KERAKIND

Beauty supply shops along the Upper East Side tend to skew either clinical or cluttered—KERAKIND manages to feel neither. The storefront at 1366 1st Ave New York, NY 10021 sits between a dry cleaner and a deli, a quiet stretch where the sidewalk widens just enough to browse without blocking foot traffic. They stock the usual suspects: serums, clays, oils, and tools, but the real draw is the selection of indie brands you won’t find in chain drugstores.

Most customers come for the basics—cleansers, masks, brushes—though the back shelves hold smaller batches of balms and toners that rotate seasonally. If you’re after something specific, calling ahead saves time; (631) 805-7345 rings directly to the counter. The neighborhood’s mix of students and long-time residents means the place sees steady traffic without the weekend rush of Midtown.

Directions are straightforward from the 6 train at 77th Street; the map here plots the quickest route. No appointment needed—just walk in.