London's Best Beauty Experts, Salons & Spas
Organic facials, Thai massage, hair stylists, eyebrow threaders & more
During my eight years living in London, I've discovered some fabulous finds for getting gorgeous and simply getting time away to relax and recharge. Here are my go-to spots for hair and nail salons, beauty experts, day spas, and skincare gurus to melt the stress away and keep you looking your best.
Day Spa: Nougat Spa
Notting Hill
This sweet gem of a salon/day spa is a new addition to Westbourne Grove's already happening string of boutiques and restaurants. It's very girly and sweet. I had the microdermabrasion facial (which I now plan to do once a month to properly exfoliate dead skin cells for a lasting glow), followed by a wonderfully relaxing massage. They offer various spa treatments including express treatments for lunchtime and pampering every day packages—for you or as a gifty. I love the idea of hosting a party with eight gal pals there, complete with canapés, champagne and salon treatments. Fun!
227 Westbourne Grove | W11 2SE England
Georgia Skincare
Knightsbridge
The effects of winter weather and indoor heat and summer sun have grave effects on your skin, as we all know. Most facialists rub all kinds of potions and lotions on you and sure, it feels great and is nice ‘you' time, but there's nothing in it for your skin! Georgia, who created Georgia Skincare, is in a class of few who truly understand what an effective facial is and constantly keeps up with the latest innovations and technologies bringing clients the most bespoke service possible per session. What I recommend off the bat is to see her the first time and determine if you'd like her to look after your skincare―then book in for every 6-8 weeks. The space on cute and centrally located Beauchamp Place SW3 is a feminine boudoir style room―the perfect cocoon from rainy London days. Her Signature Treatment starts with an in-depth personal consultation to decide exactly which areas you need to target, then cleanses and extracts before offering her suggestion on what you need including: micro-dermabrasion, light therapy and/or electro mesotherapy, CACI non-surgical facelift, spa facials, peels, rollers―you name it―all finished off with Georgia's fabulous digit pressure and detox massage. She is peaceful and energetic at the same time; a practitioner who you'll undoubtedly be reading and hearing about quite a lot. Just opened September 2009 after many years' experience at leading day spas. Worth it. Run, don't walk!
1st Floor, 24 Beauchamp Place | London SW3 1NH
Therese Synnott
At Home Masseuse Service
A Reiki Master, Level 4 diploma in Holistic Massage, Therese is able to hone her expertise on whatever need you require at the moment. I call on her at least 4xs per year and go right to bed after her visit for the full effect. There aren't many massages I feel the loosening effect of days later like I do with hers. Insider Andrew Zlot says: “Healing hands is an understatement here. Therese is calming and creates a cocoon of sorts in your home—candles, great smelling oils, soothing music …" Book 90 minutes or take 2 hours for a truly fabulous deep tissue relaxing massage. Cost: Home visits £85 for 60 minutes, £115 for 90 minutes. Email her for an appointment:
t_synnott@yahoo.comPhone: 07931 946906
Flutter
Mobile At Home Service
There's a new trend in eyelash extensions sweeping London―the question is, who can you trust to provide you with fuller and natural-looking eyelashes and not make you look like you've got batwings attached to your eyelids? One of my trusted Insiders,
Catherine Schreier, recently had them done and reports: “There are so many salons offering this procedure, but many of the people applying the lashes have little training or experience. I did my research, and Kathryn at Flutter is top-notch ... passionate about her business and the girls she trains. She made me feel completely comfortable, and as for the results ... goodbye mascara!” Kathryn has more than 5 years' experience and keeps her girls constantly trained to make sure they deliver outstanding results. Trustworthy, discrete and professional, Kathryn or one of her girls will come directly to your home and you'll be done within a couple of hours ... no pain, no fuss ... just long, thick, fluttery lashes that last up to 6 weeks. Coming to Harrods soon.
London England
BeautyWorksWest
Westbourne Grove
What's different from most? The owner clearly injects her very high level of service and products acumen into everything on the menu at BeautyWorksWest. You won't be let down here. The ethos combines science, state-of-the-art technology, and the most advanced techniques in a friendly, stylish setting. My massage with Therese was rejuvenating and tip-top. The signature Ling Oxygen Plasma and Ultra-Sound Facial, and the Oh So Smooth Body Scrub Treatment, are two to try ... so when they send you a voucher in the mail every couple of months, enjoy the little present to yourself!
