The 10 best beauty and wellness spots in LA right now

Los Angeles is the land of wellness and celebrity culture, and often those things intertwine. It’s a weird world – one where you pay $21 for a TikTok famous smoothie and the hottest pilates class in town is ‘invite only’ – but it’s safe to say there’s no place quite like it. If you’re new to the scene or just in town for a visit, it can be hard to discern which wellness spot is all hype and which is genuinely worth it. These are the hottest spots adored by celebrities and locals alike – and who knows, you may even bump into an A-lister while you’re there.

Shani Darden

While there is no shortage of facial spots in LA, it doesn’t get more A-list-approved than Shani Darden. After all, the pro counts Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jessica Alba and Ashley Graham (to name a few) as regulars. The black-owned business is located on a quiet side street in Beverly Hills’ 90210 zip code. It has a clean, cosy aesthetic that instantly invokes a sense of relaxation. While you might not be able to get in with Shani, you can see one of her aestheticians (75-minute treatments start at $500 (£394), contact booking@shanidarden.com for exact pricing). The service is always customised but will typically include lots of lymphatic facial massage, a good amount of time spent on extractions, microcurrent gloves for facial contouring and an LED light and oxygen dome. And, of course, it incorporates the pro’s best-selling products, like her peel and mask. If you're in need of an injectable touchup while you’re there, The Things We Do (a beloved local med spa) takes appointments too.

Must buy: For at-home maintenance, stock up on products like this new Moisture Boost Plumping Serum, £61.50, from Shani’s namesake skincare line.

Address: 9304 Civic Center Drive Suite 2, Beverly Hills 90210
Website: shanidarden.com

Erewhon

It would be remiss to discuss the LA wellness scene without mentioning this luxury grocery oasis. While the first LA location opened in 1969, it only recently became a staple stop in town, due in large part to the retailer’s smoothie collaborations with celebs like Hailey Beiber, Kourtney Kardashian and, most recently, Sofia Richie Grange’s Sweet Cherry Smoothie (made with calming magnesium, nutrient-dense colostrum and the store’s best-selling plant milk, Malk). The chain recently partnered with Balenciaga for their LA fashion show, cementing the TikTok famous Erewhon logo as a status symbol. There are currently eight locations, each boasting the chain’s popular grab-and-go hot bar, freshly packaged sushi, organic produce, supplements, juice bar and even a natural beauty section. Diehard shoppers can purchase a yearly membership that offers 10% back on every purchase, a free drink each month and more perks. And yes, they have valet.

Must Buy: Stop by the tonic bar to grab Sofia’s Sweet Cherry Smoothie (the latest celeb smoothie), $21 (£16.50).

Address: 4121 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 106, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Website: erewhonmarket.com

Forma Pilates

It’s no secret that pilates has been having its moment, and LA is home to Hollywood’s most exclusive studio. Forma is an invite-only reformer class that charges a cool $100 (£78.80) for semi-private reformer classes and $250 (£197) for private sessions. Founder Liana Levi started teaching A-listers like Kendall Jenner and Ariana Grande in the pandemic, and it quickly took off from there. But don’t expect classical reformer flows here; Levi’s take is more athletic, with a big emphasis on firing up the abs and glutes. The referral-only method continues to gain momentum as they opened a new heated mat pilates studio in the ritzy Beverly Glen neighbourhood, which costs $50 (£39.40) a spot.

Must Buy: Hot tip: an online subscription, $50/month, does not require a referral.

Address: Private location received upon referral
Website: formapilatesla.com

Thirteen Lune

Thirteen Lune began as an e-commerce destination in 2020 and is now brick-and-mortar located on the bustling Larchmont Avenue, a walkable stretch of popular beauty shops. Co-founder Nyakio Grieco designed the concept to shed light on beauty brands created by Black and Brown founders. Peek inside the store to find a bevy of Nyakio-approved brands, including her own line, Relevant, which includes skincare (a favourite is the cleansing balm and SPF) as well as multitasking makeup products. Shoppers can also peruse Tyler the Creator’s Golf Le Fleur, Ami Cole makeup and many more. Celeb makeup artist Damone Roberts has even set up shop in the store’s back corner if you need a little brow makeover. Fun fact: the cash register was designed to look like a DJ booth, the perfect setup for all the local events the brand loves to host regularly.

Must buy: While you’re there pickup some Relevant bestsellers like the brand’s One & Done Everyday Cream With SPF 40, $38 (£30).

Address: 120 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Website: thirteenlune.com

LEKfit

The LEKfit studio has been a mainstay among celebs (Busy Phillips and Shanina Shaik are longtime devotees) since it opened nearly a decade ago. Founder Lauren Kleban, a former professional dancer, started teaching the high-intensity rebounder-centric workouts from her home garage in Hancock Park. Today, the cardio dance-inspired workout is situated in a chic black-and-white-themed space on busy La Brea Avenue. Be warned: the classes require a good bit of coordination and flexibility, and while you do get stronger, they never get easier. Each $35 (£28) class is set in the heated studio and involves using a variety of props from light weights, ankle weights and a small trampoline. Class formats range from signature rebounder cardio to signature ballet and pilates-inspired strength classes. Expect to be moving and dripping sweat for the full 60 minutes. If you can’t make it to the studio, you can subscribe to and stream online for $39.99 (£31.50) a month, too.

Must buy: Your first class is free, but after that, you can book a single class for $35 (£28) or get unlimited classes with a monthly membership for $375 (£295.50).

