Shop ’Til You Drop: Late Summer Hamptons Shopping Indulgences

There’s no better time than the end of August for a little makeover. Whether it’s back to school or back to work, you’ll want to start off September right—ready to take on the world, looking and feeling fabulous. It’s a great time to go through your closets, drawers and cabinets. Anything that hasn’t been worn this summer surely won’t be worn next summer, so donate to places like Southampton Hospital Thrift Shop, the Retreat, and consign higher-end items to Colette. If you’re on a tight schedule, just drop your bags into the bins in the parking lots of Bridgehampton Commons or the Macy’s in Hampton Bays. Toss out makeup and any skin products that aren’t working for you. Au revoir to old sunscreen too! Like old nail polish, it begins to separate and gets messy and utterly useless. Are your desk drawers looking scary? The Southampton Youth Bureau is collecting school supplies for local families in need. Take your extra pencils, pens, notebooks, rulers, art supplies, paper (backpacks too!) and bring them down to the Citizen Response Center in Southampton Town Hall at 116 Hampton Road. Call them at 631-702-2421. After all this unloading, you’ll truly start to feel lighter and ready for your makeover.

Step one: treat yourself to a facial. After all that summer sun, go for a nice moisturizing treatment. You seriously won’t believe how incredibly relaxed and renewed you’ll be after a visit to Geomare Wellness Center at 80 White St., Southampton. I was in heaven during and after my Diamond Microbrasion Facial. To find out which option is best suited for your personal needs, call Geomare at 631-287-9352 or visit geomarewellnesscenter.com.

If you’re up for something more intense, try the new AgeFocus Med Spa. They’ve got everything from chemical peels to the “venus freeze” and, should you desire, will consult you in weight loss and anti-aging medicine. Located at 365 County Road 39A #10, Southampton. Call them at 631-243-3628 or visit agefocus.net.

Another late summer must, at least for me, is a haircut. Between too frequent shampooing, driving with the windows down and swimming my hair is all dried out and downright scraggly looking. There’s only so much my wonderful Kendra Platinum conditioner can do—it’s really time just to chop it off. For hair salons, I’ve got a few favorites—Paula at Gurney’s in Montauk and both Megan and Sonja at Salon 27 on Hampton Road in Southampton. But, there’s a new one people have been telling me about: Valery Joseph’s Annual Pop-Up Salon in Bridgehampton. (Oooh! The perfect excuse for a little croque-monsieur lunch at Pierre’s.) From now until Labor Day, just enough time to get there, you can have Valery and his “glam squad” give you a Manhattan-chic look, a propos for, dare I say it, fall. For the ultimate in personal care, have them come to you right in the comfort of your own home. Located at 2454 Main St., Bridgehampton. Call 631-537-8967 or go online to ValeryJoseph.com.

While you’re in Bridgehampton at The Hampton Classic, you have to stop by Portolano’s booth and find yourself a cashmere wrap and leather accessories. Now you don’t have to go all the way to Saks Fifth Avenue! Portolano will be at the Classic August 25-September 1. Go to portolano.com.

Since we’re talking about cashmere, have you seen the new men’s Rock Legends Sweaters at Christopher Fischer? They, well, rock. With nods to icons Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, the crew-neck sweaters come in Christopher Fischer’s softest imaginable cashmere. A little-known fact behind the sweaters is that Fischer’s SoHo boutique at 80 Wooster Street was built upon the site of The Fluxhouse II, former artists’ cooperative that helped begin the NYC Fluxus art movement. Ladies, you can wear a men’s sweater with leggings and boots, so the trick is to buy one for your man and steal it. The collection will be available at the East Hampton shop at 67 Main St., 631-907-0900, and at 52 Jobs Lane in Southampton, 631-204-9090. Check out christopherfischer.com to preview the entire Fall 2013 Collection.

On Saturday, August 24, from 5–8 p.m., Sheebee East Hampton will be holding a truck show at Hampton Hang Gallery, 688 Montauk Highway in Water Mill. The purveyors of vintage home goods are previewing their fall collection and celebrating the launch of their online shop: sheebee.com.