Strands Salon and Spa, Elk Grove

Strands Salon and Spa's founder, Jacquelyn Crabtree, is like a magnet for creativity, and she draws in all sorts of beauty professionals. She works on fashion shows, does editorial work for Sactown Magazine, and has styled the hair of television personalities—her primary areas of expertise being extensions and straightening. But unlike the security guard at a hall of mirrors, the hair expert can't be in all places at once. To that end, she's assembled a crack beauty team, each person having his or her unique specialties.

Its ranks include Antonio Moreno, the salon's in-house color educator. Mr. Moreno has exhausted Aveda's curriculum of advanced education classes; he's even helped the well-known company develop products for its men's line. Along with Ms. Crabtree, Mr. Moreno keeps his fellow stylists up to date on the latest techniques. Massage therapist Dominic Gillespie, meanwhile, offers a variety of massage techniques.

Combined, the experts form an Aveda salon and spa that covers the full gamut of beauty services. Aveda hair rituals unfold at salon chairs, with perms, color services, scalp treatments, and other options. Nail rituals pamper hands and feet, while facials provide very specific benefits, such as clearing acne.