L.A. Beauty Black Book: The Ultimate Local's Guide To Looking Fly
A dishonest beauty rec can have pretty serious consequences — we've walked out of a highly lauded mani-pedi place with a nasty infection and a "swanky" Rodeo salon with neon locks (punk wasn't the look we had envisioned). Needless to say, informed decisions on where to drop your makeover dough are key.
Well, lucky for you, we've got brains and braun to spare and are happily opening up our authoritative little black books to simplify your get-posh process. From the most flawless spray tan in town to L.A.'s updo guru, this spot-on handbook to hot has every expert you need to know now.
Photos (clockwise from left): Via Style Bar Beverly Hills, Ouidad, Kimble Hair Studio, Neil George Salon
Best Hair Cut For Short Strands: Shin An at Shin Salon
This coiff queen has such a hard-core cult following of editors on both coasts that patrons have been dubbed "Shinheads." When the NYC transplant chopped off six inches of our hair, the bob was so flawless that we didn't need a retouch trim in a solid three months (and for once didn't shed a tear!). Even just watching Shin in action (she cuts dry only), will make you an instant believer — the soulful stylist has shear-ly mastered the craft of cuts.
Shin Salon, 1025 Montana Avenue (between 10th and 11th streets); 310-310-3128.
Best Hair Cut For Long-Haired Ladies: Carla Ross at Slash
Carla Ross is one spunky (and skilled) redhead! She recently set up her own shop in one of the most state-of-the-art salons we've seen, and has been an educator and consultant for countless salons 'round the globe. What we appreciate most? Amidst funny anecdotes, she'll analyze your head size, face shape, and personality before going to town on your tresses.
Slash Salon, 621 Broadway (near 7th Street); 310-341-0610.
Best Salon For Girls With Curls: Ouidad
Some girls see their curlicued strands as a curse (baffling to us stick straight ladies!), but Ouidad has built an empire giving those with the hair-type confidence. She's made waves since '84 with her "Carve & Slice" method of cutting (it's trademarked, folks), and we wouldn't dream of sending your loopy locks elsewhere in town.
Ouidad Salon LA, 1230 Montana Avenue (near 14th Street); 310-393-3542.
Best Salon For African-American Hair: Kimble Hair Studio
When a stylist has created looks for Beyoncé, RiRi, Sade, and the late, great Whitney Houston, what can you do except pray there's an opening in her books in the next century? Kim Kimble's name may be synonymous with Oprah appearances and cinematic productions like Dreamgirls, but the go-getter learned — and clearly climbed — the ropes from her days as a shampoo girl for her mother. Better plan well in advance for your tress session with this third-generation hair guru!
Kimble Hair Studio, 1106 North La Cienega Boulevard (near North Holloway Drive); 310-652-1822.
Best Blowout: Style Bar Beverly Hills
This "Beauty Express Bar" was birthed by two sisters whose social calendars kept them such busy bees that they knew there was a niche market for girls needing to get gussied up on the serious go. While your hair's getting a celeb-style smooth-over, you can sit pretty while more pros tend to your mani, pedi, and makeup — all in an hour flat.
Style Bar Beverly Hills, 136 South Beverly Drive (between Wilshire and Charleville boulevards); 310-858-2400.
Best Highlights: Jessica Stokes at Neil George Salon
No one does bombshell blonde like Ms. Stokes! And she's no one-trick pony, either. We can't count how many fair-haired girls about town see her, and their heads' hues range from full-on platinum to brilliant beach ombré. And if you're going to sit for hours in anyone's chair, you'll be stoked to find that she can chat life philosophies just as well as she can style. Pure sunshine on all fronts!
Neil George Salon, 9320 Civic Center Drive (near Santa Monica Boulevard); 310-275-2808.
Best Hair Color: Kari Hill at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon
Who hasn't wondered where tip-top towhead Michelle Williams scores that luminous flaxen shade? Well, look no further than this stylist, who's been in the biz for 15 years at just about every major salon. Kari can balyage blonde with the best of them, but has plenty of brunettes in her back pocket, too (she recently dolled-up Mila Kunis for Comic-Con). Hill brings world-class color right to her little nook on Melrose Place.
Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon, 8440 Melrose Place (between North Alfred Street and North Croft Avenue); 323-653-4040.
Best Fancy Updo: Kamie Nielson at Warren-Tricomi
Not all hair stylists know every trick in the book, and as far as we're concerned, you've got to have true artistic ability to pull off a killer updo. People freak over Kamie because she can whip up a traditional red-carpet chignon as well as making the tougher "undone" look stay in its rightful place (until you're ready to un-bobby). Did we mention she can braid?!
Warren-Tricomi Salon, 8327 Melrose Avenue (at North Flores Street); 323-651-4545.
Best Bang Trim: Goodhead Salon
Next time you're in a mad dash, we recommend you snag a quick bang job by these edgy experts. Since they specialize in tricky rocker and retro styles, the gals at Goodhead can get you trimmed in a cinch (and fix any past snafus)! For an added pep in your step, the down-to-earth Echo Park digs always has an adorable pup named Tank running around.
