Brows, meet Anastasia.
Do your brows furrow at the thought of DIY plucking? Fret no more—meet Anastasia, your brows’ new best friend. Both everyday Janes and boldface names swear by the shaping services provided by this Beverly Hills beauty institution. (Seriously—-the divine Miss O has been known to fly owner Anastasia Soare out to Chicago for private pampering, while Kim Kardashian and Sarah Michelle Gellar have been spotted visiting the LA digs for the same.) For proof, just glance at the salon’s walls, which are wallpapered with media coverage from pubs like Vogue, Lucky, Marie Claire, and naturally, O Magazine.
So why all the hype? Could be Soare’s guru-like status. First licensed as an esthetician in her home country of Romania, Soare developed her unique “Golden Ratio” brow shaping philosophy while working in numerous Beverly Hills salons before opening her own in 1997. Since then, she’s gone international with brow studios in various cities and Nordstrom locations, as well as a signature line for Sephora. But Angelenos have prime access to the beauty queen herself, as she still calls her Beverly Hills salon home base.
Despite the buzz and rapid growth, Anastasia Salon manages to maintain a friendly and inviting atmosphere. (The prices do indeed match the prime real estate, but the employees are refreshingly attitude-free.) Swathed in shades of lavender and ivory, the space is relatively small and intimate. Pop music plays as eager customers wait their turn for facials, waxing, lashes, or brow services—but the results need to be seen to be believed. So what are you waiting for? You and Anastasia could be on a first-name basis.
Insiders Say…
**Snagging an appointment with Anastasia herself can sometimes take as long as six months, but many devotees swear by stopping in early and getting on her wait list for same-day service. Plenty of prime shopping and dining is nearby, so staying entertained in the meantime shouldn’t be a problem!
**Can’t make it to Beverly Hills? Pay a visit to the Brentwood location, which offers a similar set of services.
For more 411: Anastasia Salon, 438 N Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210-4301; (310) 273-3155
