Back to New York, because there are still a few more things that I want to tell you about my trip and keep forgetting to! We’re beauty shopping again, and we’re going from C.O. Bigelow’s to Ricky’s – from the traditional apothecary to the modern beauty supply store, and also from slightly wary staff, to staff who were just sat there, filing their nails behind the counter. They didn’t give two hoots about me taking photos in Ricky’s – I still did my ‘crazy person talking to her iPhone’ routine, just in case, but seriously; I could have started piling product into my pockets and they wouldn’t have batted an eyelash.

Ricky’s is a little like Sally’s in London – Sally’s, crossed with Boots, crossed with Superdrug, crossed with the beauty department in Whole Foods. They have big, giant brands such as L’Oreal, Dove, Head & Shoulders; they have more specialist brands such as Klorane and Fekkai and Phyto, and they have brands that I have never heard of before, such as Nexus, Aphogee and Carol’s Daugter. There are loads and loads of natural and organic products, specific treatments for skin and hair concerns and weird and wonderful gadgets and knick-knacks.

Check out this array of ‘breast-related’ things! There are false pointy nipples, nipple concealers and all kinds of things to adapt your bra straps!

And another whole display full of chest concerns – stick-on bras and invisible straps and holdy-up tape for daring dresses!

I especially liked the Headwear Protector Hood. The lady looks like a bee-keeper. It’s a good look. The lady to the right of the bee-keeper is undergoing a face-lift – right there on the front of a box! Personally, I can’t see a whole lot of difference between the before and after pictures, except that she has a load more makeup on in the ‘after’ photo.

So – Ricky’s. A veritable treasure-trove of hair and beauty goodies. Admittedly, it’s slightly more hair-based in there, but there are a few (actually quite luxury) brands such as REN and Murad, flying the flag for premium beauty. There’s a Ricky’s not far from C.O. Bigelow’s (just turn right out of the door of Bigelow’s and walk a few blocks uptown) so if you’re in New York, have a little mooch about in both of them!