Beauty & Spas in New York

As a native of Tel Aviv, stylist Ben David brings an international perspective to his craft that is amplified by his education at the prestigious Ecole de Coiffure de Paris and a hairstyling stint in London. Now living and working in New York, David finds his creativity is sparked by the city's energy and style—an artistic surge that has inspired him to fuse runway looks with wearable shapes at Ben David Salon. This sophisticated aesthetic carries over into the salon's striking minimalist architecture designed by the decidedly chic Avi Oster. David's stable of highly trained stylists has earned its stripes on salon floors all over the city, and the hair designers use their hard-won expertise to execute Ben's visionary hair services such as ammonia-free Inoa by L'Oréal hair coloring, keratin treatments with Lasio products, and fashionable precision cuts using Bumble and bumble. and Aveda haircare tools. Every service begins with a complimentary, in-depth consultation and discussion of hair's very favorite foods.

The frizz-flattening Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy, which was designed by hair mastermind Peter Coppola, infuses hair with natural keratin, straightening strands and adding a silky, lustrous sheen to each individual filament. The therapy also cuts down on styling time, making hair easy to manage and making it require less product and Gorilla Glue to achieve its ideal look. Once flat-ironed into the hair, the keratin infusion lasts from three to five months depending on hair type and proper care, allowing people to frolic in secure, straight-stranded delight for long lengths of time.

Perfect Brows NYC doesn’t just remove hair above the eyes; the studio removes it from all over the body using three different methods. Its threading services uproot follicles on the face with a twisted cotton thread. And during waxing services, a thin layer of molten wax covers fuzzy areas and adheres to hairs before pulling them from the root. The third method used, called sugaring, is an organic alternative that removes hair with a natural paste made from sugar, lemon juice, guar gum, and water. This method is proven to provide less breakage and ingrown hairs and to leave clients with skin as smooth as a newborn dolphin. Each method provides a blank canvas for the studio’s other services, which include henna work and facials.

Though his cuisine is billed as eclectic American, Shadow Lounge & Restaurant's executive chef Christopher Andres isn't content to stick to just one country. His global approach results in dishes such as bistro-style steak filets, Cajun-style pasta alfredo, and panko-crusted fried fish. The menu also features several fondues, each based on ancient European recipes created to destroy humans' only natural predators: glaciers. To complement these dishes, an extensive drink menu encompasses more than 30 beers, imported wines, and a cadre of dessert-inspired martinis.

The aromas of cooking—and very often, the sounds of live music—waft throughout a modern dining space filled with close-set, crimson-cloth-draped tables and pieces of original artwork. The restaurant most often books pop, rock, and R&B musical acts on Fridays and Saturdays.

Drenched in marigold tones, the Sun Tan City facility transforms exteriors with cosmetic treatments that harness different wavelengths of light. Smart Tan–certified professionals invite clients to lie down, stand up, or sit down to bask in bronzing rays and tanning sprays. The staff also whitens teeth with LED light during Beaming White treatments, and slims bodies or out-of-shape sports cars with infrared light during Fit body wraps.

The Blue Bungalow's white-washed brick walls and ocean-themed interior peacefully house handmade art, refinished antiques, and vintage accessories. Dozens of items on display are fashioned by owners Liz and Jeanne, such as wall-gracing beach writings (priced after consultation) bearing thoughtful messages. Browse seaside-inspired décor and knickknacks, from 1920s-inspired bathing beauties ($24 each) to blue distressed frames ($38 each), holding starfish and sand dollars as snugly as an overgrown hermit crab's house. A chic turquoise starfish-encrusted bracelet ($30) adds flair to arm wrestling, and a pair of medium shell earrings ($32) evokes a vacation vibe to keep earlobes from going on strike.