Four Seasons
The spa at the Four Seasons. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Crystal oil massages. Candlelit, rose-bedecked couple’s spa nights. Energy healing and reiki. This luxe spa does it all, with IG-worthy views 57 floors up. 1 North 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Kari Skin
Don’t let the light SoCal vibe fool you: There’s serious skin care happening here. Tirzah Blair and her team of top talent use an arsenal of tools to customize treatments to your skin’s unique needs. And that glow, that lift, will last for weeks. 325 Cherry Street, 2nd Floor Rear, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Sol Garden Studio
Founders April Harley and Kuan Young wanted to create a place where artists and activists could “just be.” This calming newcomer has an indoor healing garden featuring more than 100 plants and a waterfall, plus budget-friendly guided meditation classes, sound baths, and a host of yoga offerings. 1000 Buttonwood Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
UliftU
Subversus Fitness owner Wylie Belasik founded this nonprofit with two missions: to prepare currently and formerly incarcerated Philadelphians to earn a living as fitness coaches; and then, with their help, to make exercise accessible to North Philly neighborhoods with the highest rates of chronic disease and lowest life expectancy in the city. He’s succeeding on both fronts. 1229 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hullema Reddick
Known as “The Covered Colorist” for her commitment to both her artistry and Muslim culture, Hullema Reddick — an industry vet with 25 years of experience — is a master in color melting, a technique that transitions from one vibrant color to the next without harsh lines or zebra stripes. 3502 Scotts Lane, Building 14, Philadelphia, PA 19129
Strength Haus
This collective of strength trainers is on a mission to “bring lifting to the masses,” according to co-founder Jon Lyons. Expect donation-based outdoor kettlebell sessions every Sunday across the city and fitness content for even the gym-averse on IG.
Maleek Jackson Fitness Boxing Gym
Boxing trainer Maleek Jackson. Photograph by Colin Lenton Looking for a healthy way for your kid to release some of the past year’s stress? At 4 p.m. every weekday, this NoLibs fitness space gets youth ages seven to 17 practicing gloved punches. Jackson’s upcoming after-school program will serve those needing mentorship and positive community ties. 926 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
JKo Beauty
Last year, JKo Beauty founder Jennifer Kochenour launched virtual personalized makeup tutorials so that those of us who wanted to offset our masks with the perfect smoky eye could learn how from the safety of our own homes. This year, as one of the region’s top bridal makeup artists, Kochenour is busy with all those rescheduled weddings. But she still makes time — and is the best in the game — for makeup how-tos.
Varlo Apparel
Varlo Apparel founder Soj Jibowu. Photograph courtesy Soj Jibowu Former Division-I track star Soj Jibowu stumbled into the world of triathlon competitions without even knowing how to swim — and still managed to create multi-sport drag-resistant apparel that compresses in all the right places. You can also create your own sleek design from the more than 300 fabric choices in the custom online shop.
Asher Freeman, founder of Nonnormative Body Club
Asher Freeman is out to “smash racist, fatphobic, cisnormative and ableist myths about our bodies.” How? With a fitness space where all bodies are celebrated — in a kettlebell class, a personal training session, or trans wellness workshops on topics like top surgery recovery and binding health.
Jacen Bowman
This East Oak Lane native is a collaborator with the makeup brand Black Radiance and has a host of A-list clients, from NeNe Leakes to Jazmine Sullivan. Don’t worry; he takes on regular Joes, too.
LesbiVeggies
Vegan zucchini corn fritters, blackened Cajun cauliflower sandwiches, and snickerdoodle smoothies. Need we say more? 112 West Merchant Street, Audubon, NJ 08106
Victoria Roggio Beauty
It’s the makeover straight out of a ’90s rom-com montage: Get a facial, a massage and a body wrap, plus have your hair, makeup, brows and nails done, all in one Old City spa. 219 Cuthbert Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Sabbatical Beauty
Sabbatical Beauty founder Adeline Koh. Photograph by Colin Lenton It’s not just that founder Adeline Koh crafts some of the most luxurious skin-care products on the market — from the Vacuum Cleaner cleansing oil to the Dorian Gray anti-aging serum — out of her Bok studio. It’s also that she donated masks and created hand sanitizers, all while using her playful yet powerful TikToks to put racists in their place. 1901 South 9th Street #308, Philadelphia, PA 19148
The Movement Project
After shuttering Freehouse Fitness last September, owner/ Pilates instructor Dana Auriemma is back with livestreamed and outdoor sculpting, rebounding, reformer and yoga classes that will leave you feeling strong no matter where you’re working out.
Rundiscover
If you’re in a running rut and in need of views other than the Schuylkill River Trail, this virtual running challenge sneaks your routes through some of the area’s hidden gems — Wissahickon Valley Park, historic Valley Forge, the streets of West Philadelphia, and Brandywine Creek State Park.
