Fort Myers, FL Beauty and Salons

For more than 25 years, Cynthia Rager has been pioneering new techniques and products in the fields of aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, penning technical manuals and spreading the know-how to up-and-coming cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists across the country. Cynthia has joined forces with biochemists to formulate skincare and makeup lines, including IntegraDerm and Mineràle makeup, whose natural and organic ingredients make them a favorite on the Home Shopping Network and in upscale catalogues.

Cynthia's mission at Rager's IntegraLife Spa is to share all that she has learned with her team while mentoring other women in the medical aesthetics industry. She seeks out cutting-edge treatments for the face and body, including light therapy, cellulite reduction, and seasonal body wraps in a zero-gravity float bed, which leave clients as relaxed as an astronaut.

In place of barber chairs, Bananas Salon for Kids parks tricked-out sports cars or Barbie mobiles at each of its haircutting stations. In the driver's seat, each youngster barrels down an imaginary highway and lets imaginary winds race through his or her ever-shortening hair. Friendly, talented stylists play along and keep the mood fun as they impart Disney-star style onto domes with trendy cuts, intricate braids, or fancy updos. Spa treatments introduce the art of advanced hygiene with manicures and more. Parties literally celebrate in style with beauty packages, snacks, and goodie bags.

Combining botanicals and Obagi skincare products with state-of-the-art medical tools, the staff at Natalie's Skin Solutions help clients achieve glowing, blemish-free skin. They pare down body hair and firm sagging textures with Alma Soprano XL laser technology. A slate of facials⎯featuring nourishing doses of chocolate, green-tea enzymes, and antioxidants⎯chisels years off of clients' complexions, and microdermabrasions bring radiant skin to the fore of the face by sloughing away dead cells. Rounding out the service menu, Jessner peels, body wraps, and eyebrow and lash tinting further rekindle beauty and instill the confidence needed to practice trombone in a library. The staff also impart at-home plans to help clients sustain the results of their treatments long after they've left the studio.

Wall sconces and elegant chandeliers cast golden glow on Hair Philosophy's caramel-hued walls and leather L-shaped sofas. Amid these modern accents, owners Anita and Taesha transform tresses with high-end products by Schwarzkopf L'Oreal, and Redken. Clients can also solicit the salon's waxing services to nix unwanted facial hair from clients and their teenage cabbage patch dolls.

The palm tree-lined campus at Sunstate Academy betrays its function by appearing on the surface to be an upscale salon. Yet, instead of performing the services themselves, the professionals inside are teaching and observing students as they put into practice their knowledge of cosmetology at the school's Salon Solaris. At pristine styling and wash stations, they cut, relax, color, perm, and condition hair. With the diversity of student interest comes diversity of services, and patrons might be pleasantly surprised to find dreadlocks, candy curls, finger waves, and elephant ears on the menu. The apprentices also dabble in nail and spa services, performing mani-pedis, and facials.

Soft tulle drapes billow around the mirrors at True Salon. Photographs speckle the warm walls, and lofty shelves abound with hair and skincare products from Goldwell, Moroccan Oil, and KMS California. Amid this backdrop, the staff delivers haircare, waxing, and nail services before pampering clients with express and deluxe facials and 10 types of massage. The aestheticians customize each of their services to take into account issues such as dry skin or fake muttonchops.