Best of Boston

He had it all—his own salon on Newbury Street, even his own line of hair-care products (which are still on offer here)—and gave it up so he could spend more time doing what he loves best: cutting hair. And cut hair Xavier does, with an infallible eye, a practiced wrist, and an obvious love for his craft. He’s an expert at deciphering the confused notions men sometimes offer up when asked what they want and transforming them into the most modern of styles without being condescending. Even better, while he snips, he entertains with tales gleaned from 30 years on Newbury.