EUROPEAN WAX CENTER
[ Best ] Waxing
Nanci Emiliani-Gerhard’s mantel must be getting crowded—European Wax Center has secured “Best Waxing” honors for the fourth year in a row. But taking the title time and time again isn’t something she takes for granted. “It is extremely humbling to have won every year since we opened our Airport Road location in 2015,” Emiliani-Gerhard says. “Honestly, we pride ourselves on building relationships. We have seen so many guests through some life-changing milestones— engagements, weddings, pregnancies and so much more!” And there’s always room for new faces in the EWC inner circle—including those who might be a little apprehensive about joining the club. But fear not, Emiliani-Gerhard says, “EWC offers the Four Steps To Gorgeous process where skin is prepped and treated for the most comfortable, pain-free experience possible.” In fact, newbies get a freebie. “First-time guests can enjoy a complimentary brow, underarm, ear or nose wax,” says Emiliani-Gerhard. “Female guests can receive a complimentary bikini line, or half-off a bikini full/Brazilian as their first-time discount.”
Various Area Locations | waxcenter.com
ORGANIC TANS & BEAUTY BAR
Best Spray Tan
Whether you’re looking for a natural glow, a pre-vacation bronze or a full-on island tan, Organic Tans will airbrush you to perfection! Try their New Quickie service and shower in as little as one hour later.
1752 W. Allen St., Allentown 610.821.8888 | organictanslv.com
GENTLEMEN’S BARBERSHOP
Best Men’s Haircut
Gentlemen’s Barbershop blends a mastery of traditional skills with the trends of today. They promise a perfect cut every time, offering beard trims, hot towel shaves and more.
26 N. 4th St., Easton | 610.253.1101 | gentlemensbarbershopeaston.com
HAND & STONE MASSAGE AND FACIAL SPA
Best Massage
Give Hand and Stone’s Himalayan Salt Massage a try, which utilizes warm salt crystal stones to soothe away stress and tension. It combats electromagnetic overload from electronic devices, and improves sleep and overall balance of the central nervous system. What’s more, your skin will be silky smooth!
Various area locations | handandstone.com
LE’ SPA
[ Best Manicure & Pedicure ] Nailed It.
Decisions, decisions. Should you go bold with Big Apple or Wild Tigress? Or maybe keep it more understated with Pretty Polynesian or Sundown in Bali? Whatever mood you want to convey in technicolor form on your fingers and toes, chances are you can find just the right hue at Le’ Spa in Allentown. Manager Shelby Katz says there are more than 4,000 colors to choose from, and those shades don’t just come in a bottle, either. A lot of customers are dipping their toes—and fingers!—into one of the newest trends in the mani/pedi world. “[Dip powder] can last up to a month versus two weeks for a gel manicure,” Katz says. “It is healthier for your nails than acrylics and almost as strong.” With 20 years of business under its belt, Le’ Spa knows a thing or two about pampering, so even after your cuticles are in tip-top shape, you may decide to stick around for extra indulgences. “My favorite service is our lash extensions,” says Katz. “They enhance your eyes and help you wake up beautiful and ready to start your day.”
3145 Lehigh St., Allentown | 610.798.9111 | lespalv.com
STEFANI FLOWERS
Best Eyebrow Artist
Stefani Flowers, lash and microblading artist at Lehigh Valley Laser and Aesthetics, and formerly of Organic Tans and Beauty Bar, has the ability to transform sad brows into full masterpieces. Follow along with her work on Instagram @steffynicolee.
1251 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 303, Allentown | 610.297.6249 | gotolvla.com
ROOTED SALON
Best Women’s Salon
Rooted offers the most pleasant salon experience in a warm and cozy setting. Owners Brandon and Katelyn Quigney have an undying love for hair and hospitality, making sure guests can enjoy a glass of wine while attaining the hair they’ve always wanted.
6636 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 484.860.3060 | salonrooted.com
JAY MORGAN OF J. MORGAN SALON AND HOME
Top [ Best Hair Stylist ]
A lot of hair stylists begin their training in cosmetology school, but Jay Morgan began to learn his trade much earlier, while he was growing up on a farm in Tennessee. Morgan recalls giving some of his first haircuts to his family’s Irish setter, General, and honing his color skills on the barn cats. From there, he graduated to his grandmother, who let him wash and set her hair before church on Sundays. Fast forward through a more formal training regimen (including, yes, cosmetology school, and then working with Redken NYC as an international platform artist for 20 years), and Morgan can now snip and clip to his heart’s content at J. Morgan Salon in Easton, which he opened with Jamie Thomas in 2009. Morgan says he makes it a point to establish a connection with each and every person who takes a turn in his chair. “It’s amazing how a haircut, style or hair color can be mood altering,” Morgan says. “If someone is having a horrible week, month or year, it brings me joy that I can uplift them and give them confidence to feel great.”
