Find everything from handmade bracelets to secondhand threads in the top-shelf roundup of Valley products and practitioners.

Best Wedding Dress Designer
Monique Sandoval of Cleo Phoenix

Over the years, she’s had different studio spaces and business names, but one thing has stayed the same for Monique Sandoval – she’s an incredibly talented fashion designer. Her gowns are ethereal, delicate, elegant and manage to be classic and modern at the same time, a neat trick. cleophx.com

Best Caterer
Atlasta Catering

This family-owned catering company has “good on paper” bona fides: It’s been in operation for more than 45 years, it’s the second largest catering company in the state, and its commitment to zero-landfill operations includes its events and facilities. But where Atlasta truly shines is the actual experience: the food. Everything is made from scratch – from poblano mac and cheese to freshly carved pork al pastor – and cooked on-site. No dried-out mystery meals here. 10021 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, 602-242-8185, atlastacatering.com

Best “Pop-and-Pop” Florist
Plum Studios

There’s no shortage of worthy mom-and-pop florists in this town, but we’re giving this local, LGBTQ+ shop their flowers. Founded by business and life partners Iann Doolittle and Jason Gastelum in 2016 – after noticing a demand for custom floral design and a lack of queer-owned wedding and events businesses in Phoenix – Plum Studios now offers Valleywide delivery, monthly workshops and custom classes for baby showers, bachelorette parties and beyond. 1020 Grand Ave., 480-339-9171, plumstudios.co

Best Place for a Balayage and a Latte
The Bespoke Salon

Amidst the hum of hairdryers and boisterous chatter, a bold neon sign reading “Believe the Hype” glows on the back wall of this buzzy, modern salon. It’s not just the go-to spot for an expert balayage, blunt cut or Brazilian blowout – clients can also order one of the Valley’s best honey-lavender lattes from on-site Bespoke Coffee, delivered right to their chair while their toner processes. The hype is real. 3550 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 480-941-4218, bespokethesalon.com 

Best Piercing Shop
HTC Studios Uptown 

The piercing stations are spotless, the sales associates are friendly, and the piercers are professional and knowledgeable at this longtime body mod boutique. Whether you’re a seasoned piercing pro, summoning the courage for your first appointment or dropping in for a free consultation, you’re in good hands at HTC. Since 1991, the studio has prioritized client education and comfort – and is unmatched in the Valley when it comes to high-quality clicker rings, barbells, threadless studs and other heavy metal. 4624 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-266-0088, beststudioever.com/pages/phoenix-uptown

Best Lash Artist
Lash and Beauty AZ by Jenn

The girls who get it, get it. Clumpy, runny mascara and high-maintenance strip lashes are out – lash extensions, lifts and tints are in. Local lash artist Jenn Marshell makes her clients feel beautiful inside and out at her cozy Uptown salon suite, where her warm, down-to-earth energy and eye for detail complement flawless classic, hybrid and volume lash sets. Whether you’re after clean-girl polish or maximalist glam, Marshell delivers with a steady hand and an open heart. 6016 N. 16th St., Phoenix, lashandbeautyaz.glossgenius.com

Best Tattoo Studio
Kowloon Tattoo

Tattoo artist Cathy Chung writes a love letter to her native Hong Kong through both the name of her studio – she grew up in Kowloon City – and her traditional Hong Kong-style art, known for its detailed designs, bold lines, Chinese iconography and vibrant primary colors. Her cozy second-floor space at Grand Avenue’s Desert Sun Plaza is adorned with artwork, photography and cultural elements that reflect her eclectic heritage and creative influences – the perfect blend of art and soul. 1325 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 480-876-1143, @kowloontattoo

Best Place to Get a Brain Implant
Barrow Neurological Institute

Much ink has been spilled about Elon Musk’s innovative Neuralink implants and their potential to help folks with spinal cord injuries, but many people don’t know that science-fiction became fact right here in Phoenix. The first Neuralink procedure was performed last year at Barrow Neurological Institute. 2910 N. Third Ave., Phoenix, barrowneuro.org

Best Haircut for Kids with Sensory Challenges
Alex D. at Uptown Barber

If your little one – or not-so-little one – gets wigged out by the various buzzings and whirrings of a barbershop, take them to Uptown and ask for Alex. The 20-something barber is patient, kind and deft, and more likely than not your kid will emerge with both a bomb fade and untroubled disposition. You might even learn that Alex was inspired to enter the field by his own son, who has similar challenges. And you’ll have found a kindred spirit, too. 5808 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-230-2406, phoenixuptownbarbershop.com

Best Custom Printing
Vega Print

There’s no such thing as “small print” at this family-run shop, where everything from stickers, signage and screen-printed T-shirts to business cards, banners and embroidered hats is created with care and precision. Whether customers bring their own logo or need help developing a design, owner Jesus Vega and his team deliver high-quality results with a rare mix of professionalism, skill and approachability. 2841 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-476-9896, vegaprintaz.com

Best Sound Healing
Sounds Like Alchemy

Sound healing is a holistic practice that uses the tones and timbres of different instruments to support physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Local practitioners Jenelle Paris and Ashley Paige – aka Sounds Like Alchemy – host regular sound baths around the Valley, employing singing bowls, tuning forks, gongs, chimes, wave drums, sound plates and more to encourage relaxation, reduce stress and restore balance. Think of it like a spa day for your nervous system. @soundslikealchemy