London beauty secrets

[Ivedunnit]

Ok I have just come out of a long term relationship and have booked myself a weekend in London alone to be pampered.
So what do I Need?
Your recommendations for hairdresser for cut and colour
Somewhere for a facial
and a personal shopper to get me out of this rut!
I am 44 5'0 tall with highlighted short hair.

I am thinking to try and get Sarah Chapman for a facial - Any feedback ?

Any help /suggestions welcome.

Also as I am on my own I was thinking of trying to get a ticket for a show one night and book a salsa lesson for the next night followed by a salsa club! Get me !
The intention is to wash this man right out of my hair and indulge myself for the weekend.
I have quite a generous budget so any other treats or suggestions are most welcome.

[polyhymnia]

For hairdresser, my own favourite is Aveda flagship salon in Covent Garden. I also rate some of the people at Charles Worthington and John Frieda.

Haven't got a favourite facialist at moment but do know it's very hard/impossible to get appointments with Sarah Chapman herself but you could try her team. Otherwise, I always enjoy the Bliss spa at Brompton Cross.

On show, there are some good things on at moment, but choice depends so much on what sort of things you like - musicals, National Theatre, etc.

Haven't tried personal shopper but, if I did, would go for Harvey Nichols if budget allows.

[polyhymnia]

PS The Elemis spa off Bond Street always used to be nice too but I haven't had very recent personal experience of it.

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

For a cut Ben at Eleven is amazing and central too.

I always use the John Lewis personal shopping service.

YOu might also consider a half day at the sanctuary spa?

[Housewife2010]

I don't live in London so can't give you any pointers, but I do think it's a fantastic idea. Have a brilliant time & let us know how you get on. Why not get a new niche fragrance? I would love to go to the Shay & Blue shop (80 York Street, Old Marylebone) because there aren't any stockists near me.

[Housewife2010]

Or a makeup lesson at Cosmetics A La Carte?

[oscarwilde]

Vasily Patel and team (prob not spelt correctly) if you can get an appointment for a facial. Just off Marylebone High St and superb facials. Nice branch of Carluccio's opposite for restorative coffee. Fab shopping on MHSt

[peekaboo1]

Agree with oscarwilde, Vaishaly Patel facials are excellent - but they are proper facials i.e. they do full extractions and they do dermabrasion so it isn't for the faint hearted. Its worth it as your skin feels and looks amazing afterwards though. All her team are excellent so you don't have to wait for an appointment with her. The Daniel Galvin hair salon is a short walk away and then another short walk takes you to Selfridges/John Lewis/Oxford Street dept stores. You could even try the Top Shop personal shopping service which I hear is great (not tried it myself).

Also agree with Housewife2010 - Shay and Blue is lovely and not too ridiculous price-wise for a niche perfume.

[Mignonette]

Can I point you in the direction of the newly opened 'Burger & Lobster' on Harvey Nichol's Fifth Floor? A Dirty Martini with a Lobster Roll for twenty quid. That will wash anything out of my hair. I can't bear facials/beauty treatments as I get all funny having people touching my face/body but can recommend take home products and places to shop if you like?

You sound great OP. Have a wonderful time.

[Mignonette]

MAC make up lessons are the business. Liberty beauty Hall (Regent Street) is beautiful and the rest of the store is a grotto of wonders for the morale and self esteem. The personal shoppers there I think are the best in the business.

Here is a list of the MAC London stores and in store concessions. Harvey Nic's have one so have your lobster or burger then go get maquillaged.

[Ivedunnit]

Thank you so much! I have managed to secure an appointment with Sarah Chapman!! Yeahh!!!
And apparently it is beside the DonaAida store ! Yipes new jeans here I come!
So just hair and colour!
Burger and lobster sounds fab!
Think I will go to the Mc store on the Saturday and try and get a hair cut prior to that so I can feel fab as I salsa the night away!
Anything else I shouldn't miss shopping wise which is specific to the big smoke !!
The fragrance idea sounds fab!

[HelloBoys]

If you want new jeans go to selfridges. They have a jeans section with all brands.

I personally like marylebone high street and st Christopher's place for shops and dining.

[Bambi75]

When you've finished all your pampering and shopping why not book yourself in for afternoon tea somewhere über glamorous like claridges or brown's hotel

[Bambi75]

Also - just a thought - and you did say you had a generous budget :-) but why don't you hire yourself a chauffeur for the weekend to drive you to all these wonderful places. If you're not used to london at the weekends I would avoid london transport like the plague and a driver would be something a little bit more special than a black cab

[polyhymnia]

Did you manage to get an appointment with Sarah Chapman herself? Am really impressed. You might think about trying Hari's for the hair cut etc as they're practically next to SC at Brompton Cross and are good.

//www.harissalon.com

All sounds great.

[Ivedunnit]

I did get an appointment with Sarah ! Just good luck I think! Will check out Hari's !
You are all so kind ! i will be looking up the limo too !