Going Glam ... Keratin Complex GraffitiGlam™, That Is! My Shocking Pink Hair with Hairstylist Jesse German

I change my hair color at least once a year. And, usually, that means I go for a bright, shocking pink! So when the time came this year, I called upon my amazing hairstylist, Jesse German of the Martinez-Samuel Salon, to take me as bright as humanly possible.

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Salon and Spa Directory: The Keratin Complex KCMAX Maximum Keratin Smoothing System with Hairstylist Jesse German

So, here's the thing. I tried a smoothing treatment on my hair about 10 years ago, and it DID. NOT. WORK. My hair stayed exactly the same as it had been pre-treatment -- big, frizzy, curly, not shiny or manageable, the works. You name it, that treatment did not help it. So, as I'm sure you might assume, I was pretty wary of trying another one, even all these years later with the advances in keratin treatments and a stylist as amazing as Jesse German from the Martinez-Samuel Salon. But Jesse convinced me that it was time to try it again -- and so, two weeks ago, we embarked on a new keratin journey with the Keratin Complex KCMAX Maximum Keratin Smoothing System.

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Salon and Spa Directory Meets First Look Fridays Interview Series: Cupping at Massage SoCal with Paloma Sanders

Have you ever tried cupping? And, if not, have you been interested? I did it once before, about 10 years ago, with my acupuncturist in New York. And I honestly loved it, but I just never had the inclination to do it again ... until I discovered Paloma Sanders of Massage SoCal, that is.

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Salon and Spa Directory: côte

I recently started a new job as the Senior Copywriter for a beauty startup. I can't tell you more about it just yet, but I'm really excited for it to launch! Why am I telling you this, you may ask? Well, a couple weeks ago, my boss told our team that we should all treat ourselves to pedicures at any upscale nail salon in LA -- and that we could expense them. Let's just say my excitement level was at, oh, I don't know, 1000 out of 100! We all know how much I love nails, so getting a free amazing pedicure is kind of the best thing to happen to me in forever. (That and starting a new amazing job, of course.) I immediately high tailed it to côte so I could really treat myself.

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Salon and Spa Directory Meets #ManiMonday: Color Camp

You know how you build something up in your mind and just hope beyond hope that it will be as worth it as you dreamed? Well, in the case of Color Camp and my latest manicure, I got even more than I bargained for — because my experience from start to finish was, in a word, MANITASTIC.

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My Latest Mani Meets Salon and Spa Directory: RGB Tropic and Essie Leading Lady Moon Mani at Olive & June

While I typically paint my own nails, I've had so much going on the past week that they were (gasp!) bare. When I told my friend Felicia this, she ordered me to get a manicure STAT. I listened and booked an appointment right then and there for a manicure at Olive & June.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Kim Vo Salon at the Montage Hotel Beverly Hills

Who's on your bucket list of people to meet? I don't know about you, but my list includes way more hairstylists, makeup artists and manicurists than Hollywood celebrities. (What can I say, I'm definitely a beauty blogger.) So when I had the chance to not only meet Kim Vo but have him COLOR MY HAIR during my recent trip to Los Angeles, you might say I ran faster than my legs could carry me.

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My #blondeambitiontour is Complete! (AKA I'm Blonde Now.)

I never thought I would look good as a blonde. I always figured that since I'm so pale (seriously, Casper's got more color than me), blonde would just wash me out. But earlier this year, I decided I really wanted to take the plunge and just TRY it. The worst thing to happen is that I wouldn't like it and would go back to another color, right? So I embarked upon what I called (and hashtagged on Instagram) the #blondeambitiontour. Well ... here's a shock. I. LOVE. BEING. BLONDE.

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Pittsburgh's Studio Booth Salon Made Me See Red (In a Good Way)

Just last week, I talked about how my obsession with red hair began. Well, I've taken the obsession to a new level with my latest hair color experiment! Over the weekend, I visited Wendy Close at Pittsburgh's Studio Booth Salon to take my tresses in a bold new direction ... BRIGHT RED!

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Salon and Spa Directory: Glam Salon

For my birthday party this year, I needed some super special hair. I headed to Glam Salon, located in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood, for a big, bouncy blowout.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Studio Booth

If there's one thing I've had to get used to since moving to Pittsburgh, it's the fact that blowout bars don't exist here. Add to that the fact that all salons are closed on Sundays (and most on Mondays as well) and my hair is definitely a little unhappy. Well, until I discovered the fabulousness that is Studio Booth, that is.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Completely Polished Nail Salon

Since moving to Pittsburgh, I must admit it's been a bit of a challenge to find a great nail salon. Most are closed on Sundays (!!), which is the day I always reserved for my pedicures in NYC. In addition, they seem to be more on the walk-in side than the fancier end of the spectrum, and I really like to treat myself when it comes to my tips and toes. Enter Completely Polished Nail Salon.

