Not all hair salons in Los Angeles are stops on the TMZ tour. Our salons run the gamut of champagne-offered blowouts to we-cut-you-blow-&-go shops. Typically I prefer shops that fall somewhere in between. Not too much frill, but enough individual attention where it doesn’t feel like I’m part of an assembly line.

And if I’m being honest, I guess I do like to be offered a cappuccino. Who doesn’t?

So these suggestions that I’ve recently discovered aren’t exactly Fantastic Sam’s, but there’s also no pressure to get dressed up for your appointment either.

 

SALON KAZUMI

I remember Kazumi’s name when I used to get my brows done at Gavert Atelier. People have been raving about her color technique forever. She’s known for making magic with brunettes. Kazumi’s energy and Japanese roots (pun a little intended) spill over into her new namesake salon in Beverly Hills.

Salon Kazumi is clean, bright, unassuming, and on the outskirts of BH’s triangle – so all the noise is easily avoidable and parking is simple. Plus I found myself zenly (it’s a word now.) fixated on her gorgeous light fixtures during most of my appointment. Sorry about that, Michael.

Speaking of, Michael managed the perfect blend of Ask and Suggest. He readily admitted cutting wasn’t his specialty and that color was, so we focused on what would work best for my fine, flat strands.

BTW, I know I’ve said this before, but it’s true: Go to a colorist and a stylist, not one-in-the-same. Kinda like the Chinese delivery place that also serves pizza. They might offer both, but neither will be great.

Michael made me the perfect natural I was looking for. He left my natural base alone and brightened up my highlights – allowing the perfect amount of grow out maintenance for someone who rarely gets to the salon.

9725 S. Santa Monica Blvd. | 310.751.0909

 

REBECCA FITZGERALD MD INC.

If you don’t want to deal with the whole Beverly Hills crowds, check out this quaint practice on Larchmont. It’s north of the shopping block and parking is a breeze.

My aesthetician was Bekah Parga. She gave me a SilkPeel Diamond Dermalinfusion. It’s supposed to be popular with celebs who want to get glowing skin, pre-red carpet. Bekah was great at explaining what she was doing as she went along. She knew her stuff and didn’t try to push anything on me. First some microdermabrasion, then some hydrating via Lumixyl peptides, etc. Bekah showed me afterward what was taken off my skin. It ends up in this little cylinder. Really it just looked like diluted salt water to me, but she said sometimes you see little black heads floating around! Gross…and yet cool! I imagine I’d feel something in between embarrassed and triumphant.

321 N. Larchmont Blvd., Suite 906 | 323.464.8046

 

 SATIN SOLES

Whether you want a standard pedicure or a gel manicure, this salon will take care of you. They’ll even do a massage or wax. Satin Soles isn’t frilly, but it’s spacious and airy. And you’ll probably have a celeb sighting when you’re there.

They’ve got a big assortment of new polishes (mostly OPI and Essie) and are more than happy to mix up colors if you can’t find a perfect shade. The only downsides are parking on 3rd Street and that they’re cash only. I rarely have cash on me, but at least they’ve got an ATM onsite. Plus Carmela is next door for an ice cream stop once you’re dry.

7924 W. 3rd St. | 310.601.7534

 

xo