Beauty & Health
Men's Haircut
Brady Brumfield at James Joseph Salon
For the office, a Brady Brumfield cut can be parted and combed down. On weekends, his heavily textured styles are meant to be mussed on top for a carefree look. “That’s what I call my convertible,” says Brumfield, who worked at G2O Spa for nine years, followed by James Joseph, and now calling Roffi Salon And Day Spa home. Urban chic is Brumfield’s sweet spot, and he’s styled hair for Diesel and American Apparel fashion shows. Whether you’re channeling Ryan Gosling or Bruno Mars (or a bit of both), Brumfield’s got you covered.
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Acupuncture
Marcy White at Copley Acupuncture
Marcy White has a growing reputation for helping expectant couples. A 15-year acupuncture veteran, White specializes in Chinese, Japanese and Korean forms that minister to everything from infertility to pain management to sports injuries. For those with a fear of needles, she offers a poke-free alternative: a cutting-edge cold laser that provides cellular-level treatment to patients looking to ease conditions like nerve damage and hair loss.
667 Boylston St., Boston » 617-281-0797 » marcywhiteacupuncture.com -
Photo Credit: Dan WatkinsAthletic Clothing
South End Athletic Company
The SEAC is a runner’s refuge. Whether you’re an ultramarathoner or a newbie looking for jogging buddies, sprint here to find a cardio community. You’ll also find the latest kicks and garb from brands like Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Mizuno, New Balance and the North Face. Once equipped, hit the ground running with the store-organized fun runs, long runs, drills and high-impact outdoor workouts.
652 Tremont St., Boston » 617-391-0897 » southendathleticcompany.com -
Beauty Secret
Hair Modeling at Salon Mario Russo
Here’s a trick for Newbury Street beauty without the expense: Mario Russo is always looking for models to help train junior stylists at weekly workshops designed to teach styles and cuts from short and spiky to long and layered. But competition for a cost-free coif can be fierce, so check online for their schedule of cut, blow-dry and updo sessions, and sign up ASAP.
9 Newbury St., Boston » 617-424-6676 » 60 Northern Ave., Boston » 857-350-3139 » mariorusso.com -
Blowout
Joelina Pereira at Mizu
For a head-turning new look without a snip, get your locks to Joelina Pereira. The Boston native grew up practicing new hairstyles on her four sisters before training as a stylist in Palm Beach with L’Oréal color artist Justin Lynch. Mizu lured her home to save the Hub from bad hair days by smoothing the frizziest locks, coaxing waves and volume from the flattest of tresses and creating glamorous flips for all.
Mizu, Mandarin Oriental Hotel » 776 Boylston St., Boston » 617-585-6498 » mizuforhair.com -
Photo Credit: Power of Forever PhotographyCosmetics
Sephora
Sephora has everything you need for painting the town red, tangerine, jade or any other hue imaginable. Their try-it-before-you-buy-it policy invites visitors to pucker up with a poppy Dior lipstick or sweep on chartreuse Urban Decay shadow as they browse. Sephora’s free Beauty Insider program is a bonus, too. Earn points on all of your purchases, and get swag like Laura Mercier makeup primer or OPI nail polish. Here, makeup lovers make out like bandits.
Prudential Center, Boston » 617-262-4200; » Additional locations in Cambridge Newton, Chestnut Hill, Natick and elsewhere » sephora.com -
Day Spa
Emerge Spa Salon
To escape city drudgery without leaving town, look no further than this peaceful salon’s sunny roof deck overlooking Newbury Street. Guys will love the barbershop-chic Men’s Club, with services like warm lather shaves and pedicures. The spa features Brazilian treatments, aromatherapy facials and hydrotherapy, while the salon provides Keratin straightening, Balayage highlights and Trish McEvoy makeup applications. Here, relaxation is a most beautiful thing.
275 Newbury St., Boston » 617-437-0006 » emergespasalon.com -
Exercise Class, Aerobic
Zumba at The Sports Club/LA
Zumba classes at the Sports Club/LA draw literal hipsters. Pelvic shakes are the rage in this Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance party that brings up to 80 people to the fitness floor. “The energy is high, and everyone has the freedom to lose it a bit,” says the club’s group exercise and mind/body manager Jessica Lopez. Constructed around simple dance moves, Zumba is a beat-filled blast—making it easy to forget that the sweat-inducing workout prepares participants to shimmy their bodies from the studio to the shore.
