Naimie's Beauty Center
By: Kris Marvin Hughes
If you live in Los Angeles and have not yet been to Naimie’s you’re really missing out. This place is the Mecca for all things beauty and if you’re a member of SAG you get an additional 10% off of everything (score!). The first floor of the building is devoted entirely to wigs and accessories (hair dryers, curlers, etc) and the second floor is filled to the brim with heavy-hitters like M.A.C., Mario Badescu, Laura Mercier, Kiehls, L’Occitane, Stila just to name a few. They also stock many not-so-common brands like CoverFX which if you’ve never used them, they’re wonderful. I am always impressed by how clean and well-organized this store is and enjoy that they have testers for everything - you’re never left wondering if that cream shadow you bought is going to feel like glue on your eyelids when you get it home. Aside from the many make-up, nail and hair products, they cater to professional make-up artists and stylists with rows of specialized products (but us non-professionals and buy the stuff too, of course). The staff is incredibly nice and extremely helpful - they have directed me towards products that I have since fallen in love with. They will also happily order anything you want that isn’t currently in stock and will call you when it comes in. And it’s not the “oh, yeah, we’ll call you” (wink, wink), it’s an actual call (who knew people actually call when they say they will). Naimie’s also has a full-service hair salon and day spa upstairs. Both spaces are incredibly inviting, reasonably priced and are staffed with wonderful artists. If you’re looking to shop in a relaxed environment (no creepy salespeople following you around) for a wide selection of products, than you best drive over to Riverside and Coldwater. You could even go to Hugo’s afterwards to refuel with some pumpkin pancakes.
Website:
Address:
12640 Riverside Dr
Valley Village, CA 91607
Telephone:
818-655-9933
Main Image:
Country:
United States
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this store
- 0 Comments
Salon True
By: Kris Hughes
It’s next to impossible to throw a stone from your front door in Los Angeles and not hit a hair salon. But, the question always is, will you hit one that’s worth a visit? If you chuck your stone towards the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Woodman Avenue in Sherman Oaks you will definitely hit a salon worthy of your attention. Salon True was opened by two hair artists in 2006 and ever since has been abuzz with happy clients and fantastic stylists. The lobby feels like a trendy lounge (all white walls, couches and shelves) but there’s no air of snobbery here. The receptionist and stylists, while definitely sporting cutting-edge drool-worthy hairstyles and clothing, are surprisingly down to earth and friendly. They only carry the best of the best lines of hair products (Kerastase, Shu Uemura and Unite) and proudly offer not only cuts and color, but also make-up application, hair extensions and specialized thermal conditioning treatments. Their prices range depending on the stylist you choose, but all are really comparable to other salons in Los Angeles. Aside from my fabulous haircuts and ridiculously shiny and natural-looking haircolor, I love that every time I go I’m greeted with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Sometimes it’s the little extra things, you know?
Country:
United States
Website:
City:
Sherman Oaks
Telephone:
(818) 461-0138
Main Image:
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this living
- 0 Comments
Wax Poetic Salon
By: Kris Marvin Hughes
For those valley-dwellers who are obsessive about being able to multi-task even when out of work, you will be in love with Wax Poetic Salon in Burbank. Where else can you get your hair done, your back massaged, and your bikini-line waxed all while taking in an art show and downing a complimentary cocktail. Well, thanks to Wax Poetic Salon, it’s possible. While initially the idea of a salon being connected to an art gallery may confuse you, from the moment you step in to the salon you see exactly why this works. The lobby is essentially the art gallery which includes a wonderfully stocked bar with alcohol and E-lix-r Tonics. I mean, come on, how many times can you read a Cosmo while waiting to be waxed? It’s so much more fun to be drinking a free glass of Stella on tap while perusing the modern art from local artists. And when it’s time to get the hair ripped from your eyebrows, you’re a little more relaxed and feel as though you got in a little culture in the process. They carry a large array of products which artfully line the walls in the front lobby and have multiple hair stations and a few very clean rooms for waxing and massage. Not only is the space incredibly warm and inviting, but the staff at Wax Poetic are extremely friendly and really fantastic at what they do. My hair and brows have never looked better. And, even though they shower you with free drinks, the prices are really competitive. But, don’t take my word for it - rev up the Hybrid and scoot your butt over there.
