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A Beauty Stylist’s Guide to Los Angeles with Genevieve Barnoski

LA insider Genevieve Barnoski rounds up her pick of the best feel-good stops in LA
LA insider Genevieve Barnoski rounds up her pick of the best feel-good stops in LA | Courtesy of eSalon

From fresh juices and facials to favorite yoga studios, our health-loving insider knows where to go for a virtuous stay in the City of Angels.

Hairstylist Genevieve Barnoski has lived in Los Angeles all her life, so she knows this sun-drenched California city inside-out. The lead color stylist at eSalon – an LA-based brand that delivers custom hair color to your door – she is also obsessed with all things beauty and wellness. Here she rounds up her pick of the best feel-good stops in LA, from yoga studios and juice bars to nature-filled hikes and pampering spas.

Kreation Juice

Juice Bar, Eco-friendly

Organic juices. rirri-_cIcJ_IsrEU-unsplash
© Rirri / Unsplash

“We love our fresh-pressed juices in LA. Not only are they delicious, but they allow you to quickly digest essential nutrients and vitamins. My favorite juice bar is Kreation. There’s a quaint hipster vibe, and the cafe is covered in greenery and living plant walls. They have various locations around the city, but the Santa Monica outpost has a small sit-down restaurant, too. Get the Yellow Diamond smoothie – it’s made with pineapple and coconut milk and will instantly make you feel like you’re on the beach.”

Tabb & Sparks

Beauty Salon

Young woman hairdresser dying hair at beauty salon. Professional hair roots coloring. maksim-chernishev-PaEFID0r2yo-unsplash
© Maksim Chernishev / Unsplash

“Many people think the best salons in LA are in Beverly Hills. But my favorite in the city, Tabb & Sparks, is actually on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. The celebrity colorist and stylist duo Kristina Tabb and Michael Sparks have brought the luxurious Beverly Hills experience and top-quality hair styling to this laid-back beach city. I highly recommend seeing Toru Fujisaki and Emma Schwimley for your cut and color.”

Temescal Canyon Trail

Hiking Trail

Hikers on the Temescal Ridge Trail, with Santa Monica Bay in distance
© Debra Behr / Alamy

“Most hiking spots in LA can be super crowded, but Temescal is more low-key – and still really beautiful. It’s not too difficult a climb – perfect for a weekend hike – and you can see everything, from the ocean to Downtown LA, at the top of the trail. It’s truly breathtaking to experience the entire landscape of the city, usually very lively, rendered so peaceful and calm from far away. Parking can be a challenge, but you can park for free on Temescal Canyon Road, near Will Rogers State Beach towards Pacific Coast Highway, and walk up to the beginning of the trail.”

CorePower Yoga

Yoga Studio

Girls on yoga mats. luna-active-fitness-iEpsg6OzyXw-unsplash
© LUNA ACTIVE FITNESS / Unsplash

“My favorite yoga studio in LA is Corepower Yoga, which has quite a few locations across the city and offers heated classes. I typically visit the Brentwood location, which is a studio where you’ll sometimes spot celebs. The heat mixed with the relaxing, healing yoga vibe makes for an unreal experience. You not only leave drenched in sweat, but with a euphoric uplifted feeling.”

The Hollywood Bowl

Music Venue

Concert with colorful lighting at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA
© Robert Landau / Alamy
“The Hollywood Bowl – a beautiful outdoor amphitheater – makes you feel like you’ve escaped the city for the evening. It’s surrounded by trees and hillside and lays on incredible music. An iconic staple in the LA music and arts scene, it draws all sorts of big names, and you can even bring your own food and drink from Trader Joe’s to have a picnic while you watch. My favorite concert was Queen + Adam Lambert a few years ago, though, of course, it was missing Freddie Mercury.”

The Butcher’s Daughter

Restaurant, American, Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

The Butchers Daughter Cafe on Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA
© Robert Landau / Alamy

“You’ve got to come to the Butcher’s Daughter for brunch. I highly recommend their avocado toast which, as we all know, is an LA staple because it’s so tasty yet healthy. You’ll find the place on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach, which is home to loads of small boutiques for clothing, art, jewelry – and some of the most beautiful and inspiring street art in Los Angeles. There’s a great place for facials, too: Osea Skincare Studio, which specializes in organic and naturally derived skincare products. The whole place has a real relaxed Westside vibe, which I absolutely love.”

Bijou Beauty

Beauty Salon

bioelements_Crucial Moisture
@Bioelements

“Hands down the best spa is Bijou Beauty on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. They do everything from lashes and microblading to peels and facials. The staff is super friendly and will literally give you the glowing skin of your dreams, using the Bioelements brand – in my opinion, one of the best-kept skincare secrets on the market. It’s made with clean ingredients, so it’s very LA. My favorite esthetician is Lauren Goldsmith, the owner, but her schedule fills up quickly, so try a midweek appointment.”

Casa Del Mar

Hotel

Double room at Casa del Mar featuring floral soft furnishings in a neutral color palette, and a stunning sea view from its arched window.
© Casa del Mar / Expedia
“This hotel, in the heart of Santa Monica, truly makes you feel like you’re on a relaxing beach vacation with its cute patio and lounge that overlooks the ocean. Set right off the sand, it’s an easy walk to the Santa Monica Pier – an essential Los Angeles landmark, with amusement rides, cotton candy stands and views of the Pacific – as well as the shops and restaurants of Third Street Promenade, with its amazing farmers’ market every Wednesday from 8am-1pm, offering delicious fresh and local Californian produce as well as tasty pastries and treats. Go shopping, then come back to the hotel to sip a Berry Bucha cocktail: a combo between an Aperol spritz and kombucha.”

The Hoxton Hotel

Hotel

The Hoxton Hotel_f678186f
Courtesy of the Hoxton Hotel / Expedia

“Mixing old and new, the Hoxton has an amazing Los Angeles vibe and chic decor. It’s also conveniently located next to some of the best restaurants in Downtown. Before it was converted, the building held the offices for the LA railway, so it’s a really iconic spot. Be sure to dine at the rooftop bar and order the ziti (Neapolitan-style baked pasta) as you can take in views of the City of Angels.”

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