Shopping

Eyebrows
Apsara Herbal
What this Indian beauty salon lacks in customer service (staff have been known to be sharp and sullen) it more than makes up for in value. Deft eyebrow threading costs between £4 and £5.
249 Whitechapel Rd, E1 (020 7377 2004) Whitechapel tube.

Blink at Selfridges
If you can’t get into the unrivalled Vaishaly Facialist Clinic, this is a reasonable alternative. The girls are skilled at threading, and include a forehead massage that leaves you feeling relaxed rather than tortured.
Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, W1 (020 7629 9161/ www.selfridges.com) Bond St tube.

Shavata
This queen of threading sells DIY kits through M&S. Enjoy the skills of the lady herself at Harrods, from £29
Urban Retreat @ Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, SW1 (020 7893 8333) Knightsbridge tube.
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Foot treatments & pedicures
The Foot Pad Ltd
So much more than the usual spit and polish dispensed by other pedicure firms. This medical treatment sorts out corns, calluses, verrucae, in-grown toenails and other gross stuff. Converted our tester’s ‘putrid hooves’ into ‘dainty footsies’. Perfect for sandal exposure.
30 Lamb’s Conduit St, WC1 (020 7404 6942 ) Holborn or Russell Square tube.

Sophy Robson
Sophy Robson does the toes of the stars, and combines a room at the Berkely’s spa with the odd home visit. She works miracles on nasty feet.
The Berkeley, Wilton Place, SW1 (020 720 1699/ www.theberkeley.co.uk) Hyde Park Corner tube.

Hairdressers
Cello
Reasonably priced unisex hairdressers.
92 York St, W1 (020 7723 7447) Marylebone tube.

Fedro
Good with all types of hair, but particularly excellent at giving Afro hair cutting-edge styles. Prices from £30 and he will come to you.
(07956 953459).

Fordham White
Despite being hairdressers to the stars, Sean Fordham and Ben White are unintimidating, friendly and funny. They do great cuts and colour, with excellent beauty treatments in the spa below.
47 Greek St, W1 (020 7287 8484) Tottenham Court Rd tube.

Jack’s Haircuts
With more than 15 years’ experience, this Soho salon has a laid-back feel and great style.
25a Old Compton St, W1 (020 7734 2954) Leicester Square tube.

Richard Ward Hair & Metro Spa
If you have an event to go to but no time to prepare an updo, book a 30-minute blow dry for £40 in this super-luxe salon.
82 Duke of York Square, SW3 (020 8299 8882) Tottenham Court Rd tube.

Stamp
Cut and blow-drys from £37.
139 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 (020 7613 3097) Liverpool St tube/rail.

Tailor Tailor
Anne and Luca are colour-whizzes, and create great super-glossy shades that really last. Semi-permanent from £24.
137 Commercial St, E1 (020 7377 2737) Liverpool St tube/rail.

Ten
For many years, Greg and Fiona ran Konrads in Covent Garden as a hairdresser and wellness centre, but two years ago downsized to this stylish, simple and very calm space in the heart of Soho.
First floor, 10 Greek St, W1 (020 7734 6333) Tottenham Court Rd tube.

Topshop/Hershesons BlowDry Bar
Seven different, immaculate styles offered for £19 – choose from the Bardot, the Super Straight and a range of ponytails. No appointment necessary.
216 Oxford St, W1 (0207 636 7700) Oxford Circus tube.

Unruly Studio
Michael specialises in dealing with curls – creating them, cutting them, getting rid of them, and transforming them from frizz to sleek, Dita-style waves. He’s also good at teaching you how to do it yourself. The salon is open until 10pm on weekdays for those who can’t duck out of work.
100 Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Rd, W10 (0208 964 9200/ www.unrulystudio.co.uk) Ladbroke Grove tube.

Hair extensions
Antenna
Simon Forbes has 20 years’ experience in extensions, and was one of the pioneers of the trend. He uses chemical-free colour and monofibres.
27a Kensington Church St, W8 (020 7938 1866/ www.antennahairsalon.co.uk) High St Kensington tube.

Daniel Hersheson
Brazilian maestro Gil Concalves is on many an A-lister’s speed dial. He sources suitable hair after a consultation to assess your natural type, and then finds a couture match. The detachable, everlasting extensions start at £400.
Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1 (020 7201 8797/ www.danielhersheson.com) Knightsbridge tube.

Nyumba
A massive range of extensions are on offer, ranging in price from £200 up to £2000. One tester said her extensions were intact for more than four months.
6-7 Mount St, W1 (020 7408 1489) Bond St tube.

Make-up artists
Amanda Harrington
One half of slick beauty duo Harrington and White, Angela does wonderful occasion make-up, and ultra-realistic spray tans.
(07713210098/ www.harringtonandwhite.co.uk).

Charlotte Cromer
Lovely freelance make-up artist who works on fashion shows, films, and tired complexions.
(07859 946 212).

Natasha Devedaka Price
Natasha has lots of experience working on television, films and shoots, but you’d never know it from her friendly and approachable manner. She is able to create a range of looks and make-overs, but crucially is equally willing to do low-key radiance for an interview or Friday-night date. Also happy to give away her secrets at her cheap make-up lessons (£25).
Unruly Studio, details as before.

Nails
Bonnie’s
Chris does a lovely manicure or pedicure for just £10 to £15 – and eyebrows too. 271 South Norwood Hill, SE25
(020 8771 6119) South Norwood rail.

Heavenly Beauty
The pedicures here are much talked about in East Dulwich – also recommended are the nail extensions and manicures.
503 Lordship Lane, SE22 (020 8299 8882) East Dulwich rail.

Leighton Denny
The Nicky Clarke of the nail world.
Urban Retreat at Harrods, details as before.

Home treatments
Design Room
Bargain haircuts in the comfort of your own home – from £10, or extensions from £150. Covers central, east and north London.
(020 8525 9258).

New Touch
Get £15 haircuts in SE19 and SE22.
(07956 461 771).

Return to Glory
Affordable, city-wide service that costs £45 an hour; £60 for 45 minutes; and £70 for two whole hours of at-home beauty bliss. The most popular 90 minute slot gets you a wax, a manicure and a facial.
(020 7993 8063/ www.returntoglory.co.uk).

Tracey @ Tranquility
A friendly, mobile beauty therapist who offers the works: facials (from £37), manicures/pedicures (from £20) and electrolysis (from £10), She also has a lovely treatment room in Bow.
(020 8983 1458/ www.tranquil-beauty.co.uk).

Unlisted London
An agency covering a huge range of hair and beauty therapists, who it will send to your office, home or hotel room.
(0870 225 5007/ www.unlistedlondon.com)

Waxing
Fordham White
The delightful Rosie Stratford delivers top waxing, manicures and pedicures. Personal and affordable. Good for hair upstairs too (see page 147).
47 Greek St, W1 (020 7287 8484/ www.fordhamwhite.com) Tottenham Court Rd tube.

Katie Young’s
This cheap-and-cheerful salon in Hoxton offers bargain but good-quality waxing, with half a leg at £12.
Unit 12, Hoxton Walk, Hoxton St, N1 (020 7739 9271) Old St tube.

Otylia Roberts
Pricey but extremely good, Otylia now offers Ellipse hair removal as well as her super-smooth waxing services.
142 Wigmore St, W1 (0207486 5537/ www.otyliaroberts.co.uk) Bond St tube.