Philadelphia Distance Run
An archival photo of the Philadelphia Distance Run. Photograph by Anthony DeSabato Once a homegrown contest — and renowned for its quickest-in-the-country course — the beloved Philadelphia Distance Run eventually lost its local feel and became the dreary corporate Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon. But this September, the race reclaims its original name in all its ’70s glory.
Mister Relaxation
Mount Airy-based Mister Relaxation carries balms, waxes and oils specifically designed to transform unruly facial hair into a well-tamed beard. Go ahead, feed those follicles.
Freedom Apothecary
Freedom Apothecary’s aesthetician, nicknamed the “Spa Witch,” will guide you through the balms, masks, butters and oils best suited to your skin type from the comfort of your own computer screen. 736 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Body + Beauty Lab
This collab between Jefferson Health and Philly spa pioneer Korin Korman is always up on the latest treatments and technologies — jawline contouring, cellulite reduction, PRFM for under the eyes — and their team of nurses and physicians makes sure to keep you looking like you, with a little extra oomph. Keep an eye out for their soon-to-open Radnor location. 834 Chestnut Street, Suite 104, Philadelphia, PA 19107
DVINITI Skin Care
Owner Marquita Robinson-Garcia crafts her all-natural plant-based skin-care solutions right here in Philly and carries everything from body oils to hair and scalp serums. Want to customize your own regimen? Opt for the in-house Chemixtry lab. 1500 Locust Street suite 3801, Philadelphia, PA 19102
GLO Body Sculpt & Spa
Step one: pore-opening steaming cleanse. Step two: exfoliating scrub for dead skin. Step three: massage with detoxifying mask, rejuvenating moisturizer and optional hot stones. You won’t be able to see it, but trust us: Your back looks amazing. 526 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Salon A’Marie
If you’re a naturally curly person, it can be tough to find a stylist who can nurture your spirited strands the way they deserve. Enter Salon A’Marie, which specializes in natural textures and understands your mane’s many weather-induced moods. 5261 Ridge Avenue, Suite C3, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Giant Riverwalk
Now, it’s no longer weird to ask, “Drinks at the grocery store later?” With Giant Riverwalk’s 40-tap beer-garden terrace and food hall (which features Mission Taqueria, natch), we’re confident happy hour at the supermarket is the new normal. 60 North 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Formation Sauna + Wellness
Disconnect from your busy life for a bit with a slice of serenity from this Nordic-inspired sauna. With temps climbing to 195 degrees and intermittent ice-cold showers, you’ll feel both rested and energized, ready to rejoin the world — after a post-sauna massage or cup of tea, of course. 305 Brown Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Haven Wellness Center
This wellness center is exactly what its name implies. Offering myofascial release and Swedish massage, Haven’s specialists, whose backgrounds range from traditional PT and functional movement to digestive health, listen to your body’s natural cues, leaving your muscles relaxed, relieved and restored. 1639 North Hancock Street unit 102, Philadelphia, PA 19122
The Factory at Reach Climbing
The Factory at Reach Climbing. Photograph by Jeff Fusco This 20,000-square-foot center is stacked with resistance equipment, a kids’ “Boulder Island” with slide and tunnels, rock-climbing walls, and tension, kilter and campus boards. Really looking to prove your skills? Don’t skip the 4,000-square-foot obstacle room. 401 East 4th Street, Bridgeport, PA 19405
Rae’s Roots
Founder Joanna Linton turned to stress-relieving Chinese herbs to ease her postpartum depression and restore balance in her life. Her line of wellness teas was born to help elevate new moms’ energy, milk flow and mood.
Forever Valentine Beauty
Clients have called owner Kelly Haney a “magical eyebrow wizard” for good reason. Whether you want microblading, powder brows or lash extensions, this permanent-cosmetics studio will be your new go-to for bold, long-lasting looks. 1901 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Draw to Action
Draw to Action features original drawings from 30 Philly-based artists, with 100 percent of sales donated to local charities. So when you decide to avoid some grown-up responsibilities to go grab your box of Crayolas, you’re practically a philanthropist.
Dalina Soto
If you despise the mere mention of portion control or detox diets, local dietitian Dalina Soto is the one to call. Soto rejects all that guilt-ridden diet-culture nonsense, so her IG feed is filled with encouraging nutrition tips and uplifting self-affirmations to help you get your body and mind back on track. Nutritiouslyyoursllc.com. 1010 North Hancock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Montco Mamas
Black women have the highest rates of infant mortality of any racial group in the U.S. This collaboration between Maternity Care Coalition and the Montgomery County Maternal and Early Childhood Consortium seeks to change that, using data-driven community-action plans to improve outcomes for pregnant Black women and their babies.
No More Secrets
Lynette Medley’s Germantown-based nonprofit No More Secrets aims to combat period poverty by delivering nearly 200 three-month supplies of menstrual products throughout the region each week. Plus, its new brick-and-mortar hub, the SPOT Period, provides menstrual health education and resources to the community. 4811 Germantown Avenue, Suite 101, Philadelphia, PA 19144