My partner has actually been telling me about this Barber shop for years, he thinks its the best…read moreone in Auckland and even though I still don't get how complicated a guy's haircut can really be I have to say that after accompanying him one day (en route to somewhere else and purely out of curiosity) I might have to agree. Alan's Barber Shop is just off the main drag in Onehunga and is adorned with the stereotypical red white and blue stripes so it really feels like a barber's shop. The large glass window that doubles as a front door gives a plain view into the shop where you will find the owner Sahir and his apprentice working away at a queue of customers waiting patiently for a clip. Without fail I'm told you will be greeted with a friendly "Hey man, howsit?" from Sahir as you walk through the door before sitting down on the couch and relaxing to the 1960 /1970's music that is playing. When you finally get your turn (apparently the only downside is the typical 15/20min wait as they have so many customers) you start to understand why they always have a bit of a queue - the barbers really take their time cutting a customers hair and make sure they understand what they are looking for. They really seem to do all the little things well. My partner always goes on about what a perfectionist Sahir is, how tidy his cuts are and how you would be hard-pressed to find a better job for the very reasonable $20 charge. And now I finally understand why it takes him so long to get his hair cut!

Been going to Kelly (owner) at this salon for about 3 years now …read more Whilst he's not amazing , he does what you say and for a reasonable price . I will say he does do a good colour as he used to be a rep for L'oreal . Salon is clean and staff friendly . They also have a beauty salon for facials , eyebrow tinting but have not tried those . I always leave happy .

Moved into the area from Melbourne about a year ago, and was super nervous to change hairdressers…read moreas I am incredibly fussy when it comes to my hair. However, Kelly has done an incredible job turning my multi coloured/grey hair into a rich brown/red all over, and my hair has never been in such good condition. The Keune products they use are amazing, and he really does know his stuff. Plus there is loads of parking out the back, so super convenient too!

The Body Shop in Manukau is a little smaller than some of the other branches in Auckland but it…read morestill packs a punch. To be honest, it does make it a little easier to find what you're after. The Body Shop stocks men's and women's beauty products and they're top quality. There isn't too much of the men's range in this store from what I've seen. I've definitely got a few favourites at The Body Shop. The mango body butter is incredible and I wish it came in a massive pot, because I could definitely invest in that. Their range of lip balm pots are always a good choice- they moisturise and the flavours are great! But my all-time, go-to product is their honey bronzing powder. Its always in stock in Manukau and I know exactly where it is in-store, so at times I'll only be in there for a good 30 seconds! The ladies at The Body Shop are really helpful and while I'm usually one to browse around on my own, I've overheard conversations with other customers and they really know their stuff here. Nice to know that if I ever have a question, I can easily ask. Some people may shy away from The Body Shop because they find the prices a bit steep. But I think The Body Shop supports some great causes like fair trade and saying no to animal testing (none of their products are tested on animals). For this reason, I'm happy to spend some extra dollars towards a business with great values and quality (100% vegetarian!) products. I'd take some time to visit this store and check out their products, the staff are very knowledgeable and I'm sure you'll walk away with a product you'll love and great shopping experience.

Even though this store is about a tenth of the size of the one on Broadway in Newmarket I think…read morethey stock about the same amount of product. The store is set up with product lining each of the narrow walls and through the center of the store. You'll find the same brands, Almay, Covergirl, Revlon, Loreal, Rimmel and Elizabeth Arden all at really cheap prices, usually half of what you would find the same product in Farmers or K-mart. I think the eyeshadows are very good value, considering they are this seasons colours and there are some L'oreal products that are direct US imports that we don't get here such as the HIP pigments and lip glosses which are really good products. I managed to get some Maybelline eyeliners last week for only $6, even though they are cheap they go on and wear well and the Onehunga store had heaps of them and some Rimmel eye quads, only $10. Great little store.

