London's beauty scene is evolving faster than ever, with new treatments, technologies and trends emerging every season. From sculpting facials to flawless manicures and blow-dries that last for days, the city is packed with options promising brighter skin, glossier hair and a much-needed dose of self-care. But with so many places claiming to be the best, it can be hard to know what actually delivers.
So, in the name of research - and a genuine desire to separate the must-tries from the merely nice-to-haves, the HELLO! team set out to personally test some of London's most talked-about treatments. So if you're looking to upgrade your routine or simply treat yourself, consider this your curated insider edit of London's most effective beauty experiences.
Blow-drys & styling
Andrew Jose Salon
With the new year in full swing, I booked an appointment at Andrew Jose Salon for a cut, colour refresh and blow-dry after noticing my hair was starting to look flat and a little grown out. I wasn't after a dramatic change - just cleaner colour and a shape that would work better day to day. We started with a colour refresh to revive the tone and bring back some shine, and it made an immediate difference. The result was subtle but noticeable, leaving my hair looking healthier and more polished without feeling overly "done". The cut focused on creating a shape that framed my face nicely while still feeling natural and easy to maintain. The blow-dry was the perfect finishing touch: smooth, glossy and softly bouncy, with that lasting "good hair day" feel. I left with hair that felt lighter, fresher and far more put together.
HARI's Hair Salon
© Karen HatchI booked myself in at Hari's on Fulham Road for a bit of a full hair reset: a Deluxe Blow Dry plus cut with Lewis, and a gloss colour with Francesca. First up was my colour, where we chatted through what I wanted from my colour – shine, dimension and something that felt fresh but still natural – and I was suggested a gloss to enhance my tone rather than completely change it. The whole process felt very considered, from the shade choice to how long it was left on. When it was rinsed out, my hair already looked richer and healthier, with that "expensive" shine that’s hard to achieve at home.
Then I moved over to Lewis for my cut and Deluxe Blow Dry. He took the time to look at how my hair sits naturally and asked how I usually style it, which I really appreciated. Instead of just trimming the ends, he gave my hair shape and movement again, without taking off more length than I was comfortable with. It felt like a proper, tailored cut – the kind that falls well even when you haven’t spent ages styling it. The Deluxe Blow Dry was the perfect finishing touch: smooth and glossy with soft movement, rather than stiff curls or over-the-top volume. It framed my face beautifully and gave that swishy, “good hair day” feeling that makes you stand a bit taller walking out of the salon.
Manicures & trending nail art
BACKSTAGE Chelsea
BACKSTAGE Chelsea delivers some of the best gel manicures in London, hands down. The space itself is stylish but relaxed - one of those salons where you instantly feel looked after. I usually start with a blow-dry, and it never disappoints: glossy, bouncy, and beautifully polished without ever tipping into "overdone". I've visited a few times now, and each gel manicure has been consistently impressive. Impeccably neat, shiny and flawlessly applied, they last brilliantly and always look great. What sets BACKSTAGE apart is the meticulous attention to detail paired with exceptional service. The place is ideal if you're short on time but still want to leave looking (and feeling) your absolute best.
Young LDN
You can't go wrong with a visit to Young LDN in Notting Hill - exactly what I needed when I booked in for a gel manicure that would be neat, long-lasting, and efficient. The space is bright and modern with a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to switch off for a while. There’s even a cute little café inside for a caffeine fix, with some genuinely delicious vegan cakes, which makes the whole experience feel a bit more indulgent. My appointment began with careful shaping and cuticle work - nothing rushed or overly aggressive - followed by a great choice of colours, from classic neutrals to more playful shades.
Facials
Mallucci
I tried the HydraTight Facial at Mallucci when my skin was looking a bit dull and tired, and I wanted something that would actually make a visible difference without any downtime. It starts with a HydraFacial to properly cleanse and exfoliate, which left my skin feeling instantly fresher and really clean without being stripped. The second part uses radiofrequency, which gently warms the skin - it sounds more intense than it feels, but it's actually quite relaxing. What I noticed straight after was how hydrated and glowy my skin looked, but also a subtle firmness, especially around my jawline. It didn't feel overdone or artificial, just like my skin on a really good day. It's the kind of treatment I'd book before an event, or when my skin needs a reset but I don't want to deal with any recovery time.
Skin Matters
The Advanced Lifting Facial at Skin Matters in Holland Park is a real standout, and it's immediately clear why founder Joanne Evans is so highly respected within the industry. The treatment takes a 360° approach to skincare, using a mix of advanced techniques with a real understanding of long-term maintenance.
The facial itself was nurturing thanks to its combination of deep cleansing, lifting techniques and targeted skin work designed to support firmness and overall radiance. Rather than offering a quick fix, it focuses on strengthening and improving the skin over time. Afterwards, my skin looked noticeably more lifted, refreshed and balanced, with a healthy, natural glow. It's an intelligently crafted treatment that goes beyond surface-level results, ideal for anyone looking for a more pro-ageing, holistic approach to skincare.
All things lashes
Emmy Creates
Knowing she was the mastermind behind Chelsea it-Girl and TV personality, Sophie Habboo's wedding lashes, my expectations ahead of attending my appointment at Emmy Clayton's lash clinic, Emmy Creates, in East London, were understandably quite high.
Having never had a lash lift for fears of singed lashes, I thought I'd finally make the leap when I saw Sophie's fellow Made in Chelsea BFF, Melissa Tattam, share Emmy's work on her own lashes for what felt like the 1000th time on her Instagram story, because if there's one thing to know about Melissa and Sophie, they know where to go for an excellent treatment. me
The pair have been clients of Emmy since 2019, so I thought, if they have managed to avoid frazzled lashes for seven years, they must be in incredibly safe hands, and they were. From the moment I rocked up to Emmy Creates, I was overwhelmed by Emmy's knowledge and strict protocol when it came to assessing my lashes to see which lift would work best for me.
I quickly learned that Emmy prioritises healthy lash growth; her process for lifting is specifically tailored to work with the way lashes grow naturally and therefore minimises any damage. While for some, this may mean not as dramatic a 90-degree lift you see in Instagram 'before and after' photos, what it does guarantee is beautiful curl, which, with mascara, gives you the flutteriest natural lashes you could dream of. It's safe to say I was completely delighted with the results, and, as a runner who often graces the pedestrian-laid pathways of the Southbank makeup-free, I felt like I was starting to get that au natural Chelsea-girl look I had always admired.
In the image above, you can see the huge difference in my lashes, not only just after the treatment but also in the following days with a lick of brown mascara. I couldn't recommend Emmy highly enough. The 45 minutes I spent on her table flew by due to our delightful chat about all things health and wellness. If you've always wanted to try a lash lift, Emmy is the real deal.
Reviewed by Isabelle Casey, Reporter
