Five bargain beauty destinations on Buford Highway

From spa treatments to discounted high-end nail polish, you can pamper yourself without breaking the bank along Atlanta’s international highway
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Hair Capital
Photograph by Tim Redman

Hair Capital
Pop in on a weekend and you’ll find a surprisingly big crowd at this hair salon and spa located in Asian Square. That’s because Hair Capital offers one of the best spa deals in the city: The hour-long Thai massage package—which includes a full-body massage with oil, mini facial, shampoo, conditioning treatment (with Biolage products), and blow out—starts at just $40. Hair Capital offers more intensive (and expensive) treatments, too, such as permanent lip liner ($250) and eyebrow tattoos ($200). 5150 Buford Highway, Doraville, 770-451-0609

Treat your Feet
Photograph by Tim Redman

Treat Your Feet
This affordable spa will pamper not just your weary feet but also your shoulders, back, legs, and more. The Zen waiting room has river rock walls and a little fountain. Treatment spaces vary from a dim communal area with foot baths to quiet private massage rooms. Practitioners are skilled and professional, and for just $50, you can walk away from a combo 30-minute foot treatment and 30-minute body massage feeling relaxed and renewed. Call at least a day in advance to schedule a Thai massage, a rejuvenating stretching treatment that requires a specialist. On your way out, get your nail art touched up at their sister spa next door, Treat Your Nails. 5938 Buford Highway, Doraville, 770-452-8688

Nailmall
Photograph by Lauren Taylor Watt

Nailmall
If you’ve decided to go the home manicure route, there’s no better shopping destination than Nailmall, a wholesaler for nail salons that also sells—at the same marked-down prices—to the public. In this huge, clean, Costco-like warehouse, you’ll see lotions and scrubs by the gallon, files and buffers by the hundreds. Also get foot soaks, massage chairs, and, of course, polishes. OPI and Essie in every imaginable color, typically around 10 bucks a bottle, go for $4.75 and $4, respectively. You don’t have to buy in bulk, but you can get extra discounts if you do. 5338 Buford Highway, Doraville, 770-452-4688

Victoria Cosmetics
Photograph by Tim Redman

Victoria Cosmetics
Don’t let the name fool you—cosmetics are just a fraction of what’s for sale at this popular shop located in Asian Square. In addition to cult-favorite labels like Chanel (lipsticks sell for about $10 less here than they do at department stores), shoppers can find an expansive collection of rhinestone sandals, animal print platforms, and traditional Chinese Qipao dresses. 5150 Buford Highway, Doraville, 770-457-1413

Hoang Nhung Cosmetics
Photograph by Tim Redman

Hoang Nhung Cosmetics
This tidy, quiet store in the Orient Center strip mall carries high-end cosmetic and skincare brands like Shisheido and Dermalogica—the latter of which is, miraculously, often 10 percent off and sometimes more. (We found an intense moisturizer for $48 that typically retails for $60.) Glass cases hold Korean shampoos, Latisse eyelash treatment, and perfumes from Bulgari. Head to the display of Eastern remedies, where you’ll find $2 packaged face masks made with green tea for sensitive skin, olive oil for dry skin, even snail extract for acne treatment. 4897 Buford Highway, Chamblee, 770-454-8987

Update 8/17: The address of Nailmall has been updated to reflect their move across the street from the original location.

This article originally appeared in our August 2015 issue.

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