www.stil-salon.com

In a city like London, the choice of hair salons is overwhelming. That’s why so many people rely on reviews to know which places to trust with their locks. Allow me to introduce STIL in Notting Hill.

A salon with a reputation as good as theirs gets predictably busy, so planning bad hair days or a much-needed spruce in advance is essential. If you’re having your colour done (and you should – it’s their speciality), expect to have a patch test and colour consultation around a week prior. When arriving for mine, three things struck me straight away. Firstly, they have a whole wall of awards proudly displayed like Oscars, secondly that the space is light, bright and bustling, and thirdly that despite its rather affluent locale, the staff could not have been more welcoming. Then came the consultation. As a blonde who has been to literally hundreds of salons over the years, I was surprisingly impressed. Colourist Anna talked through my complexion, eye colour, past hair colours, hair type, the seasons and what I wanted from my colour in order to decide on a course of action for my mane. Her confidence and experience put me immediately at ease; knowing I was in the safest of hands.

A week or so later as I sat down for my appointment, Anna briefly re-capped what we had discussed to confirm I was happy, and then set to work. I’ve had some questionable colour experiences in the past so was eager to see the results of her in-depth analysis. She even held a chart up to my eyes to assess the depth of colour in my eyes, which she explained has a significant effect on how your final colour looks – who knew?! Proving they really know how to get the most from your colour, I was also treated to an exfoliating treatment that removes residue from previous highlights and rids hair of that dastardly London pollution. My favourite part by far however was the heavenly head massage using my choice of essential oil, and a nourishing hair mask that left it feeling silky smooth.

Back at the mirror, it was then time for the cut. It took another fairly lengthy discussion about what I pictured and what they’d recommend, but finally my stylist began to snip. I didn’t request anything fancy (a few inches off and a re-shape around the face) but I was very happy with the results; even more so when they began blow-drying and my new colour was revealed. Overall, it was the best salon experience I’ve had. The results were exactly what I had asked for, if not better, and the place itself is lovely – unpretentious, clean, bright and buzzy. Oh, and in case you needed one more reason to go: their salon dog Bertie is simply adorable and scampers around the Scandinavian-designed space demanding strokes and snuggles. Ready to book? Yeah, we don’t blame you.

www.cowshed.com

Smudged nail varnish is one of my pet hates. I love the way my nails look when painted, but I am far too impatient an individual to sit still and resist the urge to make a cup of tea / apply my make-up / start typing on my laptop within two minutes of painting it on. That’s why one of my favourite treats to self is having my nails done. Find the right place and you’ll get a lovely experience and an expertly applied, long-lasting finish that allows you to run any errand within seconds of leaving the salon.

Full disclosure; I have never had a truly terrible nail service in London, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a firm favourite. For me (and my nails), it’s all about Cowshed. They have outposts in Carnaby Street, Shoreditch, Selfridges and Primrose Hill, among others, and interiors that are all cream and distressed wood. Chic and understated with comfortable chairs, strong coffee (or prosecco!) and a vibe that’s kind of vintage zen, their choice of décor means you can go the morning after a heavy night without feeling like you need sunglasses to protect your retinas and gin headache from the glowing neons. It’s also pretty Instagrammable, just FYI.

As for the nails, my go-to is the ‘Ultimate Cowshed Manicure’. As well as perfectly painted polish, it also includes a hydrating, delightfully-scented hand mask and an almost-too-relaxing shoulder and scalp massage. I once went in there for a facial followed by this most indulgent of manicures and I honestly felt like I was floating on air when I finally emerged. But don’t think Cowshed is only for the time-rich. Speedy lunch-break manis are also on the menu, lasting thirty minutes and including a file, tidy and polish, or there’s an even quicker 15-minute polish change – ideal for last-minute date nights. If open-toed shoes are calling for some TLC on the old feet, my recommendation would be any that includes the foot and leg massage (I have extraordinarily ticklish feet and still loved it). They have a great selection of paint colours, and while they don’t offer gel or acrylic options, the colour definitely lasts and also means your nails remain in better condition. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even go on a day when they have gloriously nostalgic FRIENDS episodes playing on your personal retro-style TV. Heaven much? Forgive the pun, but they really have nailed it.

www.lpbeautybar.co.uk

We all have times when we can’t be bothered with make-up. Most of us strive for the natural look day to day, and we all envy those women who walk out the door seemingly fresh-faced yet perfect. When on holiday too, make-up can be a faff. Between allowing your face to soak up that ultra-valuable vitamin D (with SPF protection of course!) and struggling to avoid panda eyes when you combine mascara with a refreshing dip in the pool, make-up is something you just don’t need to worry about. Enter eyelash extensions. In a little over an hour, the dreamboats at Lash Perfect will enhance your eyes with 200 individual lashes; making your eyes look bigger and more defined – no eyeliner or mascara required. When wearing no other make-up, you can feel confident that your eyes still pop, and when going for the full-faced look, they add real glamour and pizzazz.

As an eyelash extension newbie, Lash Perfect’s prime location close to Piccadilly Circus and abundance of glowing reviews was the perfect place for my first foray. I was presented with either super dramatic (aka a little OTT) lashes or a subtler ‘everyday’ kind of glamour, and quickly decided on the latter. My therapist then beckoned me to lay on a comfortable massage bed, placed pads gently under my lower lashes and advised me to keep my eyes closed for the next hour; an instruction I happily obeyed.

I could barely feel her feather-light touch as she applied each individual extension, and I was so relaxed that I genuinely almost fell asleep. Just over sixty minutes later, my new lashes were exactly as I had pictured and I was thrilled with how much my eyes ‘popped’ despite being otherwise make-up-free. After checking I was happy, she advised me not to shower or go in any extreme heat (e.g. sauna) for 48 hours, and to avoid oil-based cosmetics, and that’s it – I was done!

Over the coming weeks, I cared for my new lashes carefully (not rubbing my eyes and using only a gentle oil-free cleanser) and I loved them. The only negative was how long they lasted. To begin with, a few lashes would drop every two days or so which I’d been assured was perfectly normal for their expected 4-6-week lifespan. It was around day ten, however, that mine began falling out fast. I wear contact lenses and despite being careful, having to fiddle with my eyes every morning and evening definitely took its toll. I’ll admit I was disappointed with how quickly I was back to my natural lashes (mostly because it meant wearing mascara again!), but don’t let that put you off. The service was great, the lashes looked lovely for the time I had them and even with my disappointment, I’d still recommend them. If you don’t wear contact lenses there’s no reason yours won’t last the full six weeks, and if you do, just make sure to get them done within a week of a big event to avoid lash gaps!