Just down the street from the Groundlings Theatre, on the second floor above a row of shops and eateries, sits Sweet 9. Not a candy or lingerie boutique, it’s a full-service hair salon with an adjacent tearoom, which fulfills their promise of a complimentary fresh-brewed cup of tea or coffee served with any style or service. Recently remodeled and expanded, Sweet 9 just got a lot sweeter.

After an attentive, advice-offering consultation, owner Dawn Reid proceeded to snip, trim and style. In the background, the sound of Prince rotates with Scottish alt-rockers the Jesus and Mary Chain (Dawn was once married to member William Reid.).

Sitting in Dawn’s chair is like hanging with a friend. Not only do you get to talk about yourself (one of the perks about receiving beauty treatments, haircuts included), but Dawn has led an extremely interesting life that she readily shares with you. With 20 years of experience at her fingertips, she has traveled from Seattle to London to Los Angeles, and she knows what works for each individual.

Almost like a science, Dawn reveals to me the mathematical nature of haircutting (angles, circles, etc.). Luckily, Dawn was a whiz at math.

Sharing the same floor as Sweet 9 is Platinum Image Services, a private boutique spa. Once inside the door of Sweet 9, the hair salon is to the left and the spa to the right. In the middle, guests are welcome to lounge in the tearoom, complete with vibrant red and muted green walls decorated with lowbrow pop and Dia de los Muertos art. Vintage furnishings and ’60s mod-style chairs power Sweet 9’s energetic rock bohemian appeal.

Stop by on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. for the re-launch of the newly designed spot!



Sweet 9 Hair Salon Renovation Party will take place Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. For more information, call (323) 655-1196 or visit sweet9.com.