Get my nails done
I only started getting shellac this year, having previously been in a bit of a rut with my nails. Normal nail polish never lasted, so it seemed pointless to paint them myself or go for a regular mani to maintain them. The first place I had shellac at was Cheeky, in the ground floor of Topshop. They do really good shellac there but it’s admittedly pretty pricey. Likewise, Dryby isn’t cheap but it’s the best place ever to have nails done (particularly shellac), from the nail art options to the chic environment. I once had my nails done there by Sarah Bland-Barbuto, the amazingly warm and funny artist who does Beyonce’s nails and is a Smith & Cult ambassador (#humblebrag). I sometimes pop to a little place near where I work at the Space NK head offices during my lunch break as it’s quick and easy, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I think you really have to test out as many places as you can to find where works for you. As long as the technicians are well trained and everything is clean, you can find a decent shellac manicure for under £30.
Have my hair coloured & cut
The only person who now cuts my hair is Laura Swann at John Frieda (Aldford Street). As well as quickly becoming one of my friends because of her hilarious personality, she’s someone who just gets me and what I want. I’ve been to places like Hershesons and Percy & Reed before which are great, but now I’ve found Laura I’m happy at John Frieda. For colour, Ava at John Frieda (the newer one on Margaret Street) is amazing and really sweet too. Jason Hogan, the lovely Colour Director at Tommy Guns in Soho, is a colour genius and his salon is the coolest place. For blow dries, I recommend Valentina at Windle & Moodie; she is one of the only stylists who has ever, IMO, nailed a beachy, wavey blow dry on my hair.
Have a facial
I’ve had many facials during my time in beauty, but some definitely stand out more than others. I would 100% wholeheartedly recommend a facial by Murad, and in particular, Natasha DAlmeida at the House of Fraser beauty rooms, who is brilliant at determining what your skin needs. I also had a great Murad facial at Cosmedics near where I live in Putney once, with the best round of extractions ever (so satisfying). For relaxing facials, opt for Oskia; I once fell asleep during a session with them which never happens and left feeling all zen and glowy. You can’t beat Skin Laundry at Liberty for a quick, effective pore refresh and the more sessions you have, the more you notice an amazing difference.
Enjoy a night of relaxation
My favourite spa in London, hands down, is the ESPA spa at The Corinthia London. The epitome of luxury, it’s never crowded and has the most amazing facilities, from the pools to the steam rooms and saunas and – my personal favourite – the Sleep Pods, where you can literally sneak in for a mid-spa-snooze. I once had a full body massage there which incorporated mindfulness techniques and was crazy good. If you can stretch to it (and yes I know it’s a massive stretch) stay at The Corinthia for a night and use the spa for free. It’s such an amazing, luxe hotel and the rooms are beautiful.
Get my lashes and brows done
I never really touch my brows aside from getting them tinted now and again. I quite like the natural shape of them and once had them threaded and found they were way too sculpted. Before holidays or big parties (which I rarely frequent…) I like to get them tinted at Blink, but always the one in Selfridges as I once had them done in Fenwicks, paid £15 and walked out with the exact same brows I walked in with. It may have just been a bad experience but since, I tend to stick to Selfridges. I don’t do much with my lashes either as I feel like just tinting alone doesn’t last long enough. I did recently have LVL with my lovely friend Nadine (she also does great Fake Bake tans remotely) and would definitely recommend the treatment to anyone who wants to ditch mascara and enjoys a more natural lash look. It takes around 45 mins – 1 hour and doesn’t hurt at all. Your lashes are much fuller with way more volume afterwards, and the effects last for about 6 weeks which is really impressive. It’s definitely more worthwhile than a tint as it not only dyes the lashes but improves their actual length and shape.