At one beauty salon in Santa Fe, every day is a holiday, in both name and spirit. It's the Holiday Salon in the very heart of the city, just two blocks from the famous Plaza. And as the salon's devoted clientele—both local and from all over the country—will attest, going there is indeed cause for celebration.

Owner Linda Evans, who has run the operation for almost 40 years, sets the classy tone of the Holiday Salon. A native Santa Fean, she had the self-confidence to start her own business shortly after graduating from beauty college in 1961. Today, with eight specialists on the staff, the salon is one of the largest and busiest in Santa Fe.

So what is the Holiday Salon's secret? "We love our clients," laughs Linda.

But there's more to it than that. Location is another key. The salon started far out on the Cerrillos Road commercial strip. Linda realized, however, that in order to attract Santa Fe's never-ending stream of visitors in addition to local residents, she needed to be near the central hotels. And so she moved, 27 years ago, to the downtown location.

Variety is another secret of success. Serving both men and women, boys and girls, with more than 40 different listed services, ranging from complete nail care, hair styling and color to makeup aritistry, the Holiday Salon does it all—and then some. When Kimberly Hull recently joined the staff, she brought with her such exotic treatments as Chinese-style facials, hot-stone massages, foot reflexology and a procedure called "ear coning," which removes wax and other impurities from the ear, to improve taste, smell, hearing, balance and overall wellness.

Nothing energizes the Holiday Salon staff more than special occasions such as weddings and parties. Many times a year they coordinate the styling for large events; and every Halloween, faithful customers come in for outrageous fantasy makeup. The salon covers all looks, from conservative to wild, for people of all ages.

Dedicated to its community as well as its clientele, the Holiday Salon participates regularly in charitable fund-raising activities. Earlier this year several clients served as models in a fantasy fashion show that raised $3,500 for the New Mexico Children's Foundation.

According to Linda, her work can be described in three words: "challenging, exciting and rewarding." A seven-year client sums up the Holiday Salon in a sentence: "They are experts in what they do, and are helpful every step of the way." The people who pass through the doors of the Holiday Salon are not just clients, but also friends.

Holiday Salon, 202 Galisteo, at the corner of Water Street, in the Otra Vez in Santa Fe Building, 505-983-7594. Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment at other times. Walk-ins welcome. Haircuts for men begin at $25, for women at $45. Full services provided for permanent waves, hair coloring, nails, skin and makeup. Out-of-town and hotel guests must secure appointments with MasterCard or Visa. Free parking is available adjacent to the Salon.

Special Wedding Packages