Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills

Lukaro Salon in Beverly HillsSo here I am in Los Angeles and Sunday night after I flew in I was on the phone with my mother, talking about Monday's planned trip to Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills.

Suave had arranged for us to spend the morning at this famous Hollywood salon run by celebrity stylists Luke and Rona O'Connor. Yes I said celebrity, as in Debra Messing, Lucy Liu and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

"Well what are you going to do if he wants to cut your hair?" Mom asked.

"Oh he's not touching my hair," I said. I expected that the trip was to be more of a consultation and besides, you have to be in a certain mood to switch hair styles--you know, kind of a depressed, I-need-a-lift, pass-me-the-Ben-and-Jerry's kind of mood. With the prospect of four days away from a chaotic house to play in sunshine and glamor I'm about as far from depressed as you could get. Life and hair are good--and I had no intention of coming home with anything remotely new.

Our driver (yes I said driver--he's chauffeured us around anywhere we'd like to go) dropped us off about 9 am and after walking through the beautiful wrought iron gates of Lukaro and up the tiled stairs into a light, open Spanish-style courtyard complete with a fountain, cushy chairs and a table of food I kind of lost all perspective on reality. I walked around thinking "Is this heaven? Is there anything better than this? Is that freshly squeezed orange juice? "

Somehow I ended up first in line and Luke grabbed me, plopped me down in the chair, whipped his fingers through my hair several times and said "You don't mind if I trim it do you?"

Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills"Not at all," I said with this stupid, star-struck smile. Maybe it was the orange juice talking but I was sucked in by the glamor of the moment, he could have offered me a tattoo and a bagel and I would have taken both.

He had his lovely assistant shampoo me all up then he went to work, snipping and trimming and shaping all while he chatted nonchalantly about the previous day's photo shoot or his work with Julia Louis-Dreyfus' ever-changing hair or cast members of various t.v. shows that he'd talked with recently.

The funny thing is it seemed all so natural and unpretentious and while I didn't have a lot to say I was quite content to soak it all in, listening to him talk while the Suave team sat around us in the room to record and comment on the whole procedure.

Lukaro Salon in Beverly HillsHe trimmed the ends, leaving me my length, then shaped it more around my face and in my layers that had grown out a bit but the thing that made it fun was that he used all Suave products.

Now I know what you're thinking, I was slightly skeptical too--I've had friends who are stylists who say over and over that you should use professional products on your hair but honestly? Twenty-five dollars for a bottle of conditioner is crazy--and if you're like me you're looking for ways to avoid wasting money.

I quizzed the Suave reps that were there to welcome us, I asked them about whether they really thought the products they were pitching were as good as the salon brands and whether they used them on their own hair and I was surprised to hear that not only do they use them themselves but I was surprised at how much effort Suave puts into research and development to test their products against the professional brands. According to what they're telling me you really are getting a quality product for a fraction of the cost.

Lukaro Salon in Beverly HillsAnyway, I haven't looked at the data but after Luke was done with my hair I was impressed. Impressed with the cut, with the feel of my hair, with the way the products held up and with how fast it all went together. Total styling time: fifteen minutes. I can do that!

See for yourself-- here the steps he took for styling.

1. Wash with Suave Healthy Curls Shampoo, Conditioner.

2. Work Suave Healthy Curls Mousse through hair, focusing on applying the product to the roots.

3. Blow dry front of the hair first, going from the roots to the end to avoid creating a frizzy, flyaway look.

Suave at Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills4. Blow dry as you run fingers through your hair until it's about 90% dry.

5. Finish drying with a large round brush, rolling the hair in a section that's as wide as the brush, wrapping it around the brush and blowing heat on it. Start with the front and roll upward and away from the face to create a gentle wave away from the face in an updated modern look (picture 1 and 2). Roll the rest of the hair under and up high on the crown of the head (picture 3) for volume.

6. To finish with modern waves once the hair is completely dry take a large curling iron and wrap the hair in 1 or 2-inch sections around the barrel.

7. Finish spraying with Suave Shaping and Finishing Spray, holding the can far away from the head and allowing the mist to settle on the hair gently to avoid clumping.

My bangs are a little short and need to grow into blending with the rest of the shaping on the side of my face but you get the idea. I liked how fast it went together and how easy it was to style--I'd have to try it again on my own and see if I could duplicate it.

Anyway, if you've got long hair give it a try and see what you think. If you want some other tips for other styles and lengths you might check out a couple of the other bloggers that were here with me who had completely different hair and their own wonderful looks. Liz Thompson at This Full House, Dawn Meehan at Because I Said So, Beth Feldman at Role Mommy, Amy Clark at Momadvice.com and Liane Farbes at The Makeup Girl are a couple of the other great bloggers I've been able to meet--check them out because I bet they'd have their own styling tips from the hands of Luke.

***

Congratulations to Tracie of Carlsbad, New Mexico, the random winner of the selection of books in last weekend's giveaway--there are enough books to keep them busy for quite some time.

Sponsored by Beauty Products Compared--Looking for the best wrinkle cream? Search the reviews.

Technorati tags: Suave, Glamour Reel Moments, celebrities

39 comments:

Robin said...

How fun, and you look FABULOUS!

Stephanie said...

