Salon Rouge

We apologize if this article makes you cheat on your hairdresser. We could hardly wait to visit the new Salon Rouge (6 S. 13th St., Mpls., 612-374-2201) and now that we have, it’s testing our beauty fidelity. Stylist Richard Staab (above), formerly of D. Richard salon, and his partner Jeffrey Dunn spent a year transforming the empty basement of a 100-year-old building into their little slice of Paris. Lipstick-red carpet runs down the stairs, and chandeliers light up the marble floors. Ruby tones cover everything, from flocked damask-jacquard wallpaper to dressing room drapes. French antiques mix with mid-century modern for a lively, luxurious place to kill a couple hours sipping a café au lait while the color sets. In addition to five hair stations, there’s an elegant manicure table, where nails get painted in the celebrity-favorite Deborah Lippman polish, as well as a makeup counter, which is the only place in the Twin Cities offering Kevyn Aucoin cosmetics. The petite place can get packed, so book in advance. Spending a day at the salon has returned.