My astrological sign is Cancer, which dictates that despite an active social life filled with family and friends, I am actually a raging homebody. July — my birthday month — meant even more going out than normal, and I worried I wouldn’t have enough nesting hours to feel balanced. To offset all the party-hopping, I decided to experiment with the popular new trend that is at-home beauty (think: old-school doctor house calls — but with beauty experts!). It’s now possible to get a blow-out, professional makeup, facial, manicure or massage in the comfort of your own apartment, but is a salon chez moi really as sweet as it sounds? I rated each appointment from 1 to 4 (1 being the worst, 4 being the best) based on booking systems, cost and result.
Dream Team
Professional blow-outs have never appealed to me — one wrong move, and I look like a mob wife. But after hearing several fussy friends rave about Glamsquad, I downloaded the app and booked before a party. A confirmation assured me the stylists would even bring their own tools and products. My only job was to have wet hair, a clean face and an electrical outlet. Two hip stylists, Andrew (hair) and Alisa (makeup), showed up promptly. I slipped Andrew an Emily Blunt photo as a reference, and he delivered exactly what I told him I wanted.
Alisa, on the other hand, had free rein and surprised me with edgy turquoise eyeliner (loved it!). The whole thing took less than 45 minutes, and while Andrew and Alisa were busy working away on me, I was able to catch up on e-mails. I’ve heard some staffers are chatterboxes, which would annoy me, but bottom line: Now I get why Glamsquad has a cult following among difficult women.
A blow-out costs $50; makeup application is $75; tax and tip not included.
Rating: ★★★
The Living Room Rub-down
I found Zeel — Massages On Demand through an Internet search. It’s been around for a few years but is only now growing in popularity with discriminating massage junkies, promising highly vetted therapists — at home — the moment you want them. Sold! I downloaded the app and input my address, credit card info and personal preferences (“Hard massage. Sensitive skin”). Five seconds later — literally — Zeel texted that Edwin was en route with his own table — and to prepare two clean sheets and towels. He arrived within the hour. So fast, seamless and stress-free! Sixty blissful minutes later, Edwin left me relaxed, untangled and totally Zen.
Prices start at $140 if client has a table; $160 if a table is needed; tax, tip and travel included.
Rating: ★★★★
Nailed It
When it comes to chic nails on demand, there are only two salons who do it: Paintbox and Ten Over Ten. Both make house calls and do the best nail work out there — but it’s not their bread and butter. Instead, I downloaded Priv, another popular at-home beauty app, often compared to Glamsquad, and booked Ellison, who is available 24/7 — literally. I locked her down for 10 a.m. She arrived on time with a suitcase of funky and classic polishes, plus every other tool you need for a mani, in tow. Ellison was clean, fast, efficient and adorable — it felt just like a “normal” nail salon appointment. 25 minutes later, my nails were a cool hue of camouflage-green, and we were kissing goodbye.
gopriv.com; manicures are $35; tax, tip and travel included. Available in Manhattan only.
Rating: ★★★★
Show Some Skin
I am a hard-core skin-care junkie. So when a beauty editor told me about Dr. Shirley Madhere, a holistic plastic surgeon who makes house calls in the name of beauty, I thought, “Hell yes!” I booked an appointment via her “Jet Set Beauty Rx” reservation line (no app — she’s old-school), and she came over a few days later. Dr. Shirley is a knockout: She totes around a vintage Louis Vuitton doctor’s bag and has cheekbones to kill for. Her clients, many of whom are celebs, often transport her to the Hamptons in the summer for Botox, chemical peels and fillers.
I opted for Shirley’s Vita-Glow facial — a multivitamin treatment that entailed poking my face several times with a serum-drenched needle — before my birthday party. It took 15 minutes, didn’t hurt too much and resulted in dewy, sparkly skin that lasted for about 10 days. She’s pricey, which is the only reason she doesn’t receive a perfect score.
212-431-3310; starting at $1,500, including travel.
Rating: ★★★