PS: BodyWorksWest, the sister health club next door, is where I'd join if I lived in the area ... wonderful. Check out their new fitness package, "The Ultimate Body Makeover," tailored to transform your body in just six weeks. Shed weight and tone up the body by combining rigorous exercise techniques with expert nutritional advice. Package is £1,990; mention "Suzanne's Files" and receive a 10% discount if you're one of the first five to sign up. For further information, contact Janine Abrahams at 00 44 207 229 2291 or email: janine@bodyworkswest.co.uk
8-9 Lambton Place, Notting Hill | London W11 2SH England
Strip
Chelsea and Notting Hill
Getting a bikini, leg or 'other' waxing is not really a pleasant experience, but ... Strip will turn your "ouch" to "oohs" and "aahs" with its glamorous décor and painless methods. The Chelsea location has three floors; each room is themed around one of the premium Lycon wax flavors (Chocolate-Hazelnut, So Berry, Lavender or Active Gold). Bridget, my beauty therapist, was a real character, telling me about how much she "loves removing hair"! I'm told many guys also indulge as part of their grooming regimens with Manifico treatments that smell of Chamomile and Australian Sandalwood. Strip turns furry into fabulous, leaving soft, smooth and scented skin. I'm hoping the owners will take my advice and launch fun classes ... striptease, tantra, pole-dancing!
102 Fulham Road | London SW3 6HS England
Thai Massage: Thai Therapeutics
Knightsbridge
My shoulders and neck get far more stiff than is healthy. So, being that I adore massage (it is the treatment to which I treat myself most often). Thai massage, however, is my favorite of all faves, and I seek it out wherever I travel in the world, as Thai therapists seem to consistently be trained at truly loosening your body, as they stretch while massaging, getting deep into the tissue and deep into your relaxation mode. This little place in Knightsbridge is simple, clean, open evenings and Sunday and fairly priced. Great to know about whether you live in London or are just visiting, and need a kink ironed out.
26 Beauchamp Place | London SW3 1NJ England
Day Spa: Cowshed Clarendon Cross
I booked my appointments here on a rainy Friday after work one day and had a hard time not staying over the weekend! What a super cute spa, with great therapists and all kinds of edible treats and beverages—and I'm not talking an herbal tea menu—that give new meaning to indulging at a spa. It's cute, corner shop location in Notting Hill is nearby the famous Julie's Restaurant, but you won't need to stop there; when you enter Cowshed, you'll find a delicious little cappuccino bar on your left filled with platters of gorgeous layer cakes, cookies and tarts, plus two vertical shelving units stocked with Ruinart and Dom Perignon champagne. Fun! They manage to make the whole place girly without being annoyingly "sweet.”" It's a lovely place to visit with a gal pal for some afternoon cake and a pedicure; the man-pedi stations are at street level so you can gaze out the large windows while being polished. Head downstairs for the serene treatment rooms. You may have a hard time choosing from the remarkably vast spa menu. My deep tissue massage with Kazumi was masterful; I felt brand new and truly stretched out. The prices are very fair considering the quality and the ambience—not your typical spa rip-off. This is my new favorite London day spa and I'm already looking forward to my next visit!
119 Portland Road | London W11 4LN England
Organic Facial: Rose Lymphatic Facial at The Organic Pharmacy
When it comes to facials, relaxing, moisturizing and massaging are all great, but sometimes us city gals need something a bit stronger. The Organic Pharmacy's signature facial comprises the usual skin analysis, massages and masks, but most important-—and not always common in facials the UK and Europe—it includes extractions to get rid of metropolitan grime. Like a lot of London day spas, the room itself was small and clinical, but considering that you spend most of the time with your eyes closed, this didn't really bother Lauren, one of our editors. The low lighting, delicious aromas and explanations from her therapist, were oh-so soothing that even as she pushed out that stubborn dirt from the pores, Lauren reports feeling pretty blissed-out. The Organic Pharmacy is possibly better known for its product selection, available in their four London boutiques. These products are used in all of their spa treatments and are, not surprisingly, all organic. So, while you're having all the yucky stuff drawn out with steam, extractions and charcoal masks, you're not putting any more back in. Plus, everything smells fabulous—after Lauren left several people complemented her on her “perfume.” The treatment also uses rose quartz crystals to stimulate the lympathic system, encouraging your body to eliminate toxins. Lauren says, "when I left I definitely had a fresh, glowing complexion that felt cleaner, brighter and less clogged up." Day spas and boutiques in Soho, Covent Garden, Kensington High Street and King's Road.