4 Avery St., Boston » 617-375-8200 » thesportsclubla.com -
Exercise Class, Mind and Body
Power ’n’ Flow at Health Yoga Life
Vyda Bielkus combats the chaos of modern life with focus, introspection and invigorating yoga. “Between work, family, friends and other distractions, people have little opportunity for self-care,” Bielkus says. She doesn’t play music during this Vinyasa class, bringing more awareness to breath and body. “Power ’n’ Flow is a time to recharge the batteries and see where our life is, from the inside out.” Bielkus, one of four sisters who run the new Beacon Hill studio, invites students of all levels to experience peace (and strengthening) to the core.
12 Temple St., Boston » 857-350-4124 » healthyogalife.com -
Exercise Class, Small Group Training
Boston Sports Clubs
Small group training at Boston Sports Clubs pushes members beyond the elliptical machine. Groups averaging six to eight participants test themselves in activities like Pilates, boxing and outdoor boot camps. The sessions cycle every eight weeks and are intended to be progressive, so skills, endurance and strength increase as you go. “This is a good in-between for people who want to ramp up,” says trainer Dan Scontras. And it’s a surefire way out of your exercise rut.
505 Boylston St., Boston » 617-236-1189 » Additional locations in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Watertown and elsewhere » mysportsclubs.com -
Photo Credit: Heather McGrathExercise Class, Spinning
Tone 'n' Ryde at B-Tone Fitness
Tone ’n’ Ride is an L.A.-style workout that combines spinning and Pilates to whip your backside into shape. Students pedal RealRyders that turn and lean like outdoor bikes. Then, they hop off for circuit training. This hybrid strength-and-cardio workout, often done to upbeat jams and ’80s rock, burns a whopping 400–600 calories an hour. Participants do find the class tough, says owner Jody Merrill. “But when they’re done they think, ‘Wow, I’ve never been able to work my body like that.’”
30 Newbury St., Fourth Floor, Boston » 617-578-8663 » btonefitness.com -
Facial
SkinHealth Centers
SkinHealth has the spot-on prescription for problem skin. Their 30- to 90-minute facials use a mix of masks, individualized essential oils and extraction techniques to clean, soothe and hydrate. “We’re a team of physicians and nurses,” says founder/CEO Cheryl Clarkson. “Our clients get all of the pampering, and we still have a spa-like feel, but they will see results.” Replicate newly radiant skin at home with finds from the spa’s antioxidant-, peptide- and enzyme-heavy line.
73 Newbury St., Boston » 617-267-7546 » Additional locations in Chestnut Hill and Wellesley Hills » skinhealthcenters.com -
Hair Colorist
Erica Colameta at Michael Labrecque Salon
Erica Colameta is known for her adept hand-painting technique. “Hand-painting is a lot softer than foil,” says the stylist with 12 years of experience at salons like James Joseph and Daryl Christopher. As a colorist, she prefers to keep women one or two shades darker or lighter than their real color, but she’s always up for something more adventurous. You might even get a story out of her about coloring Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer’s platinum tresses.
292 Newbury St., Boston » 617-267-8800 » michaellabrecque.com -
Health Club
Equinox
Why celebrities love Equinox is no wonder. The club lures top-notch personal trainers, invests in the most up-to-date strength training and cardio equipment and offers a dizzying array of classes. With options like cycling, boxing, martial arts, Pilates and yoga, Equinox makes it (almost) easy to get in shape. Kiehl’s-stocked locker rooms are havens replete with eucalyptus towels and bamboo showers. The company earns an environmental merit badge, too, for using water-saving washing machines, green cleaning products and eco-friendly building materials.
131 Dartmouth St., Boston » 617-578-8918 » 225 Franklin St., Boston » 617-426-2140 » equinox.com -
Lashes
Amy Chien Bailey at the Beauty Mark
In this tiny Beacon Hill store, L.A. native Amy Chien Bailey builds out lashes in the blink of an eye. A former makeup artist for runway shows and beauty shoots, Chien Bailey personalizes lashes to her clients’ eye shapes, whether they’re seeking a full, natural look or flat-out, long-lashed glamour. The result, carefully crafted to hold up between fill-ins, leaves clients fluttering all the way home.
33 Charles St., Boston » 617-720-1555 » thebeautymark.com -
Local Product
Neil Morris Fragrances
If Paris Hilton and P. Diddy can have their own fragrances, what’s stopping the rest of us? At Neil Morris’ Back Bay perfume studio, you can mix and match more than 700 ingredients to create a scent that’s uniquely you. The formula you devise is kept on file and can be used to make signature perfume, body lotion and bath gel. For those who prefer ready-to-wear, Morris’ Vault Collection includes 50 scents he’s developed over the years. At $5 a sample, you can afford to explore.
