Shelly massaging Cell Conditioner into my skin, which stimulates collagen, improves skin texture, and suppresses melanin.
Walking along Market Street in downtown San Francisco, I noticed that this years summer in the Bay Area was unusually hot. Beads of sweat began to from on my face upon my arrival at Estia Salon, a nature-inspired haven that offers holistic skincare and bodywork, located in the heart of the city. My skin felt oily, congested, and gross and I began to feel terribly sorry for the esthetician that would soon have to witness the ghastly sight of my skin.
Luckily, the minute I met Shelly Michaelis, the owner of Estia Salon, I knew I was in experienced, knowledgable, and caring hands. Shelly is a well traveled surfer who understands the risks people face from exposure of the outdoor elements. Being half-Filipino and half-German, Shelly also is an expert in dealing with Asian skin which is often prone to hyper-pigmentation and oil. At my tender age, I already had sunspots creeping beneath the surface of my skin and had unsuccessfully battled my oily t-zone area for years. Could Shelly be the heaven-sent redeemer for my doomed skin?!
This has gone on too long.
I have felt like a degenerate teenager with my trendy/rebellious golden-streaked locks that don’t match any of my pretty Spring/Summer wardrobe for far too long.
Just as I was about to purchase a home hair-dye kit, my editor asks me, “Do you want to get your ombre locks fixed by this famous Beverly Hills colorist?”
Thank you, Lord for answering my prayers.
I set an appointment to the luxe Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills, frequented by Reese Witherspoon, Laguna Beach starlets, and Hollywood housewives.
Entering the salon, I was surprised by how hip the atmosphere is. I usually associate Beverly Hills salons with stuffy, boring, pretentiousness but this was neither as the vibe was bustling and colorful and the folks were friendly and inviting.
Tucked away behind an art gallery in the heart of Beverly Hills, a block away from famed Rodeo Drive, Nelson J Salon is a hive of activity. Bleached blondes going blonder, stylists and clients gossiping away (about anyone we know?), and owner and master colorist Nelson Chan is hustling from one chair to another, his blonde mop and black glasses making him instantly recognizable.
He takes one look at my hair and instructs an employee, “Shampoo. The rosemary mint.” I’ve been neglecting my hair of late, immobilized with indecision. Shorter? Straighter? Colored? Cropped? Needless to say, I need the calming yet invigorating deep cleansing shampoo by Aveda (most likely to get out the argan oil I’ve been using lately in a vain attempt to inject some life into my lackluster locks).
My hair still nice and smooth hours after I left the salon.
Since coming to Los Angeles a year and a half ago, I noticed my hair getting dry and my scalp irritated. I hypothesized long ago that maybe the water in Los Angeles is different from Hong Kong where I’m from and that there was nothing I could do about it. In fact, Southern California has some of the hardest water in the United States and the bright sun, dry air and pollution only worsens the situation. Never did I think that there was a way to defend my hair against the damaging elements of L.A., so when I was presented with the opportunity to try out the Formula LA Shampoo and Conditioner, I jumped right at it.
Rarely do I go to a salon just to get a blow dry, so I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t think washing my hair with this new shampoo and conditioner once would make that big of a difference, but it really did. My hair and scalp felt so much cleaner as the shampoo more effectively cleans away the dirt, making my hair more lightweight so that I was finally able to get the volume that I’ve always wanted for my hair. The conditioner made my hair a lot smoother and easier to manage, and did I mention how good it smells? Even after an hour or two of some window shopping and squishing in crowded public transport, my hair still behaved wonderfully. This is the best I’ve seen my hair. Bye bye hair problems!
The Formula LA Shampoo and Conditioner are designed to combat the harmful effects of the harsh conditions in Los Angeles. With these specially made products, your hair no longer has to fear the harmful, damaging elements in our environment. Plus, the products are so friendly to our hair that they can be used every day. I also love that these hair products are designed with our environment in mind. The ingredients are biodegradable and the packaging is recyclable since it is made of aluminum, which also makes it more aesthetically appealing.
You can purchase the Formula LA Shampoo and Conditioner online and in Planet Blue, The Color Bar Salon, Beverly Glen Pharmacy, Brent-Air Pharmacy and Dana’s. If you’re still unsure about it, try it out The Color Bar Salon. The staff there is really nice and the salon is very cozy.
The Color Bar Salon
DETAILS
The Color Bar Salon
9885 South Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
