From med spas to nail salons, blowouts to massages, here are the businesses and professionals Better readers rely on to beautify inside and out.
Best Cosmetic Dermatologist (City)
Dr. Jordan Carqueville
737 N Michigan Ave, Suite 720, Chicago
920 N York Road, Suite 100, Hinsdale
4905 Old Orchard Center, Lower Level, Skokie
Dr. Carqueville, who is triple board-certified in Dermatology, Dermatopathology, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery, has been recognized by Better readers for her quality care year after year. She founded The Derm Institute of Chicago, a comprehensive medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology practice, with locations in the city, Skokie and Hinsdale.
Best Cosmetic Dermatologist (Suburbs)
Dr. Heather Downes, Bannockburn
2101 Waukegan Rd., Ste. 304, Bannockburn
Dr. Heather Downes is a board-certified dermatologist who has been practicing for 14 years. Dr. Downes devotes her time and attention to every patient herself, never delegating patient care to a physician assistant or nurse, and practices the full range of medical dermatology.
Best Spa (City), Best Facial (City)
The Spa at The Peninsula Hotel
108 E Superior St., #2508
The luxury spa offers stunning views of the city with complimentary amenities for guests, including a sun terrace, fitness center, and indoor half-Olympic length swimming pool.
Best Facial (Suburbs)
One Magnificent MedSpa, Wilmette
1100 Central Ave., 11th Street Entrance, Wilmette
One Magnificent Medspa was founded in 2017 with the desire to create the most efficient skincare experience for their clients. To age gracefully, you owe it to yourself to take care of you, your skin, and your wellness — inside and out.
Best Spa (Suburbs)
Renu Day Spa, Deerfield
617 Central Ave Deerfield
An award-winning day and medical spa, Renu Day Spa is the only spa in Illinois with 100% of the employees certified in treating immunosuppressed clients (Cancer, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, Diabetes, Psoriasis, Eczema, etc.). Renu believes in the power of natural and organic ingredients, human touch, and science.
Best Massage (Suburbs)
Sole + Luna, Winnetka
1015 Tower Ct, Winnetka
It took a relocation to the opposite end of the world in the East and a battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer in the West to inspire two friends to launch Sole + Luna, and open their doors in a global pandemic in June 2020. Sole + Luna is a wellness sanctuary that offers daily rituals for the mind, body and soul. From daily offerings of Infrared Saunas, Lightstim, and localized Cryotherapy to Gua Sha Facials, Massage, Thai Bodywork and acupuncture, they offer unique services you won’t find everywhere.
Best Massage (City)
Four Seasons Hotel Spa
120 E Delaware Place
Offering a menu full of luxury massages, the Four Seasons Hotel Spa is the perfect place for an afternoon of relaxation.
Best Med Spa (City)
The Med Spa at Northwestern
Various Locations
The Med Spa at Northwestern offers services ranging from facials to laser treatments and more. With Harvard graduates and certified experts among the ranks, you’re in good hands and sure to leave feeling fabulous.
Best Med Spa (Suburbs)
Trio Med Spa, Northfield
2000 Northfield Road, Suite #1, Northfield
At Trio Med Spa in Chicago’s North Shore area, they explore cutting-edge, non-surgical cosmetic treatments all throughout their curated menu of services whether that is for your face, body, or skin. They believe in “looking how you feel inside.”
Best Haircut/Salon Services (City)
Sine Qua Non Salons
Various Locations
Opened in 1993 by Chicago native Laura Boton, this award-winning Sine Qua Non salons deliver excellent artistic hair services in a friendly and restorative environment.
Best Haircut/Salon Services (Suburbs)
Andreas Hogue Salon, Northbrook and Vernon Hills
Various Locations
Andreas Hogue Salon is a multi-award winning luxury cut and color salon with locations in Vernon Hills and Northbrook. The salon, named “Best of” by Better readers nine years years in a row, is excited to announce that they will be opening a new salon concept in Glenview later this year, as well as remodeling and expanding their Northbrook flagship. Andreas Hogue Gifts is a new brand they developed, and their gift shop in Northbrook has become a favorite place for locals to shop for spa and gift items including jewelry, hair accessories, spa items, handbags and more.
Best Nail Salon (City)
312 Nail Salon
Various Locations
312 Nails & Spa strives to provide the most relaxing experience and ensures a sanitary environment for all their customers. 312 carries top of the line brands, like OPI and Essie. While getting your nails done at 312, you’ll have access to refreshments as well as a self-serve bar.
Best Nail Salon (Suburbs)
Allure Nails and Spray Tan, Winnetka
950 Green Bay Rd., Ste 100, Winnetka
Allure Nails and Spray Tanning focuses on giving their clients a healthier alternative to full-service nail treatments and the best custom sunless tanning service. Their featured products are selected with you in mind, containing safe ingredients to produce optimal results. They pride themselves on their level of friendliness, skillfullness and cleanliness.
Best Lash Services (City)
The Lash Lounge
126 W Chicago Ave, Suite #2
Educated, creative and talented stylists at Chicago’s Lash Lounge work with you to craft your perfect custom lash extensions.
Best Lash Services (Suburbs)
60s Beauty Lash, Winnetka
572 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka
The most sought-after lash studio on the North Shore since 2016, specializing in lifestyle lashes and gorgeous lash lifts. Customer service and stellar lash work is the name of their game.
Best Waxing Services (City)
The Wicked Waxer
611 W Briar Pl.
Kaycie McClure opened The Wicked Waxer in February 2017 to provide both amazing brow artistry and Brazilian waxing for all types of women. She has been a licensed esthetician for eight years but having her own space and being able to provide services on her own terms has been one of the best decisions of her life.
Best Waxing Services (Suburbs)
Sisters Salon, Skokie
4999 Old Orchard Center Service Collection St. N40B, Skokie
At Sisters Salon, a family-owned business spanning two generations and providing skincare, waxing and massage services, sisters Jeannette Abou-Mourad and Elaine Youhanna have developed state-of-the-art waxing techniques and skincare remedies.
Best Make Up Artist
Elise Brill
2612 Kingston Dr., Northbrook
Elise Brill has a makeup studio in Northbrook as well as an online store. She loves teaching clients how to apply makeup so they can feel their best, and showing clients how even the most minimal amount of makeup can make them feel better about themselves.
Best Blow Dry Bar (City)
Drybar
Various Locations
Drybar is focused specifically on blow outs and believe that your happiness and confidence is the most important thing when walking out of their door. Along with providing blow outs, they have a numerous amount of styling and Drybar products in store right at your finger tips.
Best Blow Dry Bar (Suburbs)
BloOuts Blow Dry Bar, Highland Park and Winnetka
Various Locations
As the former lead hairstylist for The Oprah Winfrey Show, BloOuts owner Vivian Arpino knows how to give the celebrity treatment. Vivian opened BloOuts to share her passion for hair and helping her clients look and feel their best.
