Let’s be honest, the main reason for a flying visit to L.A. is to soak up/see/stalk the celebrity Hollywood scene. Assuming you want to ‘blend in’ while doing said soaking/seeing/stalking, herewith the hot-off-the-press glossy girls travel guide to getting glam in LA…
Start in the A-list heart: Beverly Hills.
1. SoulCycle: hit the Soul first thing in the morning, there’s nothing better to beat jet lag than working up a good sweat. Get ready to spin those legs, work that core, and flex those arms in a super dark, pumped up room. The morning I ‘clipped in’ (semi-pro term for getting on the bike) our instructor opened with, ‘I just want to get out of the way straight up that I love you all. Really. It’s true.’… Welcome to LA! Also… their work out gear rocks. Sweating never looked so good. SoulCycle has lots of locations, I visited 9465 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Calif. www.soul-cycle.com
2. About Face. Join the (non-surgical) smooth faced L.A. brigade via The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. It’s the place to get smoothed and plumped the old fashioned way. Their facials use Barcelona-based brand Natura Bissē, which of course (it is Beverly Hills Darhhhhhling) includes a Diamond Collection Treatment range. According to the Natura Bissē website, naturabisse.com, it’s ‘the most luxurious, exclusive jewel for your skin.’ In fact, this brand is so exclusive I hadn’t even heard of it. But now? I’m a convert. Plus the hands working the products (aka the facialists) are superb. Still want more? This is the hotel where Pretty Woman was filmed. If it’s good enough for Ms Roberts and Mr Gere… The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire (A Four Seasons Hotel), 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Calif. www.fourseasons.com
3. A short skip across the road and around the corner on N. Beverly Drive is French store Maje. It’s seriously chic without the seriously high price tags of the neighbouring luxe stores on this famous strip. Maje do excellent work in most areas but are a complete stand out for skirts. Maje, 350 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif. www.us.maje.com
Now hit West Hollywood, specifically? Melrose.
4. Melrose got cool in the 90s courtesy of the super popular angst-for-adults TV show, Melrose Place, and unlike most 90s icons (hyper-colour happy pants anyone?) it stayed cool. Lots of fab stores on Melrose Ave – but if you’re pushed for time hone your GPS directly to Fred Segal. It’s the store-in-a-store which showcases best in SoCal style; denim, shirts, tees, frocks, plus exceptional accessories. Also it has parking and a café – it’s the ultimate all rounder. Fred Segal, 8100 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, Calif. www.fredsegal.com
Then skip down to West 3rd St.
5. Where you’ll find Anine Bing. This fashion blogger-turned-designer has her eye on the style prize; her gear is cool, covetable and wearable. Stock up on her stunning leather pieces, ankle boots, or tops. This emerging label hangs on many a fash pack frame including Rosie Huntington-W, Jessica Alba, and Kate Upton. Anine Bing, 8130 West 3rd St, Los Angeles, Calif. www.aninebing.com
6. Continue along West 3rd St until you hit The Grove. It’s a slick open air mall with celeb cred: E!News films here. Ensure your lipstick is camera ready prior to stepping out and add sunglasses to ensemble. The celeb light shines bright here. Stock up on soft cashmere and jersey basics at Splendid, long sleeved tees at J.Crew, denim at Madewell, and if you have any pennies left visit high end brand collective Theodore. The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, Calif. www.thegrovela.com
Now get the laidback beach vibe via Santa Monica.
7. Start your shopping engine at the gorgeous outdoor Third St Promenade. Swing past the staples: Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, Steve Madden, Levi’s, and Anthropologie. Then hit Kitson at Santa Monica Place – you’ll find one-of-kind gear and gifts (for your loved ones, or, er… yourself. No judgment here.). Third St Promenade, Santa Monica, Calif. Kitson, 395 Santa Monica Place Suite #120, Santa Monica, Calif. www.shopkitson.com
Finish in the OC.
8. There’s definitely something in the water in Orange County; stunning coast and stunning people. After treading the style boards all day, check into the Montage Laguna Beach and book yourself a massage or a body treatment at the Spa Montage. This Spa takes primping and pampering to another level. After your treatment finish with a blow out at the Kim Vo salon. Don’t settle the spa bill until you’ve purch’ed a few Kerstin Florian products. This is one of my fave European skincare brands, which is only stocked in luxey resorts and spas. Their Serum C+ is a need not a want. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, Calif. www.montagehotels.com
Happy LA glossing it up!
