Pure Glow
One session with owner Lauren Rampello, and you’ll never hop into an automated spray-tan booth again. Her paraben-, formaldehyde-, and retinol-free formula is meticulously applied by hand, leaving no room for streaks or missed spots. Stop into the recently opened studio for a custom color consultation, or let Rampello bring her pop-up tanning station to your home. Either way, 20 minutes is all you’ll need for a subtle glow that lasts for the better part of a week. 176 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, pureglowtanning.com.
Parker Cote Elite Fitness
Photograph by Toan Trinh Fitness model Parker Cote has graced dozens of magazine covers, each showcasing his remarkable physique. At his new studio, a 1,600-square-foot space brimming with luxury amenities (a spa-quality restroom and shower area, free Fiji water, and towel service), we can train to cover-model perfection, too. Cote offers semi-private and one-on-one training sessions that incorporate cardio, strength training, and plyometrics. 116 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, parkercotefitness.com.
Jully Michaud, Michaud Cosmetics
Michaud's been painting models' faces for more than a decade but recently opened a studio to cater to the masses. She's a plucker, not a waxer, and has raised the eyebrows of many a Bostonian. She'll also teach you how to maintain your brows between appointments. 297 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
C.R.K. Beauty
To newbies, the fine art of lash enhancement can seem downright confusing. Extensions, lifts, tints—where to begin? Thankfully, Cori Kurker is here to break it down for you in her cozy Beacon Hill studio, then deliver the goods, whether you decide on a classic full set with come-hither appeal, an on-trend curl, or simply a darker lash hue to accent those twinkling eyes. 135 Charles St., Boston, MA crkbeauty.com.
BKBX
The futuristic-looking new sibling of Brooklyn Boulders, BKBX landed in Allston earlier this year to bridge the gap between the work you put in inside the gym and the work you put in outside of it. That means you’ll find a comprehensive training studio in addition to recovery-focused amenities such as cryotherapy and an infrared sauna. Of course, this wouldn’t be a Brooklyn Boulders gym without a massive bouldering wall—go ahead and summit it when you’re feeling adventurous. 211 Western Ave., Allston, MA bkbx.fit.
Gather Here
No idea what a blanket stitch or an embroidery hoop looks like? No matter—all it takes is one visit to this Inman Square shop to envision yourself hunkered down on the couch with a pair of knitting needles. The well-organized space is stocked with fabric and yarn in a rainbow of hues, embroidery kits, and sewing patterns aplenty. And if you need a little hands-on guidance before getting started, simply book a private lesson or a group class in the shop’s studio. 1343 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA gatherhereonline.com.
Gather Here
While the rainbows of yarn and yards of pretty-patterned fabric at Gather Here have kept Cantabrigians crafting since 2011, the hybrid sewing studio/fiber-arts supply store became particularly valuable to the community this year. Case in point: When face coverings became a required part of daily life, the shop posted simple DIY tutorials, assembled mask-making kits, and even rallied their dedicated customers to make thousands of masks for healthcare workers. If that’s not neighborly, we don’t know what is. 1343 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139, gatherhereonline.com.
Cynthia Britt Custom Jewelry
If you're investing in a three-months'-income heirloom, you want to work with someone who understands your vision—and your budget. Cynthia Pischdotchian ditched an engineering career to pursue her bejeweled dreams and bring precision to a timeless art form. Today she works out of a Gothically appointed Newbury Street studio, designing one-of-a-kind jewelry both modern and art deco-inspired. She'll also repurpose existing pieces, transforming Grandmother's diamond clip-ons into your newest wardrobe staple. 45 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, cynthiabritt.com.
B/Spoke
Photograph by B/Spoke B/Spoke, with its intense 45-minute classes, arm workouts, and free shoe rentals, gets top honors in a competitive category. The downtown location is a hit with commuters and city dwellers alike, and the top-notch amenities (read: Aesop products, open rides) set it apart. Often, cycling classes can be more about the chatty instructor than the workout, but at this studio, we feel like we're the focus. 101 Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, bspokestudios.com.
Ceremony
Owner Alix Childs’s sun-drenched Beacon Hill studio has been called the quintessential store for unique gowns. Highly regarded by industry experts for her “breathtaking feminine style,” Childs curates hard-to-find dresses from fashion-world darlings such as Lela Rose and Temperley London as well as up-and-coming designers, from Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall to Australian dressmaker Sarah Janks. The outcome: a complete all-eyes-on-you moment. 53 River St., Boston, MA 02114, ceremony-boston.com.
Equinox Chestnut Hill
We get it: Membership at Equinox Chestnut Hill is pricey. But once you consider the 37,000-square-foot gym's unparalleled offerings—including some 100 classes per week in five dedicated studios—the $165 monthly fee seems justifiable. Add the indoor lap pool, eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, juice/smoothie bar, and WiFi-equipped lounge, and you may never want to leave. 200 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, equinox.com/clubs/boston/chestnuthill.
Dani Wagener Beauty
Like some fabulous fairy godmother, Dani Wagener waves her mascara wand and—poof!—you're transformed into a sultry siren or a girl next door. The makeup artist honed her skills (including seamless airbrushing) at Nars, Estée Lauder, and Shu Uemura before opening her own studio this past year. She's got plenty of famous faces to her name, too, with Anna Wintour among those who've sought out her magic touch. 125 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, daniwagener.com.
Coco Grace
Fashion shoots, celebrity clients such as Julianne Moore and Helena Bonham Carter, and two makeup lines—one for adults, one for tweens—keep Coco Grace trotting the globe. When in town, she gives lessons and consultations at her Brookline studio and the Loft Salon and Day Spa on Newbury Street, where her helpful hints (suck in those cheeks for better blush contour) and best-friend-you-always-wanted demeanor have earned her a devoted following. 98 Addington Rd., Brookline, MA 2445, cocograce.com.
Tread
This is the rare boutique fitness studio that does it all—or most of it, anyway: cycle, treadmill, and small-group training, with more than a dozen classes a day that focus on one of the three or a combination. Here, community is the thing that keeps the (very fit) regulars regular: Owner Lori Haverty and her team of experienced instructors strive for, and consistently achieve, a motivational and inclusive vibe. treadreading.com/.
Ripped by Jules
Jules Feldman Batchelor draws legions of followers—notably fellow moms yearning to regain their physiques—to her West Acton studio with high-intensity boot camps, Tread Tabata, nutritional counseling, and a motto: Stronger than Yesterday. Despite her otherworldly stamina and Olympian’s physique, Batchelor is relatable, too: Having overcome bulimia, she brings empathy and perspective to her classes and training videos. rippedbyjules.com.