SURF, SAND AND SPA

The spa at the French-inspired Le Merigot is an oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation 

Everyone knows it hasn’t exactly been beach weather this summer in SoCal. But here’s a great place to get your beach fix without the wind-chill factor—the spa at Le Merigot in Santa Monica. This hotel, nestled next to Loew’s, seems to get perpetually overshadowed by the higher-profile names in the neighborhood-- Shutters, Casa del Mar and the Viceroy.  And that makes it an even sweeter hideaway for tranquility and privacy. The spa features sumptuous accommodations and treatments to renew the spirits and refresh the body—everything from hot stone massages to cucumber mint body wraps to caviar facials. Try a Swedish or aromatherapy massage ($70-$165), a classic European facial ($105) or a green coffee contour slimming wrap ($165.) Manicures, pedicures and full hair salon services are also available. Having a treatment also gives you free reign of the poolside health club, the pool, steam and sauna. And to top it off, valet parking is free for the first three hours.

Le Merigot Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, 310.395-9700

www.lemerigothotel.com   

SPECTACULAR SUDS--AND CONDITIONER

Juan Carlos Obando is best known for his gorgeous ready-to-wear clothing designs. But his genius also shines through in the hair care line he created, Number 4 High Performance Hair Care.

Your first clue is the packaging for the shampoo and conditioner that look like bottles of high-end fragrances. But the real test comes in the shower. These products are probably the best we have ever tried, leaving our tresses beautifully, gently cleansed and silky smooth. And we haven’t even gotten through the entire product line, which includes 12 products, like the lovely L'eau de Mer Hydrating Shampoo and Condition.

There are also styling aids. They all use high quality essential oils and extracts to repair damage, keep hair youthful and supple and color vibrant and fresh. The products gently cleanse and contain no harsh sulfates or stripping alcohols. They have a delightful, unique scent, and are 100 % vegan, sans sulfate, gluten, and parabens.

Available at fine salons, spas and www.number4hair.com

HAIR TODAY


Blow and go: The chic drybar is a convenient, affordable luxury

What a great idea for a hair salon -- a cross between a Supercuts or Fantastic Sam's and your typical pricey hair haven where the stylists are “artistes.” But this one, called drybar (because "blow" was taken) only does shampoo and blow dries.  No cuts, no color, no fuss, no muss -- and only $35. Business has been booming since drybar opened its doors in February at its storefront Brentwood Gardens location. It's the brainchild of Alli Webb, who formerly ran a mobile hair care service.  She’s decorated it in sleek, airy style with sunny yellow accents. Clients literally sit at a bar with mirrors behind them for “the big reveal” at the end of their styling session. Unlike most salons, it’s open seven days a week.

Drybar, 11677 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood (310) 442·6084 www.thedrybar.com 

IT’S A COVER-UP

We’re coming up on bikini weather, and even as you’re uncovering formerly clothed parts of the body, well, you may want to cover some things up. That’s where a product called Smart Cover comes in. Developed as a camouflage makeup, it covers everything from stretch marks, spider veins, blemishes and even tattoos.  And of course, dark circles. Makeup artist Christina Smith says she’s used it on clients including Julia Roberts, Jane Krakowski, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jamie Lee Curtis. The product comes in shades to match every skin color and the kit (retailing for about $30) includes a moisture priming lotion, blending sponges, a brush and a cover-up stick.

www.smartcover.com

THE BEST EYESHADOW PRIMER JUST GOT BETTER


Cosmetic queens everywhere have long agreed that Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion is the best product of its type on the market. Why? Unlike jars of cream or powders, it comes in a tube with a great applicator, and results are stellar: no creasing. Aside from being ultimately portable and fast and easy to use, the product lasts for months.

Now, UD has gone to another level with Primer Potion in Sin, a shimmering champagne color that is not only a great base, but a beautiful color that can also be worn alone. Same great applicator, same great price: $17 at www.sephora.com, www.urbandecay.com and select Macy’s stores.

