Brookline
Some spas are all about atmosphere. But you know as well as we do that new-age music and dim lighting alone doth not a happy client make. So we have serious respect for Beauty Therapies (1 Brookline Place, Brookline, 617.739.8888), a med-spa that has the look of a doctor’s office but the results of a top-notch retreat. Choose from traditional services like facials, or dabble in more medical treatments like laser hair removal (starts at $150), chemical peels (starts at $175), and the ever-popular TriActive cellulite treatment (starts at $110/session). All aestheticians receive thorough training (Beauty Therapies’ owner founded the Institute of Medical Aesthetics), unlike some fly-by-night facialists you may encounter at less reputable establishments. For more traditional beauty buys, head straight to Coolidge Corner’s one-stop shop Beauty and Style (326 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617.734.2111). Fancy it isn’t, but the store stocks the professionalgrade equipment every diva needs. High-powered blow dryers, flat irons (including the popular CHI; $120), and diffusers make at-home styling easier, and nail-polish princesses will love the huge range of shades available.