Travel

Rio de Janeiro travel guide: The best fashion and beauty addresses

ELLE Brasil editors let us in on the best boutiques and spas and offer expert fashion and beauty tips to help you look like a local.

by : ELLE Canada- Jun 25th, 2014

rio-de-janeiro-travel-guide-the-best-fashion-and-beauty-addresses-4

Rio de Janeiro’s NK Store

The savvy editors at ELLE Brasil share their favourite spots to find local labels and beach-ready bikinis. The ELLE Brasil editors are:

Susana Barbosa –
Editor in Chief & Fashion Director,
ELLE Brasil

Ines Néspoli
– Creative Director, ELLE Brasil

Renata Piza –
Managing Editor,
ELLE Brasil

Eliana Sanchez –
Managing Editor,
ELLE Brasil

Nana Caetano –
Culture & Lifestyle Editor, ELLE Brasil

Chantal Sordi –
Fashion Features Editor,
ELLE Brasil

Marcell Maia –
Assistant Fashion Editor,
ELLE Brasil

THE BEST FASHION ADDRESSES

DONA COISA
Rua Lopes Quintas, 153 – Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22460-010

55 21 2249-2336

€€–€€€€

Founded in 2005 by Roberta Damasceno, this 4,300 square foot multi-brand store hosts a great selection of laid-back and sophisticated local and international brands. You’ll find clothes, jewellery and accessories stocked alongside art and Brazilian chocolates. The store has recently started carrying wine and fresh flowers.

NK STORE
Rua Garcia d ́Avila, 56 – Ipanema – Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22421-010

55 21 2529-5400

€€€–€€€€

NK store stocks luxury brands like Alaïa and Saint Laurent, local brands Triya, Osklen and Andrea Marques and two in-house lines: NK collection and Talie NK.

READ MORE: What to pack for a summer beach escape

LENNY NIEMEYER
Rua Garcia D’Avila, 149, loja A – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22421-010

55 21 2227-5537

€€€

Lenny Niemeyer launched her luxury swimwear brand in 1993. Her swimsuits are perfectly cut to reveal the beauty and femininity of a woman’s shape, and the designer’s love of nature can be seen throughout the prints of every collection. The brand also carries gorgeous accessories, shoes, handbags and clothes. And if you’re in the mood for some surfing, Lenny Niemeyer suits are made for
looking chic yet sporty while
catching some waves – or just pretending to!

“Lenny is the most sophisticated beachwear designer in Brazil.” 
-Chantal Sordi,

Fashion Features Editor

BLUE MAN 
Rua Visconde de Pirajá, 351 Lojas C & D, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22410-906 

55 21 2247-4905

This Brazilian beachwear brand has been creating colourful, printed bikinis, trikinis and one-piece swimsuits since 1972. The suits fit the body perfectly and are known to be very comfortable. The store also carries a great selection of
beach clothes and accessories. 

“Blue Man and Lenny Niemeyer have completely different styles but I like both very much. Very Brazilian and cool.”
–Susana Barbosa,

Editor in Chief & Fashion Director

On the next page, get expert tips and advice from ELLE Brasil editors…

Rio de Janeiro’s Dona Coisa

ON THE BEACH

“I always bring my towel with me and a spare bikini. In my beach bag I take my iPod, pillow, book or magazine, hair conditioner or leave in, comb, sunblock for my body and for my face (SPF 70), lipstick with SPF protection, sunglasses and water.”
-Ines Néspoli,
Creative Director

“A cortininha bikini – a very small bikini – and Havaianas flip flops!” Where to see this trend:
"Beaches on our north coast, like Maresias, Barra do Sahy and Baleia."
-Renata Piza,
Managing Editor

“Destroyed denim mini-shorts.”
-Chantal Sordi,
Fashion Features Editor

“Sunscreen, Havaianas flip flops and sunglasses because those are the summer essentials for any beach in Brazil.
"
-Susana Barbosa,
Editor in Chief & Fashion Director

ON THE DANCE FLOOR

“Very high dancing shoes and a crop top. We are in love with gigantic earrings these days.”
-Nana Caetano,
Culture & Lifestyle Editor

“I love to wear rock n’ roll things. I think black every time.”
-Ines Néspoli,
Creative Director

What are the top beauty addresses in Rio de Janeiro? Find out on the next page…

Le Spa
Natura at the Hotel Santa Teresa

Get the inside scoop on where to shop for local cosmetics and indulge in the best spa treatments from ELLE Brasil’s in-the-know editors.

PHARMÁCIA DO CENTRO

Rua Primeiro de Março, 16 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

55 21 3231-6746

€€

Here you’ll find
local brand Granado. Founded in 1870, the brand’s scented soaps and luscious hand creams are made with locally sourced ingredients such as Acai and Brazil Nut. An ideal gift to bring back for friends!

“Granado is a very old label in Brazil completely renewed by a young heiress with a very interesting line of makeup, shampoos, moisturizers and soaps.”
-Eliana Sanchez
, Managing Editor

LE SPA NATURA AT THE HOTEL SANTA TERESA

Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 660 – Santa Teresa – Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20241-260

55 21 3380-0210

€€€€ 

Nestled in the charming Hotel Santa Teresa, Le Spa Natura is a great place for deep relaxation. Choose among the different beauty treatments (facials, baths, and massages) to de-stress and take care of your body. After a long trip, go for the Jet Lag massage, which will help to adjust to a new time zone. All the treatments use products from the eco-Amazonian brand Natura. 

BRAZIL’S BIGGEST HEALTH TRENDS

“A lot of models are practicing functional fighting – a combination of Martial arts such as Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu."
-Susana Barbosa,
Editor in Chief & Fashion Director

“Detox diets are still very big here.”
-Chantal Sordi,
Fashion Features Editor

BRAZIL’S BIGGEST BEAUTY TRENDS

“Splurge on a treatment for the hair and scalp. Brazilians love long and shiny hair.”
-Nana Caetano,
Culture & Lifestyle Editor

“The ‘Gisele’ hair is always a trend.” 
-Chantal Sordi,
Fashion Features Editor

“We love red lipstick.”
-Nana Caetano,
Culture & Lifestyle Editor

“Mascara and blush always. Now, I’m addicted to BB creams! And well done nails.”
-Eliana Sanchez,
Managing Editor

“Brazilian women love long and straight hair! It is very hard to find someone with a pixie cut. Highlights also are a huge habit here.”
-Renata Piza,
Managing Editor