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SERVICES AROUND THE WORLD THAT ARE WORTH THE JET LAG. BY COTTON CODINHA

{ NEW YORK CITY }

AN INTRICATE-BRAID FACTORY

Guingui. For neat, winding plaits that stay (and stay), head to Guingui’s chair. As her gentle fingers deftly weave hair into ornate patterns (stars, swirls, Rorschach-like symmetrical designs), or crisp boxer braids, Guingui’s attentive and calming manner makes time pass quickly—and distracts from any discomfort caused by tight styles. The toughest part? Getting on Guingui’s schedule. “You have to jump on it when she’s free,” says one Allure editor. Go to your appointment with a photo of the braids you want and she’ll re-create the look, or she’ll work with you to create a freestyle look of her own invention. Freestyle braids, $45 and up. 66 Rivington St., Manhattan, and 63 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx. [e-mail].

{ LOS ANGELES }

A CRYSTAL-INFUSED MANICURE

Lunula Nails. This spot simultaneously lives up to all Los Angeles stereotypes and offers really, really good manicures and pedicures. There are five-free bio-seaweed gel nail polishes and traditional vegan nail lacquer formulas that skip ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene, and camphor. There are hand soaks with a sprinkling of Himalayan pink sea salt. There are essential oils (and plenty of them) meant to be massaged into skin with a crystal quartz wand. Manicures, $20 and up; pedicures, $30 and up. 7201 Melrose Ave. 323-879-9170.

{ PARIS }

A TOTAL-BODY SLIMMING TREATMENT