TrendLife Beauty

Mastering the tresses of tots and teens, to his and her’s hairstyles, is for some, a hair-raising task. Yet, one salon chain adept at perfecting the coiffures of us all is Headmasters.  With its forty-one salons each offering customers both a personable and professional service, whilst housed in an environment adorned with contemporary elegance, it is no wonder that Headmasters has become a leading hair salon upon the high street. Hailed as ‘the go to salon for fashionable, healthy, gorgeous catwalk inspired hair’, Headmasters has, for 14 years been the destination of choice for our family to achieve lustrous Lawson locks. Keen as ever to cement my dedication to this hothouse of hair, I travelled west, to visit their flagship salon in Mayfair and to meet a woman so intent on perfecting my ‘do and so companionable that I longed for her friendship.

Through their winning combination of premium hairdressing and optimum service, Headmasters have retained a loyal clientele, of which my family are just a few of such customers’ bristles in their brush. Whilst located in exclusive areas nationwide, Headmasters continues to be attainable to consumers, through its regular special offers and discounts, such as its recommend a friend 50% off voucher and HM  Club which allows members 25% off Monday to Friday.

After a few navigational issues, of which I was at one with the lost tourists that are so intrinsic on London’s streets, I entered a whimsical wonderland of palatial standards; 11-12 Hanover Street, Headmaster’s flagship salon. With its interior laden with sophisticated glam, thanks to its specialist team, Headmasters at Mayfair remains an overtly homely environment, away from the treacherous hustle and bustle that lays beyond the front door to Oxford Circus.

After a briefing with Art Director and hair extraordinaire, Siobhan, I was in the hot-seat, about to channel my longing for Alexa Chung chic through a colour that she’s currently sporting, a rich, shiny, mahogany brown that simply oozes kitsch cool. Caped in Headmaster’s finest; an on-trend black gown emblazoned with their logo, I sat and chatted to Siobhan whilst she tended to my tresses; she was a girl with serious street-cred, and I was keen for a slither. I later learnt Siobhan’s uber cool was a Lady Gaga inspired ‘Born this way’ ; I was trying to keep up with a real-life Jones. Nonetheless, after three hours of her world-class artistry now running through my Lawson locks, I felt honoured to be in the presence of such a fine coiffure connoisseur.  As I emerged from Headmasters, I bounded along Oxford Street with a new found confidence; I was a new woman with a new lease of life.  As the all too familiar tourists of our capital city stopped me in my tracks for what was most likely an impromptu photo-shoot, I realised the price of being Alexa’s doppledanger. Alas, they were in fact on the lookout for the Apple store, but with a paparazzi style camera strewn upon their necks, my assumptions weren’t too far fetched at least.

Three weeks later, and I’m still bubbling with glee at the innovative colour and cut that I receive upon each visit at Headmasters. No matter which location I choose, I am always safe in the knowledge that I will receive a first-class treatment, and I encourage each man and woman to retreat to their local so that we are all happy-clappy on the highway of hair.

Visit www.hmhair.co.uk for more information, or find them tweeting at @headmastersuk 

Clapham Common; hometown of chino-wearing, family-ring sporting yuppies, urban yummy mummies buggy-pushing baby Tallulah’s and Henry’s, trendy bars thronging with young bohemian’s and a nightclub so dingy that it was used as a location to film the Inbetweeners movie. While the area is most well known for being a jogger’s paradise and mini music festival venue thanks to its expansive patch of grass, an establishment much deserved of the fame bequeathed to its location is the heavenly Anesis Spa.

Situated adjacent to Clapham Common, Anesis is a salon offering a rare blend of innovation, luxury and affordability. A stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Clapham High Street, entry into Anesis is a welcome retreat from the extrinsic scramble. A paradise oasis of serenity, the spa is well in touch with the cult of celebrity, offering treatments beloved by the famous in an environment that exudes opulence and importantly, an attainable exclusivity. Greeting me into SW4’s beauty wonderland was Sara, Anesis’s Front of House Manager and the most hospitable individual in all of Clapham. As we sat down over a cuppa, glossed over of the weekly magazines and chatted about Anesis’s offerings, it felt as though Sara and I were two friends catching up after months apart, a reflection of her bubbly and kindly nature. It was 7pm, and the salon was lively, a tell-tale sign that Anesis is in need of opening 9.30-9.30pm; this is a haunt in high demand.

