Eldorado Skin Care
Best Aesthetic Treatment
Dawn Carter established her intimate spa 14 miles south of Santa Fe in 2011 after owning one in Dallas for 17 years. Using a line of organic skin care products by Eminence, her aesthetic services are in demand, including "age corrective" treatment, oncology facials, dermaplaning and programs for men and teens. Last year, she added nontoxic nail services, making this off-the-beaten path locale a fully-scheduled and staffed option for pampering from those inside and outside the city limits.
5 Caliente Road, Eldorado, 819-7210
2. Mountain Spirit Integrative Medicine
The medicine part of the name nods to a medical professional who administers cosmetic injections from Allergan to pump wrinkles into submission. Or, choose a botanical facial, facial acupuncture or SkinPen microneedling from a menu of aesthetic services.
303 Paseo de Peralta; 1348 Pacheco St., Ste. 206; 988-2449
Esthetician Shar Jimenez opened Mist as a boutique in 2003 and continues to provide rejuvenation in the form of organic facial treatments, as well as waxing, tinting, lashes and brows, and product consultation.
839 Paseo de Peralta, 986-1356
Best Barber
1. The Center Barber & Beauty Shop
The Center has been sprucing it up in the Mercado de Santa Fe since 1954 when Ramon J Vigil reopened there after more than a decade on the Plaza. Professionals from the third and fourth generation of the family still provide classic services like straight-razor shaves and beard-trimming, plus shampoo and styling for everyone in the family. Sit back in an old-school barber chair, or give a gift certificate for a memorable experience.
503 W Cordova Road, 982-1020
2. Klean Cut Kenny
It's going to be a big year for Kenny Tapia, who started cutting hair in the family garage. In addition to his second second-place win in the Best Barber category, he got married in April and is expecting his first child later this year.
3600 Cerrillos Road, Ste. 404A, 920-2864
Owner Christine Ulibarri promises a "simple community-based barbershop."
1300 Luisa St., Ste 8, 908-0902
Best Facial
Get up the mountain for the facial that voters rate tops from The Waves. The spa off Hyde Park Road with legendary public and private soaking tubs offers oxygen facials, Japanese "Metamorphosilk" massage facials, herbal wraps, salt glows and more. Grounds are picturesque and include a koi pond that visitors can view with their feet dangling in a warm bath, a wonderful izakaya eatery and plenty of quiet places to enhance the calm.
21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, 982-9304
Book in advance for the opportunity to customize your facial experience in this popular spa on the outskirts of town. Protocols include light extraction and hand, arm and shoulder massage, as well as specialized plans for cancer patients.
5 Caliente Road, Eldorado, 819-7210
Flap those flirty eyelids with lash extensions from this reader favorite, or get an organic spray tan year-round from aesthetic professionals who say it's fun to prepare for travel—"get a glow before you go."
1012 Marquez Place, Ste. 101, 988-8923
Best Hair Salon
1. Rock Paper Scissor Salon Spa
Loyal clients consistently put this spacious all-service salon on the top of our list. The northside mall's stop for cuts and styling is also a community favorite for its annual cut-a-thon that supports charity. Prices range from $55 for "associate" to $85 for "senior director," so that should make you feel important.
DeVargas Center, 187 Paseo de Peralta, 955-8500
Liz Vigil brings more than a decade of experience to the craft and is joined by two other New Mexico natives at the studio she's owned for a year and a half. From first haircuts to grandparents, they do it all.
DeVargas Center, 161 Paseo de Peralta, 699-8970
Tommy Lucero is a downtown styling staple, and lately he's been keeping visitors looking sharp thanks to connections with concierge services at hotels. Plus, he loves weddings and other planned special occasions.
112 W San Francisco St., Ste. 309, 920-8019
Best Nail Salon
1. Nail Experts
Sparkling toes, and shiny, pointy, perfectly-shaped talons from the experts stay on top again in our reader poll. It's the central location for manicures and pedicures at the hands of pros.
2438 Cerrillos Road, 474-6183
Visit by appointment only at Tommy Tran and Judy Mak's tidy shop at the corner of Cerrillos and Rodeo and get attention from a fleet of 13 veteran nail pros.
