Tucked just one block behind the bustle of Grand Central/42nd St. is Angelo David Salon’s treasure trove of indulgent beauty treatments. Everything from eyebrow shaping and manicures, to couture extensions and to-dye-for color is on the menu here.

The 12-year-old, unisex salon puts customer care at its forefront. Angelo David, eponymous salon owner and creative director, handles everything from cuts and color to providing a friendly chat with his many regulars and celebrity clientele. The sleek, neutral-hued space radiates a peaceful vibe; ditto for the wonderfully attentive staff who are happy to provide anything from a glass of complimentary wine or tea to pleasant conversation.

Personalization translates into AD’s signature treatment—couture hair. When it comes to couture color, the end result is always glossy, vibrant hues that last, whether you’re seeking an of-the-moment red or conservative gray coverage. Cuts are similarly well tailored.

But attention to detail is most prominent with the salon’s couture extensions and additions. After a personal consultation, extensions are designed, then custom-fitted and blended to the client’s natural strands. Each extension is comprised of 100-percent human hair and crafted on site. Private extension styling rooms are another testament to keeping client needs paramount.

Once strands have been styled to your liking, it’s time to focus on your face itself. Celebrity brow and makeup expert Julie Tussey colors, shapes, and plucks with the precision of a true artist. The carefully crafted eyebrows are complemented by Tussey’s application of makeup from brands like Laura Mercier, MAC, and more. And although her clientele includes celebrities like Katie Lee, Keira Knightley, and Whitney Fairchild, Tussey explains as she works, making it easy to take her techniques home and execute for your everyday look.

To round out your experience at Angelo David, choose from manicures/pedicures crafted with Essie or wear-for-weeks Shellac. The salon also boasts a bevy of hair products from boar bristle brushes to detanglers. 48 E. 43rd St., 2nd Fl., 212-883-6620

Julia Restoin Roitfeld in one of her creations with Kiki de
Montparnasse

Luxury fashion and lifestyle brand Kiki de Montparnasse is teaming with the Parisian visionary Julia Restoin Roitfeld to create a lingerie collection that celebrates the romance and beauty in every woman. The duo are longtime friends, and their collaboration speaks to their shared appreciation of refined designs and impeccable quality. Handcrafted of silk and French lace, “the collection is timeless and modern, sensitive and powerful, romantic and alive,” says Restoin Roitfeld. Integrating her creative expertise, the collection embraces sensuality “that is not solely about how it may make your partner feel, but more about how it makes you feel,” she says. With this idea in mind, each piece was created for an intimate life inspired by romantic imagination. 79 Greene St., 212-965-8150

Western influences have long inspired Ralph Lauren. This spring, the classic American brand introduces a pair of cuff links ($12,000) that are the most elegant interpretation of the trend we’ve seen yet. In the shape of a steer head, each cuff link is made from 18k white gold and white diamonds, and is hand-finished in England. 867 Madison Ave., 212-606-2100

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If you buy only one body polish this spring, make it Diptyque's Pommade Exfoliante Pour le Corps ($68). The creamy scrub contains ultra-emollient pomegranate seed oil that leaves skin seductively silky and supple.

 

Clean and vibrant, Jo Malone's White Lilac & Rhubarb Cologne ($110) is both unexpected and magical. A tart, fruity rhubarb cuts though soft, buttery notes of summer lilac and a hint of rose lingers on the dry-down.

 

Suitable for all skin types, La Mer’s Crème de La Mer (from $140) is a trusted classic for good reason. Warm a small amount between fingertips and pat over clean skin—it's a habit you'll want to repeat daily for a lifetime.

 

Ideal for warmer weather, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer ($42) is lightweight and oil-free, providing just enough coverage while keeping skin hydrated and fresh. Available in nine different shades, the moisturizer is packed with mineral-rich seawater to revive and smooth skin.

 

A nightstand staple, Kiehl's Crème de Corps (from $11) is a whipped body butter infused with sweet honey and silky soymilk. Slather on with abandon, it moisturizes like no other and never leaves a greasy finish.

 

Launching exclusively at Blue Mercury this May, the M-61 Power Pro Peel ($28 for 10 day; $74 for 30 day) includes a 2-Minute Facial Peel and Post-Peel Vitamin A & C Treatment. The two-minute peel packs colloidal oatmeal and bilberry, while the vitamin-rich post-peel contains chamomile and lavender.

