Boston - April 04, 2005

Extreme Makeover

The New Mario Russo Salon

Does anybody really walk the walk anymore? Between all the marketing ploys, the political spin, and fake news out there, it seems like no one actually lives what they sell.

Unless you’re hair stylist Mario Russo and what you’re selling is beauty. Through the years, Russo and his salon’s trusted staff have given Bostonians more makeovers than you can shake a pair of trimming shears at. And now they’ve turned their sharp eyes on themselves — in one of the most dramatic salon overhauls in Boston beauty history.

To begin with, they’ve expanded to twice the space and dedicated one entire floor to color. (A practice common enough in other international cities, but heretofore unknown in Boston.) Plus, they’ve added an enclave for holistic treatments (hot stone pedicures and heat-sensitive manicure stations that act like mood rings — as your stress subsides, the colors change around you).

Both floors are done in innovative contemporary design: communal tables instead of the usual styling stations, plus gorgeous custom-made furniture and exhibits of work by Boston artists.

Hey, before you can make others look great, you’ve got to look great yourself, right?

Salon Mario Russo, 9 Newbury Street, between Arlington and Berkeley Streets, Back Bay, (617-424-6676 or mariorusso.com).