There's nothing like a beauty ritual to get you in the mood for a holiday – better still, bypassing putting your own skills to the test in favour of calling in the big guns to get you looking hot girl summer-ready.
So often these days many of us are up against the clock, dashing to the airport with little time to spare. Luckily, London is home to a slew of truly excellent beauty salons, manned by professionals who can help you transition into holiday mode at the drop of a hat.
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Hello! Fashion's resident beauty obsessive Orin Carlin shares the best London beauty treatments to get you summer-ready:
The LED facial
"As part of Noble Panacea's first spa partnership, The Brilliant Signature Facial is a prime choice when it comes to delivering a last-minute glow boost. Located within Nobu Hotel London Portman Square's Wellness Centre, this high-performance treatment is designed to energise the skin using LED light therapy (one of my beauty heroes when I'm looking dull and sallow) and stimulating massage techniques. Requiring zero downtime, I emerged with refreshed, radiant skin, and eager to slot some newfound Noble Panacea products into my current routine."
How long: 60 minutes
Where: Nobu Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG
Cost: £280 (or £365 for 90 minutes)
The bouncy blow dry
© Photo: Instagram“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."
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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
The speedy manicure
© Instagram / @polished_yogi"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 sunset hues and more neon than you can shake a stick at), 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
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 holiday 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
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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% for novices, whereas 30% 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-flight skin ritual."
How long: 45 minutes
Where: Bea Skin Clinic, W1H 2HL
Cost: £100
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
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