Orin Carlin
The best tried & tested party season beauty treatments for speedy festive glam – from lash transformations to express manicures – read more
There’s nothing like a beauty ritual to get you in the mood for a party – better still, bypassing putting your own skills to the test in favour of calling in the big guns to get you looking picture perfect.
So often these days many of us are up against the clock, dashing from the office to the party with only a very small window in between. Luckily, London is home to a slew of truly excellent beauty salons, manned by professionals of the highest calibre.
From lash lifts and hair transformations to express manicures and LED facials, Hello! Fashion‘s Orin Carlin shares the best speedy London beauty treatments to get you party-ready:
The bouncy blow dry
“Newly opened The House of Keune by Bloom is utterly Instagrammable, but that’s by no means its greatest asset. Celebrity hairdresser and Keune hair care ambassador Andrew Barton is exceptional in his attention to detail, as are the rest of his team who work to deliver the ultimate luxurious salon experience.”
‘With all the doom and gloom of recession talk and post-Covid exhaustion, we are seeing a demand for looks that scream glam, glam glam’, Andrew explains. ‘Big bouncy blow-outs that last for days, party updos ranging from classic chignons to French pleats show a revival in old-school glamour, and super sleek locks” are all set to be huge this party season.’
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“Look no further if you’re in need of a speedy blow dry that is guaranteed to transform your hair from drab to fab. London’s signature drizzle meant that Andrew had his work cut out when I stepped through the doors, but his skill speaks for itself. Plus, Jerry Hall has him on speed dial. Enough said.”
How long: 60 minutes
Where: The House of Keune by Bloom salon, WC1A 1PB
Cost: Prices start at £40
Blow dry, visit bloomlifestyle.co.uk
The speedy manicure
“Situated in the heart of Notting Hill, award-winning Young LDN is a super stylish multi-purpose space, boasting a beauty lounge (think makeovers, nails, lashes, and brows) and a skincare lab (IPL, laser hair removal, chemical peels and the like).”
“To up your nail game in an instant, opt for its stellar Express Manicure service which offers a file, paint, and shape in just 20 minutes. With an extensive colour range (including plenty of gorgeous deep reds and celestial glitters that are utterly perfect for the festive season), Young LDN is a must-visit for when you require a nail transformation that will pack a punch.”
How long: 20 minutes
Where: Young LDN salon, W11 2RH
Cost: £25
Express Manicure, visit youngldn.com
The hero lash lift
“Cult-adored Blink Brow Bar is best known for its fuss-free brow shaping services, but if you’re wanting to kill three birds with one stone, its Signature Experience (including a Brow Shape, Lash Lift or Curl and relaxing Brow Pinching treatment) makes for some seriously useful party prep.”
“Lash lifts are brilliant for opening up your eyes and making you look more refreshed, but if you’ve never had one before, it’s crucial to know that to allow the process to set properly, you must not wear makeup or get your eye area wet in the following 24 hours – and so, this one is worth getting done ahead of your big event. Handily, you can also book each of these treatments individually depending on what you require.”
How long: 90 minutes
Where: Selfridges, W1A 1AB
Cost: £105
The Signature Experience, visit bbb-london.com
The resurfacing facial
“Bea Skin Clinic‘s resurfacing treatment uses hero AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) exfoliant glycolic acid to slough away dead skin cells and reveal brighter, more glowy-looking skin – this I can certainly vouch for. Available in varying strengths (15{05995459f63506108ab777298873a64e11d6b9d8e449f5580a59254103ec4a63} for novices, whereas 30{05995459f63506108ab777298873a64e11d6b9d8e449f5580a59254103ec4a63} is great for regular chemical peel fans), it’s crucial to remember that you will be more susceptible to sun exposure so be diligent with your daily SPF application after your treatment. Conveniently, the treatment requires no downtime, making for the perfect pre-party skin ritual.”
How long: 45 minutes
Where: Bea Skin Clinic, W1H 2HL
Cost: £100
Glycolic Resurfacing Treatment, visit bea-skincare.com
The expert brow shaping
“It’s no wonder that eyebrow whizz Shavata Singh tends to some of the best celebrity arches – Victoria Beckham, Adele and Kate Hudson to name a few – because she certainly knows what’s what when it comes to ultra-flattering brow shapes.”
“Appointments begin with an informative consultation in which you will discuss with your brow therapist which style you are best suited to. Crucially, Shavata and her team take into consideration not only your face shape, natural movement, and makeup-wearing tendencies, but also your lifestyle and current brow routine. Beautifully thorough, Shavata gave me a cleaner, more defined arch (via waxing, threading and plucking), that was perfectly suited to my low-maintenance brow game.”
How long: 30 minutes
Where: Harvey Nichols, SW1X 7RJ
Cost: Prices for an eyebrow shape start at £28, or to book in with Shavata herself, a first appointment is £150
Eyebrow shape, visit shavata.co.uk
The LED facial
“The Light Salon‘s Bespoke LED Facial is great for a last-minute glow boost. Requiring zero downtime, I find that getting in some light therapy is essential when my skin is looking tired, dull and sallow. Located within Selfridges’ beauty hall, The Light Salon is a handy secluded spot where you can get in some skin TLC in the amount of time it takes to sit through an episode of a sitcom. Easy peasy. Plus, if you’re not up against the clock, it also offers various add-on services such as hydrating masks and brightening peels depending on your skincare concerns.”
How long: 30 minutes
Where: Selfridges, W1A 1AB
Cost: £50
Bespoke LED Facial, visit thelight-salon.com
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