Come September, you can start your vacation before you even get on the plane. At British Airways, Molton Brown will cater exclusively to first-class passengers in a space with suede walls and limestone floors. On the menu: Shiatsu massage to reduce fatigue and increase circulation, facial therapies designed to balance the skin before travel, and special steam cabins with pure eucalyptus to bolster the immune system and clear sinuses.
In a more democratic vein, Oasis at the JetBlue terminal will be open to all, with services including full-body massages, haircuts, hot shaves, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. But this hasn’t been the most Zen of ventures, according to Oasis owner Bruce Schoenberg, thanks to extra security requirements. “Each piece of furniture has to have special fire retardants. Every razor and pair of scissors at the haircutting or hot-shave station has to have an inventory number. Random spot checks can be done at any time,” he says with a sigh. “Our last spa at 1 Park Avenue cost $130 per square foot; this one is costing close to $400 a foot.” Grateful travelers will no doubt think it’s worth every penny.
Glamour to Go
Tired of lugging around oversize toiletries? Three high-end lines have introduced new travel kits. The Phytopetites set ($40 at Bloomingdale’s) contains three conditioning shampoos, a mask for color-treated hair, and a relaxing balm—perfect for taming beach frizzies. Clive Christian’s Traveller, which comes in men’s and women’s versions, has three different scents: X, 1872, and No. 1, otherwise known as “the world’s most expensive perfume.” Bottles normally go from $500 all the way up to $50,000 (if you’re the queen of England); the travel kit is $250 at Bergdorf. And Dr. Hauschka’s Jet Set Travel Kit ($21.50 at Sephora in November) includes truly tiny containers of eye solace, rejuvenating mask, hand cream, and rosemary leg-and-arm toner.
Beauty Spots
Tone ShiftNearly nude nail polishes were sexy at the beach, but it’s almost time to switch to fall colors. “This year’s hottest shades are chocolates, burgundies, and plums, with a little iridescence,’’ says Josephine Allen, who tends to the digits of Julia Roberts, Heidi Klum, and nail-industry queen Essie Weingarten. Among the new autumn offerings are Essie’s Berry Hard ($8 at Bliss and Josephine Beauty Retreat) and Lancôme’s Vernis Magnetic in Molten ($14.50 at Bloomingdale’s in November). Of course, you can never go wrong with classic red: Chanel’s Fire is $17 at Saks.
Fashion ScentsThis fall, two favorite designers release new perfumes. Jil Sander’s Pure is a light musk with a hedione base and hints of jasmine and green sap ($60 for 1.7 ounces at Saks), and Marc Jacobs’s Blush is a stronger floral with intense jasmine notes ($85 for 3.4 ounces at Bloomingdale’s).