Tag Archives: Hair

New Chelsea Day Spa, Wandsworth Bridge Road

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The Chelsea Day Spa is now open for business on Wandsworth Bridge Road, the third branch of this highly successful boutique spa.

While specialising in hair and beauty, CDS offers it all, every treatment imaginable and more. I was tempted to try the new hair styling salon but with short messy hair, felt a pedicure was more useful and long lasting.

Luxurious but relaxed, it is easy to get carried away here, I noticed several visitors come in for a massage and leave only after booking in for a future day’s worth of pampering. Sharon was my therapist for the afternoon, a very experienced nail technician and beautician, I felt in safe ‘hands’. With my toenails coated with strong gel from New York, Sharon had to spend a good 45 minutes rubbing away, desperately trying to remove the vicious plasticky substance. Eventually it budged and the pedicure could commence.

The salon space is small and smart, with comfortable chairs to relax in. If you haven’t visited Wandsworth Bridge Road before I recommend a trip, very close to my best friend’s house I have spent many a fun Sunday afternoon perusing the shops and chatting in the cafes.

The state of the art equipment and design at CDS makes treatments extra indulgent. After a nail trim and file Sharon soaked, exfoliated and moisturised my feet. This deluxe pedicure also includes a hydrating masque which is painted onto your tootsies, clingfilmed and kept warm in mittens, allowing the skin to soften and rejuvenating your feet completely.

I chose one of the more glamorous shades of red-orange Jessica nail varnish, a change from my more usual stand-out neon. It is bold and impressive, I’m hoping this nail varnish will stay in place for my Caribbean trip in a few weeks.

Find the Chelsea Day Spa on Facebook and Twitter for more information. Visit the website here, or better still pop along next time you are in the area… with walk-in appointments often available, this cute day spa is perfect for a spur of the moment treat.

More information here.

http://www.thechelseadayspa.co.uk/pages/wandsworth-bridge-road.html

Daniel Galvin Jr, Belgravia

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Daniel Galvin Jr must be fed up of being compared to his famous hairdressing father – his glamorous Belgravia salon couldn’t be more different to the huge venue his father owns in Marylebone. This stylish boutique exudes charm and elegance, decorated in a smart black and white colour scheme, it reminded me of a Parisian salon. It is cool and slick inside, pretty people sit flicking through magazines while their hair is rejuvenated.

A host of celebrities sing Daniel’s praises and his Belgravia salon is a regular hangout for the Made in Chelsea gals so I knew I was in for a treat when I arrived on a Saturday morning for a colour and cut. With the sun finally reaching our London skies, I felt ready for a few highlights and a shorter bob… lighter and brighter for the hotter months.

Daniel calls his staff the ‘Dream Team’ and after my experience I couldn’t agree more, the hairdressers here are professional, friendly and knowledgeable. It was obvious immediately that the health of the hair comes first… and when I suggested dip-dying to my colourist Olyvia, she shook her head declaring it too damaging for my hair. It was refreshing to have a hairdresser who was brave enough to assert her experience and offer her opinion. I was impressed throughout with how personalised the service is at Daniel Galvin Jr, I truly felt like my stylist and colourist cared about the health and look of my hair. Together we decided on a half head of scattered highlights, only slightly lighter than my natural colour to offer some warm honey hints. The time passed quickly as Olyvia filled my hair with silver foils and we chatted enthusiastically.

Everyone was incredibly efficient and before washing out the foils, a junior colourist came by several times to check on the developing colour, washing out the relevant dye from various parts of my hair as and when it was needed. The salon is surrounded by designer shops and cafes and lucky for me they have a deal with the Ottolenghi cafe round the corner serving up the tastiest salads ever for reduced prices. You can order your meal from the menu and someone will fetch it for you while your hair dries. I ordered numerous coffees which arrived promptly and were deliciously roasted and rich, each cup accompanying by a sweet and yummy Bonne Maman Coconut Madeleine.

After an energising wash downstairs (sadly no head massage) I went to have my hair cut. This was sharp and speedy, again the stylist (the brilliant Natasha) checked constantly that I was happy with the length and style and then blow dried my hair quickly before using GHD straighteners to add defined messy curls throughout. It felt so much fresher and bouncier.

A week later and my hair is still feeling soft and natural, transformed from its previous distressed over-coloured state. At Daniel Galvin Jr they promote healthy organic products which ensures that your locks are kept in good condition long term rather than just as a quick fix. Aside from a superior haircut and colour, Daniel Galvin Jr is a gorgeous salon to spend time in. You don’t just go to Daniel Galvin Jr once… this salon becomes a way of life.

Visit the Daniel Galvin Jr website here and follow the salon on twitter @danielgalvinjr

Tommy Guns Salon, Regent’s Street

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There was something strangely ominous about the empty vintage barber chairs at Tommy Guns on the Jubilee weekend. As I entered, I felt like I may be volunteering myself for a Sweeney Todd horror. The new branch of this trendy salon is situated in the depths of the Superdry nightclub-esque shop, through the piles of preppy clothes and statuesque (half naked) male models. Finally you reach Tommy Guns, with no natural light, the room is lit only by shimmering beautiful art deco lamps.

Originally a Barber shop designed and built by Percy Westwood and Joseph Emberton, it opened its doors in 1929 within the Austin Reed shop, now the Superdry flagship store – it has been lovingly restored by Tommy Guns, the salon’s original features have been blended with modern touches to create an iconic space expressing its British heritage: a stunning arena for hairdressing, keeping its original style and preserving much of the vintage equipment.

I sat in the echoey chamber and let the experts take care of me. My hair was not in the best state, in fact I was positively disgruntled with the previous colour treatment, so I was overjoyed when they offered to dye it, even though this was originally not part of the plan. The small team on hand went to every trouble to perfect my hair and ensure I walked out happy. Explaining the fragile state of my over-coloured locks, they explained the only safe option seemed to be an all over dark shade. The tone applied was rich and luscious, the lovely colourist used reds to eliminate the unattractive hints of khaki green. It worked miraculously although several layers were needed to create a consistent all over colour. I was amazed by how down to earth and yet professional the staff were at Tommy Guns, I spent a lovely afternoon chatting about all kinds of topics, while my hair was efficiently treated.

After dying, my hair was washed, towel dried and trimmed by Clive. Adamant to grow my hair, I insisted on only a tiny trim, which was completed super fast before a voluminising blowdry. I cannot thank Tommy Guns enough for rescuing and resurrecting my disaster hair and giving me a cut and colour to restore my confidence. I just hope this review raises awareness… as a trip into Regent Street’s Superdry is worth making just to discover the hair emporium, Tommy Guns located within.

Visit the Tommy Guns website here for more information and to book.