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The cheapest beauty bar shops in NYC

Go from drab to fab stat with help from the pros and great cosmetics at these affordable beauty bar shops in Gotham

Written by
Jennifer Picht
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There’s nothing like a change of seasons to give you the urge to change up your look. You can get a makeup touch-up anytime at one of New York’s best hair salons or a few brow bars. But you know why beauty is pain? Because it’s so damn expensive to get all dolled up. Thankfully, you can forgo your cheap beauty research (i.e. polling your friends and siftings through endless online reviews). We’ve tracked down the most affordable makeup lounges and beauty supply stores, and ranked them from least to most expensive. These venues are tried-and-true as the best beauty bar shops for getting your makeup done in NYC.

Beauty bar shops in NYC

  • Shopping
  • Midtown East
  • price 1 of 4
This British beauty chain not only churns out affordable cruelty-free and natural ingredient-based cosmetics, they’ll slap ’em on you for free—with precision and care, of course. Head to the newly renovated Astor Place outpost and sit down at the beauty bar. The staff will color match the proper foundation and concealer to your skin tone, define your peepers with shimmer eyeshadow and plump your pout with lychee lip gloss, so you’ll be selfie ready in no time. Added bonus: If you’re on the fence about a body or makeup product, a sales associate will hook you up with free samples to try at home.
Sephora
  • Shopping
  • Cosmetics
  • Midtown East
  • price 2 of 4
Beauty junkies can obsess for hours at this chain stocked with brands, such as Urban Decay, Channel and Too Faced, but best of all? You can get a mini-makeover at any location in the city for free! In only 15mins, ask a Sephora expert to give you a smoky eye, contour, polished brows, perfect lips, blush + bronze and more.
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MAC
  • Shopping
  • Cosmetics
  • West Village
  • price 2 of 4
Whether you wear natural makeup or go for the dramatic look, this cosmetic giant has you covered. Clueless to which products complement your features? Ask the always-eager staff, and they’ll beautify you at no expense. Though the stores don’t require a minimum purchase for face paint, you’d be hard-pressed to leave without nabbing a Cremesheen lipstick. Want a one-on-one experience with an artist but can’t handle MAC’s often-busy retail spaces? Check out the new Makeup Studio, featuring six beauty chairs, where you can get the perfect smoky eye or a contoured face for $15.
Blushington
  • Hotels
  • Chain hotels
  • Midtown West
Just a few years ago, the arrival of a blow-dry-only bar was a game changer for women who wanted hot hair in a hot minute, and ever since, beauty services in Gotham have continued to change. That’s why we’re excited about Manhattan’s new primpin’ spot, Blushington, the first affordable makeup lounge in NYC that will help you go from drab to fab, stat. You can book ahead or walk in for a celebrity-status full-face application ($55), eyes only ($30) or brow maintenance ($20).
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  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Soho
Law & Order: SVU alum Stephanie March and makeup artist Rebecca Perkins teamed up to open a one-stop makeup salon last year and since Perkins has a background in F/X makeup, it’s a no-brainer that the brand offers Halloween services too. But if you want a flawless makeup application minus the fake vampire blood, get a touch-up ($25), Bold Choice look ($60)—think smoky eyes—or the You…Only Better service ($50) to pigment and shape your already beautiful features.
Pucker
  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Soho
This Soho beauty bar will be your go-to for events, weddings and quick changes. The main floor has eight chairs for makeup appointments, which range from Puckers full-face application ($60), eyes-only ($35) and airbrushed looks ($75). On the lower level is a dressing room with a large vanity area stocked with hair products, plus showers. The studio also sells its own line of lipsticks, 77 shades in total.
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