I moved to NYC at 19. It’s where my beauty career started, I met lifelong friends, and it will forever feel like home.
Here are my tried and true spots that I still visit to this day.
Brows
Sania and her beautiful daughters (seriously, they are stunning) helped me majorly revamp my brows in my early 20s. They brought me into the world of tweezing only. They have a strict no-lotion-on-the-brows policy (they believe it clogs the hair follicle/ causes hair to fall out) and they have their own line of brow products. She’s been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, and has a loyal following of celeb clients but still has time for us regular people. Seeing Sania is, of course, the ultimate treat, but I usually see Val or Suzy– who are equally amazing.
48 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011
212-247-1129
Hair
I started going to their soho location in 2016 and apart from a handful of times I’ve been in Europe and in a pinch, I’ve been loyal to Spoke & Weal, both in LA and NYC.
Truth be told, I am less picky about hair cuts because I usually ask for a “light dusting” so I am okay seeing just about anyone at Spoke & Weal. But when it comes to color, I don’t play around and I always try to see Christine Thompson, one of the owners.
What’s special about Christine’s color is that you really don’t have to go that often. I usually go every 5/6 months–the color grows in beautifully and looks very effortless. I never feel that I “have” to go in, if that makes sense.
Below is my Christine color from last year. It isn’t the best photo in the world but I promise I’ll start taking better content for future posts.
In NYC, I’ve seen
Jon Reyman for cut
Christine Thompson for color
Zorka for cut
I introduced my friend Nam to the salon and she swears by Genna Still for color
Colleen for color
Locations: I’ve been to both
Soho
147 Grand St. / Lafayette & Crosby
New York, NY 10013
(646) 869-1052
Flatiron
184 5th Ave, Fl 2
New York, NY 10010
(646) 531-0724
Facial
My love for Biologique Recherche products started many years ago at Karine Kazarian. Both her and her daughter, Mariam, take a thoughtful approach to skincare and really work with you to create a custom routine. I like that the space is small, intimate and family run. Karine was one of the first people to use BR products in NYC and she’s a wealth of knowledge.
I’ve also heard great things about their Buccal Massage facial!
27 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011
212-533-1010
Glow Bar was started by my dear friend and former colleague, Rachel. We worked at both Birchbox and Beautyblender together, and one year when we were driving to Massachusetts for Thanksgiving, I asked her “when are you going to start your own thing?” and that’s when she finally told me about Glow Bar.
The concept behind Glow Bar is so simple and immediately resonated with me. Rachel was tired of going to expensive facial places where they spend 10 minutes cleansing your face, and then rubbing creams on you. She wanted something quick, efficient and affordable. Enter her 30 minute facials. You wash your own face, receive a treatment (can be dermaplaning, extractions, a peel, LED etc.) and then you’re on your merry way. In and out. For only $60! It’s such a no brainer and if I lived in NYC, I would absolutely be a monthly member.
Face Gym is also a fun stop in NYC (they are originally from the UK.) They specialize in “facial fitness” which just means facial massage. I think it’s a good gift, and a cute add-on to your routine, but I wouldn’t prioritize it over a Karine facial. It’s also nice before an event!
Lashes
Andra at Courtney Akai
Oh gosh. If you knew me between like 2012 and 2022, then you also knew my lashes. Guys, I was obsessed. But the fact that after all that time, I still had beautiful natural lashes is a testament to the lash technicians I saw. I genuinely think the best person in the world for lashes is Andra at Courtney Akai.
Start slow with a classic set and then go up from there. I will warn you however– it does become quite addicting and you’ll start to feel like a naked mole rat without them.
594 Broadway Suite 920, New York, NY 10012
212-226-2166
Botox, Filler, Lasers
I am going to do a whole post about GoodSkin and even share my before and after. In the meantime, I can not recommend Lisa Goodman at GoodSkin enough. I’ve been a client for 5 years and at this point, I trust her implicitly and do whatever she says.
Below is the Instagram post that first inspired me to go see them. As you can see, on the left, she has classic bad botox– she looks surprised and despite not having wrinkles, the botox placement was still aging her. Now look at how natural and beautiful she is on the right! To note: she also had under eye filler and lateral cheek filler, called Tacking.
GoodSkin specializes in “The Untouched Look” which means they prioritize a natural, timeless look– their clients look like themselves, but better. More refreshed. More symmetrical. It’s a very specific look and if you’re interested in looking “done” then it’s not for you.
14 E 4th St # 406, New York, NY 10012
Acupuncture
Dr. Cherrie Laygo
Going to Cherrie is part acupuncture, part therapy. I truly looked forward to my weekly sessions with her, where she took a holistic but realistic approach to whatever ailment I had that day. I always felt leaving better and more centered. She was especially helpful when I was studying for the GMAT and losing my mind.
244 5th Ave floor 6, New York, NY 10001
646-780-9869
WTHN is the Dry Bar of acupuncture. It’s super easy to book an appointment and dip your toes into acupuncture. Very good for newbies + they have an excellent line of products. I personally love their acu mat.
20 W 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010
(646) 558-9846
Colonics
If you’re into colonics at all, then you probably know who Gil Jacobs is. He is considered the godfather of colonics.
Here is an excellent article about him from Cap Beauty.
He is referral only so I hate to be annoying but I can’t formally recommend him to you.
However, I have heard lovely things about the below
Vitality NYC (started by Mike, who was trained by Gil)
Doody Free Girl (also trained by Gil)
That being said, I never get colonics in NYC anymore. I’d rather wait until I’m in LA and see Xell (more on her in the next post)