You might recognize Kirbie Johnson’s byline or signature blonde hair from PopSugar where she was the beauty editor and on-air host for seven years, test-driving the latest and greatest beauty products and treatments, and interviewing all the boldface names in the industry. Just this past month, she officially went freelance and launched Gloss Angeles, an LA-based beauty podcast, which she hosts with fellow beauty editor Sara Tan.
Kirbie has seen the beauty scene in LA evolve since relocating from Texas ten years ago. “It’s growing in terms of the beauty community and brand presence,” she explains. It’s also home to a lot of trends that can be considered very LA. “Generally, the beauty scene here is rooted in youth and health: there’s so much to try, from ear seeding to cryotherapy, lymphatic drainage massage to crystal healing. Of course, it’s one of the top places in the world to get aesthetic treatments, but it’s also a place that has an overabundance of med spas. So be careful!”
Naturally, 100 ML tapped into Kirbie’s wealth of West Coast knowledge by asking her to share her very comprehensive beauty guide to LA.
Coolest new beauty spots: Squeeze is a new massage concept that just opened up in Studio City, and it was co-founded by the creator of Drybar, so I feel like it’s a matter of time before they open up more locations. To book, you have to download an app, and when you’re there you select all your preferences through the app, like lighting, music, pressure, aromatherapy etc. It’s pretty awesome—and when you’re on the table, you simply click a button underneath to notify your therapist that you’re ready.
Skin Camp is a cute facial spot on Beverly that focuses on “working out the face.” It’s not private—meaning there are reclining barber-style chairs that the estheticians use, and there are no privacy blinders, but it’s less than $100 USD for a facial, which is a steal in LA.
The Orly Color Lab, also on Beverly, allows you to mix your own nail polish and name it when you come in for a mani.
Bite Beauty opened up a new location of their Lib Lab on Larchmont, so you can create your own lipstick shade and then store the formula to repurchase.
If you’re in need of a good spray tan, I suggest the newly-opened Be Bronze on 3rd Street. Brittney works with some of the Vanderpump Rules cast and she’s really knowledgeable about how the tan will affect different skin tones. And, I love that she has a sign up in each room that tells clients to never apologize for their body.
Favourite spas: For no BS amazing facials, see Olga Lorencin at her eponymous skin care clinic. She works on everyone but doesn’t need to flaunt it, and she knows skin. I have melasma, and even with the hyperpigmentation she makes my skin look clear, lifted and glowing.
If you’re looking for a bougie spa experience, there’s a few to check out. Tomoko Japanese Spa in Beverly Hills is heaven. They serve you Sugarfish afterwards; it’s dreamy. Go with a girlfriend or a significant other.
La Prairie Spa at The Waldorf Astoria is decadent as hell. La Prairie products are some of my favorites, and after your services you can go have lunch on the rooftop of the Waldorf which has a killer view.
Caudalie Spa on Abbot Kinney is small, but the facials and massages cannot be beat.
If you want a Biologique Recherche facial, The Peninsula is so luxe. You’ll probably see a celebrity or two there—if not, you’ll def see them at The Four Seasons, whose spa I also love.
Joanna Vargas’s spa at Sunset Tower is also beautiful—I want to move in—and she has this LED bed you can lay in for an all-over collagen body boost. I always fall asleep. It’s so relaxing.
The one beauty treatment you need to try in LA: This is Sophie’s choice. Realistically, I think you should book at Joanna or Caudalie, but if you can, try to get a Yoli Glo facial or a body treatment from Cynthia Franco.
Best dermatologist: My cosmetic dermatologist is Dr. Nancy Samolitis. I feel like too many derms look insane because they have access to so many treatments and injectables. Dr. Samolitis is beautiful but looks natural. She does amazing work. The dermatologists at Moy Fincher Chipps are also some of the best in the country and practice both cosmetic and general dermatology.
There’s a lot of people and places that offer injectables and aesthetic treatments in LA, so I’m adding a few of those people that I trust. Dr. Samolitis at Facile, obviously. Nurse Jamie does impeccable work and treats every celebrity known to mankind. I remember going to shoot with her at the spa and seeing a major A-lister walk in the back while another was leaving.
Favourite nail salon and/or manicurist: Dip powder isn’t super popular in LA yet, which is why I love TNL The Nail Lounge. I see Ana or Vicky. They are meticulous and I can go three weeks in between visits because of how detailed they are. Fariha (@nailjob) and Bell (@sohotrightnail) are true artists but they book up quickly and often don’t take new clients.
Best places to shop for beauty: If you want an LA experience, go to Credo or The Detox Market. They’re smaller but more curated as they are “clean” beauty retailers. Or head to the valley and hit up Nigel’s or Naimie’s. If you are an industry professional, you’ll get discounts on products! The biggest Sephora in Los Angeles is either the one at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica or in Beverly Hills.
Go-to hair salon for a blowout: I love Drybar, it’s a staple. It can be hit or miss, but usually they nail it. The one on Sunset is the flagship location here in LA and they have the best stylists. The front desk is always nice too!
Best salon for cut and colour: Ramirez-Tran is where I go for my cuts and extensions. Anh Co Tran is my stylist—I love that man. He’s so kind, so talented and humble, too. I’ve seen him for six years now which is bonkers. I also think Sal Salcedo does a killer job at cutting hair—he opened up Nova Arts Salon in the Design District. He’s also curated a fantastic group of stylists and colorists at the salon.
Justin Anderson coloured my hair last and I’ve never had more compliments on it. He works out of the invite-only dpHue house, and I never want to be an imposition to experts like that so I need to ask him who he recommends I should routinely see, ha. My former colourist left the country so I’m glad I was able to see Justin!
Go-to brow person: I had my brows microbladed in 2016, so I do nothing to my brows. I let Jared Bailey touch them up when he’s in town. Two people who are extremely talented in this field are Damone Roberts, Kristie Streicher and Kelley Baker.
Best place for lash extensions: Blink Bar, Beverly Hills Lashes
Favourite place to shop for fragrance: My favourite fragrance is Tom Ford Neroli Portofino, so I typically buy that online or at Nordstrom. Butt here are a few cool places in LA in regards to fragrance, like Santa Maria Novella and Scent Bar.
