Looking for a California experience when seeking some new strands? Instead of going through the typical tress trap of ego and expense where you feel rushed and irrelevant, check out the salon by Maxime. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in Beverly Hills because the vibe is so low-key and the surroundings are created to make everyone who goes there feel like a celeb sans the catty-tude.

The location is tucked away terrifically behind the hustle-and-bustle cluster of designer boutiques that fill up Rodeo Drive at the garden-like Rodeo Collection. The space is pure and simple in the minimalist fashion of a Zen-like atmosphere that features plasma screens for your viewing pleasure and cool eclectic tunes to help you feel as at ease as your tresses.

Part of what makes the salon unique is its own line of exclusive hair care products created by Maxime. He’s quoted as saying he did so “because I know what works and what doesn’t.” (Which is safe to assume since he’s been styling hair for over 20 years with formal training that began at Claude Maxim on the French Rivera.)

The rest of his staff offers up just as significant expertise since the team is comprised of people from Jose Eber, Sally Hershberger at John Frieda, Jonathan and Art Luna salons. The Salon at Maxime opened in June 2004 and offers haircuts, blow-drys, one-process coloring, highlights, relaxers, eyebrow shaping and tinting, makeup lessons and applications, and manicures and pedicures.

The Salon by Maxime
421 N. Rodeo Drive, Rodeo Collection
Beverly Hills
310.205.2370

It’s time to make some realistic New Year’s resolutions, so how about starting with your most important accessory? (That would be your HAIR of course!) This year, instead of fighting with and resenting your hair, embrace your natural strands. Whether thick or thin, wavy or straight, you can make the most of your locks with the right tools and a little bit of love. So go ahead, eat another piece of chocolate and grab another French fry, but make sure to clarity, fortify, amplify and stylize the right way in 2006!

Clarify: LOGICS (For Matrix) Clarifying Shampoo
There are many shampoos out there that promise to diminish the dull luster product build-up creates. It’s important to include a clarifying shampoo into your cleansing routine to wash away impurities and leave hair clean and ready for styling.

Gorgeous hair is a must for such beautiful look. Inspired by the retro-inspired looks he created for Fall 2005′s New York Fashion Week, we asked Jonathan Antin, of JONATHAN|product(TM), for some tips for creating glamorous holiday hair. With the help of Jonathan, BeautyNewsLA.com readers now have a step-by-step “diagram” of how to achieve glamorous movie star hair!

1. Begin with Jonathan Moisturizing Shampoo ($20) and Volumizing Conditioner ($22) for soft shiny hair with lots of volume. Blot hair till damp dry.

2. Work 3-4 pumps of Create Volume ($26) through hair. Allow hair to air dry until it’s about 95% dry. Blow-dry hair with a brush to smooth ends for about five minutes.

3. Use a 1.25 inch barrel curling iron to create a figure eight type curl: open the curling iron and close it half way down hair shaft. Wrap ends around the barrel to the right and then to the left down to the scalp for the “figure 8″ curl. Clip each curl to the scalp, allowing it to cool for about 5 minutes.

4. Create about 3-4 curls on each side, and up to 6 on the top and crown. Hair on the back of the head can be smoothed with the iron to create a soft curl at the ends.

5. Take out clips and brush hair gently to release curls and waves. Using 3-4 pumps of Finish Shine ($26), apply to hair, working all the way to the ends, to control frizz. Then apply a dime’s size amount of Dirt ($26), rubbing thoroughly into palms of hands till it disappears, then run fingers through hair. Brush hair once more to smooth.

Optional: For a more unique look, grab hair into a ponytail and create a twist, making sure to anchor with hairpins. Later on, remove pins and shake hair out. Brush lightly for that “babe/morning after” look.

