The city is home to some of the best beauty treatments, spas, stores and brands around. So, if you're a beauty obsessed bitch planning a trip to the big city, this NYC beauty tour should come in handy. It will direct you to all the best beauty spots in the city and the tour can either be completed in one day, or over a few days if you want to check out the many other fun spots in the city. Let's be honest, as amazing as beauty-related activities are, you don't want them to jeopardise trips to the MET, Central Park, High Line or Fifth Ave!
When you've left Dermalogica, head over to Spring Street for a waxing session at Strip: Ministry of Waxing (56 Spring Street). Once know simply as 'Strip', Strip: Ministry of Waxing is one of Manhattan's most-loved waxing destinations because of its large collection of secret-recipe lotions that smooth and moisturise skin post-wax. This place will grant all of your waxing wishes - trust me, you can wax practically every part of your body, from your bikini line and nipples, to sideburns and lower legs. You will leave Strip: Ministry of Waxing hair-free and fabulous!
Your next stop is MiN New York (117 Crosby Street), a destination-must for serious fragrance fans looking for unique and luxurious scents. Inside this Crosby Street store you will find a treasure trove of perfumes found in all corners of the earth, as well as friendly staff who are experts in the field of fragrance.
When you've waded through the fragrance emporium, head to Bowery for a mani or pedi at Manhatten's favourite hand and foot spa, JinSOON (56 E 4th St).
JinSOON is inspired by founder Jin Soon Choi’s Korean heritage. It is the perfect place to escape from the bustling city, thanks to natural woods, airy lighting and serene interior accents that fill the spa. Inside, high level nail artistry and pampering is on tap. You can't go wrong with the gorgeous Breath of Milk and Honey Manicure and Magic Clay Slipper Pedicure!
The next stop on the beauty tour will land you in a New York institution, Duane Reade (125-133 3rd Ave), New York's answer to Boots. With locations all over the city, Duane Reade is packed with some of America's best drugstore beauty brands (I'm talking CoverGirl, Physicians Formula, CIRCA Beauty and Sally Hansen). Here you'll be able to stock up on American beauty heroes, such as the CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara, EOS Lip Balm and the Wet 'n' Wild MegaShimmer Body Powder.
Around the corner from Duane Reade, you'll find the famous Red Door Spa on Union Square. Elizabeth's Arden's Red Door Spa (200 Park Ave) offers everything to meet your skincare and bodycare needs, from body wraps and waxing to facials and full body massages. One of my favourite treatments available at this flagship is the Red Door Signature Facial. It is actually the most requested treatment at Red Door Spas, as it combines Miss Arden’s classic facial massage technique with Elizabeth Arden's professionally-formulated Red Door signature products.
Once you've pampered your skin it's time to look after those locks! Around the Flat Iron District you'll find RPZL (27 West 20th St), Manhattan's only state-of-the-art blow dry + hair extension bar. At RPZL, artistic stylists are on-hand to give gorgeous blow outs 14 hours a day. However if you're looking for a serious transformation, there are a variety of hair extensions available, from customised clip-ins to seamless bi-adhesive premium tape extensions.
To ensure your brows remain on fleek, next pay a visit to Sania's Brow Bar (48 West 20th St). Sania Vucetaj is a brow specialist with a strong celebrity clientele that includes Rihanna and Sarah Jessica Parker. What I love most about Sonia is that she favours tweezing over waxing (because it achieves an absolutely perfect shape, without causing damage to the skin around the eye area). Sania's Brow Bar is the perfect destination for girls (or guys!) who want to transform their brows or just keep them in tip top condition. Not paying this place a visit would be a crime!
The next stop on this NYC beauty tour takes you further uptown and it is the go-to destination for all beauty lovers visiting New York. It is, of course, the Sephora flagship! Sephora (597 5th Ave) is the ultimate beauty haven because it stocks products from the world's best beauty brands. Whatever you are looking for, Sephora will have it - from colour cosmetics, beauty tools and fragrances, to nail polishes, haircare and electricals. You will never leave empty-handed!
Your final destination will be the MAC Makeup Studio (63rd, 825 Lexington Ave). This 950-square-foot space offers customers one-to-one time with highly skilled MAC Makeup Artists. Here you can get everything from makeovers and tutorials, to beauty parties and bridal looks, and the prices are more than reasonable. Tutorials start at $30.00, while makeup applications (such as contouring, winged liner or a full face) start at $15.00. Nothing ends a beauty tour more perfectly than a face full of makeup!