Shiva is a great Barber. I left NZ for two years and happy he was still around when I returned. I…read morehave been to so many Barbers in NZ and the standard is bad. Shiva gives you a great cut at a great price. 100 % recommend. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME GOING ANYWHERE ELSE!

This place is a real find - make sure you have lots of time because there's bargains galore. I…read morepopped in to get a gift and ended up stocking up bigstyle for not very much money. Aromatherapy kits (bottle of oil and sticks) start at $3 and everything is beautifully packaged so your dinner party host/neighbour that fed the cat/person you just met and is now having a birthday won't think you're a cheapskate. And who ever buys decadent scented candles for themselves? There's a huge range of different smells available in lots of styles - there's a gardening range, men's range, cupcake "flavours" etc etc. Plus some cool random homewares (beach umbrellas and stuff), along with beauty accessories like cosmetic purses, Party Feet, lip balms and more. My husband swears by the Man After Shave Balm (score brownie points with surprise presents for loved ones) and I really love my $2 Eye Cream which smells and feels delicious. The shop is really well laid out, the stock seemingly perfect and the prices low. A ssshh shop - don't tell everyone.

If you like the products from the Aromatherapy Company, you absolutely have to visit this outlet…read moreshop. They have so many of their products here that are so much cheaper than they are in the retail stores. The most useful thing about this store are their gift packs they make such excellent gifts. They have mens gift packs that have soap, after shave cream and shower scrubs. They have baby ranges, gift packs of diffusers, candles, fragrances and creams. Nothing is over $30 here, it really is a bargain hunters dream. They also have homeware items such as candle holders, bags and décor like this amazing hot pink buddha candle, oh my goodness I wanted it so badly. They have really good free parking outside so you don't have to feel bad about spending a long time looking around. The staff are really friendly here but they aren't intrusive, they leave you to look around and only help you when you need it.

Only place that I will get my nails done. They do a great job, fit you in with no problem, and just…read morea great friendly atmosphere.

Schnips is MY salon, this is where I go to get my hair did. For years and years now this has always…read morebeen my salon. I used to go to the Pakuranga branch for years but my executive stylist had moved on - so I relocated to the Botany branch. My most recent stylist is Anna, she is an absolute doll and I love her expertise and the way she just knows what to do with my hair! Almost all the time, I just arrive with my long hair and she'd ask me "So what are we doing today"? and I would respond with a "You tell me", and she would just work her magic. I love that I have this kind of relationship with my stylist and I am always 100% happy with the outcome. You would have probably seen photos of my hair and I always do get compliments regarding my hair - well its because of Anna and Schnips guys! My most recent visit was before I left for my overseas experience USA bound back in March and I had always been wanting to try ombre'. It took about 2 hours to complete. Anna and the assistant stylist that helped took the time and their full attention to make sure that both colours blended together nicely! I was so stoked when my hair was dried and Anna even went through the trouble of tinting my eyebrows to make sure it matched with my new do! She is amazing. Looking at how long my hair is now I had to actually get rid of the ombre` as it ended up looking like really bad regrowth and I can not be sporting something like that... ha. In regards to service, Schnips has always treated me well! Both of the locations I had been to have been absolutely amazing and I love that they offer you beverage the moment you arrive. They also keep a file or record from all your previous visits so they know what was last done when there. The head massage is also amazing and they take the time to shampoo your hair twice, condition and even do a treatment. I usually spend about $250 or ever more when I visit but let me tell you it is absolutely worth it. I don't even blink when I hand over my card because of the results. Just stunning. I love it and I can't wait to come back to get my hair pampered!

Schnips PHd - Botany Horrible experience!! I tried to light…read moreup my color and I ended up with three different colors in my head. I was attended by an unexperienced girl who let the color sit on the root for too long, which ended up causing a orange carrot shade and after realising the horrible disaster they saturated my hair in peroxide to try to light up the point. I left very disappointed and I ended up paying about 245$ NZD for a redish/black/orange color that wasn't even the one I expected.