396 Kings Road | London SW10 OLN England
Massage Maestro: Franco at the Metropolitan hotel's Urban Escape
Walk through the nondescript doors behind the lobby reception at the Metropolitan Hotel, down a set of steps and though a door into a very simple, average-looking small gym and spa with just two treatment rooms. All that simplicity is misleading—visitors are in for an impressive experience. When the staff welcomes you, you'll notice immediately how well trained they are and how they seem to care sincerely about how you are feeling! I was lucky to be matched with the spa's secret weapon—a phenomenal massage therapist/physiotherapist named Franco. The deep tissue massage he gave me was, without a doubt, the best massage I've ever had in London. Franco is very knowledgeable and effective—you won't leave with a single knot. His technique is not for those who prefer light, relaxing stroking; instead, a combination of stretching, deep kneading and movement are his signature techniques. That wonderful feeling of relaxation won't just last until an hour after you leave the spa, though. He will teach you about small changes to make in your seated and standing postures, plus daily stretches to help alleviate the tightness in between visits as well.
£85 for a one hour Deep Tissue Massage.
Old Park Lane | London W1K 1LB England
Eyebrow Threader and Facialist: Vaishaly
Westminster
For perfectly polished brows, head to one of London's most sought after facialists—Vaishaly Patel. One of the capital's finest eyebrow threaders, she shaped my brows to perfectly complement my face and bone structure. Let her enhance your own natural beauty. She can also give you a truly effective, professional facial, using only a highly selective range of products. Expensive, but worth it.
51 Paddington Street | London W1U 4HR England
Eyebrow Threader: Malika
Canary Wharf
Ritu Patel is a London go-to girl for eyebrows. Threading has been her passion for more than ten years, and she's the threader of choice for all of those busy business and banking types at Canary Wharf. She's quick, effective, and professional—advising you honestly on shape and thickness. Using thread sourced directly from India, she'll whip out those troublesome hairs quicker than you can say, "hair today, gone tomorrow." She also offers facials and fabulous head massages.
Canada Place, Toni&Guy | London E14 5AH England
Hotel Spa: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Knightsbridge
Mandarin Oriental is well-known for its superlative spas, and this slick, black-marble oasis is a great respite after shopping in Knightsbridge, or on a rainy day when you just feel like being cozy. What I recommend it for most is to give as a gift; as it will impress. Facilities include a calming, Zen style chromatherapy relaxation room, a crystal steam room and a soothing, warm-water soaking pool. I recommend the Advanced Time Ritual Experience, a lengthy, personalized session using a custom combination of European, Asian or Ayurvedic massage and skincare therapies—bliss.
66 Knightsbridge | London SW1X 7LA England
Facialist: Sarah Chapman's Skinesis Clinic
Chelsea
At the clinic of TV personality and beauty expert Sarah Chapman, the empasis is on combining the latest advanced skincare technology with deep relaxation. Sarah is widely regarded as one of the UK's leading authorities on facial treatments and is regularly quoted in Vogue, Tatler and many other magazines, and has served as an expert on the UK TV program Ten Years Younger. Her personalized facials give results. She is very well versed in her sector, educating each client during and after treatment for best practices ongoing. Other services include skin peels, de-pigmentation, waxing, eyelash perming and tinting, and brow shaping and tinting. Step out glowing and nip over to Itsu, a nearby Japanese restaurant, for a bite and a zing lemonade to go with your zingy new step!
1 1/2 hour facial from £150.
106 Draycott Avenue | London SW3 3AE England
Hair Salon: Gina Conway Aveda Lifestyle Salon
Bayswater/Westborne Grove
I have countless friends whose hair has been damaged by the chemicals most salons use to ply hair. But Aveda uses 99% natural hair color treatments, and Gina Conway and the team at her Aveda Lifestyle Salon can custom blend color tones into shampoo and conditioner to keep that honey blond looking, well, honey blond! The custom hair and scalp conditioning treatments are truly effective if done consistently, and Gina, in my opinion, gives one of the best cuts I've ever had. While there you can also get a massage or mani-pedi—they do it all so you can emerge feeling and looking super from head to toe.
