Best Salons in Dallas, The

D Magazine, May 01, 2002

BEST CELEBRITY SPOTTING

Perry Henderson

3878 OAK LAWN AVE., STE. 100A. 214-522-2870

This is the place to find Dallas society's heavy hitters sitting on and standing behind the chairs. There are three international "platform artists," a master colorist, and a blend of talented and trophied stylists. Perry's charm sets the tone for this safehaven salon for the boldface names in the news to curl up and dye.

Price range for haircut $50-$100

Price range for color: $50 and up/one step; $75 and up/highlights

Specialties: three-color highlights, makeup for TV and photo shoots

Celebrities served: Naomi Judd, Star Jones, Laura Bush, Liz Smith, Jane Seymour, Jason Alexander, Margot Perot, Angie Harmon, Gene Jones, Liz Minyard, Monica Greene, Nancy Hamon, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders

Best master stylist: Perry Henderson

Best classic stylist: Kurt Anderson

Best trend-setting stylist: Darren Davis

Best blow-dry stylist: Christian Iles

Best special-event updo stylist: Christian Iles

Best hair colorist: Louis Prez

BEST COLOR GUARD

Richard Hayler

6174 SHERRY LN. 214-363-1131

"I would put my mother in any one of our colorist's chairs," reported a staffer at Richard Hayler's salon. "And she's fussy." They estimate 75 to 80 percent of their clients are blonds (see p. 77). The valet parking isn't a sign of snobbery; Hayler's salon is friendly and unpretentious.

Price range for haircut: $5-$65

Price range for color: $40-$75/one step; $85-$150/highlights

Specialties: color

Best master stylist: Samantha Frank

Best classic stylist: Dawn Martin

Best blow-dry stylist: Kimberly Keith

Best special-event updo Stylist: Veronica Moreno

BEST PANACHE

Jose Eber

8201 PRESTON RD., STE. 100. 214-696-4074

www.joseeberatelier.com

Jose Eber is a hit in Dallas - a second salon recently debuted at The Shops at Willow Bend, making ours the only city outside of Beverly Hills with two locations. Of course, brushing with fame (Jose comes to town every six weeks) comes with a price: a consultation fee runs $185 and a cut is $300. (See p. 82.)

Price range for haircut: $85 (check with salon for Jose's dates)

Price range for color: $85-$160

Specialties: Every client is booked according to hair type.

Celebrities served: Mike Modano, Elizabeth Taylor, Linda Grey, Betty Buckley, Darryl Sydor

Best masters stylist: Rainer Schneck

Best classic stylist: Mark Talley

Best trend-setting stylist: Cassie Sanders

Best blow-dry stylist: Donna Garcia

Best special-event updo stylist: Candy VanHorne

Best hair colorist: Billy Irby

Best children's stylist: Eva Garcia

BEST ENERGY

Phillip K. Thomas

4411 LEMMON AVE., STE. 102. 214-521-9900

www.phillipkthomas.com

In between spin classes and charity events, Phillip K. "Felini" Thomas says he's been "hair hooking" since he was 13. He pumps up the volume on some of Dallas' most "exclusive heads." As for his down-toearth staff, he exudes, "We don't allow any divas here!"

Price range for haircut: $35/men; $45/women

Price range for color: $55/one step; $55 and up/highlights

Best master stylist: Phillip K. Thomas

Best classic stylist: David Forsyth

Best trend-setting stylist: Brandi Bensley

Best blow-dry stylist; Alonzo Woodrow

Best special-event updo stylist: Jamie Robinson

Best hair colorist: Bethany Smith

Best children's stylist: Ivan Chase

BEST CUT, COLOR, AND COSMOPOLITAN

Salon Pompeo

3227 MCKINNEY AVE., STE. 103. 214-979-0440

The philosophy? "A trip to the salon should be as pleasurable as possible. What better way to truly indulge yourself than a day at the salon accompanied by your favorite drink?" We couldn't agree more. Martini. Extra dry. Two olives and a trim.

Price range for haircut: $30-$70

Price range for color: $50-$120

Specialties: thermal reconditioning (see p. 85)

Celebrities served: Steven Jones, Zhizhi Wang, Victoria Snee, Glen Moray

Best master stylist: Don Francis

Best classic stylist: Alex Ste. Marie

Best trend-setting stylist: Lance Hooper

Best blow-dry stylist: Chadwick James

Best special-event updo stylist: Jennifer Barrios

Best hair colorist: Deanna Dipizio

Best children's stylist: Sara Rice

BEST PERSONALITY

Paul Neinast

3003 CARLISLE ST., STE. 109. 214-999-0400

It's not just his magic scissors that put Paul Neinast on top; his boundless energy and his infectious good-natured laugh make him easy to love. His salon may be small, but his staff prides itself on service (lunch delivered on trays to clients under the dryer) and ambience (the salon overlooks the Katy Trail).

Price range for haircut: $30-$75

Price range for color: $45-$85/one step; $75-$225/highlights

Celebrities served: George Bush, Rene Russo, Jan Strimple, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Tommy Lee Jones, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

Best master stylist: Paul Neinast

Best classic stylist: Paul Neinast

Best trend-setting stylist: Lori Cohea

Best blow-dry stylist: Paul Neinast, Lori Cohea, Ann Bernau

Best special-event updo stylist: Paul Neinast, Lori Cohea, Ann Bernau Bed hair colorist Paul Neinast, Lori Cohea, Ann Bernau

Best children's stylist: Ann Bernau

BEST MOMS & POPS

Clive & Co.

4832 BELT LINE RD. 972-934-0500

This is a modest, minimalist storefront salon. But there's a chair for everyone: housewives with foil wraps, kicking kids, guys with ties, and teens with trendy tresses. The buzzword here is Rose - "an allaround natural talent," according to her fellow stylists and clients.