Top 5: Ways to Improve Your Week in LondonBy Alicia Grimshaw
Hump day? What hump day? From manicures to glowing facials, here’s five amazing ways to improve your week in London. Never underestimate the power of a coat of fresh nail polish:
1. For Personal Training: No1 Fitness
The Problem: Bored of your same old gym routine? We feel you. There’s only so much enjoyment a Spotify playlist and a cross trainer can give you. If you’re wanting to shake up your fitness routine, but don’t know where to start – the team down at No1 Fitness have all the answers.
The Lowdown: No1 Fitness is a bespoke personal training gym with branches in the City and London Bridge. The guys and gals are on hand to help you reach your goals; whether that’s losing fat, feeling good, or upping your fitness levels, they’ll tailor a personal training and nutrition plan which is both attainable and achievable. The team share a wealth of experience, and you know you’re in safe hands. Ask for Harry, he’s a champ.
Why: Personal training gyms can often be a daunting spaces, we get that. However No1 Fitness are a friendly bunch – forget paying for a membership for months on end, their personal trainers work with you to set goals and create a timeline in which to achieve these, and will monitor your progress every step of the way.
Price: Group training sessions from £25. Book here.
Where: 169 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 3JB and 50 St Mary Axe, Lower Ground Floor, London EC3A 8FR
2. For a Facial: QMS Medicosmetics
The Problem: Our skin is so happy that winter is finally over. Dry, flakey skin isn’t a good look on anyone’s money maker. And while we love a good facial, some of them leave our skin feelings a bit too oily for our liking. Enter skin saviours, QMS Medicosmetics.
The Lowdown: Based on QMS Medicosmetics signature style this new treatment has been exclusively designed for Liberty. In just one hour this super effective facial will treat the skin at multiple levels as it detoxifies, protects, rehydrates and lifts the skin. You’ll leave feeling glowing and your skin with thank you of it. We’ll tell you that for free.
Why: The combination of deep cleanse and fruit enzyme exfoliation prepares the skin for the pioneering algae mask which removes dead skin cells, cleans pores and brightens the complexion. A lifting and firming massage with our uniquely formulated collagen-boosting Co-Lectine 3 serum then follows, before the finishing touch of Hydro Foam Mask, which leaves the skin intensely moisturised.
Price: £65
Where: QMS Medicosmetics, Liberty, Regent St, Carnaby, London W1B 5AH
3. For Mindfulness: Mind Body Cleanse at Bhuti
The Problem: Trying to get head space in London is a tough one. Some people like to walk, some people like to do yoga, and we like to hop foot it to leafy Richmond for Chris James’ Mind Body Cleanse class at Bhuti. Think yoga but with a little extra pizzazz.
The Lowdown: Chris James takes a Wednesday morning Mind Body Cleanse class that’s unlike any of your run of the mill yoga. Yes it features all the classic yoga moves (warrior pose, downward dog), but the class also features twists to stimulate digestion and peristalsis, backbends for bioelectric network stimulation, and inversions for lymphatic drainage.
Why: Chris knows his yoga – in the 1990’s he lived and studied with masters in India, and has now established himself as an expert in the world of health and well being. The class features flow exercises to get the blood pumping, as well as at Kriya techniques and meditation, and how to operate at our optimum levels of health and vitality.
Price: See the website for more details
Where: 50 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UB
4. For a Glowing Facial: Dr David Jack
The Problem: Here is it: you’re off to your mate’s wedding, maybe you’re going to a schmancy event, or you just need to give you face a little glow. Well, the Egyptian facial by skincare wizard, Dr David Jack will certainly do the trick.
The Lowdown: The Egyptian facial blows other facials out the water – and unlike the classic exfoliate and moisturise procedure (we like those too), the Egyptian facial is so much more. There’s three steps: a gentle facial peel, dermaplaning (or facial shaving) and then a vitamin facial.
Why: This treatment, which takes around 30-45 minutes involves the use of a fruit based glycolic acid peel, combined with salycylic and mandelic acid, and then gently shaving the top layer of the skin. This exfoliation technique removes the waterproof upper layers of the skin to allow penetration and absorption of a series of anti-ageing advanced vitamin serums which are then applied to the skin. It sounds like a science experiment, but trust us – it aint. Afterwards you’re left with increased glow to the skin, reduction of hyperpigmentation, improved skin tone, and reduction of ‘peach fuzz’ vellus hair – but no risk of hair growing back thicker or darker. Not all heroes wear capes.
Price: See the website for more details
Where: 40 Harley Street, London, W1G 9PP
The Problem: Your nails are looking pretty lacklustre, your barnet could do with a redo before your big night out, and a quick wax of the eyebrows wouldn’t hurt. But there’s a big problem – you don’t have time to pop to a salon. Enter Prettly, a website offering mobile beauty therapists that will swing by your gaff to sass up your nails/hair/face.
The Lowdown: Prettly is a website where busy ladies can book beauty treatments delivered directly to their home or office in London (mainly zones 1-4). It’s genius. Prettly’s goal is all about making beauty treatments easy, affordable and comfortable as possible, without losing the high quality standard. You now don’t have to leave your sofa for a fresh coat of paint.
Why: Prettly started off doing nails only, and now offer hair styling, makeup and hair removal treatments. They are by-women, for-women company. It’s super simple: just select what treatment you’re after, your time, address, and Prettly will organise the rest. We say, one of the best home beauty services around.
Price: Treatments from £10
Where: Order online
