Pretty Girl
John Frieda Salon
It’s a fact - I’ve paid more for hair color than some people spend on rent but I’ve never paid for a hair cut. I’ve always been a one length kind of girl who just had a trim. But that hasn’t been working for me lately, especially in this town. It was time for me to get an actual ‘do and for that I needed to go to the best salon in Los Angeles.
Stepping into the old school world of glamour that is the John Frieda Salon (now run by the infamous, talented and oh so charming Serge Normant) I felt a twinge of panic; was my hair good enough for this world-renowned salon? Were my shoes alright? Would I know how to dish with the best of them? Walking into the lobby I felt far too plain and feared I’d be out of place. Luckily, from the moment I was greeted I knew that was just all in my head.
Surprisingly relaxed, low-key and friendly, my super stylist to the stars, Jessica Tingley, put me to ease right away when she complimented my hair and said, “but I think we can do better.”
I agreed. My current hair left me looking 16 and although young is good, 16 when you’re 31 is not. A queen of the layers, Jessica is the Ferrari of hair stylists; taking my hair from drab to dreamy in under 8 seconds (Ok, it was a little more but I didn’t mind; she’s as personable as she is fantastic at hair). Taking off inches without sacrificing length, my hair, once blow dried, looked amazing. And for the first time I felt I had a personal style without being styled. Not only that, it was the first time in a salon I actually relaxed thanks to poolside drinks in a beautiful setting that can only be described as LA.
Beauty here doesn’t come cheap; stylists begin at $150 but if you need a major change and want a little pampering without having a poodle on your lap then this is the place to do it. Besides, your hair cuts grow out so wonderfully that you can stretch visits up to six months (an update: my layers grew out so amazing that I only have to get a cut twice a year with a couple of (complimentary) bang trims. And the best part? I was able to effortless re-create the style at home. Now that’s worth the money.).
TIP: At this salon, people stick to what they do best so don’t expect your colourist to cut your hair (she won’t) or vice versa. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no multi-tasking going on here. This salon will do almost anything for their clients including ordering you in lunch or giving you a mani-pedi outside.
Sally Hershberger at John Frieda
8440 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 653-4040
Area: 