Profile

The Brazilian beauty scene is not as thriving downtown as it is uptown, so when spa owner Maria Fernanda Lacerda and her sister Maria Claudia discovered a void of full-service salons amidst the well-groomed streets of Nolita, the pair got down to business. Born in 2003, Maria Bonita is one of the only full-service Brazilian salons to offer one-stop hair, nail, and waxing services, as well as facials and massage; it’s also the only place in the city to use Bell Soft, a Brazilian line of hair and body products made of all-natural ingredients. Simply decorated in white tile and wood accents with flashes of the exotic—crimson towels, orange walls, richly colored throw pillows—the petite two-level facility boasts a lively and social atmosphere, with its din of Spanish chitchat, blow dryers, and a pulsing soundtrack. The ground-floor hair and nail salon share quarters with a small waxing room, while quiet massage and facial stations are nestled on the basement level. Signature services include, naturally, Brazilian bikini waxes, designed for extra-sensitive skin, and the exfoliating Maria Bonita manicure/pedicure with paraffin infusion. A number of specialized treatments, like facials for men, pregnancy massage, and an endermologie machine for cellulite reduction, are also offered. — Sarah Walker

Maria Bonita offers a Package of the Month that combines selected services at a discount; details are posted on their website.

Related Stories

Featured In

• Top Five Bikini Waxes (5/18/09)