Goodhead Salon, 1527 West Sunset Boulevard (at Laveta Terrace); 323-580-3282.
Well, lucky for you, we've got brains and braun to spare and are happily opening up our authoritative little black books to simplify your get-posh process. From the most flawless spray tan in town to L.A.'s updo guru, this spot-on handbook to hot has every expert you need to know now.
Photos (clockwise from left): Via Style Bar Beverly Hills, Ouidad, Kimble Hair Studio, Neil George Salon
Best Hair Cut For Short Strands: Shin An at Shin Salon
This coiff queen has such a hard-core cult following of editors on both coasts that patrons have been dubbed "Shinheads." When the NYC transplant chopped off six inches of our hair, the bob was so flawless that we didn't need a retouch trim in a solid three months (and for once didn't shed a tear!). Even just watching Shin in action (she cuts dry only), will make you an instant believer — the soulful stylist has shear-ly mastered the craft of cuts.
Shin Salon, 1025 Montana Avenue (between 10th and 11th streets); 310-310-3128.
Best Hair Cut For Long-Haired Ladies: Carla Ross at Slash
Carla Ross is one spunky (and skilled) redhead! She recently set up her own shop in one of the most state-of-the-art salons we've seen, and has been an educator and consultant for countless salons 'round the globe. What we appreciate most? Amidst funny anecdotes, she'll analyze your head size, face shape, and personality before going to town on your tresses.
Slash Salon, 621 Broadway (near 7th Street); 310-341-0610.
Best Salon For Girls With Curls: Ouidad
Some girls see their curlicued strands as a curse (baffling to us stick straight ladies!), but Ouidad has built an empire giving those with the hair-type confidence. She's made waves since '84 with her "Carve & Slice" method of cutting (it's trademarked, folks), and we wouldn't dream of sending your loopy locks elsewhere in town.
Ouidad Salon LA, 1230 Montana Avenue (near 14th Street); 310-393-3542.
Best Salon For African-American Hair: Kimble Hair Studio
When a stylist has created looks for Beyoncé, RiRi, Sade, and the late, great Whitney Houston, what can you do except pray there's an opening in her books in the next century? Kim Kimble's name may be synonymous with Oprah appearances and cinematic productions like Dreamgirls, but the go-getter learned — and clearly climbed — the ropes from her days as a shampoo girl for her mother. Better plan well in advance for your tress session with this third-generation hair guru!
Kimble Hair Studio, 1106 North La Cienega Boulevard (near North Holloway Drive); 310-652-1822.
Best Blowout: Style Bar Beverly Hills
This "Beauty Express Bar" was birthed by two sisters whose social calendars kept them such busy bees that they knew there was a niche market for girls needing to get gussied up on the serious go. While your hair's getting a celeb-style smooth-over, you can sit pretty while more pros tend to your mani, pedi, and makeup — all in an hour flat.
Style Bar Beverly Hills, 136 South Beverly Drive (between Wilshire and Charleville boulevards); 310-858-2400.
Best Highlights: Jessica Stokes at Neil George Salon
No one does bombshell blonde like Ms. Stokes! And she's no one-trick pony, either. We can't count how many fair-haired girls about town see her, and their heads' hues range from full-on platinum to brilliant beach ombré. And if you're going to sit for hours in anyone's chair, you'll be stoked to find that she can chat life philosophies just as well as she can style. Pure sunshine on all fronts!
Neil George Salon, 9320 Civic Center Drive (near Santa Monica Boulevard); 310-275-2808.
Best Hair Color: Kari Hill at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon
Who hasn't wondered where tip-top towhead Michelle Williams scores that luminous flaxen shade? Well, look no further than this stylist, who's been in the biz for 15 years at just about every major salon. Kari can balyage blonde with the best of them, but has plenty of brunettes in her back pocket, too (she recently dolled-up Mila Kunis for Comic-Con). Hill brings world-class color right to her little nook on Melrose Place.
Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon, 8440 Melrose Place (between North Alfred Street and North Croft Avenue); 323-653-4040.
Best Fancy Updo: Kamie Nielson at Warren-Tricomi
Not all hair stylists know every trick in the book, and as far as we're concerned, you've got to have true artistic ability to pull off a killer updo. People freak over Kamie because she can whip up a traditional red-carpet chignon as well as making the tougher "undone" look stay in its rightful place (until you're ready to un-bobby). Did we mention she can braid?!
Warren-Tricomi Salon, 8327 Melrose Avenue (at North Flores Street); 323-651-4545.
Best Bang Trim: Goodhead Salon
Next time you're in a mad dash, we recommend you snag a quick bang job by these edgy experts. Since they specialize in tricky rocker and retro styles, the gals at Goodhead can get you trimmed in a cinch (and fix any past snafus)! For an added pep in your step, the down-to-earth Echo Park digs always has an adorable pup named Tank running around.
Goodhead Salon, 1527 West Sunset Boulevard (at Laveta Terrace); 323-580-3282.
Next
- 1 of 4
in NYC