Beauty services in New York City - my top recommendations
I'm very into DYI when it comes to beauty, but there are some things that I can't just do at home.
I remember being interested in beauty since I was a kid. The romantic reason is that I've seen my mom apply her Avon moisturizers daily during my childhood. The problematic reason is that I'm a woman, and we all know about society's pressure to be beautiful, gorgeous, and perfect. But that's a subject I'm not gonna cover today. I won't also be hypocritical and pretend I don't particularly appreciate feeling good about myself. So, with that being said, let's get to what matters: beauty services in NYC.
I must confess that I'm a DIY girl when it comes to beauty. That's another thing I learned with my mom. With two daughters, she knew that going to a salon every time we'd had a party would be costly: hair, manicure, makeup. So, she taught us to make our nails at home, take care of our hair, etc. I learned more tricks with time, like makeup, waxing, and skincare.
I think those are not bad skills to have. They give me a sense of independence and save me a lot of time and money, especially in a city like NYC, where beauty services are not what we can call affordable.
But there are some things we can't do at home, right? So here are my favorite spots for services like Botox, facials, haircuts, and highlights.
Facials
FILD Studio offers different facials - but since you are treating yourself, get the 60-minute one. And if you like extractions, Keiko is your girl here. Her hands are magical, and my skin keeps glowing for days after.
LANY Organics - If you are looking for a relaxing experience, I highly recommend LANY Organics. Laurie Adams is so sweet. She uses products from Dr. Alkaitis and takes a supernatural/organic approach. The environment is super cozy and relaxing.
Hydrafacial - I tried the famous Hydrafacial at World Spa - but luckily, you don't need to go all the way to Brooklyn to try it, since there are tons of spas in the city that offer this treatment. Hydrafacial is a facial performed via the device for deeper penetration and longer-lasting results. The wand works like a vacuum to open pores for a deep cleanse and easy extraction of impurities and dead skin cells. It also allows the active ingredients in the boosters to penetrate deeper for the most effective treatment possible. I was stunned by the results. Find a hydrafacialist here.
Botox
I have mixed feelings about Botox and fillers. I remember feeling so bad about myself in the past when I did fillers - I felt pain, and my blood pressure went down, which made me ask myself: why am I doing this? On the other hand, Botox is an easy and quick fix. And it really made a whole difference in my esteem when I did last year. The only time I got Botox here in the city was at FILD Studio as well. It was super fast, plus I liked how it lasted - it's almost time to go back.
Highlights & Hair cut
I have been getting highlights on my Hair for over 6 years, and it's one of the things that it's a big deal for me - so I don't trust every hair stylist on this task. I've been doing highlights with Dani for years - I'm gonna link her IG page here - and I absolutely love her attention to details and her professionalism. In general, I think Brazilian hair stylist always kill it when we are talking about highlights. Dani is also amazing with haircuts.
Also recommend Filipi Bolchevi - I haven't done highlights with him, but a friend of mine did more than once and he is really good! I got a haircut with him, and I loved his attention to detail.
Finally, when I want a trim, I go to Davida Salon on the Upper East Side. The service was great, and the price was reasonable!
Bonus tips
We should not gatekeep great tips, so if you are on a budget, you should check Salon Apprentice. This website is used by salons and hairdressers to find models for cuts, hairstyling, and coloring. The services are either free or they charge a small fee to cover the products used. There are several salons in the city - you should pay attention to available dates and requirements. I also suggest checking out the salon's and professional's website and Instagram. PS: I have a friend who has gotten her highlights done several times using this hack.
I know dermatologists are not necessarily affordable - especially considering how messy the whole health insurance situation is. Luckily, there are some interesting online services offering solutions. Agency is one of them. They provide anti-aging skincare personalized by a dermatology provider. I tried last year. You respond to a questionnaire and send some pics of your skin, and they create some personalized formulas for you. The kit includes a cleanser, a moisturizer, and two formulas: one anti-aging, featuring tretinoin (you can only get tretinoin by prescription) and a dark spot, featuring azelaic acid and other active ingredients. You can try through their free trial - you only pay for the shipping, which is a nice deal.
Do you have any good recs of beauty services in NYC? Drop them on the comments!