Beauty & Spas in Simi Valley

A visit to a spa is considered a luxury: indulgent, extravagant, and pricey. But spa-savvy Angelinos know there are cost-conscious ways to get that fresh-from-the-spa look and feel without having to spend money like a starlet. Since owner and aesthetician Tanis is a former cellular and molecular biologist, you might think this Eagle Rock spa would be overrun with highfalutin—and expensive—services. You'd be wrong. The spa's signature custom facial will run you $89—not bad considering the hour-long treatment kicks off with a thorough skin analysis before turning to a custom-blended mask, a choice of acid, enzyme, or manual exfoliation, and a shoulder and arm massage. But the real value comes in the add-ons; clients can opt for more intense exfoliation in the form of a $15 enzymatic peel or a $25 fruit acid peel. The spa also sells four different skincare lines, from Eminence Organics and Lotus Moon to Pharmaskincare and a set of signature house formulas—each of which hits a different budgetary sweet spot. The financial appeal of Westlake Korean spa, Wi Spa, isn't in the massages or skincare treatments; it's in simply entering the spa itself. For $25, visitors gain access to hot and cold tubs, dry and steam saunas, and the jimjilbang, a coed floor complete with five mineral saunas. Since the spa is open 24 hours a day, one entry can go a long way; spend an interlude between sauna sessions on the rooftop terrace or in the computer room, relax with a comic book in the library, or visit the gym, which is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and weights. Thanks to the spa's specials, the entry fee drops to $15 on weekdays between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., all day Tuesday, and any time during the week of your birthday. One way to cut spa spending is to pick a treatment that takes care of multiple needs at once. That's just what the $75 botanical back treatment does at Purity Organic Spa—which, incidentally, is helmed by Carol Zubrin, a celebrity facialist to Ashlee Simpson and Missi Pyle and a featured expert on Style Network's What I Hate About Me. Primarily a skin treatment—it includes botanical sugar grain exfoliation, extractions, and a mineral mud mask with steamed towels to purify the pores—the 45-minute session also includes light kneading of the back with warmed oils and hot stones. Skip the full massage and save at this Universal City spa. For many, spray tans, like mani-pedis and waxing, are a frequent habit, but the cost can add up quickly. Santa Monica sunless tanning salon Chocolate Sun has seized on this insight, offering not only reasonable prices for full-body spray tans ($55), but also a $30 upper-body tan for times when clients aren't concerned about how they look in bikinis. Each spritz also functions as a nourishing skin treatment because Chocolate Sun's in-house sunless solutions leave bodies with a streak-free tan and moisturize the skin with an organic blend of botanicals, herbs, and antioxidants.

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!

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!