It can be hard to keep up with the changing local beauty scene, especially if you are a NoVA native and have fallen into the habit of frequenting the same spots. Summer tends to be a time of experimentation, and finding a new place strictly through Yelp reviews can be seriously hit or miss.
Every woman needs that one friend who seems to know everything and everyone to keep them up-to-date, so we tapped three of the area’s most fashionable and social ladies to share their favorite go-to haunts that help them look and feel beautiful from head to toe. –Angela Bobo
Katya Ananieva
Owner of She’s Unique Jewelry Boutique and cofounder of the SpicyCandyDC blog
Hair: I’ve been going to Richard (PR at Partners in McLean) ever since I found out he was amazing with blondes. We’ve experimented with tons of different shades over the years, and I always love the way it turns out. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s fabulous, and we can talk for hours about fashion, the latest hair trends and life in general.
Makeup/Bath & Body: I don’t get my makeup done often because I’m extremely picky, but I recently had an amazing experience with Ana Buitrago of Makeup by Ana B. The look was so natural and flawless; I loved it. I am also big when it comes to eyebrows. For that I go to the eyebrow guru, Erwin of Karma by Erwin Gomez. It took me one time to realize that I would never let anyone else touch my eyebrows again. After a year of working with him on a “rescue my eyebrows mission,” I feel that they finally look perfect and match my face shape. He’s truly the best.
Nails: I have two favorite places in D.C. Monica of Luigi Parasmo Salon is the sweetest, and I love relaxing at their upstairs spa while getting the best manicure. For my pedicure, I love Alexis of Karma by Erwin Gomez. I didn’t realize I wasn’t getting a real pedicure until I got it done by her. It’s truly a whole different experience and totally worth the extra little splurge, trust me.
Healthy Spot: I love a good barre class, and Xtend Barre in Old Town is my spot. I get a great workout every time. The owner, Natalie, is also great at mixing things up with monthly DJ classes and motivational efforts.
Sara Azani
Editor at Style MBA and real estate agent
Hair: Since your hair is usually the first thing people notice about you, it’s so important to take good care of it. For the last few years I’ve made it a point to invest in good haircare products like Oribe and a salon-quality hair dryer. I love Oribe shampoos, conditioners [and the] thickening spray and live by their dry texturizing spray. I try not to wash my hair more than twice a week so that it won’t dry out. I usually get my color done in LA at Ramirez Tran Salon, but when in the DMV, I go to my good friend Mary Ann at Alchemy Hair Salon. She did my hair for my wedding and always knows exactly what looks good on me. She also puts up with my bad hair days and part dilemmas.
Makeup/Bath & Body: I purchase all my favorite bath and body products at Bluemercury. They carry my favorite scent by Jo Malone—Peony & Blush Suede—which has the most amazing body wash and crème. I go to Celedon Spa monthly for a facial with its owner, Judith. I also get microdermabrasion.
I can do my makeup pretty well, hence why it was so hard finding a makeup artist for my wedding. I truly believe that practice makes perfect. Given that I’ve always had a passion for makeup, I love watching tutorial videos online and even getting tips from makeup artists whether it’s at the Nordstrom counter or on Instagram. Some of my favorite brands include Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Smashbox, Urban Decay and Cover Girl. Some products I cannot live without include Shu Uemura eyelash curler, NARS tinted moisturizer, Tom Ford nude lipstick, Urban Decay Naked palette, Anastasia eyebrow pencil and NYX lip gloss.
Nails: I admit I am addicted to gel polish, but I’ve learned over time that it’s necessary to give your nails a break to breathe and stay healthy, plus it can get expensive to maintain. When I get my nails done, I go to Ivy Nails Spa in Arlington. They take the time and precision to give you exactly what you want. When I am not getting manis, I like to use chemical-free nail polishes like Zoya for at-home manis.
Healthy Spot: My go-to juice spot is South Block in Clarendon. They have the freshest cold-pressed juices and best acai bowls. I tend to go there a few times a week to stock up on ginger shots and dairy-free sweets. I cannot live without SolidCore and Elevate. SolidCore is a strengthening and toning class while Elevate is all cardio. Both classes really helped me get wedding ready, and I feel so much stronger now.
Allix Wright
Public relations manager at Brandlink DC
Hair: When I’m heading straight to an event from work, I swing by Gerald Armstrong at David Rios Salon and Spa located conveniently near my office in Georgetown. Relaxed hair makes for delicate hair, and having styled the likes of Patti LaBelle and Mariah Carey, Gerald knows exactly what he’s doing.
Makeup/Bath & Body: If you’re a francophile like me, Le Village Marche, [full of] Parisian-inspired finds, is an absolute treasure trove of delicious candles, soaps, fragrances, stationery, gifts, accessories and home decor by brands like NEST Fragrances, Rifle Paper Co., Tokyo Milk and La Rochère. French paper maps, mirrored copper-topped side tables, beaded chandeliers and trays full of trinkets all share space in this light-filled Shirlington boutique.
Nails: Sunday afternoons at Eastern Market aren’t complete without a pit stop for a mani/pedi at A-List Nails in Barracks Row; the staff is friendly, prices are reasonable, and they are always good for a glass of rosé (or two).
Healthy Spot: I detest running, plus I have terrible knees and my body just doesn’t comprehend the elliptical. Enter SoulCycle, the dance party on a bike that gives me the cardio I need to keep stuffing myself with crab dip from Virtue Feed & Grain. Wayne Phillips (aka The Wayne Train) always has the best music, from Rihanna to Kanye to Biggie.
(July 2015)