Beauty & Spas in Pasadena

I must confess: I am a slave to fashion, I adore shopping, I try to buy at least one or two on- trend fashion items each season and oh yeah, I’m on a budget! Although it might be easy to shop for the latest and greatest fashions at designer boutiques, most of us can’t afford it. So over the last several years, especially since the recession, I have made it my mission to scout fabulous and fashionable stores throughout LA that carry a plethora of swoon-worthy fashion trends for under $100. While many of the items in these stores are very affordable at under $100, you can also find many treasures for well under $50. When you step into these boutiques, you don’t feel like you are sacrificing anything at all because they have a wide variety of well-made on-trend clothing and accessories to choose from, the salesgirls are fashion forward and super nice (not snooty) and my favorite part about shopping in these budget friendly stores is that you can afford to buy a few trendy pieces, without killing your budget. So here are some of my favorite budget friendly boutiques to shop at in LA (most have multiple locations) and the noteworthy neighborhoods that you will find them in: 1.Blush Calabasas & Encino Blush has two convenient locations in pedestrian shopping centers in the San Fernando Valley. It has been my fav go-to on trend fashion store for years because the owner has a curvy body type just like mine, an amazing eye for figure flattering clothing and great prices. Frequent shoppers even earn points/dollars towards future purchases. 2. Veronica M Los Angeles, Santa Monica & Pasadena Veronica M stores are all located along some of the hippiest shopping streets in LA. Veronica M is an LA based designer best known for her figure flattering cuts, fabrics and gorgeous show stopping prints. I am beyond obsessed with her curve-loving maxi dresses that I buy in multiples every year at her end of the season sale (most items cost  $40 or less on sale!) and everyone always asks where I shop. 3. DNA  Venice & Hollywood DNA stores are located in two artsy areas of LA, which totally fits this hip, urban retail clothing outlet for men and women. I love the comfy edgy clothing that DNA carries and like it even better because I can shop for my hubby there too. They have a fabulous selection of hip shirts for men typically $50 or less. 4. Soto Woodland Hills, Westlake & Sherman Oaks You will find Soto (which stands for South of Topanga, home of the first location) in some of the most desirable suburban shopping locations in Los Angeles. Soto carries a fun variety of fashionable and comfortable clothing for women and teens. Recently, Soto opened a pair of fab Lifestyle accessory stores next door to a couple of their stores, making it also a great place to shop for affordable gifts!

I must confess: I am just a little bit obsessed with all things pampering and beauty, and I have made it my mission to find the best beauty professionals in Los Angeles to ensure that I look my absolute best on a regular basis. Over time, I have created what I fondly refer to as my Glam Squad, my go-to professionals for all of my beauty maintenance needs. No I’m not a celebrity, I’m just a normal woman who wants to look and feel pretty and well put together, and these gifted pro’s get it right every single time! Lash Extensions Nicole Murnin-Certified Xtreme Lash Stylist La Sirene Irresistible Beauty Los Angeles I started getting lash extensions (individual lashes that are glued onto your real lashes & filled in every few weeks) over two years ago and I haven’t stopped. This is probably my most favorite beauty indulgence because it instantly changes the way I look and it makes me look refreshed everyday without make-up. I freely admit this is more of high maintenance beauty service, but the results are well worth it! I have been getting my extensions from Nicole from the very beginning because her work is stellar, clean, long lasting and she knows exactly how to make my eyes look fab and flirty. She is mobile, professional, a great listener and uber-talented. Love! Eyebrow Shaping Laurie Zadeh-Eyebrow Stylist Beauty Boutique Studio City Never under estimate the power and importance of a well groomed brow! Your brows frame your whole face and when they are shaped right you feel totally put together. Laurie has been grooming my brows for almost 10 years and her work is amazing! In all honesty, I have thin sparse brows but when she gets her hands on them (typically once every 4-6 weeks) and cleans, shapes and tints them, I emerge with full well arched brows and it totally changes my face. And I just love how she ends every brow styling session with a little aromatherapy brow massage, Fab! Rockin’ Blowout Julie Justice-Hair Stylist Syndicate Salon Encino Julie wields a blow dryer and brush like a master! Her blowouts are full, smooth, polished, gorgeous and last for Days! I recently got hair extensions and have become addicted to Julie’s masterful blowdry’s. She takes her time (usually 30-40 minutes), she gets good tension on the hair and dries with confidence. The results are perfection every single time, and when I dabble with other stylists, they suffer by comparison. Natural Looking Camera Ready Make-up Lisa Siegal-Makeup Artist Senna at Syndicate Salon Encino & Locations Throughout SoCal I adore getting my makeup professionally done because when it is done right, it brings out my natural beauty and lasts for hours. I only have my makeup done for special events and photo/video shoots. But, when I want to look like my best self, I call Lisa at Senna. Lisa is a seasoned make-up artist with a skilled hand and a light touch. I always look enhanced and beautiful, but not made-up when I leave her chair. Senna’s make-up line is exquisite and Lisa’s work is natural, finessed, luminous and stunning. I’m ready for my close-up!