Address: 346 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Website: lekfit.com

Remedy Place

Haven’t you heard? Social wellness clubs are the new “going out out” (at least in this town), and Dr. Jonathan Leary’s Sunset Boulevard outpost is as health-focused as it gets. The aesthetically pleasing all-grey ambience has a cool industrial vibe and offers up a variety of wellness activities, from an invigorating hyperbaric chamber, IV drips, body rolling and full-body chiropractic. Also on the menu (and by far the most popular) is the six-minute cold plunge, which you’ll find members regularly sharing on social media. Another popular service is the infrared sauna session that takes place in a private room complete with a Vitamin C-infused shower for post-sweat. Pop in for one-off session, or serious connoisseurs can secure a $495 (£390) monthly membership that includes unlimited cryotherapy, meditation and stretch classes. There’s also an outpost in New York City.

Must buy: The popular six-minute ice bath experience (which includes a quick guided meditation to help you prep) $50 (£39.40), is a crowd favourite.

Address: 8305 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Website: remedyplace.com

Dr. Ellie Byun

If you dare make the trek to the valley, you’ll be glad you did. There, you’ll find an unsuspecting, under-the-radar Van Nuys office run by Korean acupuncturist Dr. Ellie Byun. First and foremost, the pro is known for her custom herbal blends, which aids in headache, fatigue, infertility and more. But her office is also home to a variety of high-tech Korean beauty devices that A-listers can’t get enough of (celebs like Lady Gaga have been known to pop in for red carpet prep). The pro’s treatments are completely customised and utilise a mix of modalities. Sessions start at $250 (£197) for acupuncture, but for the full works expect to pay around $8,500 (£6,697). For that price, you’ll get a two-person tag team employing acupuncture, red light therapy, cupping the latest Korean devices, and a salmon sperm facial all at once. The office itself is no frills, but it hardly matters since you’ll be walking out a new person.

Must buy: Start by booking an acupuncture session, $250 (£197), if it’s your first time and you can customise a plan from there.

Address: 4849 Van Nuys Blvd. Ste 202. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Website: drelliebyun.com

Surya Spa

Surya Spa, located inside the Kelly Wearstler-designed Santa Monica Proper Hotel, is one of only a few Panchakarma spas in the entire US that uses ancient Indian Ayurvedic practices to cleanse and reset the body to strengthen immunity and general wellbeing. Regulars include wellness junkies Kourtney Kardashian (who famously visited the spot on the show The Kardashians while trying to get pregnant) and Gwyneth Paltrow. Run by internationally acclaimed ayurvedic doctor, chef and herbalist Martha Soffer, their rigorous 3- to 21-day Panchakarma programs are designed to detox, cleanse, and restore harmony to your body. They also offer Ayurvedic true spa treatments. Our recommendation: the 90-minute Surya’s Signature Abhyanga Massage. During the indulgent $495 (£390) service, two therapists simultaneously dose you with a ridiculous amount of oil and massage you from head to toe. Be sure to grab a slice of Soffer’s famous house-made organic protein-rich bread while you chill in the meditation room.

Must buy: The Signature Abhyanga Massage, $495 (£390), is sure to be the most indulgent spa treatment you’ve ever had.

Address: Santa Monica Proper Hotel Ground Floor 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Website: suryawellness.com

The Now Massage

If you want a luxury spa experience with all the benefits of a hole-in-the-wall massage boutique (the affordable price, walk-in availability, late-night hours…), The Now tops the list. But don’t expect a no-frills, bare-bones ambience; the space itself is LA-field in the best way. Think chic, Venice Beach-inspired interiors with hanging canvas separating the massage rooms and no shortage of cactus plants, driftwood details and a calming, dimly lit ambience. A 50-minute massage will cost you $125 (£96.50) and an 80-minute is only $155 (£122). And with $20 (£15.75) add-ons such as cupping, deep tissue pressure and their in-house hemp calm balm, you’re still in a very respectable price range for LA standards. The chain offers locations dotted all over town (West Hollywood, Silver Lake, Studio City, and Santa Monica), so you’re sure to find one nearby. If you’re in town for a while, monthly memberships start at $90 (£71), and you can always access your account and schedule your next appointment through their site or app.

Must Buy: The $125 (£96.50) ‘The Now,’ the parlour’s signature Swedish massage, is by far the most requested service.

Address: 7611 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Website: thenowmassage.com

Goop Kitchen

Although she lives an hour away in Montecito, Gwyneth Paltrow is synonymous with LA health culture. Fast forward from 2008, when the actor first launched her personal brand as a weekly newsletter, and her modern lifestyle empire now includes a website, consumer skincare line, two successful Netflix shows and LA’s favourite healthy takeout and delivery-only menu: Goop Kitchen. The popular haunt has five locations (from Santa Monica to Costa Mesa) and has quickly garnered a cult following among the wellness set. The flavorful offerings make up the quintessential LA diet. The Goop Teriyaki Bowl (with grilled organic chicken, umami rice and sesame marinated kale) and the Summer Salad Rolls (with sweet and spicy BBQ glazed tofu, glass noodles and crunchy slaw) top the list of most popular picks. But with an array of plant-based, vegetarian and sustainably sourced meat options you really can’t go wrong, whether you’re a Goop fan or not.

Must Buy: If you’re not sure where to start, The Goop Teriyaki Bowl, $16.95 (£13.35), is a hit.

Address:11419 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Website: goop.com