BEAUTY BLAST-OFF:SPACE NK

Nicky Kinnaird has created an enviable situation for herself: she travels around the world seeking the best beauty products. Based upon her findings, for the past 15 years, she’s run a successful UK empire of 55 stores featuring fab fragrances, skin care, makeup and hair and body care. Now, Space NK (guess what that stands for?) has come to US shores, in a multi-year deal with Bloomingdales. Find niche brands like Eve Lom, Talika, by Terry and Chantecaille along with Nars, Dr. Brandt, Diptyque and Frederic Fekkai, with advice from knowledgeable skin care and makeup experts. Particularly fun are the Spa NK bath and body products, which many read as a double-entendre “spank.”

Space NK, Bloomingdales 59th & Lex, Soho, Century City, San Francisco + more

 

BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Beauty industry veteran Patty Schmucker has come up with a brilliant concept for skincare, based on the centuries-old Indian Ayurvedic philosophy that beauty comes from lifestyle choices that nourish the body and fulfill the mind. Her newly launched line, DoshaCare, utilizes that philosophy to produce customizable skincare for three different types: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, determined by the results of a survey about each person’s physical and emotional makeup that define their constitution, or Dosha. Everyone has a primary and a secondary Dosha, and the line takes these differences into account in creating a regimen to address all of your skin’s characteristics—and how it changes daily and seasonally.

DoshaCare includes cleansers, exfoliants, mosturizers, serums, masques, eye and neck balms, and of course, sunscreen. All of the products are made of 98% botanical ingredients, and most of the packaging is made from recyclable materials. Prices range from $29 to $58. You can take the survey and purchase products from this amazing and effective skincare line at www.doshacare.com

HIGH WATTAGE SKIN CARE

 

And speaking of expensive bags, the new issue of W—the one with the breast-feeding Angie on the cover and the grainy photos taken by Mr. Pitt inside—proclaims that—get this—a woman’s face is the new “it” bag. Huh? Oh yeah, justification to spend big bucks on creams that advertise in the mag with the conceit that during these tough economic times, no one will know about your indulgent spending but you—and the sales girl at Needless Markup.

Now it’s TAR’s turn to tout a face cream. Still an indulgence, but a fraction of the price of elixirs from La Mer and La Prairie, which just brought out a $1,000 called Cellular Cream Platinum Rare. Electric Body is an all in one face and eye cream made from New Zealand colostrum, a byproduct of grass fed cows, which is said to promote collagen production. TMI? Here’s more: no preservatives, parabens or alcohol. 
It’s called Electric Body, but it’s for your face,
1.7 ounce pump bottle, $125, www.electricbody.com

 

 

ON THE WINGS OF THE DOVES

Sonya and Christopher Dove work their hair magic at the color bar of their new salon, The Doves, on Santa Monica’s Main Street

Tired of the whole Beverly Hills hair scene? Here’s the perfect antidote: a salon owned and operated by the talented creative directors of Wella, Sonya and Christopher Dove. The two Brits staked their claim on a developing part of Main Street, and no architectural detail went unnoticed as their shop was built from the ground up. The atmosphere: an eclectic mix of rich textured metals, strong colors and earthy woods that create an inviting environment. Sit yourself at the ultra-modern color bar for your hair color “prescription.” With their slogan Hair. Art. Team., you will be assured of expertise from the shampoo bowl to the roomy styling stations. “Our vision is to have a workspace and atmosphere where European influenced education is at the heart of our culture but at the same time we will be treating our team and clients just as we would family,” says Sonya, who along with Christopher, has 30 years experience in the hair care industry, starting in England before coming to the US as the creative directors of Elizabeth Arden Red Door salons.

The Doves, 2000 Main St., Santa Monica 310. 399-7654

A KISS IS MORE THAN JUST A KISS

She’s the stunning other half of Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, and now Keisha Nash-Whitaker has teamed with noted makeup artist AJ Crimson to create Kissable Couture, a shimmery lip gloss collection meant to evoke the sensuality and magic of a kiss. Named for men who presumably are very good kissers, the First Kiss Collection consists of seven shades including Dylan, a light peach shimmer, David, a sun-kissed bronze and Tyler, a deep purple shimmer. And of course, we must give a shout-out to Forest, a rich burgundy wine shimmer.
Kissable Couture, $22 each at Fred Segal Apothia and Henri Bendel, www.kissablecouture.com

FUN IN THE SUN ON ROBERTSON

This season more than ever, a tan—baked or faked—is a great accessory, and there is no greater tanning pleasure palace around than the new SunStyle on N. Robertson. This is tanning salon on steroids, in a good way, thanks to the vision of owner Ulrik Neumann, whose fashion photography lines the walls of the warehouse-like studio.

