Address: EDSA Shangri-la Carpark Building, Shangri-la Mall, EDSA
Contact: 638-2222; 638-6666
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except special holidays)
How much to shell out: Cut starts at 400; color starts at P2,100
The lowdown: The yellow lights, fashionable ambiance, and trendy vibe make you feel like you've entered a hip club, sans the blaring music or cigarette smoke. To add to the club atmosphere, the salon offers probably the widest array of refreshments, housed in a cool bar. Owner and creative director Stefan Wilczynski gives contemporary cuts, complemented by hair pampering treatments (try the Vita Ciment Vial with Top Seal) that will make you want to linger.
The verdict: Basement is your best bet if you're looking for a young, vibrant salon experience. We especially liked that stylists had their names embroidered on their aprons--that way we could address them properly, not just by "miss," or "sir."













