The Harlot Salon in Venice, California, is "Los Angeles' only salon where upscale meets naughty," says Salon Manager Ryan Cabe. "Conversation here is peppered with things that would make some blush; flirting is encouraged, and a general openness with our clients is something that keeps them coming back time and time again." Cabe says the staff has a great dynamic that makes clients really feel like they're a part of something other than a "quick transaction." 

In 2011, The Harlot was recognized by Instyle magazine as one of the best salons and spas in the U.S. Its stylists and assistants have won numerous awards at America's Beauty Show and Sebastian Professional's What's Next Awards.

Address: 1641 Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Phone: 310-399-6525

Owner: Marylle Koken

Date salon opened: March 2011

Description of style: French/Dutch red-light-district feel; girly yet sultry and sexy

Square footage: 650-700 square feet; very much like a boutique

Number of styling stations: 7 

Salon/spa equipment lines used: "Everything under the sun," from Mason Pearson to Ibiza to Sedu

Furniture lines used: Hand-picked furniture from antique stores; it is restored and reupholstered to match the salon's culture

Retail lines carried: Oribe, Davines and Sebastian Professional

Color lines used: Wella (and proud of it)!

Design firm: Harlot didn't use a design firm; "In a great community such as Venice, there are so many talented and creative people to help out," says Salon Manager Ryan Cabe. They wanted the salon to be "open and free" with dusty pink, black and white throughout. "We pride ourselves on the name The Harlot, which has quite a taboo meaning. The bathroom is covered in sensual images of women posing with a red light inside." Sweet treats are never far at The Harlot, and "champagne is always flowing," Cabe says. "There is a fabulous cabana built outside for a waiting area with comfy couches, fire display and plenty of flowers and greenery to admire."

Architect: Unsure; it's an older building and used to be the ticket booth for a trolley that ran behind Abbot Kinney Boulevard, according to Cabe. 

Favorite part of the salon: The cabana. "It's the perfect area for clients to relax while waiting for their appointment to start or while processing during color," Cabe says. "We will have clients come almost an hour early for their appointment and sit outside to have cappuccinos or a glass of champagne and chat with their friends." The flowers, lighting and comfy couches make it a very welcoming spot, Cabe says.

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