Beards are trending longer, and so are wait times at this Region favorite. Expect it to take two to four weeks for an appointment.
Owner Luis Aguilar remains humble and focused on service and giving clients the celebrity look they crave.
“A lot of the men like wearing bigger beards. What we do is give it shape, so we narrow the face but keep it longer and also there are ways of making it look cleaner so it’s not just a bushy beard.”
The Dad 'stache also is back in style.
“Literally, if you remember anybody’s dad from the ‘90s. Just like a big, full mustache. Some celebrities also wear it. I want to say the original look is Tom Selleck. Some people just grow the mustache and let it look big, like ("The Simpsons") Ned Flanders.”
Aguilar has a whole battalion of mustache-wearing firemen who come in for a trim.
Firefighters are not allowed to have beards, he says, so they all grow out their mustaches.
Dr. Jason Petrungaro believes that the most vital part of his practice is the time spent sitting face-to-face with his patients before surgery.
“People seek out my practice because they want beautiful, natural results, but they choose to move forward with me because they feel safe. I make it a priority to pull back the curtain on the entire surgical process. We sit down and walk through every detail — from the specific surgical steps and the nuances of the recovery timeline to a candid, thorough discussion of potential risks and complications.
“Watching a patient see their transformation for the first time, seeing that immediate surge of confidence and knowing they felt supported every step of the way is the ultimate reward for the work we do.”
“Having a space to recharge is important for us. That’s one of our main goals," says Cristina Biehler, who has owned Elements for more than 15 years with Alisha Zinsmeister.
“We incorporate more wellness into the beauty experience. It’s about connection with our community, trying to make everybody feel at home.”
A mix of medical and organic, Elements has a medical director, Dr. Sarah Whyte. “We have a few nurses, as well, who do injectables, like Botox, fillers, and vitamin injections,” says Biehler.
"We want a relaxing space. Even for our med-spa customers, we don’t want to make them feel like they’re in a sterile environment.”
In addition to an extensive hair, massage and facial menu, Elements offers teeth whitening, permanent makeup and ear-candling, along with lash and brow enhancement.
“Everybody here are not just clients,” said coach Jordan Pearman, 34, who joined Top Fuel Fitness eight years ago. “We treat them like family. A lot of good relationships have been formed here. We’ve had people who’ve gotten married. Working out is a bonus.” (Pearman met his wife at the gym.)
CrossFit is a high-intensity, functional workout. “We train for movements that are essential to life,” Pearman said. “Not only are you lifting weights for strength, but you’re doing it fast.”
Coaches make sure you’re using correct form for safety and adjust the movements to your body’s limitations.
Pearman credits the gym's success to Top Fuel's founder, Dustin Shurlow, who died of cancer at 34 last September. Pearman notes that a "Do It For Dustin" sign motivates members to stay strong while keeping Shurlow’s memory alive.
Owner Melissa Mullin specializes in hair coloring and enjoys staying up on the trends.
“We are incredibly honored to be voted Best Hair Salon and so thankful for the support of our amazing community. At Cut Up & Dye Hair Studio, our goal has always been to create a fun, welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere where every guest feels comfortable, valued and confident when they leave. We believe great hair should come with great energy, laughter, and genuine care” Mullin said.
The vibe is laid-back and family friendly. One stylist specializes in men’s cuts. And while appointments are recommended, they take walk-ins, too.
“Our motto is simple: High-quality services at affordable prices, with a personalized experience for every guest. Our team is committed to continual growth through hands-on education, advanced training and certifications so we can bring the latest techniques and best results to our clients," Mullin said. "We’re proud to offer specialists in curly and textured hair, perms, precision cutting, barbering, blonding, color, extensions, sensory-friendly services and so much more.”
“Winning this award means so much to us, and we’re grateful for every client who trusts us with their hair and supports our small business.”
“It’s like a family in here,” says owner/manager Greisel Gomez. “You come in. You get your shake, your tea, your aloe vera shot.” And socialize.
But Higher Level Nutrition is no juice bar. It offers free body scans and personalized consultations for weight loss, weight gain and increased energy.
