Honey Spa

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Among the kielbasa shops of this workaday stretch of Manhattan Avenue, Honey Spa offers clients a small oasis of pampering. A fairly standard roster of facials, massages, and waxing services are available and administered in a spotless and comfortable space. The narrow storefront is decked out in shades of honey and accented with some wrought-iron decorations. With a clientele that draws heavily from the local Polish population, Honey Spa sees many local regulars, but beauty-seekers travel from points as far-flung as Long Island and New Jersey for the salon’s specialty: "shellac" manis and pedis, which employ a special polish baked on with UV rays to keep brightly colored fingertips chip-free for two weeks. The lacquer is dry when you pull nails out from under the lamp, so the risk of smudging is minimal—good for shoving feet back into winter boots. So strong is its staying power that salon removal with a three-minute acetone treatment is necessary and daily application of cuticle oil is recommended. Sometimes cracks appear after a week, though the price is hardly more than a regular service ($22 for hands and $35 for toes). — Edna Ishayik