Drastically changing your hair colour is always a way to get noticed, be it for how strange or how amazing it looks. But if you want to receive non-stop compliments on your new ‘do, head to the Ken Paves Salon on Robertson Boulevard.

The front doors

Celebrity hair stylist Ken Paves is well known for styling BFF Jessica Simpson’s hair, along with celebs like Ashlee Simpson, Eva Longoria Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Eve, Jessica Alba and others. He is a regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and led the makeover episode on America’s Next Top Model last year. Hairdo, his line of clip-in hair extensions, was created after Jessica Simpson’s inspiration and is currently thriving internationally.

Celeb stylist Ken Paves

Ken Paves Salon from across the road

Ken Paves opened this Beverly Hills salon in 2006 after the success of his salon in Clinton Township, Michigan. His aptitude for design is immediately apparent upon first glance of the beautiful salon. Flowers and bushes decorate the outside and make for a very romantic feel. When you step inside, the wooden walls and light brick floors make the salon similar to a picturesque country home. The large glass doors and windows at the salon’s front draw in a dazzling amount of natural sunlight, and antique hanging chandeliers complete the salon’s elegant ambiance.

The first floor

Stairs to second floor and hair washing stations

It is without a doubt the prettiest salon I have ever stepped into.

The porch

Pretty curtains

Upon entering, I noticed several women getting their hair done while chatting happily to their stylists. All employees were friendly throughout the afternoon and it looked as if every client was content. My stylist was Marissa, a young and caring brunette who would be dying and cutting my hair. She graduated almost four years ago and has been working at the Ken Paves Salon for about two and a half years.

My stylist, Marissa

Marissa first asked what colour I had in mind and then helped me point out a more exact shade from the book. Though a strawberry blonde-haired child, my hair colour evolved into a dirty blonde before I hit my teenage years. So after years of constantly getting and re-doing lighter blonde highlights in my hair, I decided it was time for a change.

My hair right before the cut and dye

I opted for a chestnut brown with a hint of red. Never having ventured darker than my natural dirty blonde, I was anxious and nervous to see the end result. Marissa maintained an upbeat attitude and assured me that if I didn’t like the colour after the first dye, she would dye it again. While I waited, I was brought a latte that was simply amazing and served in a beautiful tea cup. Definitely ask for one if you enjoy lattes!

The first results were a little bit too red for my liking, so Marissa quickly dyed my hair a second time, promising for more brown and less red. But washing out the dye left me surprised for reasons other than the new results; the hair washing left my entire upper back horribly wet. Marissa helped ease the unpleasant feeling after I informed her that my back was more than damp. When the second dye was complete, it turned my hair into a really rich dark brown color with some red. Marissa trimmed my hair, adding soft layers. Although it is hardly noticeable to others, Marissa also dyed my eyebrows because they were very light and she said it would look better to make them slightly darker. I loved my new hair color’s richness and Marissa told me it would begin to fade in about 6 weeks.

My new hair!

I was in a hurry to leave because I had to get ready for a party that night, so Marissa blow-dried my hair and went over it with a curling iron, making big, loose curls. She did it swiftly and perfectly and I left the salon liking my finished hairstyle more than any other salon visit. At the party, I was complimented on my hair the entire evening.

There is no denying that the Ken Paves Salon is pricey, but it is a beautiful salon and the stylists will make sure you’re happy with what you receive.

To go to the official site of Ken Paves, please click here.