New on Newbury

by Heather Bouzan, 05-05-2008

The busy hair salon that's a whirlwind of hairspray, gossip, and reformed split ends; the subdued, Zen-like spa that calms you instantly - they both have their place. Newbury Street is a mecca of the former, but the latter can be more difficult to find. Enter Atelier (174 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.456.0006), a new salon from veteran hairstylists Dean Mellen and Cindy Kenefick. Mellen, who spent more than 17 years at Salon Mario Russo and boasts an impressive roster of celebrity clients, is your go-to guy for bangs and has an intuitive understanding of color, while Kenefick is a superstar corrective colorist who also specializes in classic cuts. The two have set out to create an intimate experience that's truly personalized: no distractions exist to take either stylist away from the haircut at hand. For the client, that translates into top-notch service, a flawless new 'do, and a much-needed chance to just breathe.