I am proud to admit that I recently turned 45 and you would never know it by looking at me. People regularly compliment me on my skin and always ask what my secret is, so here goes: Regular Facials (supported by using great anti-aging products at home)! Simple right? Well, I have been getting regular facials for a long time and one of the best perks of being a beauty insider it that it allows me to try out some of the best facials in town and vet the most noteworthy to share with you. I am thrilled to share the following list of some of the best kept skincare secrets in LA, many of which are frequented by some of today’s top celebrities. These are definitely more indulgent and costly services, but isn’t more youthful radiant skin worth it? Nadia Thibault Institut d’Esthetique The Center at Coldwater 12930 Ventura Boulevard Suite 104 Studio City, CA 91604 Nadia Thibault is a seasoned professional and has more than 30 years experience in European skincare treatments. Nadia is my local go-to esthetician and I adore her because she is thorough, skilled and ‘no pore gets left clogged’ in her capable hands. She does a classic, in-depth European style facial that my skin craves and glows for weeks after treatment. Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts 8428 Melrose Place Suite C Los Angeles, CA 90069 Kate Somerville is probably one of the most well-known celebrity estheticians in Los Angeles because she is passionate about glowing skin and developing transformative skincare products. Her Clinic is a gorgeous vision of white, it feels like a well appointed boudoir and it offers clinical skincare treatments that are both pampering and results driven (I adore the DermalQuench Oxygen Treatment) A-List celebrities regularly frequent Kate’s Clinic for the FAB treatments and privacy, in fact the last time I was there I almost ran over the paparazzi who were in pursuit of scoring a photo of one of Hollywood’s top starlets. Spa at Four Seasons Beverly Hills 300 South Doheny Drive Los Angeles California 90048 This is another celeb fav hangout spot and it will come as no surprise that the Spa is top notch. I recently experienced the most divine treatment called the Effervescence Facial featuring the patented iS FiSZZ Facial System by Innovative Skincare. This sensory masterpiece is designed to smooth, brighten and transform your skin instantly using a variety of warm, cool and effervescent modalities. Imagine the luxurious sensation of champagne-like bubbles on your face! This was one of the most unique facials I have ever experienced, it made my skin radiant and the results last. Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie 701 Stone Canyon Road Los Angeles, CA 90077 The Hotel Bel-Air is a hidden gem tucked into the mountains of Beverly Hills where the wealthy and famous come to escape and unwind. La Prairie is the gorgeous Swiss beauty brand, known for results oriented, powerful, anti-aging products and I enjoy coming to this spa because it’s remote, serene and totally indulgent. I love getting the La Prairie Signature Facial which is customized to my skin’s needs and incorporates a wonderful assortment of La Prairie’s revitalizing products = Heaven!