4056 Cerrillos Road, 471-2106
Far from your average row of nail chairs, this private room with technician Isabel Valencia is a quiet environment with organic polishes and products that are virtually fume-free.
5 Caliente Road, Eldorado, 819-7210
Best Pet Daycare
Not only do we love the punny name, but our readers say Santa Fe Tails is the very best pet daycare for five years running. Check in with your pooch, or follow him around with a binge among 12 webcams during daycare. Also offering a dog academy and "resort boarding."
2109 Warner Circle, 820-0731
A climbing and agility playground are among the amenities for dog visitors at this daycare near the Railyard. Professionals also offer grooming services and behavior-modification training.
1416 Fourth St., 820-7529
Sherry and Howard Barnett opened the business in 2004. Advertised as an "all-inclusive pet spa," Barks & Bubbles also promises social time and cuddles every night before bed. That sounds nice.
1311 Calle Nava, 820-2275
Best Pet Grooming
Find owner and groomer Niki Zotos in the thick of it at the Cerrillos Road location, where her mission is about getting dogs to work with pros rather than experiencing grooming as something that happens to them. Functional cuts for outdoor adventuring canine types and trendy show-quality dos are among the options. Dogs get a chance to play in a fenced-in outdoor area, and the whole process is cage-free.
1624 Cerrillos Road, 930-5909
Pet pampering is priority here, so say animal-loving voters. Find a sliding scale based on the individual task, or get self-service grooming for the special-needs pooch by appointment.
1311 Calle Nava, 820-2275
3. Paws Plaza
There's so much more to pet grooming than little bows for fluffy dog bangs, but they do that too. From basic care to deshedding and other big jobs, most animals have easy access to walk-in baths with professionals at Paws Plaza.
1416 Fourth St., 820-7529
Best Spa
When it comes to choosing a place for ultimate self-care, voters say Ten Thousands Waves is unparalleled from the moment you slip into a smooth kimono and fresh sandals. Whether you are sliding onto a bench next to a complete stranger or sharing the women's tub with friends, the communal spaces allow sinking in for deep relaxation. Private tub suites that feature saunas, waterfalls, showers and other luxuries send you to a whole other realm.
21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, 982-9304
2. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Put on your whispering voice and get rewarded with a pristine resort that highlights communal spaces of varying temperature and composition. New rules say no kids under age 13.
50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente, 583-2233
Skin and nail care plus massage are among the services from Dawn Carter's popular team. Organic products and practices make it a Green Spa Partner.
La Tienda Shopping Center, 5 Caliente Road, Eldorado, 819-7210
Best Tattoo Shop
1.The Dungeon Tattoo & Piercing
For the second year in a row, The Dungeon crew's skin-canvas fans say it's the best in the city. It's not really in a basement, and you're only getting the torture you sign up for at the tattoo and piercing shop that has been open for 10 years now. Locals can access personal works of art by the likes of Marlo Gray, Jean Paul Marquez, Cruz Valdez and, of course, owner Kenn Vigil.
1632 Cerrillos Road, 983-8262
Dawn Purnell and colleagues are Jack and Jills of all genres when it comes to tattoo art. Her large-format Japanese-style pieces and portraiture are of special note.
1100 Hickox St., 986-0002
The City Different's tattoo standard delivered by Mark Vigil is still a reader fave. Get expert cover-ups of the less-than-experts of your tattoo past, and meet in advance for plans on your new killer concepts.
825 Topeka St., 984-9131
Best Veterinarian
Santa Fe loves its animals, and it really loves those who help keep them healthy. The walls of this clinic include a framed newspaper clip about founder Ed Smith treating the burned paws of the original Smokey Bear, and there are thousands of other tender stories that aren't on the walls. We're big fans of the dedicated cat entrance. The clinic first opened in 1946 and third-generation family doctors Kathy and Mike Dobesh are still leading the practice.
600 Alta Vista St., 982-4418
Veterinarian Robert Gruda has been in practice for more than 15 years, and his hospital outside the city limits on the Southside is a consistent favorite among pet owners.
9 Rumble Road, 471-4400
3. Cedarwood Veterinary Clinic
The Midtown vet also has a well-stocked pharmacy.
2001 St. Michael's Drive, 982-4469
