IF YOU’VE SEEN ROMAN HOLIDAY, the fantasy of impulsively stepping into a salon and becoming magically transformed à la Audrey Hepburn may stick with you.
I confess it happened to me. I wound up in a chair with a very enthusiastic Marco chopping and circling, telling me he was giving me “Hair for the pillow—Sexy!” When I got home my husband greeted me with: “Hey! Liza Minelli!” No offense to Liza, whom I adore, but it wasn’t what I was going for.
So now I rely on my beauteous Italian girlfriends for advice, which I pass on to you.
If you’re just in need of a shampoo and style, most of Italy’s major cities and even small towns have Aveda salons. But for great cuts, beauty treatments Italian style, or massages to give you that boost while you’re traveling, here are some places in major metropolitan areas.
Rome
An amazing oasis, perfectly set between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. Indulge in their anti-jet lag massage, soak in the dreamy pool, enjoy a cocktail in the hotel garden, and you’ll be fabulously energized to take on the Eternal City.
This state-of-the-art Italian brand, with a passionate, rock-n-roll soul, has expanded since its 1996 opening to many locations in Rome, as well as salons in New York, Miami, and Shanghai. It’s not just for wild women, as the name might imply, but a lively, friendly spot to get a chic, reasonably priced cut, color, or blow-out.
Florence
How lovely it is to slip into this friendly salon, joining in with Simonetta’s loyal followers: beautiful Florentine women who have been coming here for decades. Simonetta gives exceptional cuts, the colorists are great, and you could also get your nails done.
The ground floor of a nineteenth-century palazzo has been transformed to a cozy spa oasis, with a warm pool and hammam to hydrotherapy your travel aches away. A wide range of massage and facial treatments are offered by the charming, English speaking staff. Check the website for special offers.
If you’re up for a splurge, this is your spot. Behind the luxury hotel is a two-story modern wonderland, surrounded by gorgeous gardens, where treatments feature products from the beloved Santa Maria Novella Farmacia. There are even Full-Time Mom treatments, custom designed for mothers and children to relax together.
Venice
Giulio and his staff have a loyal Venetian following of customers who rave about the cuts, color, and caring service this salon delivers, along with services for masked balls and weddings.
In dreamy Venice, this place ranks up there as one of the dreamiest. The Renaissance master architect Palladio designed the building in the sixteenth century as a sanctuary for unmarried women. They learned lacemaking here, a craft that kept them from heading out to the canals to join in on the world’s oldest profession. Their sanctuary has been restored to a luxurious hotel with enchanting gardens and a spa that has a Turkish bath and treatment rooms for facials, massages, or body treatments. All is top-of-the-line, with a gorgeous view of mainland Venice from its relaxing room.