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Salon and Spa Directory: 'do Blow Dry Bar

Anyone who knows me knows that having great hair is of the utmost importance in my life. And this is never more important than when I'm traveling. So when I was visiting family in Cleveland over the holidays, I simply had to check out Cleveland's very first salon focusing solely on blowouts, the one and only 'do Blow Dry Bar.

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Salon and Spa Directory: South Side Nail Candy

I normally don't get manicures. I just change my nail polish too often to make them be worth the time and money. But in the case of South Side Nail Candy, I'm making an exception -- because this salon is just too adorable for words!

The salon is done up in bright, happy shades of pink and purple -- my favorites when entering a nail salon! Zebra accents lend a fun, exotic touch. There's a fabulous selection of nail colors on hand (pardon the pun) from Essie, OPI and even China Glaze. You can also get gel manicures here, and the technicians create some pretty incredible nail art designs! On my visit I just did a regular manicure, but I can't wait to go back and experience some of the fantastic art.

But what I really love is that everyone who works here is friendly, accommodating and incredibly talented. I got a regular manicure and was thoroughly impressed by the level of skill my technician showed. My nails were buffed to a glossy shine and expertly painted with two coats of one of my very favorite colors, Essie Leading Lady. Better yet ... the manicure lasted WITHOUT CHIPPING for over a week! Now THAT'S good.

For more information about South Side Nail Candy, visit their Facebook page or call 412.481.6245.

Salon and Spa Directory: Kinara Spa

We know of Kinara as the facial stop for A-list celebrities before they hit the red carpet. Yes, the Red Carpet Facial really is divine, but this spa tucked within Robertson’s row of luxury retail stores offers more than just ultimate facial treatments. Kinara provides a one-stop shop for all kinds of beauty treatments so you can be pampered from head (at their hair salon) to toe (at their mani and pedi stations).

I was treated to a body scrub in their special Vichy shower room and a blowout with the famed hairstylist Gui. I’ve had plenty of body scrubs before, but nothing as unique as the Kinara body scrub, which is performed with a suspended shower that holds eight rotating showerheads. When I arrived, I checked into the bright two-story spa and was shown to the changing room and lockers. I changed into a fluffy robe and was led to a back waiting room with comfortable couches, fruit infused water and lots of magazines.

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Salon and Spa Directory: MiniLuxe

Want to get your nails done in a flash -- but have them look amazing? Then head to any of the Boston-based locations of nail salon MiniLuxe, stat.

MiniLuxe is one of those nail salons that just immediately puts you at ease. First off, it's CLEAN -- the technicians make sure to wash the counters and pedicure tubs after every single client. On my visits to both the Brookline and Wellesley locations, I was impressed with the level of cleanliness and attention to hygiene. In crisp white, the space is also super sleek.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Sam Brocato Salon

I'm a sucker for a good blowout and manicure. So when I was invited into Sam Brocato Salon to experience both of these services, of course I jumped at the opportunity! And I'm pleased to tell you the salon did not disappoint.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa at Chelsea Piers

I've lived in New York for almost 11 years, and before visiting the new Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa at Chelsea Piers, I had never visited Chelsea Piers before. Truth be told, it always seemed so far away, especially since I live on the Upper East Side -- and I just didn't see the point of heading all the way to the other side of town just for a gym. But for a spa? I made the effort on a sunny Sunday morning in a heartbeat.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Marie Robinson Salon

I'd been wanting to check out Marie Robinson Salon for quite awhile, so I was extremely excited to finally have the opportunity. And let me just put it this way ... I was long overdue for hair color, and I do mean LONG overdue. I hadn't done anything to it since October! In recent months, I'd started to think I might be done with red hair, but I realized I really missed it. So I made an appointment with Meg Sanchez Hartigan to see what she might be able to do for me.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Strip: Ministry of Waxing

Painless wax? I honestly thought that concept was a myth until I stepped into Strip: Ministry of Waxing.

Now, let's be honest -- waxing just isn't fun. It's something we do, of course, and we want to find a place that makes us feel comfortable and does a good job. But it usually HURTS. And you're stuck in a little white room that looks and feels like a whole heck of a lot like a doctor's office.

Well, at Strip, those notions just go right out the window. The treatment rooms have fun Jackson Pollock-esque abstract art on the walls, cubbyholes for your belongings, Strip's philosophies scrawled across the ceilings, and even little squeezy monkeys to hold onto during the session.

But the REAL reason to come here? The waxing. I made sure not to take any aspirin beforehand, so I'd really know the full extent of the pain. There. Was. NONE. And I got the XXXX Strip ($85), which means there was quite a bit of removal going on. My waxing specialist, Elena, expertly removed every single hair with the ultimate precision and an eagle eye. The whole session took around 25 minutes, and when we were done? Not a single hair remained, and I hadn't been encouraged to shed even one single tear.

For more information about Strip: Ministry of Waxing and to book an appointment, visit strip-usa.com.