*Jonathan Hair products can be purchased at Sephora, www.Sephora.com,
QVC and www.QVC.com*

To celebrate BN’s big move of branching out to LA, we’re covering Prive Salons this month because they are located in our hometown and our sister publication’s. Both were founded by Hollywood hair master Laurent Dufourg, a French native who also own two namesake salons in Europe. He has an international following and cutting-edge hair techniques that have had a strong style impact on all of his salons and many big-name celebs. He has also developed his own line of luxurious hair care products, Prive formulae aux herbes, which incorporate a unique herbal blend ingredients. This month Kathryn Holl checked out Prive in Soho, so first we’ll give you the rundown on how it went. Then we’ll let our new friends in LA know what they can expect from their salon, which (just to give you a brief preview) includes a beautiful space, superstar cuts and color and plenty of celebrity sightings.

Prive Salon NYC: A Solid Cut In Soho
On a Friday night after a long and stressful workweek, happy hour sounds more inviting than a haircut. But I was optimistic as I made my way downtown to Prive Salon (310 West Broadway) located right next to the Soho Grand. The first thing I noticed, not surprisingly, was the large majority of male clientele. The salon’s décor, which works to the comfort of both sexes, also attracted my attention as it invites a cool feeling that is very unpredictable. After dressing in my robe I was pleased to have someone offer me a skim cappuccino. I’ve had unsweetened iced tea and diet coke provided to me before, but a beverage such as this one seems to add an elevated sense of superior customer service. My favorite part of any haircut is the shampoo, and as I made my way to the wash area, I felt as if I was stepping into a Mediterrean spa. Surrounded by deep blue tiles reminiscent of the ocean, I sat back in the reclining leather chair and prepared for my shampoo. Let me advise you that if you decide to visit Prive, make sure you have Kazy wash your hair””the man’s hands are magic!

Do lanky locks have you feeling down? Are you starting to accept “bad hair days” as a staple item in your wardrobe of looks? Are you noticing that your hair isn’t quite as manageable, lustrous, and full of life as it typically is? These conditions are due to a multitude of sins – summer exposure, rapid weather changes with the changing seasons, and just not enough care. It’s takes more than just shampoo and conditioner to make hair glossy and full of life. One has to treat their hair carefully, and that includes nourishing it with carefully chosen products.
I know I can hear you thinking, “right, what the heck does she mean by NOURISHING?” It means to feed your hair, or, to be more precise, feed your scalp so that your hair grows out beautifully. Get to the “root” of the problem by treating your scalp carefully and gently, and with proper nutrients and botanicals to balance it out, relieve & remedy any scalp conditions, to soften and nourish hair strands to smooth out the cuticle, making hair shinier, thicker, and better behaved. Discipline doesn’t have to be harsh – be gentle and your hair will love you back!

Louise Galvin isn’t a name that’s well-known here in the US”¦yet. However, soon everyone will know who she is. This UK-based celebrity stylist has worked with her dad, Daniel Galvin, in his London salon for several years. Realizing that keeping hair color true is crucial to the process, Louise set about creating products that were more then just about preserving color, but about improving hair’s texture, color, and condition, all in one collection of products that use only the best quality, and natural ingredients, rather than nasty chemicals.

There are two new boys of summer. Joel Warren and Edward Tricomi haven’t been resting on their laurels since the release of their revolutionary three step Pure Strength System (BeautyNewsNYC.com – Sign O’ The Trine). The Cabana Collection is created for our clients who are looking to maintain perfect health and color while enjoying the benefits of styling their hair any way they want,” says colorist and salon owner Joel Warren of Warren-Tricomi.

Say good-bye to styling products that weigh your hair down or dull the shine. Cabana’s super-secret ingredient, Betaine, is an amino acid derivative that protects and strengthens the hair shaft. Combined with other health-promoing ingredients such as comfrey, aloe, lavender and sea algae, these products work double duty. Not only do they provide styling assistance but they are constantly at work nourishing and repairing the hair. As added summer benefits, the products help protect and shield your hair from sun, salt water, chlorine. Like a little invisible cabana for your beloved locks.