The ultra-modern 7,000 square-foot facility sports the latest techno-tanning beds from Ergoline, complete with iPod docking stations. Plus, there’s great private parking in a pristine art-filled garage in the back that doubles as a hip new spot in which to throw events.
627 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hollywood, 310.289-9200, www.sunstyle.la

BEAUTY SLEEP, SLEEK AND SMOOTH

Slumber into sweet dreams with Branche Beauty’s satin bed dressing

We’ve been traveling everywhere with a new silk pillowcase, billed to keep your hair in place while you sleep and to prevent those icky creases that come with high thread count territory when you wake up on cotton sheets. Guess what? Branché Beauty’s silk charmeuse pillowcase really works and, we’re told, is a bedtime favorite of leading ladies including Jade Pinkett Smith and Reese Witherspoon. Available in silver, ivory, blush, blue, sage, and gold, you can find them at Palmetto, Planet Blue, C.O. Bigelow, and the full list online. www.branchebeautysleep.com

CHEM AND FUME-FREE SILKY SHINY HAIR
Colorist Susan Henry had a problem. Actually, several serious ones. She was getting physically ill from the effects of ammonia used in hair color, laid out by many symptoms which will not be detailed here. But she loved her work and her clients at salons including Privé, José Eber and Umberto, so she set out to create a non-toxic, all natural hair color. Her daughter was studying botany at Humboldt State, and Susan was inspired by their walks through a nearby redwood forest. What resulted—after several years of trial and error-- is a patented, eco-friendly formula made from plants, fruit kernels, wheat germ and natural oils. But unlike other hair colors or henna billed as natural, Susan’s formula lasts as long or longer than the typical chemical color concoction, which is what makes it so amazing.
The next step: recently opening her own salon with long-time colleague Aitch, a blow dryer-wielding artiste. Step into their little gem of a place on Doheny and you will NEVER smell any chemical fumes, but you will notice many happy clients of Susan’s “Natural Color Process,” and the ace team of stylists including Aitch and Kiki who can do you up for a night on the town or speed you back to work, tresses looking fab. 
Shades, 144 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, 310..275-4882 

YOU WON’T BELIEVE YOUR EYES
It sounds illogical that slapping on a clear eyeliner at night can make lashes grow longer and thicker, but TAR has it on good authority that these potions actually work, with a little patience and a lot of persistence. The best: RevitaLash, which is making some long-lashed believers out of those who use it regularly for 3-4 weeks, when results kick in. Try it yourself, and save the time spent on often over-hyped lash extensions. And there’s a great backstory: ophthalmologist Michael Brinkenhoff originally developed the product for his wife Gayle, who was losing her eyelashes during chemotherapy for breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds of each tube sold ($150) goes to breast cancer research.
www.revitalash.com,  877.909-5274

FROM 818 TO 310: ARCONA ARRIVES IN SANTA MONICA
Long known to Vals as THE place for a results-driven facial, Arcona is now primping and priming Westside punims. Chanel Jenae and Kevin Anderson oversee the legacy of Arcona, who was ahead of her time as a pioneer of holistic skin care. The fab product line uses only all-natural ingredients with high concentrations of antioxidants, plant and extracts, sea vegetables, essential oils, vitamins and minerals and includes the popular Magic White Ice hydration serum and refreshing cranberry toner. Chanel or one of the salon’s estheticians will advise you on a five-product regimen best for your skin type. Trust them. 
The Arcona Studio, 425 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310.458-3800 

HAIR APPARENT
Celebrity hairdressers are a dime a dozen, but when you find one as cool, grounded and talented as Steve Lococo, you’ve hit the jackpot. In business for 20 years with partner Albert Borelli (and now with Kim Vo), Lococo works his hair magic by doing it all: coloring, cutting and styling. He’s also created a line of Borelli products and the newly-launchedTahitian Noni hair care line. “Using great products makes people feel they are doing something good for themselves,” says Lococo, who oversees more than 30 stylists, aestheticians, and manicurists in a three-salon “cottage industry” within a two-mile radius (Borrelli Beverly Hills, on Burton Way and B2V/Borrelli Vo, two side-by-side cottages on North Doheny.) 
 No more bad hair days:

Steve Lococo
Doheny Dr. salon 
B2V/Borelli Vo, 648 N. Doheny Dr., WeHo, 310.777-7648

THE MATERIAL FACE
Michelle Peck has been doing Madonna’s face for years. No, it’s not what you think. The LA-based aesthetician goes on the road with Madge to give her skin hyperbaric oxygen treatments with professional equipment (combined with serum) made by Intraceuticals. Word is Mrs. Richie has one in every one of her homes. The Intraceuticals Infusion™ uses hyperbaric pressure to let oxygen and serum reach deeper layers of skin, rejuvenating from the inside out. 
Select salons in NY and CA, www.intraceuticals.com 

TEN DAYS IN THE GYM: OSCAR MADNESS BEGINS
This won’t be like Ten Days in the Hills, the new must-read Jane Smiley novel, due to a lack of literary yet graphic sex. This is for those who are just starting now to whip themselves into shape for Oscar weekend. OMG, it is just around the corner! Equinox Fitness trainer and aerobics instructor Erin Lanahan says the key is your core. She recommends working out (at the many convenient Equinox locations in LA & NY, of course, and she’s mainly at WeHo) five days a week, twice a day if you can, doing cardio for 30-60 minutes in the morning on an empty stomach, and then in the afternoon, doing 30-60 minutes of a circuit incorporating strength, core and cardio training. And here’s her trick for looking great in photos for the big nights ahead: she says to keep halving your intake of water and other fluids starting a week before, so that the day before an event, you are drinking about 1/8th of your norm. The really radical amongst you can get down to just sucking on ice cubes the day before, but don’t tell anybody.
Dr. Eric Braverman, of Path Medical in New York (www.pathmedical.com) and author of Younger You, recommends cutting down your salt and sugar, sleeping longer, and eating a “rainbow” diet of five different-colored vegetables and fruits a day, and also increasing seasonings and spices like tumeric and sage. He says sleep in as much as possible the week before, get a massage, and take natural supplements like DHEA and B and D vitamins for the inevitable stress caused by [what to wear to] such high-profile events. 
 

SWEET SPOT: WARREN-TRICOMI
If you haven’t yet discovered Warren-Tricomi’s LA salon, awards season is the perfect time. It’s been less than a year since Edward Tricomi and Joel Warren set up shop on Melrose, their fifth outpost. They come in once a month from the East Coast, while partner and esteemed colorist Kaz Amor runs the shop. Aside from private and semi-private rooms, the salon features a Redken Color Lab that walks clients through a series of questions with their colorist to help determine what shades might be appropriate for them.  Then, the hair color product is selected and mixed right at the lab for the client to see.
Warren-Tricomi, 8327 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles 323.651-4545


Treatment room at LeSpa at Sofitel Los Angeles

BON RELAXATION
Remember when the Sofitel across from the BevCen was Ma Maison and stodgy/French, as opposed to its current hip/modern French? With last summer’s opening of Simon LA and Rande Gerber’s Stone Rose, those images were banished forever from the corner of La Cienega and Beverly.
Now it’s the spa’s turn for a complete makeover, and it’s gorge. Officially named LeSpa at Sofitel, it JUST opened its doors. Pampering aestheticians love using the Decléor  and Carita products for face and body, both lines from Paris. Book Julia Palmer for a mean mani/pedi that will last twice as long as you’re used to. She’s recovered from the days when she used to paint J. Lo’s digits on music video shoots at all hours, but if you’re lucky, she might tell you some war stories. 
Spa Director Maureen Schumacher runs a sleek ship. The relaxation lounge is luxuriously tranquil, a place to kick back, have a heated-rock foot soak and drink some soothing tea before indulging in an intense hydrating facial or an aromatherapy massage. And why no other spa has ever thought of comfy black robes, I’ll never know.
LeSpa at Sofitel Los Angeles, 8555  Beverly Bl., LA, 310.228-6777, 8a—9p daily.
 
 

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