Salida, CA Beauty and Salons

Creations Salon owner Lynnell Darby leads a staff of experienced stylists in cutting, coloring, and coiffing tresses with acclaimed salon products that include Paul Mitchell and Pureology. Clients kick back and savor a complimentary beverage as their hair basks in deep hydration alongside skin-flattering color or dimension-boosting highlights before the strand sculpting begins. Unlike the copycat styles and unyielding salad bowls used in a typical salon, Creations' stylists approach each head of tresses as a unique canvas, taking both fashion trends and individual face shape into account to forge a one-of-a-kind style.

As the vibrant, swirling skirts of belly dancers entrance patrons' eyes, Skewers' chefs slice up lamb, filet mignon, chicken, and salmon for the restaurant’s namesake kebabs. To sate carnivorous cravings, their flavorful meats—which are marinated for 48 to 72 hours in tangy Mediterranean spices and oils—are roasted over the open flame of a stove or a snoring baby dragon. Bartenders craft potent martinis and pour international wines that complement both the punchy flavors of the kebabs and the plumes of sweet, aromatic smoke that dance through the hookah garden. On select nights, the kebab house brims with the catchy beats of live jazz bands, late-night DJs, and brave karaoke performers, and belly dancers take center stage with their sensuous dance moves on Saturday evenings.

At Grace Hair Salon, founder Thad Grace puts each stylist through an exclusive training program that transcends trends to focus on the technical framework behind cutting and coloring hair. A stylist and educator whose work is frequently showcased on the nationally syndicated television show Better, Thad's "smart" hair approach is also the inspiration for his product line, Mada, which includes spray shampoos for easy application and less product waste, and hydrating serums boasting higher-than-average SAT scores.

Real bamboo, potted with smooth stones in glass vases, contributes to the serene vibe of Grace Hair & Esthetics’ simple yet elegant studio. Among the space’s wooden floors and red, white, and mocha-hued walls, stylists snip and colour the tresses of men, women, children, and teens. A private spa room sets the stage for the aesthetics portion of the salon, where waxing experts strip away fuzz from underarms, legs, and bikini lines, and eyebrow stylists thread brows into symmetrical curves or asymmetrical arches to connote a permanent state of disbelief. Nail technicians also contribute to beauty overhauls with basic mani-pedis and dollops of shellac polish that remain chip-free for up to two weeks.

While Massage services are available, including Swedish and relaxation modalities, Lady Grace Beauty Spa offers many other services as well. A loop of thread and deft fingertips are all that's required for the threading process, a hair-removal technique that removes even minute hairs without irritating the skin. Parul, owner of Lady Grace Beauty Spa, creates clean, flattering brow-lines using the method. In addition to hair removal, Lady Grace also offers a full range of spa services that beautify the skin and soothe the muscles below it. Dermalogica facials combat skin issues such as acne, wrinkles, or Sharpie tattoos, and henna body art or eyelash-tinting treatments turn up the dial on natural beauty.

Amanda MacDougall, owner of Saving Grace Hair Studio and graduate of Avant Garde, helms a seasoned staff, which includes a retro-hairstyle enthusiast and a makeup artist trained at the prestigious Blanche MacDonald Centre. When she isn't tending to the needs of her clients, she educates on behalf of L’anza Healing Haircare and travels the world, bringing back knowledge and visage-enhancing tools for her fellow stylists. Amanda strives to keep her services up to date by using the latest products and tools, such as Brazilian Blowout and the Ultrasonic Beaute Infared Iron, which applies keratin treatments without heat damage, changes the molecular structure of the hair, and seals in moisture laundered from Poseidon’s oceanic account.