Have you ever wondered how everyone in LA looks so healthy and tan yet they spend no time in the sun? Have you looked at Charlise Theron on the red carpet and thought “how does she get that bronzed glow?” Well ask no more! I have discovered the stars secret place for that perfect tan and there isn’t a beach insight! Set amongst the backdrop of glamorous Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills is Portofino Sun. This salon has been tanning the Hollywood elite for years and now us mere mortals can have a slice of the pie… tanning pie that is!

The salon is the ultimate in feel good tanning. It boost’s the “Safest Sun under the Sun”. The staff are so helpful and will guide you through all the different services available. I arrived feeling pale and needing a sunshine boost. The salon offers a smorgasbord of tanning options but for the celebrity experience it has to be the customized tan. My requirement for my tan was simple… make me look like I have spent tha past fortnight on a beach in Barbados!

Firstly I decided to get my body in good shape for the tan. The salon offers a fabulous waxing service that specializes in Brazilian waxing. The waxing expert is actually from Brazil and she only uses a honey wax which is softer on your skin. The service was really quick and practically painless. Then I had the body scrub which takes place in a customized room. For the best tanning results, it’s important that all the dead skin is gone. My skin was baby soft and I was starting to feel like a new woman.

However the piece de resistance was the tan. There are over 25 different shades to choose from and the color is blended based on your requirements, as well as your eye, skin and hair color. To achieve my bronzed look my solution was made up of darker shades with fab names such as Sugar Daddy, Sensual and Chocolate! On top of the color a shimmer can be added to give you that J-LO Glow. As everyone hates that fake tan smell , the salon offers over 25 different fragrances that range from a coconut to a fresh ocean scent! The fantastic thing about a customised tan is that the sprayer can contour parts of your body. For example, if you want to have killer cheekbones or a better cleavage, it’s all done with a wiggle of the spray gun. Think of it as a magic wand to a better body! If you have never had a spray tan I will warn you that you have to arrange you body into different poses that allow “all areas” to be reached. If your shy don’t worry! The salon staff are very accommodating and it’s all so quick that you won’t have time to be embarrassed.

When I was finished I looked in the mirror to be greeted by a bronzed goddess version of myself! Fantastic! Celebrities such as Brittany Murphy, Gisele Bunchen and Paris Hilton are all fans of this salon. In fact it was noted as a 1# salon for celebrity spotting. If that wasn’t enough the owner is currently on tour spray tanning Mariah Carey and we all know how fantastic her tan looks!

The joy of this salon is the feel good factor. I left feeling tanned and fabulous. The next morning, after I showered, my tan looked so natural and I got compliments all day on how great my skin looked! It’s amazing the ways you can inject a little sunshine into your life and this way you don’t even need a blue sky!

Portofino Sun Spa
9431 Little Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills
Tel: 310 276 8855

I first discovered Ole’s Danish spa a month ago when, after several months of living out of a suitcase and moving far too many times, I went in for a day of beauty – bath, scrub, massage and facial. I came out so clean and relaxed that I knew that I had found my spa. After all, us Danes must stick together.

This time, however, it was just my pores that needed work and Maki knew exactly what to do. For over an hour, my skin was cleansed, massaged, pampered and extracted which left me glowing and feeling fabulous. I left with a bag of samples, holistic health advice and a sense of calm. Too bad she couldn’t help unclog traffic.

Ole Henriksen Spa
8622 A West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles CA 90069-2301

The Palisades is a palm-lined stretch of lawn and dirt paths overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Pacific Coat Highway. In 1999, $4.5 million was spent to renovate this 13- block long stretch along Ocean Ave that begins just north of the pier and ends at San Vicente Boulevard. Runners enjoy the flat, easy terrain, although it’s occasionally necessary to sidestep a homeless person snoozing beneath a tree.

Being a camera loving girl the photo ops are endless; the bluffs provides the best views especially at sunset, when the sky lights up in brilliant orange and red as it slowly disappears in the distance. Forgot your camera? Then enjoy a mirror-and-lens panorama that has documented Santa Monica for more than 100 years at the historic Camera Obscura. With a turn of the wheel of the rooftop turret, the city unfolds with 360 degrees of seaside bliss.

Whoever said the best things in life are free were right – well, if they’re referring to the Palisades at least.

Palisades Park
Along Ocean Ave in Santa Monica

Be warned that this isn’t a spa; no warm tea, steam room or robes. But if you’re short on time and money, you can’t beat their one-hour massage for $44. (If you’re really short on time or money, try their $34 1/2hr massage). And after having all the kinks worked out from head to toe, you won’t mind that there were no cherubs chirping or fancy slippers. You’ll be far too relaxed to care about anything.

The Massage Place
625 Montana, Santa Monica CA 90403 (but they are all over the LA area)
310-393-7007