The North End has been gaining ground as a shopping destination with the opening of a number of swank urban boutiques that sell far more than just World Cup T-shirts for tourists. Now the area is poised to become a beauty destination, too: in addition to other neighborhood newcomers, there's Salon 26 (26 Parmenter Street, Boston, 617.523.2426). The salon, which offers everything from cuts and color to waxing, mani/pedis, and massages, aims to be a place of "comfortable luxury," a concept that's enhanced by its custom leather couches in the waiting area and the espresso, cappuccino, and tea offered gratis to all clients. Salon 26 has the Boston exclusive on Leaf & Rusher skincare products (they're a celeb favorite), and they also stock brands such as Apivita, Hamadi, and Purology. The salon is a labor of love for owner Tom Duncan, who created it to honor the spirit of his wife, Ann Marie Sava-Duncan, who passed away from cervical cancer in 2006.
[Photo by Melissa Ostrow]
