Tag Archives: nails

Hot on the Highstreet Week 195: Fashion Week Ready

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For all those fashionistas out there in need of a beauty fix during Fashion Week, I have compiled a little black book of helpful contacts and beauty bars who will primp and preen you ready for another day of catwalks and couture chaos.

Blow dry – After back to back shows and after parties you will be feeling drab and drowsy. Blow dries are the perfect pick-me-up, a quick and glamorous solution to tired limp locks. Blow Bar in Islington is a lovely little boutique, closer to the catwalk try Hersheson blow dry bars in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush or New Change in the city.

Mani-Pedi – For stand-out nails, WAH Nails is the best of the bunch. Located downstairs in the Topshop flagship store on Oxford Street, here you can mimic the trends from the designers or select a design from the colourful Wah inspiration board. If you are hanging around the Notting Hill area I urge you to try Sophie Gass, this stylish salon will prettify your fingers and toes whilst you sip a cappuccino and browse on their ipads.

Speedy Facial – The Bliss brand is brilliant for quick and revitalising treatments. Visit the Sloane Avenue venue and try the 30 minute Oxygen Blast facial, which I found had amazingly relaxing and glowing effects.

Roots refresh – FOUR salon is just off Regent’s Street and specialises in hair colour treatments. The charming girls will lighten and brighten your roots, so you’ll be ready fabulously fast.

Mini massage– Stiff from carrying too many lookbooks and squeezing into uncomfortable heels? Treat yourself to an indulgent mini massage, best found at the Space NK Spa. I can recommend the 30 minute Reviving Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage.

Hopefully after these little luxuries you will look and feel like a supermodel, and will be ready to watch the pros strut down the runways all day long.

Jin Soon nail bar, New York

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Renowned as one of NYC’s best nail salons, Jin Soon now resides at three different locations, catering to girls with nail needs in East Village, West Village and the Upper East Side.

I visited the West Village spa and was impressed with the service from start to finish. The selection of nail colours on offer ranges from deep winter reds and browns to the palest neutrals and I was glad to see some fluro brights on display too. Jin Soon doesn’t restrict the collection to just one brand, instead offering polishes from Chanel, Essie, Opi and many more, all lined up on shelves against the wall, ready for application.

The nail bar is petite with a few tables for manicures at the front, and several reclining chairs for pedicures at the back. You can tell immediately that the staff here are experienced and prepared for every treatment. I received a speedy and thorough mani-pedi simultaneously (which is what happens in New York) from the lovely, efficient and friendly girls. With a mug of mint tea in hand, slumped in a sofa chair, I felt totally relaxed as my hands and feet were pampered… total bliss. The girls pummelled, exfoliated, trimmed and filed away, working meticulously to perfect my previously abandoned fingers and toes.

As well as the spa salons, there is the Jin Soon Lacquer line to invest in. These polishes have been a hit, bold thick glossy colours that add extra glamour to your nails. Their snazzy glitter colours have been particularly popular over the festive period and feature in all the major magazines.

Jin Soon is a revolutionary nail bar in New York – in under an hour they will transform your hands and feet, Cinderella-style.

More information here: www.jinsoon.com

Many thanks to NYC GO for their help with this trip, and Virgin Atlantic for flights.

Sophie Gass, Holland Park

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Every girl needs a local manicurist for a last minute beauty fix. In Acton I found Nara, in Holland Park I have Sophie Gass, a fabulous little nail bar on Ladbroke Grove.

Sophie Gass is a brilliant Holland Park ambassador, working in the centre of this West London area and enjoying all it has to offer. Whilst my toes were being pampered by her best therapist I picked her brains on the best things to do in the neighbourhood. At only 26, this girl has impressive ambition, discovering a gap in the market, she opened an affordable and stylish nail salon just a few months after quitting her high-powered job in the city. With an assortment of unique clothes, lovely jewellery and tempting accessories, it is also the ideal place to pick up a party frock or last minute gift.

I went along for a luxury pedicure and was amazed by the precision and care of the treatment. My feet were soaked, exfoliated and moisturised, my toenails were filed and cuticles were trimmed ready for my Essie colour of choice.

The salon is bright and airy, designed simply but with indulgent touches. Each reclining chair has a nearby iPad for your use and new monthly magazines are scattered about to occupy you while your feet are being pampered. When my bright blue nails were done, I tip-toed around the venue trying on the beautiful brightly coloured dresses and smiling at the sweet cards.

This is the highlight of Ladbroke Grove, and my favourite new hang-out in the neighbourhood. I can tell I will be spending a lot of Saturdays in Sophie Gass.

More information here.

www.sophiegass.com