After moving to Buffalo, Nece Bellomo found herself returning to a passion she had first discovered in her homeland of Brazil: styling hair. “I just like to make people happy, to make them beautiful,” she says, recounting how she embarked on a whirlwind of education with hair mavens from Paul Mitchell and Rusk. Seven years ago, after only six years working in other people's salons, a devoted clientele motivated Nece to open her own salon and spa.

Drawing on a sleek New York aesthetic for inspiration, Nece and her daughter—a Goldwell-educated stylist and coworker—decorated the space in blacks, whites, and silvers and hung mirrors with ornate scrollwork frames to reflect back their clients' masterful coiffures. Although Nece is drawn to modern styles and keeps abreast of the latest coloring techniques and trends, she and her team focus on shearing ’dos that suit their clients’ face shapes, preferences, and inspiration from their favorite Bjork album.

In addition to pampering tresses, the salon and spa also enhances nails with chip-resistant Gelish polish, lavishes feet with scrubs and pedicures, and waxes away unwanted body fuzz.