists who go the extra mile to give you the right look and add a little pampering while they're at it (a hand and forearm massage is included with your service).

Other services available at the salon: Micro pigmentation, which entails semi-permanent cosmetics introduced to the skin through vibration (less invasive than permanent cosmetics); eyelash extensions; facials; waxing; makeup; manicures and pedicures. The salon has also partnered with Darcey Howard, a style consultant ready and willing to revamp your closet, update your wardrobe and work with the pros at Mode to give you a new look ... but a look that's you.

• Cost:
• Cut: $45-$85
• Color: $55-$95
• Foil and highlights: $80-$145
• Services by advanced training graduates:
• Cut: $35
• Color: $45
• Highlights: $65

Seven
Owner Rodger Azadganian has pulled out all the stops with the second location of his trendy hair salon, strategically located next to Nordstrom in Bellevue Square. The space is a work of art. The exterior features two massive 18th century Chinese Elmwood doors with tiger-head door pulls. Giant Buddha heads from China and Indonesia gaze peacefully from either side of the doors. Inside is a reproduction painting by Belgian artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur De Merprès. The sensuous scene features four voluptuous women in a tropical setting.

Once inside, you'll find a stunning, thousand-gallon aquarium filled with exotic fish including an uber-skinny Mexican Lookdown (you can see goldfish in his tummy after he eats). A barista works the espresso bar, and above him a DJ spins tracks from a suspended cage. Presiding over it all is a golden-seated Buddha from Burma perched high above the floor. The Enlightened One has a birds'-eye view of the business below.

With 36 stations, the enormous salon buzzes with activity and is filled with clients dressed in black kimonos with the Seven logo on back. Attractive black-clad stylists sporting unspeakably hip haircuts mix color, highlight and snip tresses. Their forté is cutting hair to complement bone structure and coloring hair to enhance skin and eye color. With more than 20 years in the business, Azadganian is relentless in training stylists to his standards. He's also sought perfection in hair products and naturally decided to create his own line of Seven products, due to hit shelves this year.

• Cost:
• Cuts: $50 and above
• Cut with Rodger: $200
• Single process color: $65 and above
• Foil highlights and lowlights: $115 and above

KATHY SCHULTZ

Owner Stacie Bowie (right) styles a client's hair in her spartan, hip salon.

Bowie Salon & Spa
Continually likened to Soho hangouts by clients, this hip salon and spa's spartan interior features concrete floors, white walls, contemporary black and white furniture, and six styling chairs. Various touches, such as a seated Buddha and sexy lighting, lend warmth to the minimalist setting. For all its trendiness, it's a welcoming place.

Owner Stacie Bowie is refreshingly down-to-earth and likes keeping things on the smaller side. "It's more like a family," she says of her highly trained and experienced staff. Bowie has styled hair in Paris, London, New York and South Africa. She's also known for her masterful blow-outs.

The spa is in the process of expanding to three rooms for facials, waxing, massage, manicures, pedicures, makeup, eyelash extensions and brow tints. Hate those flimsy throw-away flip-flops you get with your pedicure? You'll receive a complimentary pair of Havaianas Brazilian flip-flops with your first pedicure at Bowie.

• Cost:
• Cut: From $50
• Men's: From $45
• Color: From $60
• Blow-out: $50
• Partial foil: From $85
• Full Foil: From $105

Skyn Spa
This Pioneer Square skin-care salon just added two hair stylists to the staff. Now you can get an excellent facial from owner Shawna McMahon, then have your hair cut and colored. The intimate, fun atmosphere offers a break from the busy buzz of larger salons. Do a little shopping while your color sets-McMahon has added more goodies to her boutique including Deanna di Bene's slinky slips, camisoles, handbags and cosmetic bags, and more local jewelry.

• Cost:
• Cut for men: $50
• Cut for women: $65
• Color: $50-$110

Vanessa Phillipp will dry-cut your hair and apply makeup in the lone pretty pink chair in the Adelita boutique on Queen Anne.

Adelita
Stop and shop and get a cut while you're there. Since this Queen Anne boutique moved to a new, larger location, they've added a candy pink chair and princess mirror for dry haircuts by Vanessa Philipp. She charges $45 for women and $30 for men who dare to sit in the pink chair. She also offers makeup, brow and lip waxing. Haircuts are by appointment only. For complimentary makeup consultations appointments are suggested but walk-ins are welcome.

FOR MEN ONLY

Weldon Barber
There's no mistaking that this is a place for guys. In the waiting area, a table that looks suspiciously like a poker table is covered with men's magazines, and flat-screen TV runs ESPN continuously. The look is warm and masculine with slate gray floors, caramel colored woods, modern metal accents and comfy brown leather chairs.

This well-conceived design does everything possible to make the experience comfortable, casual, and just plain easy for guys. Each self-contained station is all-inclusive (chair, shampoo bowl) and is tastefully partitioned for privacy. What man wants to talk about his hair color, brow shaping, or ear hairs for all to hear? Clients can stop at the mirrored valet on the way out for a quick shoe shine, tie straightening, and complimentary breath mints.

BRIAN FRANCIS / WELDON BARBER

The waiting area in Weldon Barber is well-stocked with guy magazines, a flat-screen TV, and room to work on your laptop as you wait.

As for the cut, Weldon has a variety to choose from. The Weldon Signature starts with a hot face-towel, then a scalp-and-shoulder massage, hair cut, detailing (eyebrows, ears, nose), hot towel neck shave, and grooming. A second shampoo is always offered to eradicate those annoying snipped hairs that refuse to be brushed away. The Weldon Classic includes a shampoo, hair cut, and grooming, and you're in-and-out in 20 minutes. There's also a maintenance cut and additional services such as camouflage color (takes 3-5 minutes), customized highlights, and brow clean-up. Neck shaves are complimentary.

The Issaquah location is the first in a wave of Weldon Barber shops set to open in the area. Like everything else, they've made it easy for guys to get there, strategically picking locations for their convenient parking and neighborhood accessibility. And the Fatburger next door is one more good reason to go.

Look for new Weldon Barber shops in the future. A location in Kirkland is opening at the end of February, Bellevue will follow later this year, and possible Seattle locations are being scouted.

• Cost:
• Weldon Signatuer: $38
• Weldon Classic: $30
• Maintenance: $15

Oslo's A Men's Store
This newly-opened men's shop has it all — stylish clothes and accessories for men who appreciate fashion, and an in-store barber station. Taking the lead from shops in cities such as Los Angeles and New York, owner John McDowell endeavors to provide a comfortable and casual place to shop and attract men with extra services. The self-contained station has the iconic barber pole, one chair, and conveniently placed flat-screen TV. Barber Chad Oringer is busy on Fridays and Saturdays giving cuts and traditional straight-edge shaves. The shave includes a hot towel, massage with shaving oil, shave, and detailed cleanup. Oringer uses The Art of Shaving, an aromatic line using natural ingredients.

• Cost:
• Haircut $35
• Shave $30
• Both $55

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