 

Heady and absolutely luxurious, you'll want to rub Tammy Fender's Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil ($65) on after every shower. The oil is created to improve the suppleness and tone of your skin while providing a sense of calm with a soothing pure lavender scent.

 

Dust on Bobbi Brown's Bronzing Powder ($35) with a gentle hand for soft, matte all-over radiance. Ideal for giving skin a clean and natural-looking glow, the powder is available in seven shades.

 

Sun protection is essential for every season, and Skinceuticals' Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 ($30) provides a solid defense against harmful summer rays. The mattifying fluid dries quickly and is totally transparent and gentle on even the most sensitive skin.

 

Sleek and all-inclusive, Trish McEvoy’s Effortless Beauty Little Black Card ($60) is a summer-appropriate, feature-enhancing palette for eyes, face, and lips. Concealer is also thankfully included in the double-decker compact.

 

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Just in time for spring beauty shopping, Bluemercury has opened a 2,300 square-foot beauty boutique and spa in the heart of Union Square. The sprawling shop, NYC’s third Bluemercury, houses favorite beauty and fragrance brands, such as Jo Malone, Tammy Fender, and Diptyque, to name a few. A dedicated spa area offers excellent facials—try the Modern Facial with a vitamin oxygen blast booster—and the main floor is nirvana for product junkies. We stopped by on a fair weather afternoon and Bluemercury founder Marla Malcolm Beck was kind enough to offer us some shopping advice. Above are Beck’s top ten product picks, a.k.a. the ultimate spring beauty checklist.

All products available at Bluemercury Union Square. 865 Broadway, 212-243-8100

New Yorkers pride themselves on getting more done in 24 hours than most other people do in a week. Local designer Phillip Lim understands the New York lifestyle and this spring debuts the 31 Hour bag ($750), for when there aren’t enough hours in the day. The oversize tote folds over into a shoulder bag and can be accessorized with matching 31 Minute clutches ($450) that fit perfectly inside. Sleek and organized, the 31 Hour bag is practically a personal assistant. 115 Mercer St., 212-224-1160

Skin Chaperone uses the Glytone Chemical Peeling System.

Skin Chaperone medispa on Manhattan's Upper East Side is the perfect mix of dermatologist and luxurious spa. At first it seems more of the former since you arrive through a doctor’s office, but licensed medical esthetician Misha Yomtovian’s cozy treatment room lies tucked away at the back like an exclusive speakeasy for skincare junkies. 

Just as with any medical checkup, your treatment begins by filling out a medical questionnaire—except this time it’s for your skin. The spa’s five offerings—revive, hydrate, brighten, smooth, and repair—seem simple at the surface, but unlike other one-size-fits-all menus, these treatments are tailored to each patient’s skin type and Yomtovian provides a consultation beforehand. To combat my top skin woes, I chose “Brighten,” which consists of a vitamin-enhanced superficial resurfacing peel, to fight my fine lines and mild redness.

Although chemical peels are often associated with flaking, inflammation, and unsightly redness before skin starts to look better, Yomtovian lives by ensuring that patients leave her office looking better than when they arrived. Skin Chaperone uses the Glytone Chemical Peeling System, which caters to an array of skin problems from redness to aging, acne to hyper-pigmentation. My peel included Mandelic acid (an alternative to glycolic acid that also contains antibacterial properties) and Yomtovian added a little bit of oxygen to help the restoring process.

Yomtovian, who spent years in pharmaceuticals, gave me a breakdown of each product and its ingredients as she went instead of simply slapping creams and chemicals on my face. I left the session feeling like I’d completed a crash course in the science of my own skin, and my face looked glowing and smooth.

Another huge draw here is that the small spa has a homey, personalized feel but still manages to stay upscale and exclusive. And since Yomtovian is a one-woman show, she’s sure to remember your skin, your favorite products, even what you chose for your playlist for your next visit.

Skin Chaperone also offers laser therapy via its gentle Clear + Brilliant, plus a chance to purchase products from the Neocutis and Glytone skincare lines (the same products that are used in treatments). For those interested in a well-rounded experience, try the Biophotonic Scanner—which scans your finger to tell if you’re getting enough antioxidants. Whatever treatment you choose, Yomtovian’s motto rings true. Everyone will leave the office looking (and feeling) much more fabulous than when they entered. 201 E. 65th St., 646-823-0576

When I asked Rona Pfeiffer if she was excited about the opening of her shop-in-shop at Meatpacking District boutique Elizabeth Charles, she responded, “Are you kidding? I am beyond excited. It’s just craziness. I am hiding in the bathroom right now while everyone around me freaks out. I was like, ‘Listen, I have to do this interview!’”

