As party season draws closer, and your calendar fills with dinners, launches, and last-minute soirées, the art of getting ready becomes a ritual in itself. Think of this as your edit of the capital’s most indulgent pre-event destinations, the places where a simple appointment becomes the main event.
Shoreditch Nails
If your manicure mood board veers between minimalist chic and maximalist whimsy, Shoreditch Nails delivers both with equal charm. The East London favourite has turned nail art into an expression of attitude, whether it’s sculptural 3D gels or the ever-popular BIAB. Their own polish line nods lovingly to the capital, with hues like Columbia Road Peony and Canary Wharf Yellow. Both salons (in Shoreditch and Dalston) hum with creative energy - a must-visit!
Salon C. Stellar
For those of you who swear by their birth charts, Salon C. Stellar has got just the treatment for you! This fashionable little Soho salon offers a unique “Astro facial” that could be just what the stars called for. Even cynics can appreciate this personalised, skin-focused approach to the perfect facial that leaves you relaxed and glowing.
Before your appointment, your birth chart is drawn up, directing your facialist to the Children of Earth skincare oil that aligns with your moon sign. You proceed with a gentle cleansing and extraction, after which, based on your skin's requirements, electric microcurrents are used to address issues such as puffiness and lines. Finally, you are given a hydrating face mask with light therapy and a guided meditation aligned to your moon sign. It leaves your skin revitalised, and as an added perk, you can take a bottle of your zodiac oil home with you for upkeep.
The Hair Lounge
As the leading authority on natural, textured hair, Charlotte Mensah’s award-winning salon, The Hair Lounge, is the ultimate destination for treatments for afro and curly hair. This Portobello Road salon greets you with a slice of pound cake and offers every natural hair service you can think of: silk presses, extensions, trims, relaxers, blow-dry, you name it. With a celebrity clientele that includes the likes of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Zadie Smith, Mensah has really earned her flowers. She is also known for her Manketti oil-centred hair-care range that can be purchased at the salon. These organic, divine hair products can also be experienced through a detoxifying Manketti Oil Salt Scrub Treatment that unclogs hair follicles and nourishes your hair.
Adonia Medical Clinic
Tucked away in Maida Hill, Adonia Medical Clinic is a trusted destination for all things skin. The space feels calm and clinical in the best way and the team is known for tailoring every treatment. Book in for the HydraFacial with Pep9 booster that goes beyond a standard deep cleanse. It infuses the skin with advanced peptides and hydrating actives to visibly firm, smooth and restore, quickly. It really is the cheat code to event-ready skin and an attention-grabbing glow.
Salon 64
Unlike any salon you’ve been to, Salon 64 is not only the perfect place for a flawless blowout, it’s the perfect place to socialise - an affluent London third space. Started by Ricky Walters, this glamorous salon houses a firepit, cocktail bar, and is covered in beautiful tapestries, functioning as more than just a salon. As you arrive, you can order one of their distinctive cocktails, such as their signature “The 64” or the mysteriously named “?????”, to enjoy as you get ready. The team then gives an expert consultation along with a fabulous cut, colour, or blow-dry as required.
In the evenings, the salon dims its lights and turns up the music, transforming into Club64, an exclusive bar and private members club. Named after French salons, it pays homage to the history of the area as London’s French quarter. Salon 64 will make your prep feel like a sophisticated part of your night on the town.
Beauty Edit Mayfair
In the heart of Mayfair, this luxurious salon is a clean beauty concept store and specialises in advanced skincare. Their ethos centres on merging beauty, wellness, and sustainability, with a curated selection of products that align with their values. For those short on time, the Express Facial is a 60-minute option perfect for a quick pre-event refresh. Their signature is the Buccal Massage Facial, a transformative technique that involves a deep massage both outside and inside the mouth to tone and define facial contours. They even host exclusive K- Beauty Masterclasses where patrons can learn tricks to achieve the perfect coveted K-Beauty “glass skin”.
From cosmic facials to standout nails, London has everything you could need for the perfect prep as you step out this season. Wherever you book in this season, make sure your prep feels like part of the celebration.
Cover Image - Salon 64