252 Spring Garden St., Easton | 610.258.3480 | jmorgansalonandhome.com
BIXLER’S JEWELERS
Best Fine Jewelry Store
Hundreds of diamonds and settings at the lowest prices makes Bixler’s the clear choice for all your jewelry needs.
3900 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown | 610.821.8641 | bixlers1785.com
SKINTEREST SKIN CARE BOUTIQUE
Spotless [ Best Facial ]
You’ve probably heard that beauty is only skin deep, but the ladies behind Easton’s Skinterest Skin Care Boutique may beg to differ. “I think what really sets our treatments apart is how deep we dive into them,” says Catrian Schutzer, who owns the boutique with Chelsea Cornelius. ”We understand that internal factors play a huge role in overall skin health. So we hone in on diet, hormonal factors, stress and environmental factors. We really try to understand the whole picture to get to the root issue and start from there.” Skinterest moved from Downtown Easton to the Simon Silk Mill last September and offers a plethora of pampering and primping options: everything from massages to exfoliation to, of course, facials, which can range from a quick, 30-minute pick-me-up to a more involved process. Schutzer’s personal favorite is the Gua Sha Facial. “It’s one of our longer facial treatments that includes facial cupping, energy work, regenerative oils and a deep-tissue facial massage that uses rose quartz gua sha stones to lift and contour the face. The difference after one of those is undeniable and it feels freaking amazing!”
1262 Simon Blvd., Easton 610.258.1702 | skinterestskincare.com
MAKEUP BY ROXY
Best Makeup Artist
Available in studio, on location or at a destination across the globe, Roxy Williams and her team of stylists bring knowledge, skill and technique to every appointment. Let Makeup by Roxy take you to next level gorgeous!
301 Front St. Suite 3, Catasauqua 484.764.1769 | makeupbyroxy.com
LET’S PLAY BOOKS
Shhhh… [ Best Bookstore ]
Books are certainly the main attraction at 244 Main Street in Emmaus; after all, the white brick establishment is a bookstore. But Let’s Play Books is much more than just a place to dig into the latest bestseller. Owner Kirsten Hess calls it a community destination. “Events have always been our driver,” she says. “We host over 100 events a year—and we work with over 15 schools that cover five school districts, really connecting us to a large portion of the area!” Let’s Play Books first opened in a smaller space in Emmaus in December of 2013, not long after Hess and her family moved to the area. While keeping things humming along at what is one of just a handful of independent bookstores in the area is incredibly demanding— seven-day workweeks are the norm—Hess says it’s also incredibly rewarding. “Although most of my time is spent buying books or coordinating events, enjoying one-on-one time with a child or a teen and helping them find the book that really makes their eyes sparkle—no paycheck can top that.”
244 Main St., Emmaus 610.928.8600 | letsplaybooks.com
THE ATTIC
Best Consignment ShopShop The Attic’s vast selection of women’s designer and vintage clothing and accessories. With new arrivals daily and can’t-beat prices, being stylish is easier than ever. Bring in your former favorites for cash or store credit.
516 Main St., Bethlehem 610.756.0281 | atticclothes.com
DOMACI
Best Home Décor
Domaci is where old meets new. Find unique furniture pieces that are built to last a lifetime and are eco-friendly. Then, accessorize with home décor like their best-selling Verde Candles or vintage-inspired posters.
21 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem 610.419.4111 | domacihome.com
AM LUXE
Best Women’s Boutique
Ann Marie Supinski opened AM Luxe after 38 years of retail experience at national brands across the country. Here, she continuously curates a collection of unique pieces that are urban in design and feminine in feel, made for the sophisticated woman who knows what she likes.
74 W. Broad St. Suite 280, Bethlehem 610.419.2037 | amluxeapparel.com
THE LONDON SHOP
Best Men’s Shop
Since opening in 1939, The London Shop has valued quality, selection and unsurpassed customer service. Spruce up your wardrobe in a warm, friendly atmosphere with a team that provides personal attention.
339 Northampton St., Easton | 610.258.0161 | thelondonshopofeaston.com
BOUTIQUETOGO
Best Accessories Store
For over 10 years, Elena Pascal and her team at BOUTIQUETOGO have provided their clients with what’s new and exciting in fashion, traveling to New York City on buying trips eight times a year. Distinctive jewelry, handbags, gifts and more are in store!
522 N. 19th St., Allentown 610.437.1663 | boutiquetogo.com
DAN SCHANTZ GREENHOUSE
Best Home & Garden Store
At Dan Schantz Greenhouse, even the most amateur gardener can thrive. The greenhouse only offers products when it’s time to plant them. This month, start your fall vegetables and maintain your bedding plants!
2031 29th St. SW, Allentown 610.797.2774 | danschantzgreenhouse.com
