With fall in full swing this week with events around the city galore, one must get their beauty regimen in order to get primed and ready to compensate for the lack of dressing to impress. As all true Parisians know, fashion here is about understatement. With so many places to go in Paris, how is one to choose where to go? Here’s our Cliff Note’s version of the Best of Beauty in Paris. This edition is for those who like venturing out—to get my list of services that come to you, click here.

HAIR

This is seems to be the one nut that the expat community can’t crack. Every woman I ask who has lived here longer than me seems to tell me that they get their actual hair cut outside of Paris—either while they are on vacation, or when they return to their home city. After trying many salons for cuts, I cannot find the same caliber as my hairdresser in NY, so I now get anything major done there. I will still get blowouts here, but if you are super particular about cuts, I suggest you do them back home. You feel otherwise? Tell us in comments below! Now, let’s get to the fun stuff!

Best Blowout: La Coiffure Babylone

I obviously need to up my selfie game or get a photographer for these moments

For those of you who know me, I’m equal opportunity and do a mix of luxe (5 stars) and reasonable (i.e. hole in the walls) with everything in life. My only criteria, is that it is the best for me and I look good. La Coiffure Babylone is located in the 15th arronidissement, and even though it is not the most frou-frou salon, I have gotten some of my best blowouts here, and that is not limited to Paris! I still don’t know if it is the product or the technique, but my hair always comes out looking awesome and get compliments galore. The best part is your blowout last for days without dry shampoo! You can book them by calling or walking in—if it is for something important, make sure to make an appointment prior so you are not waiting.

Pro-Tip: If you have unruly thick hair like mine, I suggest you book with Jasmine.

Where: 67 Rue Saint-Charles

Best Lashes: Madame de Sevres

I have tried many MANY places in Paris for lashes that I feel like goldilocks trying out beds, but finally have found a place that is just right! I love the whole experience—the ambiance, the service, the technique and quality of the work! They do russian volume lashes here (volume russe), which give you great full eyes and they can adjust depending on the look you are looking for—more natural or more dramatic. The thing I love the most is it’s staying power, they don’t fall out and leave you looking lifeless. In other words, your friends and coworkers won’t be asking you “Are you sick today?”

Pro-Tip: Make sure to have a candid conversation regarding the type of look you want so they can customize accordingly. Monica is amazing!

Where: 129 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris

Best Mani/Pedi: Nails Paris (Saint Germain)

Mani/Pedis weren’t a well known thing during my first visit Paris back in 2010—you had very limited options, i.e. colorforever, which is overpriced and not the best quality. Thankfully, the American beauty trend has started to take over the city and more establishments are opening up.

The thing I miss the most about NYC are the amount of nail salons that offer chair massages while you are drying. Thankfully, I stumbled upon one which did. Nails Paris located in the heart of Saint Germain is my go to nail place. Their quality is amazing, the service is professional and they offer many options for both manicures and pedicures. The vibe is completely zen, which I love and they do make the best ginger tea!

Pro-Tip: Call or email to make an appointment as all the services are not available on Treatwell

Super Pro-Tip: I would go on a day when the manager is on duty. As they say, when the cat’s away the mice will play. As much as I love this place the service is better when the manager, Laurent, is there.

Where: 80 Rue de Vaugirard

Best Waxing: Les Petits Soins

I’ve tried a bunch of places here in Paris and this spa always exceed my expectations. The wax is organic, the service is top notch and the atmosphere is very zen. They offer a bunch of different services like facials and massages if you want to book those as well. I’ve tried them and loved them, but tend to opt for a full spa (i.e. sauna, jacuzzi, the works) when I want a spa day. And for those who are language challenged like myself, if you are looking to get a full bikini wax, the proper term is “epilation maillot integral”. It took me over a year to get this right, but the great thing is they always knew what i was asking for anytime I screwed it up.

Pro-Tip: They now have email booking!!! I may be excited than most, but if you hate talking on the phone and prefer the use of a virtual assistant, this is the best!

Location: They have a few, which is great, but my go to 66 Rue de Vaugirard

Best Spa Experience: Ritz Club Paris

If you were to ask me where my favorite place in the world is, I would tell you the Ritz Paris. Not only do they have my favorite bar, Hemingway, they house my favorite spa in the city center. The treatments are amazing and the after spa experience is to die for. You can lounge by the pool and have lunch brought to you, or step into the sauna or steam. I literally spent the whole day here once and ended it at Hemingway, probably not what you are supposed to do after a day of spa treatments, but you only live once!

Pro-Tip: Book Club Access for the entire day. It is SOOOO worth it.

Where: 15 Place Vendome

Best Facial: Peninsula Paris

I will say this ties with The Chanel Facials at The Ritz, but to not to spend a whole spa day at The Ritz Club would be criminal. So when you’re just looking to get a facial without the complete Spa Experience, head over to the Spa the Peninsula Hotel. You will be treated like a princess upon arrival and pampered with a regimen that is specific to our skin type and needs. And you will leave with that oh, so perfect glow that you were born with many years ago!

Pro-Tip: Don’t buy the facial products right after EVEN if you love them. As a beauty veteran, you should give yourself 24 hours to make sure the products are copacetic with your skin. You can always call them up or email them to order and they can deliver it to your home.

Where: 19 Avenue Kléber

Best Thai Massage: NailsParis (Saint Germain)

So, they make this list twice because Boone’s massage is heaven on earth. One day after I got my nails done, I was surprised with a chair massage while I dried and more to my surprise it was really good…I mean, like mind blowing good. So, one day I decided to book a full hour massage and it was an hour of full bliss. It was so good I actually dozed off for a bit. I have tried both, the oil massage and the normal thai massage. I highly recommend the thai massage if you have really tough knots like me; it really does the trick.

Pro-Tip: Make sure to book only with Boone!

Where: 80 Rue de Vaugirard

Best Alternative Treatment: Elaine Huntzinger

Gua Sha Massage with Rose Quartz Crystals

Sometimes a massage just doesn’t cut it. As an ex-New Yorker I am used to carrying A LOT of tension in my back and neck and A LOT is an understatement. Sometimes you just need something stronger and by stronger, I mean cupping. Unlike NY there aren’t many of places to get this done and to get it done to my standards, for that matter. My go to for those times I need that special care is Elaine Huntzinger. She has an atelier close to the Marais and offers a variety of services which I have tried and highly recommend (including an infrared facial with this mouth/gum massage I can’t name, whatever it is called. It is a MUST!!!). I will tell you the entire experience is a complete 60-90 minutes of zen because her personality puts you at ease and the actual treatment relaxes you. She also uses crystals during her treatment so you are literally transported somewhere else. If you are looking to try her out, make sure to make an appointment way in advance as she was just featured on Eva Chen’s IG during PFW, so everyone is flocking! Proof that Paris’ Best Secrets don’t remain secret for long!

Pro-Tip: Book Now as a New Year’s Treat to yourself—she’s booked for the rest of 2019, so make 2020 grand!

Where: 12 rue de Crussol, Paris 75011

So, there you have it, our first edition of The Best of Beauty in Paris. In the next edition, I will talk about some of my fave at home beauty services. To be the first to know sign up here! And as always, love hearing from you guys. So email me here, comment below or IG me—wherever you are, I am!

Paris Beauty Survival Kit: Best of Beauty