Massage
Winner: The Wellness Cooperative
Massages at The Wellness Cooperative focus on your mind, body and soul. Therapeutic massages are catered to your specific needs and Thai massages use ancient healing techniques. And then there’s the unique offerings, like the Emotional Release Massage, designed to help you let go of built up emotions; sinus relief facial massages; fertility massages; massages for inducing labor naturally; and Energy Massages, which incorporate reiki into the service. // 309 S. Washington St., Alexandria
Editor’s Pick: The Ritz-Carlton Tysons
Relax tight, aching muscles with one of The Ritz-Carlton Tysons’ multiple massage options: deep tissue, aromatic, hot stone, pre-natal and The Mall Recovery, featuring cooling spearmint and rosemary. Then take a dip in the indoor pool. // 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean
Mani/Pedi
Winner: Amity Nail Spa
A rainbow of nail polish greets you at Amity Nail Spa’s front door. The indulgent nail care services include high-end gel manicures and pedicures, pink and white acrylics and crystal nail enhancements. Want an extra special touch? The Harmony Spa Pedicure includes an additional leg-and-foot massage with hot lotion and scented oils. // 3400 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington
Runner-Up: Organic Nails & Spa
Services at Organic Nails & Spa are all about holistically healing and replenishing your natural nails. Choose between different scented oils (morning citrus, honey tangerine, mango, piña colada!) to soak your hands and nails in, and then let out a sigh of relaxation. // 346 Maple Ave. W., Vienna
Makeup Artist
Winner: MakeupBySydMarie
Known for unique, extravagant and experimental looks, Syd Marie is a local 14-year-old who gained popularity through her Instagram. She recently partnered with Inglot to create an eyeshadow palette for its spring collection.
Syd Marie first got into makeup when she hit her teenage years. “I had really bad acne that I wanted to cover, and my mom didn’t want me to wear makeup and wouldn’t buy it for me,” she says. “I started dog walking to earn money to buy makeup.”
Here, she shares insight into her budding career and gives her best tips for nailing your desired look.
What inspired you to start your popular Instagram account (29,500-plus followers)?
My friends would come over and I would do their makeup. They would go home and their parents would call my mom asking if she did their makeup, or if I really did it. They couldn’t believe a 13-year-old was doing makeup that looked professional. Shortly after is when I started my Instagram.
What inspires you to create crazy designs through makeup?
That is a tough question. I have been asked this before, and it is something that is hard to put into words. It truly depends on my mood and the time of year. If it is around Halloween, my creative ideas get going because I love Halloween and the spooky time of year. Christmastime, for example, I try to think outside of the box and look really interesting but still tie into the holiday season. Other times I sit down and have no clue what I am going to create, and will look at my products and just get to work. Those are often some of my most creative looks.
Favorite makeup tips?
For those who are not super confident in doing makeup, I always say less is more. You can always build and add more makeup later on.
Top three beauty products: False lashes, brow pomade and, of course, highlighter.
Personal Shopper / Stylist
Winner: Lindsey Evans Studio
Lindsey Evans’ resume is dropping names. She’s assisted with styling Katy Perry, Fergie, Madonna and Taylor Swift and has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, InStyle, Elle, Interview and InTouch Weekly. Known for her ability to provide Hollywood-level luxury service to men and women of all body sizes and shapes in the DMV, Evans curates wardrobes for every client with hand-picked items.
Esthetician
Winner: Tiffany Markarian – Glowmode Skin Clinic
Owner and founder of Glowmode, Tiffany Markarian is an expert in skin care and wellness. She provides clients with comprehensive plans to create small, daily habits with one philosophy in mind: Great skin is a lifestyle. // 8150 Leesburg Pike, Suite 18, Tysons
Brows
Winner: Touch of Beauty
Get your brows in tiptop shape at Touch of Beauty, a company focused on eyebrows adding balance to the face to give clients a “mini face-lift” appearance. The company was founded by a University of Maryland microbiology graduate. Brains and brows? That’s what we like to see. // 301 Maple Ave W., Suite 230, Vienna
Facial
Winner: Glowmode Skin Clinic
Get clearer pores with a personalized approach to skin care. Skin therapists here provide action plans to guests, with monthly treatments and wellness tips to keep the benefits of facials continuing long after your treatment. // 8150 Leesburg Pike, Suite 18, Tysons
Blowout
Winner: Jon David Salon
With four NoVA locations, Jon David Salon is ready to serve everyone in the region using 100% wind energy—which has an estimated environmental benefit of planting 4,478 trees. The salon also uses renewable wind and is a proud member of the Hair For Oil Spills program and the Matter of Trust organization. Environmentally friendly blowouts? Check! // Multiple locations
Runner-Up: Mara Hair and Mode Studio
Set in a cozy-chic boutique, Mara Hair and Mode Studio prides itself on crafting blowouts unique to each client, ensuring the hairstyle matches the person’s aesthetic and ideal look. // 4011 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 100, Fairfax
Waxer
Winner: European Wax Center
“Walk in, strut out,” is a common idiom used by European Wax Center, and Northern Virginians understand why. Waxes range from head to toe—literally, there’s over 30 services to choose from, for both men and women. // Multiple locations
Editor’s Pick: The Red Door
The Red Door uses its own recipe to create wax for the face, eyebrows, bikini and body. The wax includes raspberry extract, red currant and acai berry oil, which all include anti-inflammatory agents. // Multiple locations
Our Best of NoVA 2019 issue is on stands now.
