Eyelash Extensions
Linxia Beauty Works
Up on the 38th floor of the Mid-Continental Plaza building, owner Xia Lin offers feathery extensions that run the gamut from fairy-princess flutter to woolly-bear fringe — and as an expert at analyzing faces, she’ll give you straight talk on whether you’ll look like a Muppet with the latter. $185. 55 E. Monroe St., Loop, linxiabeautyworks.com
Photo: Chuck OluBeauty Influencer
Nicole Townsend
You never know what you’ll get on Townsend’s folksy-fabulous beauty site. One day it’s Pepto-Bismol facemasks, the next it’s eye shadow tutorials featuring the British cult brand Models Own. Townsend, who shaved off her hair a few years ago to champion “fearless, authentic beauty,” appears regularly on WGN and Fox 32, writes a column for PopSugar, mentors young women, and, if you’re looking to feel just as gutsy, offers personal consultations (from $150). townsendbeauty.com
Bathhouse
Aire Ancient Baths
Ugh, 2018, amirite? Thank Zeus that Aire breezed into town with its signature Greco-Roman spa rituals. Let it all go with an über-decadent red wine bath — you know, just like a mythological god would. 800 W. Superior St., River West, beaire.com
Health Guru
Kendra Peterson of Drizzle Kitchen
This cookbook author and private chef has fed Hollywood stars and pro athletes. But her passion lies in teaching families whole-food, clean, allergy-adaptable eating (through culinary sorcery, she can even make an egg-free frittata) during in-home classes and via her new YouTube channel.
drizzlekitchen.com
High-Intensity Interval Training
Hardpressed Conditioning
Twelve-person-maximum classes pack enough sled pushing, treadmill-hill running, and tire flipping into 30 minutes to leave your lungs burning and legs quivering. (True masochists hit Mike McClain’s 45-minute Pain Train on Saturday mornings.) From $15. 324 N. Michigan Ave., Loop, hardpressed.com
Fragrance Shop
Le Labo
While most perfumes are full of preservatives, Le Labo’s 16 vegan scents are mixed onsite using natural ingredients at a heavenly-smelling Chicago outpost of the luxury perfumery. They come with a simple personalized label and won’t make you reek like an air freshener. 1618 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park, lelabofragrances.com
Skin Care Boutique
Choc Choc
Whether you’ve fully embraced the Korean beauty craze or haven’t the faintest idea what glass skin and snail mucin are, Choc Choc (Korean for “well-moisturized skin”) is a delightful, smartly curated little shop where you can sample trusted brands such as Dr. Jart+ and Klairs while humming to K-pop. 614 W. Belmont Ave., Lake View, chocchocusa.com
Place to Find Your Chill
Bodhi Spiritual Center
Classes that are equal parts crunchy and divine cover meditation, finding the power in prayer, and … breaking down systemic racism (check out White Women Get Woke). 1356 W. Augusta Blvd., West Town, bodhispiritualcenter.org
Microblader
Danijela Milovanovic
If eyes are the windows to the soul, you don’t want to go around with threadbare curtains. Milovanovic will bring out your inner Brooke Shields (without turning you into a Sharpied-up Uncle Leo from Seinfeld) with semipermanent eyebrow tattoos. Scared of sharp things so close to your eyes? Relax: There are no actual blades! $450 initial session. 4701 N. Cumberland Ave., Suite 18B, Norridge, estheticworldbeauty.com
Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Julius Few
Few specializes in nonsurgical innovations, including a cut-free face-lift to fend off what he says is people’s No. 1 complaint: looking like their parents. Plus, he’s Goop-approved. In June, Few performed the lift at the In Goop Health summit in L.A., and he has the photos of him and Gwyneth to prove it. 875 N. Michigan Ave., Magnificent Mile, fewinstitute.com
Brow Shaping
Universal Esthetics by Zizi
“I just want you to trust me.” It’s the first thing Zizi Ćeh says to her customers, and with her 25-plus years of experience, you would be a fool not to. Using a holistic approach, Ćeh matches your brows to your mug naturally — nary a ’90s pencil line in sight — and even takes into account the time of year so your winter arch can transition to a fuller summer brow. From $29. 1601 S. State St., South Loop, zizionstate.com
Smackdown!Bizarre Fitness Trend
Mermaids
AquaMermaid
From $120.
628 S. Wolcott Ave.
Ax Throwers
Bad Axe Throwing
From $20.
2828 N. Clark St. and 165 N. Loomis St.
| Inspired by | Disney princesses and synchronized swimmers | Canadians |
| Gear | The monofin, a spandex lower-body suit that ends in a tail | A 2.3-, 2.4-, or 2.5-pound ax, same as the ones at Home Depot |
| Key move | Dolphin kick | “Sticking” the ax in the target |
| Pro trick | Thrusting out of the water like Shamu | A cartwheel-turned-bull’s-eye shot |
| Where you’re gonna feel it | Throughout your core | In your core and upper body |
| Will you sweat? | You would — if you weren’t submerged | Enough to shed your flannel |
| Killer Insta post | Underwater mermaid kiss | Slow-mo bull’s-eye |
Winner:Mermaids get more cardio — but if we’re deciding rock, paper, scissors–style, the lumberjacks definitely prevail.
Personal Trainer
Emily Hutchins
Don’t let it intimidate you that she looks like P!nk (same hairdo and muscular physique): This Nike master trainer and owner of On Your Mark Coaching & Training focuses on functional movements (e.g., doing squats the right way, not the easy way) and lifelong fitness, whether you’re a couch potato with fitter aspirations or an already hulky iron man. From $125 an hour. emilyhutchins.com
SoulCycle Instructor
Anthony McClain
Known as the toughest spin instructor in Chicago, McClain will kick — and shape — your butt with complex choreography and extra-intense sprints. 1225 N. Wells St., Old Town, and 111 W. Wacker Dr., Loop, soul-cycle.com
Toddler Fitness
CircEsteem
Why cringe at your kiddos jumping off the couch when they can tumble, balance, and literally clown around at a circus class geared for the under-5 set? Creative play includes tightwire walking and plate spinning, all fueled by a mission to build confidence. From $112. 4730 N. Sheridan Rd., Uptown, circesteem.org