Luxury-beauty-products and spa-retail chain bluemercury has recently opened three locations, with more planned for 2012.

The doors of its first downtown location in New York City—a Union Square site—opened in March; this third site in the Big Apple also happens to be the largest bluemercury retail concept (2,300 square feet). In addition, the location houses a Jo Malone shop-within-a-shop boutique. In February, Arlington, Virginia, (the sixth in the Washington, D.C., metro area) and New Canaan, Connecticut, locations opened. All three sites have two treatment rooms for facials, massages, waxings, brow stylings and makeup applications.

Currently, the apothecary/makeup-and-skincare spa chain boasts 36 locations across the United States. There will be a Chicago bluemercury opening this summer, with two more at sites (to be determined) this fall, Beauty Store Business has been told.

Each apothecary/spa features more than 50 brands from around the world. Offerings include makeup-artist lines Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier; skincare solutions from bluemercury founder Marla Malcolm Beck's newly launched M-61 brand, as well as SkinCeuticals and Dermalogica; niche brands such as Sara Happ and Diptyque; and luxury brands such as La Prairie, La Mer and Chanel.

The apothecary/spa chain prides itself in providing an atmosphere that encourages its clients to touch, smell, feel and sample its products. All bluemercury associates are professionally trained in both makeup and skin care.

[Images: Courtesy of bluemercury]

Click on the thumbnails for slideshow.