Chicago Beauty Spots

Hey!!! Wow it has been far too long. I have lots of things I’ve been meaning to write about, but I got really busy! I was studying all through July for my personal training exam (which I passed! wahoo!) and then school started and wow. What a whirlwind. But now I’m back!!!

So, as many of you know, I just had the awesome opportunity to spend the summer in Chicago. Although Chicago is no New York or LA when it comes to beauty, let me tell u it has some GEMS. I did my best to visit all the beauty hot spots I had heard about and here are my reviews of each place!

Merz Apothecary 

This place has everything and also nothing? In a good way?? Let me explain. What I was expecting was a huge space with every skincare and makeup brand I had ever heard of under one roof. That was definitely not what I found. After visiting Merz, I left with Marvis Toothpaste (which…I never knew I could love a toothpaste so much), Avene Thermal Spring Mist (AMAZING for hot summer refreshing), and a vow to one day purchase the Mojave Ghost Byerdo scent when I have more money. Merz is very eclectic and it really is structured like an apothecary. 

Things it is best for: candles (great collection), perfumes (the best of the best and ones I had previously only seen online), men’s shaving and skincare, skincare brands that you don’t see everyday, nicer necessities (toothpaste, floss, etc)

Choc Choc Cosmetics

Okay this is actually the one I was least excited about and most impressed with. I LOVED this little store. So I’m kind of a non believer in sheet masks. I don’t have dry skin and don’t really need that extra hydration situation that I feel like most sheet masks offer. However, I had heard that this Chicago K-Beauty store was a must go, so, of course, I went. It has SHEETS and SHEETS of face masks and the woman working there was so helpful. She pointed me towards a few sheet masks that she said were more geared toward oily skin types. I went in a sheet mask skeptic and left with literally 10 sheet masks. Also, if you’re ever thinking about picking up some products from the famous NYmag google doc, I found pretty much all of them under that one roof. 

Best for: k-beauty fans, sheet mask lovers and skeptics alike

Space NK in Bloomingdales

Okay first and foremost this Bloomingdales is wonderful. Truly. So dang big. The space NK was a carefully curated section with helpful women and a nice aesthetic. I didn’t end up buying anything but it was nice to look at. 

Best for: finding all the high end products you need

Space 519

I was really, really excited about this one and…I liked it a lot but I wouldn’t exactly call it a beauty store. It’s a really cool amalgamation of cafe, cooking vibes, clothing, and beauty. They have some great brands that you rarely see in person, like Joanna Vargas, but really limited variety. I didn’t buy anything from the beauty section but the matcha latte I got while shopping around was one of the best I’ve ever had. 

Best for: a beautiful aesthetic experience and lunch

Foxtrot Market

Okay this isn’t really a beauty store either, but I’m putting it on here. This is like a more curated mini Whole Foods with premade foods, dope breakfast tacos, a good wine selection, Jenis ice cream, and a GREAT beauty selection. We’re talking Herbivore, Grown Alchemist, jade rollers, Boy Smells candles, etc.!! There are a few around the city and they’re my favorite little stores. 

Bonus: Sparrow Hair

I’m this garbage human who does not live in New York but goes there frequently enough that the hairdresser I’m loyal to is in New York. Unfortunately, this is not a sustainable lifestyle for me so, alas, now I must face the music and get my hair chopped elsewhere. After reading about it on Into The Gloss, I decided to try out Sparrow in Logan Square. The interior was decidedly rustic-millennial and I dug it. There were only a few chairs which made it have a kind of boutique feel and the woman cutting my hair was great. I went in kind of undecided on what I want and asked her advice. What I ended up with was kind of The Rachel, in a good way? Idk, I’m having a real 90’s/early 2000’s moment so I’m into it. Would recommend. 

So! Those were the beauty shops I got the chance to go to (not to mention many Blue Mercury’s, Sephora’s, etc). Was there anything I missed?? If so, lmk in the comments! I’ll be back to Chicago, it has my heart <3