London in beauty: the beauty addresses not to be missed

There is nothing that cannot be found in London, to paraphrase a famous advertising slogan of the Harrods department store, and there is certainly nothing that cannot be done here when it comes to beauty: the British capital is the ideal destination for any beauty addict who wants to discover lesser-known addresses where to go shopping, unsuspected spas and historic perfumeries, but also hair and nail bars frequented by the high society, with royals in mind. Here are all the coolest beauty destinations to mark on your diary.

The UK’s first Guerlain Spa is in London

In the heart of the city, the Raffles London at The OWO hosts the first Spa Guerlain of the United Kingdom and a health club in collaboration with Pillar Wellbeing, movement and nutrition expert. A holistic combination dedicated to beauty and self-care. Four floors of this luxury hotel in the heart of London are dedicated to the Spa, three of which are underground.

You can train in the gym or relax in the pool, try the sauna and Turkish bath, and of course perform personalized skincare and make-up treatments, as well as embarking on an olfactory journey to discover the fragrances of the Atelier Guerlain. Among the treatments designed by Guerlain exclusively for its first British Spa, there is the Royal Glow Tech Facial, facial ritual that exploits the powers of microdermabrasion and those of photobiomodulation, which acts through the emission of LED light on the face: the brand’s facial massage techniques make the final difference. Coastal Escape, instead, it is a real sensorial break to reset the mind and find inner peace. The treatment Spirit of London instead, it acts on tensions linked to travel, environmental stress factors and a hectic lifestyle to give harmony to the body, mind and spirit.

The Guerlain Spa at Raffles London at The OWO is the first in the UK.

@John Athimaritis

From hair bars to cool salons frequented by celebs (also perfect for an evening with friends)

Among London hairstylists, one of the best-known names is undoubtedly that of Richard Ward, who “invented” Kate Middleton’s blow dry, but in the city there are countless salons where you can experiment with folds (and more) like a true princess. From Hershesons, for example, you can try Kate style blow drying at Blow-Dry Bar of Selfridges department store. In just a few clicks you can book your favorite service, hairstylist and time: the price? From £45 for 45 minutes (for info: www.hershesons.com). Neville Hair And Beautyin Belgravia, is instead famous not only because here you can meet actresses and models, but also for the quick hairstyles capable of turning a day or an important evening around. Braids, buns, half updos, knots and waves they can be made in a very short time, starting from 30 pounds. Here too, reservations are mandatory on the salon website.

For an experience with friends, choose the instead Duck & Dry, with salons in Chelsea, Mayfair, Islington and Knightsbridge. In addition to styling, cutting and color, they accept it here group bookings for private events and blow dry workshops are also organised. Ready to replicate the perfect London styling at home?

I tried the dry haircut in the trendiest salon in London and this is the result

The fame of the hairdressers was such that I set my sights high by asking them to transform me into Goldie Hawn

Below Covent Garden, in the Spa you don’t expect

It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the West End, but Covent Garden is not just shopping, cafes and theatres. Just a few minutes walk from this unmissable destination, on Robert Street, you can escape from Aire, Ancient Baths London, a Spa inspired by ancient ones, places where time and space disappear to give way to relaxation of body and mind. It stands in an area of ​​historic buildings dating back to the 18th century, including the home of JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan: the first copy of the book is preserved right here, where the story came to life. It is not easy to choose a single treatment, the choice could not be wider. L’Orange Garden, for example, is a new proposal, which combines beauty and relaxation. It starts with a swim in the pool, followed by a 35-minute body massage performed with orange oil. A highly sensorial experience, which continues with a facial massage performed with gua sha. We then continue with the application of a hydrogel face mask and a scalp massage, up to the final caress, a glass of champagne or a fruit extract. The treatment lasts 35 minutes and costs £220. It’s absolutely worth it. (For information and reservations here).