“We sit down with customers, go over their goals and do an evaluation,” Gomez says. Dedicated health coaches do the science for you.
Gomez started as a customer/manager 12 years ago and has owned the store for four years.
The staff has monthly and quarterly training on the latest medical research. “We’re backed by over 100 doctors."
But getting healthy should be fun and easy. “Better nutrition by having one shake a day, one tea a day, to get those micro-nutrients in you.”
Lumi lash pro Lydia Kafader can tell you a thing or two about lashes.
“It’s kind of like the nail industry, I feel like, how it’s evolved over the years. It’s evolving more everyday because now they have the lash clusters. You can do something so natural. I’m doing more natural looks every day, to achieve more of a lash lift and tint.
“It’s a sprinkle of high-maintenance to keep your everyday low-maintenance. It makes them feel special every day.”
From 2 to 14 lashes are glued individually onto each mature lash.
“They grow out with your eyelashes. I remove the ones that have twisted over a bit and reapply those lashes that need them again.”
Kafader enjoys the relationships she cultivates over the years with customers.
Lumi is a medical spa that offers Botox and injections, IV treatments, laser hair removal, tattoo removals and chemical peels.
“We've been providing professional facial services for over 25 years as part of our spa offerings, continually evolving with advanced techniques, education and technology to ensure our guests receive the best possible results,” said Color Room Salon & Day Spa CEO Pamela S. Anderson. “We're deeply committed to continued education, innovation and creating an exceptional guest experience. Our goal is for every guest to leave feeling confident, refreshed and cared for.”
That starts by providing service that's customized to a guest's skin, lifestyle and goals. It’s also all about creating an optimal experience in a place where guests can unwind knowing their skin is being cared for at a high level.
“Being recognized as Best in the Region— especially in a category as personal as skincare — means everything to our team,” Anderson said, noting that the salon is grateful for the trust and loyalty of their guests and proud of the passion its team brings to work every day. “It reflects not only the results we deliver, but the relationships we've built with our guests.”
Color Room Salon & Day Spa was also voted Best Nail Salon.
“With this high-energy, go-go society we’re in, just like our devices, sometimes we have to disconnect to reconnect.”
So says Meghan Cervantes, who owns and operates Heavenly Handz with Bernadette Munguia.
“We offer a relaxing massage. We do upper body, a full body, chair massage, hot stone. Beyond the massage, Bernadette is also an esthetician so she does facials, waxing, and we also do ear candling, aromatherapy wraps.
“It’s not just a business. We treat clients the way we want to be treated.”
The duo has owned Heavenly Handz for 10 years, four years at this location.
“Once massage was viewed as a luxury. Now, it’s an actual routine for some people, a necessity," Cervantes said.
“Once in a while, Bernie and I, we plan a day after work and exchange massage, have our own food and do therapy.”
Vibe House Hot Pilates began as Sweat 219, with Rosalie Black's first location opening in April 2023 in Crown Point. Since then, she has expanded into Valparaiso with a St. John studio set to open this summer.
“I created Vibe House because I was searching for something I couldn’t find anywhere else. I wanted something that pushed you physically but didn’t leave you feeling burnt out. Something structured but still fun. Something that felt like an experience, not just another class to check off.”
She is now franchising. “Already, we have six locations coming to Philadelphia and two coming to Denver.”
A huge part of what makes Vibe classes unique is their use of infrared heat in every session. This supports circulation, recovery and intensity without added impact. “It’s a game changer,” Black says, “and a big reason why our clients feel such a difference.”
At the core of Vibe House is the feeling. “It’s not just about the workout — it’s about the energy, the music, the community and the way people feel when they walk in and when they leave.”
“This is a fun award to win again,,” says owner and instructor Sarah Johnson. “It’s just one small example of the love and good vibes shared at this studio.”
Classes include gentle yoga, beginners yoga, Pilates and yoga sculpt. There's also kids yoga and a popular chair yoga class is offered three times a week.
“Whether you’re new to yoga or have been practicing for years, you will enjoy our variety of classes and appreciate our exceptional teachers,” said Johnson.
