A Bundle of Beauty

The List Lab

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.