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A Bundle of Beauty

Anna Rahe's Secret, Budget Friendly Beauty Pros

Owner of GST LA in Hollywood, Anna Rahe's primp tips were just so perfect....and perfectly affordable....that they deserved a list of their own. So, The List Lab came to the rescue. File, bookmark, share or save....Just keep this list handy!

Posted on July 16th, 2011

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The Mane Issue: Cathy Morado, Hairstylist CONTACT: By Appt Only 626.461.2941 You’ve probably heard that a frame makes the pictures. Well such is the case with your hair and your face. I found Cathy Morado by chance but she it was in truth...destiny. After cutting my hair for years, because no one could do what I wanted or envisioned, I found Cathy. My mom always said a good hair cut keeps its style for a long time. Considering that the recommended time between haircuts is between 4-6 weeks, the fact that Cathy’s sculptures last well past 8-12 weeks is a miracle. She could charge (and used to charge) the Beverly Hills price of $250+ but now she only works exclusively with private clients. If you get a chance to have her cut your hair you will be lucky. You can thank me later - she is THAT good!!
Restore: Sunset Foot Spa VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 7125 West Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood [Hollywood] I am frugal but more so, I am picky. I rarely pay for bodywork or massage because I can’t find someone worth my money and who knows how to work my body to my standards (I am a body worker!). The Sunset foot spa is amazing. I get the 60 min combo massage (back & foot). It is quick, effective and did I mention $35! Just make sure you ask for what you want...strong or light touch, more on the shoulders less on the feet, etc. It is clean, relaxing and did I mentiongood for you? Like I said…I am picky and I pick Sunset Foot Spa to relax and restore from my 10 hour days of helping other peoples bodies. That’s gotta say something.
Eyes Are The Pathway To The Soul: Rachel Ortiz, Sublime Eyes CONTACT: rachelortiz@yahoo.com | 323.747.0519 My confession- my eyelashes are truly my one indulgence. Totally unnecessary but totally worth every penny. I am low maintenance. I don’t wear make up because I look like a transvestite if I wear it and it ends up running off my face (oily eyes). I am in a profession where I am my brand and I need to look amazing - even while working out! - ridiculous? So this is how I do it. I scoured the internet for affordable lash extensions (Reg about $350 for a full set). I was a novice. I found what I thought was an incredible deal with a lady in Echo Park (50% cheaper than other Hollywood locations) Then I found Rachel Ortiz! Forget her incredible rates…She is an artist. With the old place I always had lash damage! With Rachel, I get mink lashes (what!!?), that look real and my lashes are healthier than ever! People always comment on my eyes/ lashes- “they look so natural”- that is because they are....naturally beautiful and healthy, just like I keep my soul.
Love The Skin You're Living In: Smooth Skin Laser Clinic VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 127 South Brand Boulevard #230, Glendale [Glendale] Like most luxuries in LA, I thought I could never afford laser treatments. After $1500 worth of laser with no promise of an end in sight (and my beauty budget bankrupt), I did some kamikaze-type reconnaissance I found what I consider one of my best finds ever!!! Smooth Skin Laser is a hole in the wall place, but very clean and professional. State of the art Lasers, IPL, PDT, Hair removal you name it. It’s a no frills place that just gets the job done- right. Antonio’s packages are worth over $600 at most places in LA but not here. The usual saying is that you get what you paid for but smooth skin laser gives you way more. Like I said- its my best find.
Power and Speed Be Hands And Feet, Emmerson: ABC Nails LOCATION: 5704 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles [Hollywood] The time-consuming effort of relaxing while people pamper your digits has never worked well with my ADD- but….I am starting to get into it. Like most things of luxury I always thought I could do a better job then the pros. Nothings is worse than walking out of a mani/pedi and wanting immediate access to acetone to wash away the sin of bad polish. Not so with ABC Nails- a serious diamond in the rough. Justin, the head guy, used to make very high-end jewelry in Vietnam, if that is any indication of what your digits end up looking like. ABC Nails is clean and hygienic. I think it should actually be called A-Z Nails because you get everything from A-Z at less than the cost of other local nails salons (ie: Gel manicure for $20!). Please if you go- don’t take my place in line…there usually is one J.