1. Seasons Spa and Salon

At Seasons Spa and Salon, it's the quality of services, as well as the little personal touches, that keep customers coming back. Whether it's an extra scalp massage or hand massage, this full-service Redken Elite salon and spa truly understands the importance of customer service, says Seasons Manager Jessica Maurer.

The salon, which opened in March of 2001 and was renovated last year, features a mostly black color scheme with red accents throughout. It caters to a wide range of clients of all ages who enjoy the variety of services available, including seasonal treatments like the Pumpkin Pedicure. They also enjoy partaking in events at the salon, such as cut-a-thons and color-a-thons for charity and product launches.

In stock: Redken, PureOlogy, Pevonia Botanica

2. Salon St. Louis

"We really focus on addressing the individual needs of every client," says Marie McMahon, owner of Salon St. Louis. "Clients appreciate that and feel like they are being treated on a more personal level." The 2,000-square-foot salon, which opened in 1989 and moved to its current location in 1995, attracts a diverse clientele consisting mostly of well-educated and sophisticated women. Featuring a neutral-colored decor with dark red accents, the salon is located in a building across from a park. Says McMahon, "As each season passes, clients sitting in styling chairs facing the windows are able to enjoy the view as they get their hair done."

In stock: Aveda, Profound Beauty, Dermalogica

3. Scandals Med Spa & Salon

As the official day spa to the Miss Missouri pageant and haircare providers to the St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders, it's no wonder Scandals Med Spa & Salon has such a good reputation throughout St. Louis. While massage, facials and other spa services are popular at Scandals, the salon is the fastest growing department, according to spa director Sarah Buford.

The 7,000-square-foot Redken Elite Salon, which opened in 1996 and has undergone three expansions since, recently installed a color bar where color consultations and applications take place. New pedicure chairs were also added to satisfy the increased demand for pedicure services and to make the nail area more intimate. While the clientele consists mostly of women with expendable incomes, the salon sees a lot of males as well, who come in for hair services or to receive spa treatments like the Men's Sports Pedicure.

In stock: Redken, PureOlogy, OPI, CND

4. Lemon Spalon

When Heather Chickey borrowed her friend's nickname to come up with the name of her spa and salon, she decided to incorporate it into the overall theme by serving lemonade to clients. The salon's funky decor, complete with black-and-white checkered floors and artwork displayed from a local artist, as well as its sound track of rock 'n' roll and blues music, attracts local college students and hip and trendy residents of all ages. The salon offers hair and skin services, excluding nail care and massage, and Chickey attributes its success to the talented, diverse staff. "Everyone here has a different style and way of approaching things," she says, "but they blend together so well."

In stock: Bumble and bumble