Nails&Brown: Meghan Markle’s favorite beauty boutique

The perfect manicure (but also eyebrows) in London can be done at Nails&Brows, in the heart of Mayfair. This was where Meghan Markle came before moving to the United States with her family, recommended by her then friend Amal Clooney, who had given her the addresses of all her favorite London salons.

A true institution in the city, although only open for ten years, Nails&Brows is more than a beauty salon and a luxury destination that offers an infinite number of ad hoc treatments, from the classic semi permanent with enamels CND Shellac (application takes 45 minutes and costs £81) to Wellness manicure made with products KLORIS CBD, which exploit the benefits of cannabidiol to relieve tension and stress in the hands. Wide choice also on the front eyebrows. Thread, waxing and tweezing redefine and keep tidy (the service to book is BrowTidy)while if you dream of trying something new, focus on The Audrey Brow, eyebrows inspired by Audrey Hepburn are the flagship of Sherrille Riley’s salon. The result is beautiful because her face appears relieved, but without artifice. Seeing is believing.

Floris London, a sensorial journey into the oldest perfumery in the city

From Floris London, beauty and history can be felt even before passing through its blue door. We are at89 Jermyn Street, historical location of the boutique since 1730, the year of its inauguration. The 294 years of the Maison are told in a small museum that traces its history, including original bottles, photographs and memories of famous customers. There is no shortage of royal warrants, similar to honours, conferred by the Royal Household on commercial activities, a guarantee of excellence but also of trust in them on the part of Buckingham Palace. In fact, royals have always used Floris: on the occasion of their wedding Philip of Edinburgh, 20 November 1947the then future Elizabeth II wore White Rose, one of the oldest fragrances of the brand. Irises, white roses, violet and jasmine give life to a very British accord (and very popular in 1800, when it was created).

The Floris shop window in London.

Tim Graham/Getty Images

Among the latest born, however, there is Wilde, a fragrance that combines the sparkling notes of bergamot with the delicacy of orange blossom to which are added the spicy touch of white jasmine, ginger and green carnation, a tribute to Oscar Wilde and his bond with Lord Alfred Douglas, an invitation to love with passion . And for the most demanding there is also the possibility of creating your own personalized fragrance thanks to Bespoke Experience. The basic package costs £550 and includes a two-hour appointment in which you can create a perfume together with an expert perfumer from a series of selected essences (For more information: www.florislondon.com).

Shopping destination: the addresses you can’t miss

The first Sephora store arrived in London just over a year ago (inside the Westfield shopping centre) but even before that there was certainly no lack of choice, on the contrary. At Harrods there is a beauty area to lose your mind, as well as at Liberty London and Selfridges, other historic shopping temples of the British capital.

Charlotte Tilbury in London.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

TO Covent Garden don’t miss the flagship store of Charlotte Tilbury, undisputed queen of glow. It’s difficult to leave empty-handed, but you will certainly leave more beautiful, because here it is possible to carry out a quick treatment lasting 15 minutes, find the perfect shade of foundation and discover the secrets of eye make-up. Many things are free, other services are paid – it is necessary for everyone book on the site. In London you can also drop by the Italian facialist most loved by the stars, Guendalina Gennari, that is to say The Skin Sculptor. Creator of a manual massage that allows you to reshape the face and work on the muscle groups and ligaments to redefine contours and give harmony to the whole. Her studio is in Notting Hill (for bookings, here).

Guendalina Gennari, the Italian facialist most loved by stars all over the world

She started from Reggio Emilia and is now among the eleven best facialists in the world for the Financial Times. Among her clients? Lily Collins and Anne Hathaway

If, however, you are looking to see first-hand beauty products that are more difficult to find in Italy and often only online, don’t miss out Space NK, present in various points of the city. Among the brands to absolutely look for there are Lisa Eldridge, Tatcha, Westman Atelier and 111Skin, among the most loved by the famous. In Covent Garden you will find the first international store of the American brand Glossier, while if you are looking for a perfume you can’t miss it Les Senteurs, in Belgravia, with its unmistakable entrance overflowing with flowers. There is no fragrance that cannot be found here. After all, we are in London.