Affordable Facials--That’s Not an Oxymoron
Just because I’m a bargain hunter doesn’t mean I don’t indulge in the luxuries of life. Actually, my whole approach to tracking down deals is to find those luxuries at an affordable price.
I paid $6,100 for a face lift in Guadalajara (that turned out great) that would have cost about $15,000 here in Southern California. I once bought a used Mercedes at a wonderful price, but like many luxuries, it wasn’t the cost but the upkeep that burst that bubble. I love massages and facials, but when the facials at a well-known salon in Beverly Hills reached $60 a throw, I threw in the beauty sponge and figured out why the rich have such beautiful complexions. Simple. They can afford it.
It took a while before I found a replacement. Visage de Layla, a serene and spotless small salon, has a special occasionally, and then I indulge myself. Right now there’s a deal that warrants it. A series of three facials and three body massages (regular cost a formidable $270) comes in at $135. That breaks down to $22.50 each.
Layla’s massages soothe like magic, and the facials clean the residue of daily wear and tear. Both the massage and the facial take an hour, and it’s an hour one wishes would never end. Then Layla introduced me to another form of pampering--a paraffin hand therapy treatment. It only took one to get hooked. These usually run $35 each, but on the specials it’s six for $90. So here I go again . . . adding one more affordable luxury to my budget.
Visage de Layla, 1516 Westwood Blvd., Suite 103, Los Angeles, (213) 475-1424.
There’s a sale starting Friday that should stir up some excitement for the frugal: Shoes Here is having a $1 sale. Major-name women’s fall and winter shoes (which are already deeply discounted) will be going for half again the discounted price. It’s buy one pair, get the second pair for $1.
A classic pair of Caressa pumps that retail for about $90 regularly sell here for $49.90. Buy one pair and get another equally priced pair for $1. In effect, this means $280 worth of shoes for $50.90.
Zodiak boots regularly sell here for $99, though they retail for $200. At sale time, try two pairs that would retail at $400 for $100. Look for other big names on the racks (lots of Jasmine) and plenty of leathers from Italy (Sesto Meucci) and Spain (Bandalino), all at the same incredible prices.
In the shoe industry, plain pumps are called “dumb” shoes, referring to the fact that it’s dumb not to stock them. At these prices it sounds like a good opportunity to stock up on the dumb shoes. The sale will go until the inventory is cleared out.
Shoes Here is at 10951 Sherman Way in Sun Valley, (818) 765-5030. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
