Salon: Allen Edwards Salon + Spa

It is an indescribably thrilling experience to be sitting in the chair at a glamorous and new (to me) salon, waiting for my first hair appointment with legendary beauty icon Allen Edwards. Most people know that Allen Edwards is the man responsible for that immortal haircut the late Farrah Fawcett sported during the mid-1970s, back before she became a “Charlie’s Angel.”

It was that iconic flipped and layered hairdo that shot Farrah to fame as an internationally recognizable sex symbol. It was that fabulous hairstyle – created by Edwards – that suggested a carefree, summery lifestyle, and her look was quickly emulated by millions of young women the world over. Farrah’s striking new image launched her as a pop-culture figure whose fame as a modern pin-up girl soared, as evidenced by her record-breaking poster sales.

During his impressive three-decade career in the fashion and entertainment business, Edwards and his team of personally trained hair stylists have fashioned the hair and recreated the images of many luminaries, some of who are among the world’s most recognizable celebrities. Edwards’ impressive client list includes Raquel Welch, Brooke Shields, Ted Danson, Goldie Hawn, Dustin Hoffman, Kirsten Dunst, and Donna Mills.

So, here I am in the chair waiting to meet the dashing Mr. Edwards. Considering that I have been seeing the same hairdresser for the past ten years and have been rocking the same (fabulous, methinks) long and lustrously layered locks for almost that whole time, I can’t help wondering. What look will this great hairstylist envision for me? Will I end up with a trendy, layered cut resembling Farrah Fawcett, circa 1975? And would that be so bad?!

Allen Edwards, hairdresser extraordinaire.

Trim, fit, and still sexy at 60, Edwards saunters over and shakes my hand, immediately putting me at ease. With his trendy black cut-off tee shirt, bicep tattoos, jeans, and motorcycle boots, here is a guy who personifies his status as an edgy rock star of the hairdressing world.

Edwards is emphatic about one thing: he believes that as women age, they should change their hair, rather than clinging to an old style they think suits them or makes them look younger. As Edwards puts it, “You don’t go into a dress shop and say, ‘Show me an outfit from ten years ago.’ So why go into a salon and ask the same thing?”

That’s not to say that every time a client sits in Edwards’ chair he gives them a complete makeover. Unless they want him to . . .

How often do you find yourself in the hands a legendary hair stylist? If you’re me, the answer is “not nearly often enough”! This was a rare chance too good to squander. I surrendered to the maestro, granting him carte blanche. Within a swift hour, ten year’s worth of long hair was razored, trimmed, and cut away, until I was left with the best haircut of my life. The person looking back at me in the mirror was the girl I recognized from my early twenties! An intuitive hair stylist, Edwards has still got that magic touch.

Edwards and some of his salon's top stylists.

Always at the cutting edge of innovation, the beauty-industry icon has just launched an amazing new hair-product collection called “Allen Edwards Shear Force,” named after his salacious tell-all memoir. Launched nationally on prime time at ShopNBC, the thirteen-product collection features innovative technology and delivery systems designed to maximize the silky softness of your hair. The Deep Moisture Shampoo is created with Shear Force’s exclusive Marula oil, ripe harvested from the African fruit tree, along with Moringa Seed. Renowned as a miracle oil, Marula penetrates deep to help heal hair follicles, imparting antioxidant protection for a strong, youthful shine. Other Shear Force hair products include Deep Thermal Treatment Conditioner and Thickening Spray Mist.

Rolling out later this year, and also on ShopNBC, Edwards will launch a phenomenal hair extension line with “Deal or No Deal’s” super-popular #13 babe, Leyla Milani. Edwards, who developed the line with Milani, claims, “Leyla Milani is one of the most beautiful women that I’ve ever met and her hair has the potential to make her the next Farrah Fawcett.” Then he goes on, saying, “Women all over the country love to look and be sexy and every woman deserves that. The easiest way is to start with your own hair, and get that Leyla Milani look.”

All Shear Force products are PABA free and color safe, and most of the products are paraben free as well. The product collection is suitable for men and women of all ages and hair types and is currently available for purchase at his hair salons as well as from his website: www.allenedwards.com.

Allen Edwards’ Woodland Hills and Brentwood hair salons are unpretentious locations where the highly trained and skilled stylists keep the emphasis on sexy hair with their fantastic blowouts, extensions, deep-conditioning treatments, and flattering cuts and color.

Choosing to frequent either of his two warm and welcoming Los Angeles salons will grant you fantastic results as well as the pampering and calming experience of one of the most easy-going beauty scenes in town.

The spa at the Allen Edwards Salon + Spa in Woodland Hills, CA.

Allen is offering a current special at both his salon + spa locations, entitled “De-Stress for Less!” That treat is a 60-minute relaxation massage for $60.

Or you could just go in and get your hair cut and styled. You’re bound to stroll out looking fabulous.

Allen Edwards salon + spa Woodland Hills
20855 Ventura Blvd., Suite 6
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Salon: 818-887-7330
Spa: 818-593-7094

Allen Edwards salon + spa Brentwood
216 26th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Salon/Spa: 310-394-2878
www.allenedwards.com

[Pauline Adamek is a Hollywood-based film, theater, and food critic who files for “FilmInk Australia,” the “L.A. Daily News,” and the “Sun Community Newspapers” as well as various websites under the “nom du net” Max Million.]