Los Angeles

Ah, cleanses. It’s been over a year since I did my last cleanse — mainly because, well, I’m not a huge fan of cleanses. But leading up to my latest vacation, I decided to do a short one to prepare myself for the days of decadence ahead (and yes, lose a quick few pounds). That and I was curious about Kaeng Raeng, an affordable vegan and gluten-free detox cleanse developed by entrepreneur, writer, certified personal trainer and animal rights activist Lindsay Reinsmith.

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If there’s one fall collection I’m super excited to get my hands on right now, it’s Cotton Citizen. (Think James Perse meets American Apparel … but better.) This brand could change the way we look at T-shirts forever.

Made in Los Angeles, Cotton Citizen came about when Adam Vanunu, whose family runs American Dye House (makes sense!), experimented with premium fabrics (think bamboo, organic cotton, jersey and French terry) and unique washes and dyes often associated with denim (think acid wash). The effect was a show-stopping complexity of color. When I first got one of their shirts, an ultra-soft rust-colored number with faded, watercolor-like detail, I wore it almost every day for a week! (I’ve since restrained myself, but still want to wear it every day.) (more…)

Like Gabrielle Chanel, sometimes I’m in the mood to wear black head to toe; but other times, I just want to evoke the feeling of black without looking like I’m going to a funeral. Enter Coco Noir, the latest women’s fragrance to emerge from the house of Chanel. An LBD of fragrances, it is all at once mysterious, intense, seductive and luxurious — as if Chanel No. 5 and Coco Mademoiselle joined forces. (more…)

It’s summer, and I haven’t hit the beach as much as I would like to, but I HAVE been living vicariously with VoCe Surf Mist — courtesy of VoCe haircare creator Kaz Amor, a partner at Warren-Tricomi salon in Los Angeles.

The discovery: I recently visited the salon for a much-needed complimentary haircut and styling session with Angela. (Go there. She is fabulous.) In one hour, my hair was transformed via a wash with VoCe Lift It volumizing shampoo and conditioner, a healthy trim and a blow-out. Before drying, Angela applied a generous amount VoCe Surf Mist, of one of her and Kaz’s favorite products. Made with vanilla rice and wheat, it gave my hair instant fresh-from-the-beach texture and a light, sultry scent. Since then, I’ve been using it daily for wonderfully “raw,” bouncy layers. (more…)

Need to rest your toes-ies after a long day of shopping in Old Town Pasadena? You’re in luck! Bellacures just celebrated the opening of its new location at 40 Mills Place (right next door to Burke Williams).
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Step 1: Gather your supplies.
Step 2: Call Yoshi Hair Studio.
Step 3: Book a one-on-one blow-dry class with celebrity hairstylist and Yoshi Hair Studio founder Yoshi Hagiwara.

Seriously, it’s one of the best things I ever did for myself. For just $150 (the price of about four professional blowouts) “master Yoshi” helped me solve the mystery of how to get salon-like results at home. Here’s how it works: (more…)

Recently, I looked in the mirror and had that moment of horror that always hits when you realize your roots have gotten out of control.  I’d just been super busy at work and somehow had managed to miss the phase where they grew out a little and instead hadn’t noticed until they’d gone right into Defcon 5 (also known as “Get yourself to a salon IMMEDIATELY).  Luckily, I’d been hearing great things about the new Aloxxi hair color and had gotten an invitation to go try it out at the Román Salon in West Hollywood, so I booked a cut and color and off I went.

The Román Salon is a delightful escape from the hectic world of Los Angeles.  It might be located right in the middle of a busy area, but when you step into the outside courtyard in the back of the salon, you almost feel like you’re out in the country.  It’s adorable and I wish I’d had more time that day to hang out there for awhile, drinking an iced tea and reading a novel.  (Okay, fine, a glass of Pinot Noir and a People Magazine.  I’m very shallow when I’m relaxing!)  Everyone at the salon was super sweet and helpful, making it such an enjoyable experience to be pampered there.  I can’t wait to go back!  (more…)

When I first saw that celebrity hair stylist and extension expert Tina Dizon charged up to four figures for hair extensions, my eyes almost fell out of my head. But after meeting her and experiencing her Beverly Hills salon, The Private Room, I quickly got why people go out of their way to see her. Not only is she a former top stylist and lead educator at the legendary Umberto Beverly Hills, she is incredibly fun, stylish and down-to-earth. Those qualities are reflected not only in her staff but also in the salon’s chic black and white interior (Tina has a penchant for interior design). Here are her latest obsessions: (more…)

Celebs like January Jones have let spring’s bright colors go to their heads, and now you can too! Certain salons are now offering color bars, where you can get a temporary flash of color added to your hair via hair chalking or colored clip-in extensions. The best part? There’s no commitment.

I recently got to check out The Color Pop Bar at The Private Room in Beverly Hills, Calif., where they use non-toxic 100% pure pastels from France “to ensure vibrancy and optimal coverage.”

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