Patch Picks: Top Hair Stylists

1. Lisa Michaels, Lisa Michaels Salon, 77 Ellis St., Haddonfield

Cherry Hill resident Lisa Michaels always wanted to be a hair stylist. She attended hairdressing school in Haddonfield 27 years ago at the Maison De Paris' old location,  and has been a leading innovator on the beauty scene ever since.  Her first salon was on Tanner street, and she opened her current shop seven years ago. Her mentor, the late Bill Lamb (also known as "Uncle Bill"), taught her everything she needed to know about the business. "He worked to the beat of his own drum and he was a master. There should be a monument to him. He taught me perfection" she says. A contributor to Zelda magazine, Michaels specializes in art deco hair design, making her a favorite of bridal and prom clients. She is deeply involved in the local community and participates in many town events as well as fundraisers. "I love being a hairdresser" she says. "I love the friendships and relationships, helping people, and the creativity. On my day off, I want to be here!"  For more information on Lisa Michaels salon, go to lisamichaelsretrosalon.com, visit them at 77 Ellis St., Haddonfield or call 856-795-9115.

2. Kevin Gatto, Verde Salon, 4 Powell Ln., Collingswood

Kevin Gatto of Philadelphia has always had a passion for business, and growing up with a mom who was a model instilled in him a love of fashion at a young age. Formally trained at Rizzieri, he also draws on the knowledge he's gained from mentor David Evangelista, who encouraged him to attend styling school. Back in 1996 he was working at Rizzieri and climbed the ladder up to the education team, training other stylists on the floor. He opened Verde in October of 2007 and for the last four years has been enjoying the creative aspect of working with clients as well as the challenges and rewards of running his own business. Currently employing 12 staff members, Gatto brags about his team with admiration, and it's obvious he gets great satisfaction out of his career. "Recently I've been working with a lot of celebrities, preparing them for the CBS 3 show Talk Philly, doing their hair and makeup. It's been a lot of fun." In addition to being a national educator for several different companies, he also runs fundraisers such as a Cut-A-Thon for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an event he plans to do twice a year. He's also eyeing a community garden project in a nearby vacant lot, and enjoys donating to local charities. Despite rubbing elbows with some of the most famous stylists and celebs, Gatto is delightfully down-to-earth. "The greatest thing about being in Collingswood and working in the salon is that it's low drama. My dog Oliver is here frequently," he says."People come in to get pampered and they end up pampering the dog as well. He's the mayor of the salon." For more information, visit verdesalon.com, stop in to see them at 4 Powell Ln. in Collingswood, or call 856-858-0911.

3. Anthony Minyon, Continental Hair Creations,  45 E. Kings Highway, Audubon

Longtime Haddonfield resident Anthony Minyon is no stranger to the hair business. His family has been styling hair since 1925, and at one time their shop was the oldest established family-owned salon in New New Jersey. While Minyon still oversees hair cuts at sister shop Salon 43 East, his real passion is making custom hair replacements. His shop Continental Hair Creations has been family owned and operated since 1965 and employs four friendly staff members who use several different techniques to bond hair to the head or create custom hair pieces. While the shop has some stock units available, Minyon stresses that there's just nothing like custom-made for his clients. "The important thing is that they will be comfortable with it," he says. "Our pieces use better fibers, better overall components, and are much better looking" than anything available off the shelf. Customers can choose their own color and style, and the pieces are fitted exactly to their head measurements. Many of his clientele are men seeking hair replacement, but he also works with many women facing hair loss because of chemotherapy or natural causes. For more information, call 856-546-9168 or visit them at 45 E. Kings Highway, Audubon.

4. Krista Lipsi, , 116 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield

Krista Lipsi, of Barrington, had no plans to be a hairdresser. "I used to work for a veterinarian!" she laughs. But she got a job as a receptionist for a hair salon and fell in love with the business. After attending hair school in 1997, she started worked on the floor of Mane Stop in 1998 and bought the business in 2008. Currently she employs 30 people at the full-service salon, including 13 hair stylists. Main Stop has won numerous awards for their varied services and their hair stylists are extremely experienced. Lipsi stresses continuing education for her staff so they can stay abreast of what's current in the latest trends and fashions. Learning new cutting and coloring techniques through classes and workshops helps the staff deliver cutting edge styles to their clients. Lipsi also keeps her ties to the community strong by participating in fundraisers at least once a year. She loves working directly with her clients. "Having the ability to make a client feel good about themselves  is truly the most rewarding part of my job. When they are happy, I am happy," she says. For more information, visit them at 116 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield or call 856-795-5122.

5. Louis Alberta, Bauhaus Hair Design, 788 Haddon Ave., Collingswood

Louis Alberta of Collingswood built his business the old-fashioned way, by working and saving up money, then constructing his business with his bare hands from the ground up. After a month's vacation in Europe, he returned to the states with "literally $100 to my name." But he rented a chair on the floor of another salon and quickly developed a loyal following. When the time was right and he had enough cash, he rented an empty storefront that was no more than a shell and started construction on his shop. Formally trained at Vidal Sassoon in London and by mentor Diana DiMedio of Head Trip in Collingswood, Alberta believes in the "keep it simple" approach. "People ask me how the salon is so successful," he says. "We rely on word of mouth. I believe good people will find me and we go on good karma. We give back to the community, participating in fundraisers and donating haircuts to help people in need." His salon is also an active art gallery, displaying works from local artists on a rotating basis. The best part about being a stylist, he says, is "making somebody happy...making them feel good." For more information, visit bauhaushairdesign.com, pop in to see them at 788 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood, or call 856-833-1116.