Tag Archives: Manicure

DryBy, Hair and Nail Studio

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I am always on the lookout for stylish salons for pampering treatments. Recently, with wedding season in full swing, I’ve regularly needed a blow dry or pedicure, but it is tricky to find a place that offers great hair and nail services under the same roof. I’d seen pastel pictures of the DryBy studios pop up on my Instagram feed, and had an inkling it could be the perfect solution for pre-event makeovers.

DryBy

Located just off Regent Street, DryBy is ideal for those working or living centrally. The salon was started up by two visionary sisters, Krisztina van der Boom and Anita Puluczkai, who felt that London needed a venue to satisfy hair and nail needs. With the expert help of designers Studio KO they transformed a beautiful building into the sophisticated salon it is today.

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Inside everything is decorated in subtle shades of pink and rose gold, with a lovely marble table and luxe design furniture. The setting instantly relaxes you… with a cup of earl grey tea and magazines, I felt blissfully content. The hair menu is simple, offering five stable styles inspired by the most glamorous cities from round the world. London is the most popular, laid back bed-head waves to suit any occasion. I felt I had to be loyal to my home city style, but could easily have been tempted by slick straight New York look or the luscious wavy Rome hairstyle.

The sisters have carefully selected beauty brands to work with from all over the world. My hair was washed with the delicious smelling O&M, an organic company from Australia.

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My lovely stylist was efficient with my hair, and within 30 minutes I felt ready for a red carpet event. It was an effortless look that I find impossible to master at home. Next I was taken downstairs for my first Shellac experience.

DryBy offers a variety of nail treatments, from mini manis and pedis to prescriptive hand and foot care, to address particularly problems. I couldn’t resist the gold foil nail art, which is applied to the end of the nail. The process was quiet and methodical; each coat of shellac is dried under the UV light, until the nails are complete. No drying time or worry of dents, I was ready to go and my nails felt more immaculate than ever before.

I can’t recommend DryBy highly enough, a stunning salon which ensures that every customer leaves feeling like the most glamorous version of themselves.

Blow-dry from £32

Manicure from £21

More information and book a treatment at DryBy here.

Upper House, Hong Kong

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Upper House

Upper House is the number one hotel in Hong Kong on TripAdvisor, though I doubt the guests at this hotel found out about this design haven on the online reviewing site. Slick, chic and casually understated, this hotel is a favourite with stylish and creative travellers who want more than just luxury when they stay away from home. The façade is a miraculous creation of Thomas Heatherwick and the interiors are designed by Andre Fu. Hidden within a skyscraper tower block, the beautiful rooms and pristine public areas are adorned with mesmerising modern artwork and beautiful sculptural pieces.

I visited Café Gray Deluxe, the hotels rooftop restaurant, for a lavish lunch with panoramic views of the city. Our meal was prepared by the highly accomplished Finnish sous chef, Eric Räty. The dishes are a fusion of international and Chinese flavours and ingredients.

Foie Gras Torchon with Williams pear, grapefruit jelly, cumberland sauce and crushed pink peppercorn looked and tasted delicious. The tart and sweet fruit components cut through the rich foie gras to create a balanced mouthful of flavours. Served with toasted brioche it was a decadent and moreish first course. For main course we tried two contrasting dishes: Steamed Garoupa with ginger-water cress bouillon with baby pak choi, coriander and scallions; and Marsala glazed veal cheek with saffron risotto, shaved parmesan, sage and parma ham. The delicately steamed garoupa was a fresh and healthy dish served with vibrant Chinese herbs and vegetables and was subtly seasoned. The veal and risotto was bold and rich, the most wonderfully creamy risotto was a welcome break from Asian flavours and the veal was cooked to perfection, full of intensity and glory.

For dessert two of my favourite ingredients were combined for a tropical and refreshing dish. Rum marinated pineapple with mascarpone and coconut macaroons was a triumph of exotic flavours. The soft pineapple slices infused with a spicy hint of rum paired with the textured sweet coconut macaroons.

After lunch we walked around the hotel to admire the architecture and artistic details, silently hoping that next time I visit Hong Kong I could afford to stay here. Before leaving I couldn’t resist trying the exclusive Louboutin manicure, offered in the Suites at Upper House. It has proved to be a very popular collaboration between the hotel, designer and hip local beauty venue, The Nail Library. It was an hour of total bliss, and the iconic red Louboutin shade stayed intact on my nails for weeks after the treatment.

In such a manic city, the Upper House offers a calm and cool environment to sleep, eat and relax.

More information and book a stay at Upper House here.

Four Seasons Beverly Hills

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When you need a break from busy city life in Los Angeles, the Four Seasons Beverly Hills provides the perfect refuge. Leave your car with the valet and say hi to Marilyn on your way in (there is a statue of the film goddess by the entrance). In the extravagant lobby I noticed the prestigious Krigler perfume shop, where guests can personalise their own scent or choose from one of the famous fragrances.

It was Sunday morning and I was here to try the spa and Cabana restaurant. LA locals get their nails done every week, but for me a manicure and pedicure was a very special luxury. I was the only guest in the nail bar and my therapist worked meticulously on my hands and feet to ensure I left looking like an LA girl.

From their huge selection I chose two Essie colours, a pretty shade of pale pink (‘Hi Maintenance’) for my fingers and a punchy shade of coral (‘Tart Deco’) for my toes. With a cappuccino in hand and my feet soaking in warm bubbly water I felt completely relaxed. After an hour of pampering my nails looked very neat and professional – carefully trimmed cuticles and perfectly painted nails. After a few minutes letting them dry by the pool I headed to the leafy al fresco dining room for lunch.

The Cabana eatery offers casual poolside dining. We enjoyed refreshing homemade fruit juices before ordering a range of summery dishes. The food is simple and nicely presented, the menu features international favourites such as BLT sandwich and seasonal additions like the burrata, peach and tomato salad. Unfortunately the food looked better than it tasted, particularly unsuccessful was the very plain Parsley and Kale Superfood Rigatoni. However, the new dish of crispy crab cakes was better, an appetising soft texture and deliciously seasoned.

For dessert we indulged in their decadent ice-cream sandwich. Chewy (slightly stale) cookies cemented together with creamy homemade ice cream. It was a childish but fun pudding, ideal in the lunchtime Californian heat.

Four Seasons Beverly Hills is a temple of luxury to escape Hollywood. Though I can’t recommend the uninspiring Cabana restaurant when there are so many great restaurants on the streets of LA, the spa is a great place to treat yourself to a luxurious weekend mani-pedi.

More information about the Four Seasons Beverly Hills here.