Best of Rhode Island 2009 Editors' Picks

When a half dozen of Providence's most beloved cut-color-and-blow-dry pros decided to embark on a new venture by the name of M Squared, loyal customers (including us) fol-lowed in droves. The result is a simple, sophisticated shop that takes great pride in the finished product. Dramatic efforts – wedding hair, drastic color change, all-over straightening – are done with ease, but the salon's real strength is in its basics. Stylists look after their clients with intense dedication, suggesting not only a suitable shape but the tools and techniques that make your hair happier on your head.