Posts

ARETÉ: The Pursuit of Conscious Hair Care

Image
  ARETÉ : The Pursuit of Conscious Hair Care The ARETÉ Collection embodies the pursuit of true excellence —a core philosophy guiding every product selection for my studio. The aesthetic is immediate: elegant glass packaging signals exceptional quality. The brand combines sharp science and nature to “consciously create beauty” with intention. I am pleased to feature this elevated standard in my styling work . My clients and I, here at AKM Studio in Hermosa Beach , have been thrilled with the immediate results. ARETÉ: Style Nurtured The true measure of a product is one that helps you achieve your styled look. It must also preserve the integrity of the hair and nurture it . This is what defines the ARETÉ collection. I was personally impressed with the exotic ingredients used in this line. The formulas are packed full of moonstone, lotus flower, sacha inchi, palo santo , and saffron . These components deliver potent health and styling benefits for your ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Going Grey in South Bay

Image
Going Grey South Bay   A Modern Approach for Millennials and Gen X   AKM STUDIO's Signature Accent Highlight- designed to flatter not fight the grey  Many of my clients, particularly millennials, are noticing their first greys or suddenly seeing more than usual. For some, it’s empowering. For others, they’re slightly less thrilled. Nonetheless, the question arises: “Now what?” How we embrace our greys is deeply personal . Some may want them completely gone, while others prefer to let their hair grow out naturally. But many are looking for something in between, as the culture shifts around grey hair and aging in general. Even in Los Angeles, long known for youth obsession, more people are choosing approaches that honor authenticity and self-expression rather than complete erasure. In the South Bay beach cities, that mindset feels right at home, where the pace is calmer, the style more effortless, and beauty is about looking put together without looking overdone. No m...
Post a Comment
Read more

AKM STUDIO. Online. Onpoint

Image
    AKM STUDIO. Online. Onpoint   Online Booking at AKM STUDIO Your experience matters even before you sit in the chair. At AKM Studio in Hermosa Beach, the process of booking your appointment has been crafted with the same attention to detail as the service itself. Because when your time is valuable, the way you schedule should reflect that. The Benefits of Booking Through Vagaro With AKM Studio’s online booking , powered by Vagaro , you can secure your appointment 24/7 without delays, emails, or phone calls. The system is intuitive and structured to make booking fast and direct. It works seamlessly on all devices, so you can book anytime, anywhere. Booking Features Book in real-time with live availability See all service details up front—timing, pricing, and what's included Know your service options before committing to the chair Include a note to your stylist upon booking Secure your spot and receive automated reminders to keep your calenda...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Art of the Shadow Root

Image
The Art of the Shadow Root   Hair and Photography - Angela McCormick Shadow Roots in Modern Hair Coloring A shadow root is the kind of nuance that doesn’t call attention to itself, but quietly elevates everything around it—like the subtle taper of a tailored jacket or the perfect fade in vintage denim. This color technique softens the contrast between your highlights and base color by gently darkening the roots and blending them into the lighter tones below. It mimics the way hair lightens naturally over time—creating a look that feels both organic and modern. What is a Shadow Root?   A shadow root is an add-on service to any highlight or balayage appointment that subtly darkens the new highlights closest to the root and blends them into the lighter tones through the mid-lengths and ends. Not only does this mimic the natural way highlights emerge from the hair, it also makes maintaining dimensional color easier. By softening the space between your highlights and b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lived-In Hair for Men: Effortless, Tailored, and Timeless

Image
Lived-In Hair for Men: Effortless, Tailored, and Timeless   Hair and Photography - Angela McCormick   The lived-in hair trend has swept through Los Angeles and beyond, offering a natural, touchable texture, unforced and not overly precise. It’s refined but relaxed, polished yet organic—the kind of hair that feels natural but expertly shaped. This lived-in aesthetic isn’t exclusive to women’s hair—it’s a look that men want too. A common frustration I hear from many of my first-time male clients is that they rarely like a fresh cut. As it grows out, it may get better—but it’s never quite right. The balance is off: cuts either grow out poorly or feel too structured from the start. They want something that instantly feels settled in with a grow out that gets better over time.  And yet, many barbershops and salons still don’t nail this preference—here’s why: Why Many Men’s Cuts Miss the Mark The Salon Cut – Often centered around larger transformations, lik...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Best Hair Days Start Sunday

Image
  The Best Hair Days Start Sunday     Hair and Photography Angela McCormick   Sundays are no longer just for errands and last-minute to-dos—they’re the perfect day for hair-care. Instead of squeezing in a rushed appointment between work, dealing with traffic and midweek stress, a Sunday hair appointment turns your visit into a relaxing, intentional experience.  AKM STUDIO offers exclusive Sunday appointments for people who want to actually enjoy   their salon experience without it feeling like a weekday chore. For LA's Time-Conscious Professionals If your schedule is packed Monday through Friday, with demanding work hours, frequent travel, or other midweek obligations, Sunday is the perfect time for you. Great for professionals who can’t take time off work  The perfect way to prep for Monday meetings, networking events, or photoshoots  Ideal after a morning work out, spa session, or just a quiet cup of coffee ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Hard Water in South Bay Impacts Your Hair

Image
How Hard Water in South Bay Impacts Your Hair      As a Hermosa Beach hairstylist with experience on the East Coast, I’ve observed a common pattern among my South Bay and Los Angeles clients. Often, I first notice dryness in a client’s hair, but then, on closer inspection, other issues emerge: greasy roots, faster-than-usual color fading, and an overall dull, matte appearance. Sometimes these clients also struggle with an itchy scalp, low volume, or a lack of bounce in their curl. It’s a combination of problems that, when assessed together, point back to one underlying cause—hard water buildup. In a place like LA, where the lifestyle revolves around bright sunny days, outdoor activities, and a focus on beauty and self-care, people naturally wash their hair more frequently. But this commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle, combined with the area’s mineral-heavy hard water, can lead to stubborn buildup on hair. Over time, this buildup not only affects the health of the h...
Post a Comment
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA
Read more