L.A. Beauty Black Book: The Ultimate Local's Guide To Looking Fly
Photos (clockwise from left): Via Ciel Spa at SLS, Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie, Spa at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons, Spa at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons
Most Relaxing Facial: Ciel Spa at SLS
Ascending the elevator from the scenester resto Trés by José Andrés up to the Ciel Spa is like night and day — its all white and serene atmosphere couldn't evoke a more different feeling than the cocktails chugged below. We've yet to have a facial here and not fall asleep! Plus, as if it gets any better than that, when you awake from your deep slumber and take a peek in the mirror, it's like someone gave you a new set of skin. Ciel just added one of our highly coveted skin-care lines, Eve Lom, to its roster of products, too.
Ciel Spa at SLS, 465 La Cienega Boulevard (near South San Vicente Boulevard); 310-246-5560.
Best Facial For Girls With Screwed Up Skin: Face Place
The techniques used at this WeHo haven have been the exact same since '72. While that may be alarming to some, owner Paul and Tony's simple, thorough techniques (galvanic currents and manual extractions) have launched a full-on Angeleno phenomenon for a reason. If you still need convincing, Mary Louise Parker and Sofia Coppola have been dewy devotees for years.
Face Place, 8701 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Santa Monica Boulevard); 310-855-1150.
Best MedSpa: DMH Aesthetics
Led by one of Lala's premiere plastic surgeons, DMH is one of those hidden gems that celebs go to for their "special sauce" — but totally on the DL. With a full menu of futuristic and classic non-invasive procedures, we dare you to come here and find a problem area they can't somehow fix! A friend of R29 recently tried the Coolsculpting (it basically freezes fat) post-pregnancy and has not a love handle in sight.
DMH Aesthetics, 111 North Larchmont Boulevard (at Beverly Boulevard); 323-450-9234.
Best Botox: Dr. Vicki Rapaport at SKN BAR
We'd never pass judgment on anyone who's relied on a youth-preserving dermo to fill 'er up — but please know we're not urging you to, either! If you've given your wrinkles real thought and decide to get some 'tox, Dr. Vicki is the lady to see. She takes precautions like having you furrow your brow and smile your widest, which ensures you'll leave bright-eyed and bushy-tailed rather than deer-in-headlights.
SKN BAR, 436 North Bedford Drive, #306 (near Brighton Way); 310-274-4401.
Best Spray Tan: Infinity Sun at Soleil Tanning Salon
Spray tans may be a dime-a-dozen in our age-obsessed, sun-scared town, but when you're dropping this pretty of a penny, you want to make sure it shines! We could gush about Infinity Sun's faux glow until we're blue (err, brown) in the face! There's no Oompa Loompa-like orange to fret over the first day, it lasts longer than any bronze we've ever had, and it won't wear off in odd, scaly chunks. You'll be straight-up sun-kissed after one trip.
Soleil Tanning Salon, 820 South Robertson Boulevard (at Gregory Way) ; 310-652-6525.
Best Spa To Hang Out In: Voda
When a trip up North to the Ojai Valley Inn just isn't in the cards, the best staycation-type spa is right on Santa Monica Boulevard. Hole up at Voda with your mags in between multiple treatments inside the massive indoor pool and jacuzzi room for real City of Angels-style rejuvenation. Grab a 'tini or two, too, at the adjacent cocktail lounge!
Voda Spa, 7770 Santa Monica Boulevard (at North Stanley Avenue); 323-654-4411.
Most Pampering Spa: Spa Montage
It may be on the spend-y side, but this bliss factory is so unbelievably luxe, it's worth every cent.You can meet your man in the middle in the breathtaking "bath house" centerpiece, and any treatment grants you access to the pool, gym, and babysitting privileges to boot! Through September 30th, treat yourself to the Summer Ready Package complete with a 60-minute personal training session, mani-pedi or massage, and a credit towards a yummy rooftop lunch — all for $295. Like we said, totally worth the trip and the Benjamins.
Spa Montage, 225 North Canon Drive (near North Beverly Drive); 310-860-7840.
Coolest Spa Treatment: 10 CARAT at the Spa at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons
Does the doozy of a week you've just had earn you an over-the-top J.Lo-status spoiling? Well, it doesn't get more glam than the exclusive Natura Bissé Diamond Collection treatments at the Four Seasons. They'll soak your skin in diamond dust for the ultimate in ostentatious anti-aging procedures ($800 bucks for three icy hours). After your skin's been blinged-out, be sure to hit the steam room with its constellation of LED stars twinkling at the top.
Spa at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons, 9500 Wilshire Boulevard (near North Beverly Drive); 310-275-5200.
Best Weird Ingredient Facial: White Caviar Illuminating Facial at the Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie
When you want to get wacky in this town, you know it isn't going to come cheap! For $1K, the therapists at the crazy chic, freshly revamped Hotel Bel-Air will rub golden bubbles of caviar all over your visage to brighten up any splotchy spots from sun damage. The La Prairie-product-packed facial is egg-cellent for any post-summer skin woes, and a great solution if IPL lasers aren't your thing.
Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie, 701 Stone Canyon Road (near Bellagio Road); 310-472-1211.
Best Laser Hair Removal: Rand Rusher
We've gone to the famous R.N. Rand Rusher for years for a variety of aesthetic odds and ends, but the LHR here will seriously leave you sans a single patch of fuzz. And unlike other places we've tried over and over again, you really only need three trips for it to stick!
Rand Rusher, 416 North Bedford Drive (near North Camden Drive); 310-275-7263.
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