Here’s how to get yourself summer ready
Summer’s here, and while we’re all about embracing the sweaty, sun-kissed chaos, there’s no harm in giving your skin, body, and brain a bit of extra TLC before the heat properly hits. Whether you’re into biohacking in a cryo chamber, getting your jawline massaged from the inside out, or working your glutes to an ‘80s soundtrack with a fitness class that feels like a scene from The Substance, we’ve rounded up the tweakments and treatments that’ll have you glowing, sculpted, and just the right kind of smug. No injectables necessary (unless you’re into that—we don’t judge).
Haug London Haus
A seasonal haircut and/or colour is a must, and one of our favourite salons, Haug London Haus, is the perfect spot for this. Not only do they offer the Schwarzkopf SalonLab hair scan, so your colourist can understand your hair inside out (we’ve written about this before), but they’ve also just launched a scalp treatment designed specifically for sun-scorched heads. The treatment works in two stages. First, it soothes and calms the scalp and then it strengthens your hair. It’s the ideal post-holiday pick-me-up, when the sun’s wreaked havoc on your hair and, let’s face it, city sweat has a very different effect than sea air. For something that lasts even longer the Kera Straight Treatment is ideal – we’d recommend this post-travel too, because it stands up to sh*t hotel toiletries. #FRIZZFIGHTERS
19 Rathbone St, London W1T 1NE
hauglondon.com
Re:lax
If you’ve been thinking of Botox but don’t have the balls for needles – or fancy going down the sliced-and-diced route – then the intraoral (or buccal) massage facial at Re:lax in Borough Yards is the workout your jawline’s been waiting for. Part-sculpting, part-tension release, part-magic hands working inside your mouth (don’t worry, the therapist wears gloves) it’s the ultimate pre-summer reset. The therapist works deeply into the facial muscles, melting away jaw tension and boosting circulation so you leave looking visibly lifted, de-puffed, and super zen. I I always drift off mid-treatment thanks to the deeply relaxing massage techniques woven throughout. It’s also great for anyone dealing with TMJ disorder aka “lockjaw”. I can’t recommend this facial and Victoria at Re:lax Borough Yards enough.
25 Dirty Lane, Borough Yards, London, SE1 9PA
relax-ldn.com
Wecasa
You know how it is—with work calls, kids, cats, and general life getting in the way, getting to a salon for a pedicure often feels impossible. And when you finally do find a space in your diary, securing a slot at the salon can be a nightmare. Which is why we’re Wecasa converts. I booked a pedicure online the night before and was genuinely impressed when the therapist arrived right on time the next morning. She was warm, professional, and brought everything needed to turn my living room into a treatment space. The price is more or less the same as a salon pedicure, depending on where you go. But the fact that it was at home meant I could carry on with emails and Zoom calls while, just off screen, my tootsies were being prepped to come out of hibernation. For anyone time-starved in the city (and let’s face it, that’s most of us right now), Wecasa is a lifesaver.
Vidavii
Part-spa, part-science lab Vidavii in Mayfair is London’s first longevity circuit studio. The 30-minute biohack kicks off with a full-body 3D scan to pin down your current stats (think waist-to-hip ratio, lean mass and metabolic rate). Then you cruise through three high-tech pods: Breathe, with infrared light, aromatherapy and ionised oxygen to calm your nerves and detox the skin; Freeze, in a -85 °C cryochamber that floods you with endorphins while reducing inflammation (like taking 6 shots of coffee); and Squeeze, a touchless lymphatic flow system that tackles puffiness and water retention. The result? A fresher, firmer, more energised version of you and all possible within your lunch hour.
58 S Molton St, London W1K 5SL
vidavii.com
Strip Hair Removal Experts
When it comes to waxing, salons don’t get much better than Strip – they really are the hair removal experts. Not only are the salons plush (they even have TVs in the treatment rooms should you need a distraction during your wax), the therapists are highly trained, friendly and super efficient – not only is it the least painful wax I’ve ever had, I was in, defuzzed and out again within half an hour. There are six sites across town, so you can be bikini ready in a flash, and if you want something a little more permanent, they also do laser hair removal too.
Chelsea, Notting Hill, Covent Garden, Soho, City, and Islington
striphairremovalexperts.com
Perk
Not a treatment, Perk is a fitness studio based in Stoke Newington and genuinely the most The Substance-like fitness class we’ve ever done. The studio was founded by Bahar Tafti who has worked as a trainer in LA, Australia and is now inspiring a crew of women with her buns of steel. Each signature class combines barre, resistance, cardio, plyometrics and flexibility into one high-octane hour of full-body work out alongside an 80s disco soundtrack. We’re hoping we’ll be as ripped as Bahar by the end of summer…
133a Church Walk, London N16 8QW
perklondon.com
SK:N Clinics
If you’re after facial that offers a deep clean and detoxification with zero downtime, then HydraFacial is the perfect treatment. And with five different HydraFacial treatments on offer, SK:N Clinics is the perfect place to do it. You have a thorough consultation so the practitioners are able to tailor the treatment to meet your specific skin concerns – like congested skin that was crying out for a thorough cleanse. The HydraFacial treatment includes six steps – detox, cleanse & exfoliation, brightening, extraction, hydration and rejuvenation – involving lymphatic drainage, the vortex wand sucking all the dirt out of your skin, a gentle peel, a brightening serum, and an LED mask. You come out refreshed and radiant, with a much-needed moisture boost.
Various London locations
sknclinics.co.uk
