“Your favorite drag queen’s favorite drag queen” was a great catchphrase to get Sasha Colby noticed. Chappell Roan even borrowed it when she called herself “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” On a similar note, when your lunch spot happens to be the restaurant where chefs go to eat, you know you’re in for a splendid meal.
Now, how about the beauty hotspots where beauty buyers and merchandisers turn for their own treatments? That facial, brow wax or manicure passes muster with a discerning crew. For the best of Twin Cities’ beauty, we asked in-the-know members of Target’s beauty buying team for their go-to destinations. Ahead, discover beauty hotspots they swear by.
For a relaxing Soak: Watershed Spa
While other cities have bathhouses aplenty, Minneapolis was missing a place to ritualistically soak and sauna until Watershed came along. Owner Nell Rueckl transitioned the teams at her longstanding and beloved green beauty salons Spot Spas to the large and low-lit downtown Minneapolis space, which centers around ritual bathing experiences. She teased the concept during an interview with Beauty Independent back in 2018.
A private two-and-a-half-hour visit to Watershed is priced at $63, and clients can add CBD gummies, salt scrubs, massage, acupuncture and facials to their visit or come in for a soak on its own. Upon departure, they can check out the spa’s bespoke beauty products and purchase favorites to take home and luxuriate for longer.
During the summer months, Watershed is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and hosts special events such as sound baths and yoga classes.
For cut and color: Haus Salon
Jessica Reipke and Charlie Brackney opened the first Haus Salon in South Minneapolis in 2011. While Brackney has moved on (he’s now CFO of hip celebrity favorite New York salon Jenna Perry Hair), Jess still holds court as salon director overseeing the company’s three locations. Each has a distinct, chic energy. At Haus, there’s a long list of treatments, including hair (prices starting at $55 for a haircut and $85 for all-over color), skincare and med-spa options.
It’s worth noting that many Haus alumni have founded their own hot salons across the cities, and that the company’s Northeast location is a short walk away from the Aveda Institute. Budding estheticians and hairstylists don’t have to travel far to their dream postgraduate salon home.
For a quick facial: Face Foundrie
Minneapolitan Michele Henry founded Face Foundrie in 2019 as a walk-in provider for lash extensions, facial waxing and quick 20- to 40-minute facials. Today, the facial bar company has over 60 locations nationwide and prides itself on the ability to provide anything your face might need, efficiently and effectively.
At Face Foundrie, a typical 40-minute facial is priced at $75 with optional add-ons such as dermaplaning and chemical peels. A 20-minute “mini facial” runs between $50 and $55, and brow and facial wax services range from $15 to $80. Clients can become monthly members to receive their favorite service and a 10% discount on additional services and products.
For a manicure: Nail Ninja
If you’re looking for intricate nail art in Minneapolis and don’t feel like checking out the latest Olive & June press-on display at Target, Nail Ninja is a great choice. Owner Andrea Storlie has been in the nail industry for over 20 years and is known for her meticulous cuticle work and hand-painted designs.
Nail Ninja utilizes a tiered pricing structure. Single-color manicure appointments with a tier 1 artist start at $50 while a single-color manicure with the tier 4 salon owner starts at $90.
For botox and filler: Hjem Aesthetics Medical Spa
A new entrant to the Twin Cities beauty scene, boutique medical aesthetic clinic Hjem opened last year in the trendy North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The cozy third-floor space offers mostly non-invasive cosmetic procedures and is a stone’s throw away from Target’s headquarters for employees who want to sneak out for some Botox or lip filler over lunch.
Hjem was founded by Erin Hewitt, a family nurse practitioner and Minnesota native with over 13 years of experience in aesthetics.
For a spray tan: GoGlow
Minnesotans don’t get a ton of sun exposure in wintertime, so it makes perfect sense that a popular spray tanning spot would have roots in the Twin Cities. GoGlow, a professional spray tanning salon that operates nationwide on a franchise model, was founded in 2010 by Melanie Richards, a University of Minnesota graduate and probation officer-turned-aesthetician. The chain had 10 locations as of January this year, with plans to open 70 more.
Though the company began as a mobile sunless tanning service, clients now can stop into their favorite location for their $50 spray and stock up on GoGlow-branded tan-extending and -enhancing products while they’re at it.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.