Whilst customers dipped their tootsies into the ingenious Fish Spa as others glamourised their talons with an OPI manicure, it was time for me to get the look loved by celebrities of the moment, HD Brows, courtesy of beauty therapist, Nadia. Using a seven-step procedure, Nadia tinted, waxed, threaded, tweezed and trimmed my brows to perfection. A revolutionary process, Nadia’s artistry enhanced my facial features by transforming my eyebrows into their perfect shape. A rarity in the world of beauty salons is conversation devoid of mundane chit-chat, yet at Anesis, in one visit their staff quickly became an alternative circle of girl friends to my Parsons Green gang. Before exiting after an intensive hour of primping and preening and keen to showcase my beautiful brows, I arranged an impromptu drink with some friends in a nearby bar, safe in the knowledge that they’d soon be frequenting their local beauty hotspot. For a celebrity look in a swanky setting but without an extravagant price tag, Anesis should be your destination of choice.

www.anesis.co.uk

Aged 15, whilst clad in Jack Wills latest I-made-loads-of-effort-but-I’ll-pass-it-off-as-distinctly-casual clobber, armed with a barely slurped Starbucks caramel frappucino, a pay-as-you-go mobile phone with £2.21 credit and my mother’s pashmina, I set foot upon the King’s Road for the first time. It was as though I’d had an epiphany, I had found my calling – the KR had to become my playground.  As my posse of Surrey sisters and I roamed SW3’s highway to heaven, I longed to be more familiar with the territory, to be a young heart running free, and not because I’d missed the 211 bus back to Victoria, but to know the King’s Road so well that I’d assist lost Chinese tourists. I yearned for a haven on the KR that I could call a second home; I did try the King’s Road Sporting Club for a short period, but it was quite obvious I wasn’t there to buy a pair of trainers or a tennis racket. Six years after my sojourn to The King’s Road and I’ve found my much coveted sanctuary; The Chelsea Day Spa.

Tucked away from the main thoroughfare, a delightful two storey townhouse building is home to The Chelsea Day Spa. What is so striking upon entry into this central London oasis is its aura of complete tranquillity, homeliness and companionship; hustle, bustle, stress and spite are all left at the door; this is a Spa definitive of pleasantry and perfection.

Upon arrival, Front of House Manager Emma transcends much beyond a friendly face to greet visitors; so affable is she that I felt I could tell her my innermost woes as well as my most exciting pieces of news. As I took to my white leather armchair and reclined to tune in to Sex and The City, I almost felt as though I were at home relaxing after work before my mother bellows that my chicken casserole is on the kitchen table. Alas, I was not chez Basing-Lawson, but instead in the capable hands of Christina, whose adept professionalism meant that she absolutely nailed a first-rate luxury manicure.

As Christina and I chatted about beauty treatments and all things girly, memories of a ten year-old puppy fat ridden Claire, painting nails and chit-chatting with friends at a sleepover whilst watching Parent Trap on VHS or reading Girl Talk and Mizz magazine took over my thoughts. I only wish Christina had been with me 11 years ago, but instead, I hope she will accept my invitation to join me as I embark on womanhood and mature from a black glittery polish 21 year old client to a more refined red varnish as a 40 year old customer who’s inbetween the school run and food shop. 

With its four treatment rooms and a nail bar all exuding a pretty, feminine décor, The Chelsea Day Spa is the perfect retreat to attend with girlfriends. Treatments include waxing, massage and nail therapy, body treatments, spray-tanning and facials, which, alongside their superb Daily Deals means that there is a service fit for every Queen on The King’s Road. For those making a solo visit fear not, the amiable team and cosy interior mean that you’ll find it difficult to ever leave.

www.thechelseadayspa.co.uk or call 0207 351 0911 to find out more about their treatments and book an appointment at The Chelsea Day Spa.

For an innovative new treatment in dealing with sun damage, acne scars and wrinkles that has none of the traditional down-time associated with more aggressive laser treatments and deep chemical peels; Genuine Dermaroller Therapy is the one to consider.