Country:
United States
Website:
City:
Burbank
Telephone:
(818) 843 - 9469
Main Image:
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this living
- 0 Comments
Aroma Cafe
By: Kris Marvin Hughes
Nestled in the adorable shopping area of Tujunga Village, this amazing café is consistently packed with people. Whether hopping in for a piece of delicious red velvet cake and a cappuccino, or staying to enjoy a scrumptious brunch or mouth-watering dinner, this spot is ridiculously addictive.
Wonderfully pleasant staff-members greet diners at the front counter where you will find exquisite products such as Marie Belle teas stacked before you. The pastry case, alone, is drool-worthy – filled with every type of cake imaginable and cookies big enough to satisfy even Cookie Monster. If you’re stopping in for brunch, the Brioche French Toast is incredible and the Breakfast Burrito will leave you wanting to come back the next morning to devour another. For dinner, they serve up an array of large salads, Panini sandwiches and fantastic burgers to name just a few.
Once you’ve ordered at the front counter, you take your number and seat yourself either indoors or on their relaxing patio (which wraps around both sides of the Café and behind the adjacent bookstore). The patio is decorated with lights for the evening and has sweetly miss-matched tables and chairs to relax in.
Open until 11 pm every night, it’s no surprise that Aroma Cafe is a hot spot for people to unwind after a long day at work. But, don’t think of leaving Fido at home because Aroma Café is pet friendly. They even have water dishes set up on the patio in case your pup gets thirsty watching you devour your Bleu Cheese Burger. And they don’t discriminate against bigger dogs – I, for one, bring both my Goldens with me when I dine here.
Make sure you leave a little extra time to peruse the quaint bookstore and walk the shops of Tujunga Village after your meal.
Website:
Address:
4360 Tujunga Avenue
Telephone:
818.506.0677
Main Image:
City:
Studio City
State / Province:
California
Zip Code / Postal Code:
91604
Country:
United States
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this restaurant_bar
- 0 Comments
Yummy Cupcakes
By: Kris Marvin Hughes
yum•my yʌm i[yuhm-ee] Pronunciation Key adjective, -mi•er, -mi•est, noun, plural -mies. Informal.
–adjective
1. very pleasing to the senses, esp. to the taste; delicious: The waiter brought out a tray of yummy desserts.
-courtesy of dictionary.com
The very name describes exactly what you’re going to get when you step into this adorably quaint bakeshop – for those of you not keeping up, you’ll get yummy cupcakes. Unlike other cupcake places that have sprouted up rather quickly around Los Angeles, this one offers an amazingly long list of flavors which are both unique and delicious. They have the staple flavors (vanilla, chocolate and red velvet) every day, but the truly outrageously delightful options change daily. As everyone knows, variety is the spice of life and Yummy Cupcakes certainly offers up the variety. They have a peanut butter and jelly cupcake (peanut butter cupcake with jelly filling and a peanut butter buttercream frosting), a margarita cupcake (lemon/lime cupcake made with a shot of tequila) and a sugary-sweet Key Lime cupcake just to name a few of the wacky, yet irresistible concoctions. I can’t rave enough about this place. The delicious mouth-watering cupcakes, friendly staff and convenient street parking make Yummy Cupcakes a must-stop if you’re in Burbank. And, if you’re in a birthday emergency, they offer candles right there at the counter. I haven’t, yet, been to the sister shop in Santa Monica, but I can only assume it’s just as deliciously delightful as the Burbank one.
Website:
Address:
2918 W. Magnolia Blvd
Telephone:
818.558.1080
Main Image:
City:
Burbank
State / Province:
California
Zip Code / Postal Code:
91505
Country:
United States
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this restaurant_bar
- 0 Comments
