Beauty is big business on North Carolina's southern coast. Whether you want to look gorgeous in your swimsuit and sandals, wow 'em at a beach party, turn heads at the theater or just treat yourself to a total makeover, there are hundreds of professionals eager to assist you in accomplishing your goal. Besides feeling good about your appearance, you'll enjoy being pampered and fussed over.

Choose from a menu of dreamy services at one of the fine day spas. Get a new do at a popular salon. Beat the blahs with a manicure and pedicure. Refresh your skin with a facial or microdermabrasion. Keep your suntan all year. Learn makeup techniques. Get rid of unsightly blemishes or spider veins. Just do it!

Down here, women love to dress up. No matter the age, they will take advantage of any and all opportunities to put on a grand display. Pageants are ubiquitous in our area. Also keeping the salons and spas in business are proms in spring, formal events during the holidays, parades, festivals, parties, you name it. But, more than any other occasion, weddings provide the ultimate showcase for salons and day spas. (See our Wedding Planning chapter.) Whatever your pleasure, here are some of our favorite local businesses where you can be pampered.