221 Mass. Ave., Boston » 617-267-2315 » neilmorrisfragrances.com -
Photo Credit: Katie NobleMakeup Artists
Sarra
The Sarra team is on call for all your cosmetic needs and desires. Makeup artists at this loftlike studio also teach clients how to create flattering, easy-to-achieve styles that can be repeated at home. Owner Lauren Genatossio worked for Laura Mercier and crafted stunning celebrity, editorial and advertising looks before developing her own line of products. “Our big thing is still the education of women, how to do things naturally and a little bit better,” she says.
840 Summer St., South Boston » 617-269-8999 » 104A North St., Hingham » 781-749-5599 » sarraboston.com -
Photo Credit: Dave Bradley; Model: Amanda/Maggie Inc.; Manicure: Bella Alekseyva/StilistiManicure/Pedicure
Bella Alekseyva at Stilisti
Sink into the leather massage chair and let Alekseyva take it from there. During a typical 90-minute mani/pedi appointment, the Russian native cleans up cuticles with vitamin E and gives nails a natural-looking shape. After 40 years in the industry, she prides herself on her instincts. “I look at skin tone and personality, and I put it together,” she says. Mixing many shades herself using OPI and Essie polishes, Alekseyva nails down what customers want every time.
138 Newbury St., Second Floor, Boston » 617-262-2234 » stilistiboston.com -
Massage
Fusion Massage at Exhale
Exhale’s Fusion massage is a Swedish-style mind-body treat. Lead massage therapist/spa host Bill Hickey says his team of experts is used to all body types, adjusting pressure to meet a client’s needs. The treatment can be customized with three aromatherapy choices: uplifting, detoxifying or relaxing. Enjoy it as a 30-, 60- or 90-minute luxury, or combine it with other treatments for a Zen-fully indulgent afternoon, and you’ll leave floating on air.
28 Arlington St., Boston » 617-532-7000 » 2 Battery Wharf, Boston » 617-603-3100 » exhalespa.com -
Salon
Salon Marc Harris
Harris’ empire is based on one tenet: His salons deliver consistently gorgeous cuts and color. To achieve that, his stylists train constantly in the latest scissor and color techniques, winning gigs at New York Fashion Week, in national magazine features and on TV. This is one-stop beautification: Whether it’s Yuko thermal reconditioning, a Brazilian blowout or perfect full-blonde highlights, the attention to detail and commitment to perfection make Salon Marc Harris shine.
115 Newbury St., Second Floor, Boston » 617-262-2222 » Additional locations in Boston » salonmarcharris.com -
Suburban Salon
SalonCapri
Nick Penna Jr., Gina Penna and Laura Penna Shaw helm this family business. “We’re masters in customer service and at making our clients feel at home,” says Nick. They’re a fun-loving bunch, too. At “Blow-Out and Go-Out Fridays,” clients sip cranberry-lime Capri-tinis and receive a free smoky-eye application with any service. Ideal for suburbanites, but, considering the level of pampering, city dwellers should consider a trip.
31 Lincoln St., Newton » 617-969-1970 » 406 Legacy Place, Dedham » 617-320-0900 » saloncapri.com -
Trainers
The Training Room
Here’s a system perfect for people who buy gym memberships but never use them. There’s no contract required, by order of co-owners Maren Kravitz and Heidi Brown. “We want people to have flexibility,” says Kravitz. New clients are assessed through a physical therapist–developed test that gauges body movements, and trainers tailor workouts based on the results. “We’re trying to teach people to move better,” says Kravitz, who, as a veteran of 12 marathons, should know.
691A Somerville Ave., Somerville » 617-284-6088 » thetrainingroomboston.com -
Updo
Lindsay Griffin
Griffin puts an organic, modern twist on the updo. Whether clients want loose, pinned-up French braids or a version of the iconic Audrey Hepburn bun, Griffin’s style is romantic and unexpected. “I like to do things a bit differently,” says Griffin, who worked in Newbury Street and North End salons before starting her own business. “I like hair to look soft, not like a prom updo.”
617-475-0007 » lindsaygriffin.com -
Waxing
Katherine Silva at Beaucáge Salon and Spa
Customers wax poetic about aesthetician Silva’s expertise. Working with hard wax instead of strips, Silva keeps dreaded Brazilians as quick and painless as possible. Considering the awkwardness of certain procedures, efficiency is key. And her growing fan base of devotees notes that her easy demeanor makes everything go smoothly.
71 Newbury St., Boston » 617-437-7171 » beaucage.com -
Women's Haircut
Cheryl Lovett at Revive Hair Studio
When Lovett joined Revive two years ago, her clients followed. And with good reason: She’s fun, creative and helps people reinvent the way they see themselves. Lovett views hair as “human sculpture,” and is always game to take a break from cutting long layers to do a funky, short cut. A trip to her chair is a must-’do.
670 Tremont St., Boston » 857-366-4225 » reviveboston.com