What a wonderful treat. Enjoy all the star treatment

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

You do look just wonderful! What an awesome experience!!

Steph

Melissa Markham said...

What fun!!!!

Jolanthe said...

Very, very cool! :) How funny to have chit chat about celebrities! Hee hee - not that you aren't one yourself! But who knows who else has had a seat in that chair!

Cathi said...

What fun you are having!!
I must say...I am enjoying living vicariously through your adventure.

miriama said...

How totally cool. Your hair is gorgeous. It looks so soft!!!

I had a friend who won a trip to NY city from Oprah (she took ME as her guest!) and part of it was a day at the Avon Salon in the Trump Towers. Massage, facial, hair, whole works. It was wonderful and I was having a great time. Then came time for the hair. The hair salon had a coffee and SALAD bar! BUT the person who did my hair was a SNOB. She flipped my hair around in disdain, asked who colored it...um, I gulped, me....and it was amazing when she was done but I was so cowed by her attitude...

It is SO NICE to see that Luke was so nice...

Anonymous said...

Awesome!

I've used Suave products for as long as I can remember, and I've always been pleased with the results. Bridget has a bad habit of dumping entire bottles of shampoo in the bath, and I'd rather she do it with a $2 bottle of shampoo than a $25 bottle of shampoo.

Glad you're having a good time!

ewe are here said...

What a great day!

And you look fantastic!

Anonymous said...

FUN! I can't wait to see how you look in your dress and shoes. You look mahvelous, dahling.

My question about Suave: I have always heard it was bad for your hair b/c of how much alcohol they use. Is it possible for you to ask them about that?

Anonymous said...

WOW! Michelle, you look positively fabulous!! I hope the whole trip is so fantastic.

Erin said...

Ooh, you look beautiful! And what fun, to be pampered like that.

Lara Neves said...

I have always wanted to have my hair done by some fabulous celebrity stylist. I figure it's the only hope for my hair, period. :)

Anonymous said...

You look great! And what a day of luxury, I am very jealous!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin said...

It looks like you had a great time! And, you look so beautiful in the photos.

Janet said...

You do indeed look fabulous without it being a shocking change. Easy is good! Of course, I've shorn all my hair off ala Jamie Lee Curtis, so I'm literally wash and go. Poor Luke would have just sighed and waved me on. Sounds like a lot of fun though. And it's good to know that my trusty Suave products are OK!

Munchkins and Music said...

That sounds like fun! Your hair looks great!

jean said...

Wow. What great hair. I love it. You look fantastic.

Kristen M. said...

You look great. I'm glad you are getting to have this experience. Enjoy the rest of your time!

Musings of a Housewife said...

HOW VERY FUN! You look like you're having a great time! Say hello to Beth and Amy for me! :-)

Leslie said...

I am absolutely going to try that! You look absolutely amazing!!!

An Ordinary Mom said...

You look fantabulous!

And you are in my old stomping grounds! I fly into LA tomorrow ... are we really going to be in the same city at the same time?!

High Heels and a Sippy Cup said...

Hey lady, I love your style! And you even got me thinking about trying some of Suave's styling products. Crazy eh?

Sucharita Sarkar said...

HEY, YOU LOOK GREAT WITH THE HAIR CUT. IT'S FESTIVAL TIME IN INDIA, TOO, AND I'M ALSO GOING IN FOR A NEW CUT AND COLOUR (FIRST TIME EVER), SO I'M NERVOUS AND EXCITED!

Melissa-Mc said...

Very cute hair!!!

Melissa said...

wow, HOTTIE! Seriously! Love it!

J said...

How totally fun. Love your hair!

luckyzmom said...

Your blog is the best. Period.

I want to know about where and what you ate.

Seen anyone famous yet?

Drink it all in and then tell us all about it.

SarahHub said...

You look great! Have fun!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Your life is charmed!
And your hair is so pretty :) I don't have to tell you to 'have fun'....I know you already are!

Jennifer said...

I love how great I feel after a "professional" does my hair.

I need to figure out a way to become famous so I can afford the professional every single day :)

Looks like SO much fun.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a celebrity already! What a great treat.

Anonymous said...

So pretty! That looks like it was a blast! ;)

Lisa Wheeler Milton said...

Very very lovely, M. Hope you had fun!

Anonymous said...

I like your hair! You look good.

Does someone have time to tell me what this trip was about? Did Michelle win a trip?

TIA

all over the map said...

What an amazing experience. How are you going? How did you get invited to such an event. I remember your post about it but how did it happen that you got chosen. Please tell.
I like that they used affordable, store-bought products. I'm not swearing off all high end products but come-on we all know we are paying for name's sake.
Enjoy sunny southern California. I'm a native so cal girl.

Michelle Alley said...

OK, what have I missed! You in LA, getting your hair done, chauffered (sp) - so fun Michelle! I am still a fan, love those pumpkin earrings and hope you had a blast!

Little GrumpyAngel said...

You look FABulous! That is a really cool experience. I would love for a celebrity hairstylist do my hair and teach me how to tame my unruly curls.

Scribbit said...

Val--sorry to be so slow with answering but I haven't had much time for answering comments and emails. I was brought down to L.A. by Suave who is hosting Glamour Reel Moments this year--there are posts explaining the details last week and the week before.