Beauty Black Book

Immortal Beloved
1457 Church Street NW
202-299-1050
Price: $75—$150
This newly opened space from Kelly Gorsuch, the Washington, D.C., darling who began his career as a fashion stylist for editorial photo shoots and New York runway shows, specializes in dry cutting to create lived-in shapes and edgy style statements that look effortlessly cool.

Ted Gibson
5481 Wisconsin Avenue
(Chevy Chase, Md.)
301-951-4445
Price: $95—$150
After conquering Hollywood (the Texas native has done the dos of everyone from Anne Hathaway to Angelina Jolie to Gabrielle Union), Gibson set out to become a Beltway insider. The bright, minimalist interior design of his salon (with blond wood floors and stainless steel accents) and his larger-than-life personality have earned Gibson far more than his share of the popular vote.

Somafit
2121 Wisconsin Avenue NW
202-965-2121
Price: $25—$70
Relaxation is treated like an art form here—no surprise, considering the pop art setting makes you feel like you're in a gallery at MoMA. The private rooms allow clients to catch a snooze while pros soak feet, clip and file nails, and change polish.

Circe
123 N. Washington Street (Alexandria, Va.)
703-519-8528
Price: $75 and up
D.C. is filled with type-A personalities, so the staff here takes relaxation seriously—even during a wax. At this Aveda spa, guided deep breathing and aromatherapy relieve tension (a dab behind the ears and under your nose). Especially anxious clients can ask for a pre-wax pressure-point massage. And the organic, soy-based formula soothes skin the way this team of pros calms frazzled nerves.

Sugar House Day Spa & Salon
111 N. Alfred Street (Alexandria, Va.)
703-549-9940
Price: $90—$135
After assessing a client's skin woes, the facialists at this cozy spot prescribe a treatment that ranges from the beginner-level Teen Facial to the Rejuvenating Facial for mature skin.

Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care
711 N. Flagler Drive
561-659-2229
Price: $50 and up
This petite blond beautician firmly believes that you shouldn't have to suffer for a flawless complexion. That's why she uses aromatic oils and acupressure to lull clients into a relaxing slumber before beginning extraction. They wake up 20 minutes later without any redness—or painful memories.