Shopping: Chaz Dean Studio’s Wen products emphasize natural ingredients
You won’t hear “lather, rinse, repeat” at Chaz Dean Studio salon.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a lathering shampoo anywhere on the premises. Instead Dean’s salon stocks Wen, its own cleansing conditioner, formulated from natural ingredients such as rosemary, apples, pears, aloe vera and menthol with no harsh detergents.
As a hairstylist and colorist for 25 years, Dean discovered that his clients who used traditional shampoos experienced problems with dry hair, hair loss, irritated scalp and, of course, fading hair color. Then there was the issue of what happened to the shampoo, dye and styling products once they went down the drain. “The harsh chemicals found in shampoos rinse out of your hair down the drain into the oceans,” Dean says.
FOR THE RECORD:
Shopping column: In Sunday’s Image section, the shopping column gave the name of the shopping event Unique LA as Unique. —
Ten years ago, Dean introduced Wen — “new” spelled backward to rhyme with “Zen” — as a non-lathering hair cleanser that doubles as a leave-in conditioner. In the last two years, Wen has expanded to a full collection of hair and skin care products in scented formulations such as Sweet Almond Mint, Tea Tree, Fig, Cucumber Aloe and Lavender. Wen Cleansing Conditioner is still the core product ($28 for 16 ounces) but also includes a hair mask ($70), styling creme ($24), volumizing spray ($32) and texture balm ($26). Wen products are available at Chaz Dean Studio and QVC.
“Wen is for all hair types and every age group from children to 100-year-old women,” Dean says. “Wen crosses all ethnic backgrounds — you should see what it does for women of color” who tend to have dry, sometimes overprocessed, hair that is helped by the way Wen’s mositurizers work with natural oils. The salon advises cleansing-conditioner users to be generous with the product, and amounts vary according to hair length and texture. Ditto for leave-in time.
In March, Chaz Dean Studio unveiled a new salon and landscaped grounds, which underwent a very public renovation on Season 3 of Bravo’s TV series “Flipping Out.” Dean, who’s owned the three hedge-covered Fountain Avenue bungalows since 1997, met noted house renovator and “flipper” Jeff Lewis at an open house and hired him for the project, which became a dramatic story line when Lewis tried to goad Dean into evicting a homeless woman, named Spirit, who had been living on the grounds for more than a decade. Dean refused and the season concluded emotionally when Spirit died from a combination of age and dehydration. He and Lewis are now enlarging another of the bungalow salons, a process that will be documented on Season 4 of the reality series.
In contrast with the reality show-induced drama, Chaz Dean Studio is a tranquil oasis featuring woodsy Craftsman bungalows, fountains and a dog run connected by Asian-inspired grounds.
Chaz Dean Studio offers haircuts, which go for $85 for short hair, $150 for longer tresses and up to $300 for a long-hair trim done by Dean himself. Cuts include a cleansing treatment and scalp massage plus blowout and style. Color starts at $85. The Hollywood salon does not offer any hair bleaching nor employ hot tools — flat irons or combs — save for hair dryers.
“We educate women how to care for their hair in healthy ways, avoiding bleach, relaxers, shampoos, curling and flat irons,” Dean says.
FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this article credited Marisa Martinez for the photograph.
6444 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 467-6444. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
Events
Kilgour Monday and Tuesday: Kilgour, founded in 1882 on London’s Savile Row, is taking appointments to meet with bespoke suit tailors at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood. Kilgour’s master tailors will take individual measurements for suits that are cut, basted, and produced in its London atelier. Select your own styles and fabric. Prices start at $4,480. E-mail customerservices@kilgour.com to make an appointment.
8221 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (646) 785-0592.
Earth Day Event Thursday: Eco-friendly shopping event, held at Environment Furniture Showroom, showcases women’s apparel, accessories, beauty products and services with 10% of purchase and 100% of silent auction proceeds donated to BrandAID Haiti, an initiative to rebuild the devastated country’s artisan communities. Featured labels include Ecover, Deborah Lindquist, Necko Designs and EcoSkin. Steam Salon is offering complimentary blowouts and manicures, and Josie Maran cosmetics is giving makeovers. RSVP to mmalbas@environmentfurniture.com.
8126 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 782-0296. 6 to 9 p.m.
https://www.environmentfurniture.com
Kardashians’ Virgins, Saints & Angels Saturday: Keep up with the Kardashians’ latest venture — Virgins, Saints & Angels — at this launch party at Nordstrom Fashion Island. Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian will be greeting fans of the collection. Virgins, Saints & Angels is an accessory collection featuring necklaces, buckles, earrings, cuffs, rosaries and bracelets inspired by Armenian symbols. Pieces are priced from $60 to $500.
901 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 610-0700. 10 to 11:45 a.m.
Unique Saturday and April. 25: Unique, an indie shopping event, hosts its second spring show featuring more than 300 local fashion, accessory and home design vendors, many offering goods at below-retail prices, including Dean Leather Goods, Rojas, Eva Franco, Salt Swimwear, Graf & Lantz, Amoeba records and others. Held in the California Market Center, Unique also features a pop-up cafe from Silver Lake’s Malo, food trucks and live music. Admission is $10 with unlimited entry for both days and includes a complementary artist’s tote, craft workshops and beverages.
110 E. 9th St., 13th Floor, Los Angeles. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
FOR THE RECORD: Shopping column: In Sunday’s Image section, the shopping column gave the name of the shopping event Unique LA as Unique.
Opening
Carasoin Day Spa: Carasoin — a combination of French words “caress” and “soigner” (to treat) — opened its doors this month on Robertson Boulevard’s luxury shopping strip. House facials, using British luxe spa brand Elemis’ products, favored by Kate Winslet and Kate Beckinsale, include the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift ($175), which uses precious minerals for a firmer and uplifted visage. Carasoin also has a men’s facial menu, starting with a Skin IQ facial ($175). The Elemis Signature Spa Massage ($175 for one hour and 15 minutes) features elements called Stress-a-way, Spirit Reviver and Chakra Balancing. Carasoin also provides beauty treatments including lip ($15), face ($35) and Brazilian ($55) waxes using hard wax; eyebrow shaping ($25) and tinting ($40).
120 N. Robertson Blvd., Suite J, Los Angeles. (310) 855-0105. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday and Monday by appointment.