62 Westbourne Grove Road | London W2 5SH England
Hair and Beauty Salon: Paul Edmonds
Knightsbridge
Top notch in every way. This do-it-all, no-nonsense salon is wham-bam thank you ma'am—a real find in London. I go here for just about everything: hair cut and styling, make-up application and all kinds of beauty treatments. Lynne, the manager, rigorously tests all new techniques to make sure that you're receiving the best. Book Linda for the most fabulous bikini wax in town, or the transforming 1.5 hour facial, using the nourishing and anti-aging South African product line called Environ. For the best manicures outside of NYC, try the Bio Sculpture nail treatment with Pauline. Bio Sculpture is a substance applied like polish that stops nails from oiling and prevents cracking. The paint job is perfection and lasts two to three weeks with no chips—no joke. Short on time? Give Lesley's "soft tap" semi-permanent make-up a go for eyebrows, lids and lips. No pain, and the result is amazingly natural and lasts up to one year. In summer months this is especially appealing as you'll need little or no make-up at the beach. (Imagine emerging from the water looking totally intact, save for your hair.) Or for that A-lister look, how about false semi-permanent eyelashes? I could go on (and on) about this buzzy salon …
166 Brompton Road | London SW3 1HW England
Thai Massage at Home or Hotel: Amber Scott
I was not sure what to expect, but when Amber came to my house a few months ago, she had me lie on a blanket in my bedroom, wearing loose clothing, and began a one-and-a-half-hour session that combined stretching, guided breathing and massaging of muscles and pressure points—and away I floated into one of the most relaxed states I've ever experienced. The full body treatment can do wonders for neck and shoulder problems, headaches, depression, anxiety, cramps, stiffness, nervous symptoms, sciatica, tendonitis—just tell her what you need. She smartly prescribed certain yoga exercises to alleviate my aches and pains, a kind of do-it-yourself program for in between visits. Amber has studied in Nepal, Thailand and India, received training in Chinese abdominal massage (chi nei tsang), and has completed levels I and II in Reiki. I highly recommend a trial session—you'll want see her again and again—and a massage with Amber makes a thoughtful gift for someone who needs to decompress. She makes house calls as well has hotel calls, so frequent travelers to London looking for a jetlag antidote should program her number in speed-dial. Appointments, which are a minimum of 90 minutes, can also be made via e-mail, at caramba_massage@hotmail.com.
Phone: +44 (0)7887 946 583
caramba_massage@hotmail.com | London England
Looking for more beauty experts around the world? See Suzanne's top picks in...
joyscott on Sep. 29, 2008
angelareynolds on Dec. 20, 2009
What is the hottest new “In Salon or At Home Body Treatment to lose inches in 45” Minutes” in the USA?
It is the Herbal botanical body wraps and defining gel works by detoxifying the body and infusing the skin with tightening, toning, and firming ingredients after one application! This product has swept across America and exploded when it was launched in Canada 6 months ago. Be the first to put the UK in your down line and capture this opportunity before you hear about it from your neighbor or friend.
The It Works Body Applicator was featured in the celebrity gift baskets at the Emmy's and The Oscars. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity and start selling them before they are being sold to you!! We are launching this product in the UK February 2010, contact me to find out about our opportunity meetings.
How It Works Ultimate Body Applicator:
· I takes 45 minutes to wrap a site specific area and it will continue to work for 3 days
· Lose inches of fat, not water
· You DO NOT Sweat in layers of bandages, we do not want you to sweat: It clogs your pores and prevents the absorption of the herbal ingredients
· You can do it at home or provide an add on service to your salon service
· You have to eat it back on!
Click below to learn more or call Christopher at 001 561 676 8146, email angela@angelareynolds.com
http://45229.itworks.net/amazing-products.aspx
angelareynolds on Dec. 20, 2009
What is the hottest new “In Salon or At Home Body Treatment to lose inches in 45” Minutes” in the USA?
It is the Herbal botanical body wraps and defining gel works by detoxifying the body and infusing the skin with tightening, toning, and firming ingredients after one application! This product has swept across America and exploded when it was launched in Canada 6 months ago. Be the first to put the UK in your down line and capture this opportunity before you hear about it from your neighbor or friend.
The It Works Body Applicator was featured in the celebrity gift baskets at the Emmy's and The Oscars. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity and start selling them before they are being sold to you!! We are launching this product in the UK February 2010, contact me to find out about our opportunity meetings.
How It Works Ultimate Body Applicator:
· I takes 45 minutes to wrap a site specific area and it will continue to work for 3 days
· Lose inches of fat, not water
· You DO NOT Sweat in layers of bandages, we do not want you to sweat: It clogs your pores and prevents the absorption of the herbal ingredients
· You can do it at home or provide an add on service to your salon service
· You have to eat it back on!
Click below to learn more or call Christopher at 001 561 676 8146, email angela@angelareynolds.com
http://45229.itworks.net/amazing-products.aspx
coetsee on Dec. 31, 2009
A power that can affect, persuade and cause changes to someone or something. In order to influence people, you first need to discover what is already influencing them. What makes them tick? What do they care about? We need some leverage to work with when we’re trying to change how people think and behave.