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Salons for your inner celeb

Privacy and services fit for a star at these beauty oases

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

March 17, 2008

Ask any celeb: Privacy is the ultimate luxury. Manhattan's top salons understand this fact of fame, offering private rooms -- and time-saving simultaneous services -- to the "no closeups" crowd. But the beauty buzz is that VIP rooms are available to anyone who prefers not to be seen getting extensions or covered in tinfoil strips. And, typically, they don't cost extra. So make like a celeb and demand your own VIP room. Here's where you can feel famous.

Frederic Fekkai Salon
712 Fifth Ave.
212-753-9500

fredericfekkai.com

French heartthrob Frederic Fekkai's swank salon inside Bendel's boasts a four-chair men's "power barbershop" and a full-service women's VIP area for the likes of Beyoncé, Tyra Banks, Uma Thurmanand you.

Patrick Melville Salon
45 Rockefeller Plaza
212-218-8650
patrickmelvillesalon.com

Paparazzi princesses Mischa Barton, Nicole Richie and Demi Moore adore Patrick Melville. You can get their elegantly tousled look in Melville's VIP Room. There's also a "girfriends' nook" for gossipy pedicures for two.

Mark Garrison Salon
108 E. 60th St.
212-400-8000
markgarrisonsalon.com

Master cutter Mark Garrison finesses Scarlett Johansson's and Courtney Love's sexy blond manes. His townhouse salon offers an entire private floor, so you can bring your entourage (or birthday gang) for a glam grand slam.

Miano Viel Salon
16 E. 52nd St.
212-980-3222
mianoviel.com

Damien Miano and Louis Viel are lock-smiths to Heidi Klum, Cat Cora and Melina Kanakaredes. Their salon flaunts a spa wing, plus a private room where, says Viel, "Brides bring their consultants to try on hair and makeup looks."

Rita Hazan Salon
720 Fifth Ave.
212-586-4343
ritahazansalon.com

Goddesses like Jessica Simpson, Rachel Weisz and designer/model Georgina Chapman (aka Mrs. Harvey Weinstein) entrust their tresses to colorist Rita Hazan. Hit her posh, two-chair VIP room for cut, color, mani-pedi, lunch and WiFi.