Top 5: Summer Beauty Treatments in LondonBy Roberta Lister
With summer officially in full swing, it’s time to tackle those hot weather beauty tasks. From the perfect spray tan for a romantic city break, to the bikini wax for the easily embarrassed, we’ve got your holiday prep covered. Read on for the details on the very best tried-and-tested treatments in London:
What: The London Wax at Milk Beauty (£35)
The Lowdown: The latest launch from at-home beauty queens Milk (the beauty maids – get it?) is sure to suit even the most squeamish amongst us. Exclusive to Milk, the London wax has been specially created to rival the old classics; Brazilian and Hollywood. It’s expertly designed to be quicker, less painful, and much less awkward than the others (think minimal manoeuvring) and takes a mere 30 minutes. The best part? One of Milk’s specially trained therapists comes to you at home, bringing (and disposing of) all of their own towels and materials – as if they were never there in the first place. Simple.
Where: Order online
What: James Harknett at Away Spa (£45)
The Lowdown: James Harknett is many an A-lister’s secret weapon, and this summer you can find him at the W Hotel’s luxe Away Spa, offering a perfectly tailored menu of tans. The list features a treatment for everyone, from the first-timer to the seasoned bronzer, with every session tailored to suit skin type and desired results. Our favourite is the The South Beach: a middle-ground tan that enhances existing muscle tone to give a fresh, athletic finish. The soft butterscotch filters flatter any skin tone, while an extra boost of colour across the chest and shoulders adds a believable just-back-from-LA kind of glow.
Where: W Hotel, 10 Wardour St, London W1D 6QF
For a Pedicure: Margaret Dabbs
What: Margaret Dabbs Medical Pedicure (£85)
The Lowdown: The ultimate overhaul for neglected toes, Margaret Dabbs’s innovative Medical Pedicure is the kind of treatment you really have to see to believe. Available at every one of her London salons – the latest one has just launched in Notting Hill – and performed by a qualified podiatrist, the treatment considers all aspects of foot health to leave you with the most perfect results that will last much longer than that week on the beach.
The intensive 45min treatment is performed on dry feet to ensure long-lasting results. Dry skin and calluses are surgically removed – less scary than it sounds, we promise – and nails are buffed and rehydrated for a glowing, healthy finish. Margaret’s own products complete the experience, which are rich in Emu oil for ultimate hydration. Be sure to pick up an intensive treatment foot oil on the way out.
Where: Locations here
For a Hair Treatment: Charles Worthington
What: Hair Strobing at Charles Worthington salons (£70)
The Lowdown: Charles Worthington’s latest colour innovation is specially suited to a week under the sun. A clever riff on the summer’s biggest beauty trend, the strobing treatment is a pioneering concept based on the idea of ‘highlighting’ the shape of your cut using cleverly placed colour. As in the make-up technique, shimmering tints are placed on areas where the light naturally hits, with no dark shades used to ensure a flattering finish.
Where: Locations here
What: The Essential Facial at Pfeffer Sal (£135)
The Lowdown: Pfeffer Sal’s expert therapists believe the transformative effects of a facial should last well beyond the salon doors. For a pre-holiday blitz, salon founder Andrea Pfeffer recommends the essential treatment, which directly infuses cells with a pharmaceutical grade (meaning seriously potent) cocktail of vitamins, specially selected to suit your skin type and condition. The boosting effects of the custom-blend serum are enhanced by some super-sciencey technology, which works the good stuff deep into the skin. Combine this with a very thorough cleanse – extractions and all – and you’ll be happy to leave that foundation bottle at home.
Where: 21a Foley St, Fitzrovia W1W 6D
