Perfect Tan
We're not thrilled about standing in a disposable thong in front of a stranger, but we'll do it for Perfect Tan. In fact, the incredibly sweet spray-tan technicians make the experience about as pleasant as can be. As for the tan itself, it's hands down the most even, natural-looking bronzing we've encountered, reliably delivering up to a week of full-on beach-goddess glow. 1030 Commonwealth Ave. #2, Boston, MA 2215, perfectan.com.
Salon Mario Russo
After 20 years, the Mario Russo flagship still stands in a category all its own. It's upscale yet down to earth, with a detail-oriented approach to service and stylists who make it look easy. It's the rare salon that draws local celebs and suburban moms alike. Then again, it's the rare salon to dispense with the usual headaches: no long waits, no upselling of spendy products, no attitude. 9 Newbury St., Suite 3, Boston, MA 2116, mariorusso.com.
Youliana Roussou
These are the qualities we look for in a waxing: speed, and a thoroughness that lets us put off the next one for as long as possible. After 15 years on the strip (so to speak), Roussou has the process down pat. She's versed in the fine art of distraction—as she chatters on about shopping or the local dating scene, you scarcely notice the hot wax near your nether regions. Plus, post-treatment includes a gentle rubdown with calming oils. 338 Newbury St., Boston, MA g2ospasalon.com.
Stel's
Stel's deserves this honor if for no other reason than it introduced Boston to New York's Seize sur Vingt. The designer's crisp, colorful dress shirts work as well with jeans as with a suit, and have inspired a rabid following among guys tired of the giant fabric boxes that masquerade as button-downs at Brooks Brothers. Sweaters, pants, denim, and more from A.P.C., United Bamboo, Robert Geller, and Nom de Guerre round out a shop that balances fashion-forward with Bostonian conservative, without the cold snobbery of either. 334 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, .
Le Foot Sportif
A guy looking for wingtips has plenty of spaces to shop. But a man hunting for casually chic kicks—a pair of checkered Vans or throwback Asics—should quicken his stride in the direction of Le Foot Sportif. This sneaker emporium sells the latest cool-again old-school models and, in a thoroughly up-to-date move, lists all available sizes right on the sporty shoes' tags. 13 Dunster St., Cambridge, MA .
Uniform
If Seth Cohen were to leave The O.C. and open a clothing store, it would look like Uniform. The store has Standard American shirts, Original Penguin blazers, Ben Sherman polos, and Lee premium jeans (yes, they're cool again). And prices under $100 make this four-month-old South End hot spot a favorite among the thrifty trendsetting set. 511 Tremont St. in Atelier 505, Boston, MA uniformboston.com.
No Kidding
Talk about misnomers. There's nothing but kidding—and playing and learning—going on within these walls. The many nooks and crannies burst with craft supplies, musical toys, scientific playthings, and dolls, and children are encouraged to sample the displays to their hearts' content. Merchandise tends toward the more educational and high quality—Thomas the Tank Engine, Hello Kitty, and Playmobil, as well as classics like Radio Flyers—but the bottom line is having fun, especially on fall Friday nights when the shop hosts card games, arts and crafts, and sing-alongs. 19 Harvard St., Brookline, MA .
Underground Snowboards
The skate park aura can be intimidating, but you can expect helpful staffers, decent pricing, and one of the widest selections of snowboards, boots, and bindings around. Choose from Ride, K2, Forum, M3, Salomon, and others. Also on offer are gloves, hats, and jackets—though the focus here is more on hardware than soft wear. Staff attention never wavers whether you're interested in clearance items or the latest models. 860 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA undergroundsnowboards.com.
Barbara Krakow
Known far and wide as Boston's "mini MoMA," the Krakow is Ground Zero for emerging contemporary art. The gallery's owners consistently go out of their way to dig up new artists, adding a strong dose of local talent to the mix, and rounding it out with international masters. Look for as much photography (documentaries from Nicholas Nixon, for example) as painting and sculpture (a recent series of Cameron Shaw's work blew us away). 10 Newbury St., Boston, MA barbarakrakowgallery.com.
Mulberry Road
You have to travel off the beaten path of Newbury Street to find this jewel box of a store, but it's definitely worth the trek. If you're looking for customized, hand-painted furniture, handmade quilts, and unusual bedding for babies and toddlers, this is the place. The store also stocks toys from Europe and child-related ephemera you wouldn't find in a chain store. 46 Gloucester St., Boston, MA shop.mulberryroad.com.
Jazz Shoe Repair
Heels break. Toes scuff. Salt stains. Stop pouting—head instead to Jazz Shoe Repair, where owner Yuriy Arutyunov will fix and shine your shoes in his cozy garage-like shop while you wait. His capable hands have been bringing battered boots, heels, and loafers back to life for more than 40 years. He'll repair your pair with a smile—and at a very affordable price. 686 Washington St., Brookline, MA jazzshoerepair.com.
Claudia Grimaud, Jardin Day Spa
There are pedicures, and then there are pedicures. One changes the color of your toenails; the other actually changes the way your feet feel on your body. It's the second kind that Claudia Grimaud has down to an art form. The fast-talking, sharp-witted brunette caresses, exfoliates, clips, and files years off your aching feet, whisking away the toughest calluses as if they were nothing. In under an hour, you have sandal-ready dogs that look and feel positively adolescent. 115 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA lejardinspa.net.
Rosie Salvador, Daryl Christopher
Great hairstyling may transcend gender, but one fact remains: Men want different things from a haircut than women do. Just ask Rosie Salvador, who has perfected the equation for a perfect men's cut. Her friendly (but not overbearing) conversation helps pinpoint exactly what styles her clients want, her unfaltering precision delivers exactly those styles, and—above all—her smile assures her customers that they look fantastic. 37 Newbury St., Boston, MA dchristopher.com.
Bella, Equinox
Bella has an all-business attitude when it comes to cleaning up your feet, to be sure. Who else in town will spend a full 45 minutes filing, buffing, and pampering to ensure the outcome of 10 utterly perfect-looking toes? Bonus: Her fourth-floor space is serene and comfortable, a welcome respite from the bustle of the street. 85 Newbury Street, Boston, MA equinox.com.
Victoria Turovsky, City Salon
Victoria will take feet that haven't seen a good file in a year and make them clean, soft, and sandal-ready. In her cozy room in the back of the salon, she soaks feet in scented bubbling water, eliminates nasty corns, massages toes, then paints toenails a pretty color. She also offers sage advice on how to keep feet looking healthy (no synthetic shoes please!). 118 Newbury St., Boston, MA .