	A necklace by Rona Pfeiffer

Sister-in-law of actress Michelle Pfeiffer, the designer fell into jewelry making while working as a film and television agent in LA, or, more specifically, while doing a craft project with daughter Audrey. “My daughter was making key chains while I was just sitting there. Around hour three, I decided to do a little something, and that’s how the whole thing started,” she explained.

Today, Pfeiffer’s handmade beaded creations—from tribal necklaces to Victorian designs to sulfuric acid-dyed necklaces that can be worn as bracelets or belts—earn raves from celebrities like Ginnifer Goodwin and style authorities such as Elle and Vogue.com.

After costume designer Colleen Atwood saw Michelle wearing one of Pfeiffer’s designs, the three-time Oscar-winning designer asked her to design some pieces for Tim Burton’s forthcoming Dark Shadows, starring Michelle, Johnny Depp, and Eva Green. “Just being in her presence changed me creatively,” said Pfeiffer of collaborating with Atwood.

In addition to opening the shop-in-shop and readying for her film debut (May 11), Pfeiffer is active in charities such as the Alzheimer’s Association. When the disease struck her father, she halted her jewelry career just as it was taking off to care for him.

“My father got very sick and life went down a different path, so I had to stop,” she said. “I walked away from it and I took care of him until recently. I walked away for five years. I’m very grateful I did that. I think I am better [because of it].”

At the Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala (May 12), Pfeiffer will auction off a large diamond piece used in the Burton film to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. She also sells pieces at the Palo Alto boutique In Her Shoes, which donates 100 percent of profits to the Global Fund for Women.

“What goes around comes around,” said Pfeiffer. “When I’ve been lucky enough to be recognized creatively and succeed, I truly believe that it is important to give back.” 639 1/2 Hudson St., 212-243-3201

With notes of fruits, florals and herbs—from Moroccan tangerine to Egyptian jasmine to Tahitian vanilla bean—the new eco-friendly Hanae Mori No. 6 ($95, 3.4 oz.) is a beautifully green scent. “No. 6, the latest limited-edition fragrance in our Eau de Collection series, honors the butterfly, nature’s symbol of transformation,” said Hanae Mori Parfums president Thomas Saujet of the new eau arriving in Bloomingdale’s this June.

Japanese designer Madame Hanae Mori (who designed the wedding gown of Crown Princess Masako for her 1993 wedding to Crown Prince Naruhito) uses butterflies as a recurring theme in her couture designs, as well as the flacons of her eponymous fragrance line. No.6 bears a French glass cap in the shape of folded butterfly wings with a vibrant organza print depicting butterflies in flight.

Aesthetics aside, No. 6 has impressive eco credentials: a portion of the proceeds from US sales will benefit Clean Air-Cool Planet, a non-profit working towards eliminating global warming. And every bottle is produced in France using alternative energy resources.
 
“It’s important that every company do its part to sustain the greatest gift we receive: nature,” said Saujet. “We choose to create beauty using more of nature’s own power. We hope every woman will be beautifully transformed by No. 6 and feel the elegance and exquisite charm of a butterfly.” Bloomingdale's, 1000 3rd Ave.

There is something inherently understated about a Reed Krakoff bag, a notion that implies a confidence of style, knowledge of fashion, and of course, good taste. You will not find an obvious logo emblazoned across his accessories, which champion form and function over branding. The Mini Atlantique, “combining architectural shapes with the concept of cool vintage travel bags,” debuts in stores this spring. “The Mini mixes geometric lines with the modern, feminine coloration of material emblematic to the brand,” says Krakoff. The tonal pieced skins speaks to the increasing trend of snakeskin accessories, while the top-handle style signals timeless design. “It is luxury, coolness, and functionality,” says Krakoff, achieving the perfect balance for the Manhattan woman. Mini Atlantique in python, cobra, and tejus, Reed Krakoff ($4,990). 831 Madison Ave., 212-988-0560

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN KLUTCH

Tailor-made for busy New Yorkers, Gotham Skincare’s Pretty in 20 treatments relieve dull skin, cracked lips, and tired eyes in less than twenty minutes. Take full advantage of your lunch hour and schedule a “quickie” Eye Revitalizer and Lip Amplifying Treatment ($75), Express Repair skin session ($75), or Gentle Fruit Acid Peel ($100). If you have more than 20 minutes to spare, go in for all three treatments ($220). 346 W. 57th St., 212-616-9995