If you’re struggling to find the time to fit in manicures, haircuts, facials and every other pre-summer prep treatment you need, it’s time to maximise those lunch breaks. Step away from the sandwiches and screens and head to the salons instead for one of these tweakments – they’re all lunch hour-friendly, so you can fit in some pampering and be back at your desk, looking super fresh, in time for the afternoon.
Mini Smile Makeover at Marylebone Smile Clinic
Dental work can be time-consuming and often requires repeat visits to see some good results, but if you wanna see a big difference in just one hit, the Mini Smile Makeover defo delivers. In a single one-hour appointment at the Marylebone Smile Clinic, you can get a triple hit of teeth whitening, tooth contouring and teeth stain blasting. The treatment starts with stain blasting, using a high-pressure cleaning system to remove surface stains from the teeth (this is also great prep for teeth whitening, which works to brighten the colour from the inside). The contouring basically straightens out the end of the teeth to make your smile look lovely and even, and it’s done a tiny bit at a time to achieve the ideal shape that you want, and then you’ve got bespoke moulded whitening trays for you to continue whitening at home if you want longer lasting results.
66 Harley Street, London, W1G 7HD
marylebonesmileclinic.co.uk
Gel X Extensions at Young LDN
Love having long nails but don’t want to deal with acrylic fallout? Young LDN has the solution: the Gel X method. If you’re someone who gets acrylic extensions frequently, you’ll be well aware that they leave your nails brittle and thin. The Gel X extensions are full cover, soft gel tips that are applied using a soak-off gel, meaning that they can be removed super quickly when the time comes. Plus, there won’t be the same strong scent that you usually get with acrylic manicures – perfect for anyone sensitive to smells. The team at Young LDN are welcoming and skilled, talking you through the process as they prepare your nails, apply the extensions and finish with a gel colour of your choice. You can keep these babies on for up to four weeks, so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy them before you head back in for another lunchbreak mani.
228 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH
youngldn.com
IM Boosters at Effect Doctors
Doctor-driven wellness biz Effect Doctors specialises in IV drips, offering drips to support everything from sleep aid and skin brightening to hangover recovery and jet lag, with bespoke vitamin and mineral combinations also available. If you don’t have the time to wait for one of those to work its way into your system, Effect Doctors also offers IM Boosters, a range of vitamins delivered via intramuscular injection administered by a doctor. Choose from the energy-boosting B12, the Antioxidant, the cellular defence COQ10 or the strengthening Biotin shot, and be in and out in a jiffy.
11 Greek St, London W1D 4DJ
effectdoctors.com
Gel Manicure at Townhouse
Premium nail salon Townhouse has branches across London, with the latest one opening its doors in St Paul’s. It has the same chic and serene feel, with pale blush furnishings and a marble counter – it might just be the most stylish place in the City to get your nails tended to. As with the other salons, you browse the full nail colour library digitally, via an iPad, and the technicians are thorough, making sure your nails are tidied and painted to perfection, but will still have you in and out in the hour. If you’ve got a little more time for some extra indulgence, you can add on strengthening treatments, chrome finishes or nail art.
82 Watling Street, London, EC4M 9BX
townhouse.co.uk
Hair Botox Deep Conditioning Treatment at Santi’s London
If you’ve ruled out botox for your face, would you get it for your hair? That’s what Santi’s salon in Soho is offering and it’s less scary than it sounds. Essentially a super deep conditioning treatment, it uses a combo of ingredients including caviar oil, vitamin B5, vitamin E and collagen) to nourish, soften and smooth your hair, no needles necessary. It does take two-and-a-half hours though, so one to book in for if you can take a working lunch and do your emails whilst you wait.
193 Wardour St, London W1F 8ZF
santislondon.com
Collagen Boost LED Facial at The Light Salon
The Light Salon is the UK’s first affordable express LED facial bar and with spaces in both Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, they’re perfectly placed for you to nip in for a bit of light therapy. The face and hair treatments use precision red 633nm, near-infrared 830nm and blue 415nm wavelengths to combat a range of skin and hair concerns, including acne, wrinkle reduction, rosacea and hair growth. The signature Collagen Boost LED Facial, designed to smooth and correct your complexion, features the LED mask, a lifting massage and LED-enhancing skincare, and it takes just 30 minutes, meaning you’ve even got time for a quick browse of the rails on your way out back to work.
Harvey Nichols & Selfridges
thelight-salon.com
Pedicure at Shoreditch Nails
If you’re in East London and your nails need some attention, Shoreditch Nails is the place to go. The salons in Shoreditch and Dalston are all about elevating natural nails, so there are no acrylics here, just regular, gel, BIAB polishes that are all vegan and cruelty-free. They do ‘colour of the month’ treatments using one of their own line of colours (all named after different London neighbourhoods) and a full works pedi, including a file, cuticle tidy, raspberry foot scrub, foot massage, polish and nail oil, can be done in 45 minutes.
Shoreditch & Dalston
shoreditchnails.com
Cut & Blowdry at HARE & BONE
Fitzrovia salon HARE & BONE knows everyone is feeling the pinch at the moment, so it’s reduced the prices of its cutting & blowdrying (now from £66) and colour services (now from £60), without compromising on quality. That means you can still pop in for a fresh trim or colour touch-up from some of the best stylists in the biz without your wallet taking such a hit. It’s good hair days all round.
69 Great Titchfield St, London W1W 7PU
hareandbone.co.uk