The main room
Mathis Murphy is the new ultra chic full service salon on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. My relaxing day at Mathis Murphy began with an eyebrow shaping by the extraordinarily talented eyebrow and makeup artist Kelley Baker (my personal all time favorite eye brow shaper) Kelley's brow-tweezing and lash-tinting skills are well-loved by some of Hollywood's most beautiful actresses (including Kelly Rowland, Mandy Moore and Jamie Pressley).
I then enjoyed a glass of wine while getting my hair colored by Rachel Lindy, who specializes in that 'surfer-girl blonde'. This was followed by a fabulous hair cut by co-owner of Mathis Murphy, Kyle Mathis. All of this in a salon tucked away behind the Altered Space Gallery which leads you into the beautiful yet zen-sensible space. My favorite element about the salon is not only the laid back atmosphere but also the fact that there is a huge garage door in the space that makes it feel like you're outdoors even though you're inside.
The hair wash room
Rachel Lindy and Kyle Mathis and their inspired team of celebrity stylists decided to take their craft to L.A.'s hippest street (famous for its one-a-kind boutiques, trendy restaurants and cutting-edge art galleries). Mathis Murphy is Abbot Kinney's first and only high-end, full-service beauty salon. Years ago Lindy realized that Abbot Kinney was missing a high end hair salon unlike all the other infamous Los Angeles boulevards that have them in abundance. Lindy, whose work has been featured in Allure, Angeleno, Los Angeles Confidential and on ABC's Extreme Makeover, describes MATHIS MURPHY's philosophy as 'excellence without pretense'.
Kyle Mathis and Rachel Lindy
Whereas most high-end salons in the city work in a 'hustle-bustle-hassle' mode, MATHIS MURPHY, tucked behind the Altered Space Gallery, feels more like a haven. Single orchids adorn sophisticated styling stations; a row of Buddhas frames the wall above the washing station - there's even a picture-perfect outdoor garden area where you can sip tea and read - anything from US to The Economist.
And even though you may find yourself swapping magazines with Allison Chaney, Gretchen Moll or Ty Pennington, when you're stylin' at MATHIS MURPHY, you're the star. 'We want people to feel comfortable here, enjoy the experience,' Lindy says 'to walk away relaxed with really great hair'. But 'great' may be an understatement.
Buddha
Come in to Mathis Murphy and get balayage (hand-painted highlights, a technique Lindy specializes in). This is also the place to get picture-perfect extensions (Kyle Mathis' specialty). The 'dream team' at MATHIS MURPHY among them, Adam Campbell, whose clients include Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Ritchie, to name just a few will get you looking 'red-carpet ready'. And be sure to book an appointment to get a mani/pedi with Anna who has been a pro manicurist for twenty years and whose personal clients include Madonna, Ashley Judd and Patricia Arquette.
The salon
MATHIS MURPHY is located at 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd., in Venice, between
San Juan & Santa Clara Avenues. Haircuts start at $95; one-process color starts at $75; highlights start at $125. Call (310) 396-5600 for an appointment.
A flower at every booth
