Where I get all my beauty treatments in NYC
plus, where I'm off to for the next five weeks...
The funny thing about having penned this letter for over five years is that I’ll think I came up with something novel to share with you only to search my own archives and realize “Oh, I’ve written about this before.”
Case in point: this morning, I was curled up on the couch at my friend’s ranch in Bozeman as the sun came up, clacking away on a draft about the slew of routine beauty appointments I have on deck. The idea was to share where I go for various treatments in New York when I got the sneaking feeling I might have shared some of this before. And lo and behold, after a quick search of my backlog of 100+ posts on Substack, I sure had: last October, I wrote about my thoughts on the Hot Girl Hamster Wheel and my lukewarm participation in the never-ending cycle.
Beyond the places I go for various treatments, that very post also dug extensively into my own makeup bag and skincare cabinet. I promise not to repeat myself, but considering there have been updates, I felt a refresher was still warranted. You see, I’m always tweaking and refining. Testing and revising. So in the spirit of keeping things fresh, I’m going to spotlight just some of the new-to-me products that have made their way into my rotation this past year that I can’t imagine traveling without, before sharing where I go for my various appointments in the city, and ultimately, where I’m off to for over a month!
Eye and Neck Cream: U Beauty The RETURN Eye Concentrate and The SCULPT Neck + Décolleté (you can use code KAYLAD20 for 20% off your first purchase!) have both been game-changers to my evening routine. Both of these formulas are so rich and hydrating. Can’t imagine going to sleep without slathering them on!
Foundation: It’s not new to hear me drone on about how much Victoria Beckham Beauty Drops have changed my getting-ready routine. I’m enamored with how she’s created something that goes on like skincare yet lasts like real makeup. I’m shade 3 in winter and 5 in summer. They’ve been out of stock for a minute, but are now back in stock! Run, don’t walk.
Blush: I’ve been a fan of Saie’s products for a long time and was even lucky enough to interview founder Laney Crowell a while back on The Sunday Series in honor of International Women’s Day. I’ve been a proponent of their Saie Glowy Super Gel forever, but the Saie Blush has really blown me away as of late! It’s super potent, and you just need a little speck on each cheek to really get some beautifully blendable color.
And now, a recap of the regular treatments I submit to as a participant in the Hot Girl Hamster Wheel economy. Don’t hate me, but I’m putting the majority of this section behind the paywall for a few reasons. One: it’s already hard enough to secure an appointment with many of the talented professionals I’ve come to know and love! Two: For obvious reasons, I’d certainly rather talk about things like laser hair removal and vein treatment exclusively with my trusted readers.
Lash Lift and Tint: Especially in the summer, I never want to wear mascara. Getting on the lash lift and tint train has been the unlock to making that possible! I especially recommend it if you have lighter lashes, but even if you don’t need a tint, a lift will change how you see yourself without makeup on. I go to The Lash Loft Flatiron.
Massage: We joke amongst my friends that not all massages can be at the Four Seasons—some have to be at the All Seasons. I actually just splurged on one at Four Seasons Downtown and relished in the pomp and circumstance of it all, especially use of their infrared sauna. But I’m not always looking to be so spendy! In those moments, I turn to All Seasons on 14th and 8th or the one on W8th. Amazing for a foot massage, but you can also gamble and do full body.
Intra-Oral Buccal Massage: After way too long of whining about tension in my jaw, I finally found a place that offers reasonably priced buccal massage. This treatment targets the overworked masseter muscles of the face around the jaw and cheeks, including going into your mouth (gloved) to release tightness, encourage circulation, and encourage a more snatched contour to your actual jawline. I went to Face Glow NYC on W39th, which I wasn’t necessarily obsessed with the facility from an aesthetics perspective, I couldn’t have been happier with the actual treatment and price point. Book with Ia K. and use this referral link to get $35 off your next treatment if you’re ready to have your hair pulled (she’ll ask first!) in the name of loosening up your jaw muscles.
Eyebrows: I’ve shared before that I worship at the altar of Sania’s Brow Bar and that hasn’t changed. For nearly three years now, I’ve exclusively seen Suzy; if you go, tell her I sent you! At Sania’s, it’s all about tweezing and cutting…basically the equivalent of getting a brow haircut. In turn, I haven’t used brow gel in years. Instead, I only use their brow pencil, also available on Revolve.
Mani and Pedi: Once a month, I go to Yara for an e-file manicure. And not to be DRAMATIQUEEEE, but these manis have changed my life. I think they do such incredible work, but you have to book out about a month in advance, and even further for a pedi. That was the big change to my routine this year…I added their e-file pedicure to my rotation, which is a specialized treatment that uses an electric file to smooth and shape your toenails, remove calluses, and exfoliate dead skin. This water-free method offers the same precision they apply to your mani, which makes my Virgo heart sing. I use the same brilliant nail tech for both, and respectfully, this is where the paywall comes in because I already can barely get an appointment to save my life.
