:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45388356/racked_placeholder.4.0.jpg)
Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
Los Angeles has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around LA that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3198628/2012_04_aroma.0.jpg)
Image via Yelp
Sarah Pollack Boyd knows what's up. That's why, in honor of Racked Beauty Week, we asked for her favorite spot in Los Angeles. Sarah launched Simply Stylist in 2005, a series of intimate seminars where fashion experts share insight about their careers and the industry. Always one to share her knowledge, her favorite spa in LA, Aroma, oddly doubles as a driving range. Note: If you're not comfortable with nudity, Sarah advises you to skip this one.
"When I need a complete body rejuvenation, I never have to look any further than good ol' K-town. A Korean client of mine introduced me to this place and I have to admit, it's a bit of a culture shock walking in. There are multiple relaxation rooms filled with herbs and essential oils, saunas, hot tubs and showers. I always get the body scrub and massage and it's definitely far from your typical Burke Williams experience. There is a room with about 6 scantily-clad Korean women next to their massage tables. When your number gets called, it's GO TIME. You hop up on the metal slab of a table topped off with something similar to a swimming pool mat and get the true meaning of a rub down. They cover every square inch of your body with scrub, dump buckets of water all over you, wrap you up in foil, give you a facial, wash your hair and pulverize your muscles. You walk out of there feeling as soft as a six month old and ready to take on the world! Note: If you're comfortable with nudity, you'll be fine. Otherwise, this is not the spa for you!"
· Simply Stylist [Official Site]
· Aroma Spa & Sports [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked LA]