Genuine Dermaroller Therapy is the aesthetic micro-needling treatment that can diminish scars, sun damage, wrinkles and pigmentation anywhere on the face or body. Genuine Dermaroller Therapy uses tiny micro-medical needles on the skin encouraging regeneration and repair, leaving you with smoother, brighter, healthier, younger-looking skin.

After the initial treatment, in the first weeks the skin will look brighter and more vibrant and about six weeks later the increased collagen will result in the tightening of the skin and reduction of pigmentation. The process will continue over the following months, providing natural and long lasting enhancement. Up to three sessions, six weeks apart, are usually recommended.

Treatments cost starts from £250 per session

There are now over 500 such clinics across the UK, and the demand for training and authorisation is growing rapidly. Details of all the clinics can be found on www.genuinedermaroller.co.uk

As the weather warms up and we start reaching for the sandals and wedges, I’m realising that after months of being wrapped up in socks and boots my feet are in less than spectacular condition. Get feet flip flop ready with a visit to Paul Edmonds Salon for a long lasting pedicure. Jessica’s new GELeration soak-off gel polish keeps your nails looking effortlessly pristine for up to three weeks. Not only will your nails maintain that ‘fresh from the salon’ shiny look, the gel also protects and strengthens the nails, making them healthier and boosting growth.

Pauline McClean, nail guru at Paul Edmonds with a long list of celebrity clients, including Madonna gives us the top tips on this season’s trend and how to get the perfect pedicure.

How to get the perfect pedicure?

Exfoliate, remove dead skin and moisturise. Clean and prepare the cuticles and get a great nail shape before polish.

Advantages of GELeration?

Last a lot longer than normal polish, 5-6 weeks. It is softer on your nails (it just feels like a thin layer of polish). It keep the gloss for the entire time and does not chip, it only grows out.

How to keep your pedicure looking good between salon visits?

With a Jessica GELeration pedicure the only thing you need to do between salon visits is moisturise.

Colours and trends for the summer?

Light pinks and purple and bright reds. Pink is really popular at the moment.

This new technology is available at Paul Edmonds hair and beauty salon in Knightsbridge, where their experienced beauticians can offer a wide selection of nail varnish colours, all of which can be used with the Geleration polish.

GELeration Pedicure -  £90

For more information or to book: 

www.pauledmonds.com 0207 589 5958

As the upcoming nuptials of William and Kate inch closer and closer, you can be sure Kate Middleton will be doing everything she can to look her best on her wedding day. And while we can’t hope to have our own prince or enviable designer wardrobe anytime soon, we can indulge in a bit of royal pampering like Kate with the ‘Treat Me Like A Princess’ package from HOB salons.

HOB salons is an award-winning hairdressing group who are renowned for incredible cuts, gorgeous colour and uncompromising standards. They also currently hold the prestigious title of British Colour Technician of the Year alongside being the 2008 and 2009 British Hairdresser of the Year. To get in the spirit of the Royal Wedding on the 29^th April, HOB salons are launching their 'Treat me Like a Princess' pampering package.

Book any cut and colour service, Monday – Wednesday throughout the month of April and you’ll get the Majestic Pamper package which includes a complimentary conditioning treatment, a head massage, a gift bag filled with their most popular mini SP products and an exclusive £25 credit towards your next cut and colour service.

To find your nearest HOB salon, click here www.hobsalons.com where you can call to book or book online.

If you’re looking to indulge in some A-list beauty then why not check out Paul Edmonds hair and beauty salon in Knightsbridge.  This salon has become the go-to-place for celebrities including Emma Thompson, Penelope Cruz and Elisabeth Moss.

Paul Edmonds offers a range of luxury treatments including the Advanced Ionzyme Vitamin Facial which uses the highly regarded Environ products. The facial lasts 120 minutes and is the ultimate treatment for your skin, designed to prolong the health and vitality of your skin using natural Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and antioxidants.

Environ facials are particularly effective for dealing with concerns like sun-damage, acne scars, pigmentation problems and stretch marks, as well as deep wrinkles. As well as leaving you with glowing and more youthful looking skin, Paul Edmonds Salon is the perfect place to retreat to from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Advanced Ionzyme Vitamin Facial - £160.00 for 120 minutes or £120 for 90 minutes

For more information or to book: 

www.pauledmonds.com 0207 589 5958