The best indie perfume, skincare and wellness hubs in L.A.

UNSPLASH: Gerson Repreza

The past several years have been a doozy for me. Between health issues, the pandemic, a career shift and a separation from a longterm partner that landed me back in my childhood hometown, it seems the Universe’s mantra for me has been “let’s see what you’re made of, kid.”

Needless to say, my coping skills have seen better days!

In good times and bad, my preferred cocktail for managing my mental health is getting out of my head and into my body through meditative and sensorial experiences, and indulging in equal parts curiosity and rest.

That’s why, as a birthday present to myself this winter, I decided to trade in the brutal darkness and cold of upstate New York for a recharge on the wellness scene of sunny Los Angeles. Read on for my top recommendations for beauty and wellness travel in the city of angels.

explore the sexy, strange and funky world of niche perfumery at scent bar hollywood

INSTAGRAM: @dsanddurga

I’ve always been an indie fragrance fan, but I’ve taken it deeper the last couple of years with trips to Mo61 in Poland to co-create my own personalized fragrance, and classes with the Institute for Art and Olfaction to wrap my mind around the raw materials and science that go into creating our favorite scents. 

With locations in Hollywood, Downtown LA and New York City, Scent Bar is an amazing place to experiment with exotic perfumes that resemble nothing of the larger designer houses. You can expect a “tasting bar” format, with indie brands from around the world organized by scent family. One caveat to keep in mind is many of the ingredients used by these brands are rare, unusual and very strong (I once tried a tobacco at the NYC location that gave me a hell of a headache for DAYS until I finally got around to washing it off my jacket). Luckily, Scent Bar is generous with samples, so you can do a test run before committing to an expensive bottle and a brave new scent.

MUST TRY:

Bdk Parfums

Kilian 

D.S. and Durga 

Imaginary Authors 

19-69

BLess your skin with the healing powers of the ocean at osea malibu’s skinCARE studio

INSTAGRAM: @oseamalibu

Over the last year, I have heard about OSEA Malibu everywhere. From podcasts I listen to, to evangelists on my team at School House, to hordes of happy customers on Ulta and Credo’s  websites.

What has especially intrigued me about this brand is that the founding family has managed to create luxurious, nourishing and effective formulas out of seaweed from around the world, all while being a leader in sustainable practices for the beauty industry. 

After arriving at the cute, bungalow style studio (powered by 100 percent renewable energy, of course) I was led through an outdoor lounge area surrounded by birds-of-paradise and palms, and into a service room where I was tucked into the coziest heated bed as I prepared for an hour of deep relaxation. 

The facial was by far the best way to get an introduction to the range of products in the OSEA roster. My esthetician, Christina, eased me in with an extensive massage of my jaw and shoulders (some of my worst tension spots), shifted through many custom mixes and masks, and incorporated unique healing tools like craniosacral therapy and heated jade eye masks.

Perhaps most notable was the fact that an embarrassing number of extractions were performed on my congested skin, but Christina was so skilled that I painlessly drifted off to a near-sleep state. I left with a breakdown of the products used, a discounted bottle of Seaglow Overnight Serum, and relaxed, glossy skin. 

MUST TRY:

Craniowave Facial + Gua Sha add on

Detox at den mother’s boho luxe sanctuary

INSTAGRAM: @denmotherwellness

The last stop on my beauty and wellness bender was Den Mother Wellness in Venice. The healing house, designed with intent by The Butcher’s Daughter’s Heather Tierney, was the perfect mind-body refresh to finish off my trip. After checking in for my service at the entrance of the shop, I changed into a cozy and understated tie-dyed robe and made my way to the outdoor “den”.

Immediately, I was greeted by the soft hum of women and couples talking as they bonded over cocktails and herbal tea around a crystal fire pit. Some indulged in massages while others sat basking in the afterglow of their services.

I opted for a 30 minute booking of the private sauna and cold plunge room. Afterward, I ordered a cup of one of the house teas and cozied up for hours with a book by the fire as Alabama Shakes crooned in the background.

MUST TRY:

Sauna + Cold Plunge -

Don’t make my mistake, book the full hour and bring a friend or lover!

Cacao + Rose Tea

Cocktails by the fire after dark

What beauty or wellness destination should I visit next? Let me know in the comments below!