The year’s best beauty treatments and fitness classes

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10 April 2012

Throughout 2009 we have tested every pampering treatment and fitness class in town for the Feelgood Factor slot. These are our favourites — they make great last-minute gifts too...

FACE

Amanda Birch Facial
Even a glycolic peel couldn't get such good and lasting results on my skin as Amanda Birch can. She knows exactly what to do with your complexion at first glance and tailors her skills to suit. Expect a fantastic neck and shoulder massage, too.
Details: £90/60 mins, Gielly Green, 42-44 George Street, W1 (020 7034 3060, www.giellygreen.co.uk)

Medicetics peel
The youthful Dr Vicky Dondos takes a good look at your skin, you are given a thorough cleanse and massage and, somewhere in the middle of the treatment, the peel by Mene Moy is brushed on and immediately your skin begins to slightly sting and tingle. Skin appears much fresher.
Details: £95, six sessions for £500 (Medicetics, 37 Connaught Street, W2 (020 7402 2033, www.medicetics.com)

Elixir d'or gold and crushed pearl facial
An anti-ageing facial where your face is warmed with a restorative massage before a layer of crushed gold pearls followed by two masks and finally the Elixir d'Or cream is applied. You emerge radiant.
Details: £125/one hour, The Chelsea Day Spa, 69a King's Road, SW3 (020 7351 0911, www.thechelseadayspa.co.uk)

Angel signiture holistic facial
A Victorian townhouse spa in Islington specialising in bespoke, holistic therapies, heated couches and homemade mince pies. Try its cult treatment which blends reflexology, reiki and an intensive facial massage. Paradise.
Details: £95/one hour 15 mins, Angel Therapy Rooms, 16b Essex Road, N1 (020 7226 1188, www.angeltherapyrooms.com)

HAIR

Michael Van Clarke diamond dry cut
Michael prefers dry cutting because it lets him see exactly how a client's hair behaves, which results in a better cut that won't require you to spend ages fussing it into shape every day to get it to look how you want. He doesn't lie.
Details: £40-£295, Michael van Clarke salon, 1 Beaumont Street, W1 (020 7224 3123, www.vanclarke.com)

The Brazilian blowdry
The permanent blowdry is simple and fast. Hair is washed, painted with a keratin-rich solution, then dried completely before the product is sealed in with hot irons. Leave the solution in for three days and you'll be the owner of silky, glossy hair that looks fabulous no matter what.
Details: £200, Hari's, 305 Brompton Road, SW3 (020 7581 5211, info@harissalon.com)

FOR MEN

Gentlemen's tonic
Winter warmer

A deep-tissue or aromatherapy massage combating wintry stress on both the body and extremities. The massage is bespoke and thorough rather than off-the-peg, targeting problem areas.
Details: £135/90 mins, Gentleman's Tonic, 31 Bruton Place, W1 (020 7297 4343, www.gentlemenstonic.com)

Matthew Raine wet shave
The dapper Matthew Raine, who has been barbering for 25 years and is regularly flown overseas by famous clients, gives a wet shave with hot and cold towels, face and scalp massage, and general primping of problem areas.
Details: £35. Matthew Raine is at Lost in Beauty every month, 117 Regent's Park Road, NW1 (020 7586 4411, www.lostinbeauty.com)

FEET AND HANDS

Minx nails
Minx is the new celeb favourite — made of heat-activated film, not polish. They come in hundreds of designs and sparkly metallics which have an astonishing effect. Gold metallic stayed on for more than two weeks.
Details: £35/fingernails, £45/toes Hari's, 305 Brompton Road, SW3 (020 7581 5211, www.minxmynails.co.uk)

Kerstin Florian Caviar pedicure at the Dorcester Spa
The most luxurious pedicure of the year, performed in the plush surroundings of the spectacularly revamped spa's space-age nail parlour. Your feet are slathered in a rich caviar mask to soften, rubbed down with a fragrant eucalyptus and lavender salt scrub and treated to an expert massage using more caviar-infused lotions. Then you choose from the jewel box of Essie nail colours which decorate the walls for a posh polish that will last a month.
Details: £95 for 70 minutes. The Dorchester Spa, Park Lane, W1 (020 7319 7109; www.thedorchester.com)

BODY

Massage at the Cowshed's new therapy rooms
Kate decrunches backs and de-stresses tired muscles. She uses wonderful smelling unctions and gloriously hot towels to melt away stress at certain stages of the massage. Pure heaven.
Details: £65. The Cowshed, 31 Fouberts Place, W1 (020 7534 0870, www.cowshedonline.com)

Gielly Green's cold-soothing massage
An expert technique using Swedish massage, aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage and Indian head massage to combat the effects of the common cold. Lungs feel unclogged and sinuses are cooled — asthmatics may feel the benefit, too.
Details: £100/90 mins, 42-44 George Street, W1 (020 7034 3060, www.giellygreen.co.uk).

Waxing at strip
Ideal for the wax-phobic. The idea is to soothe the pain by distracting you with scented waxes — choose from Chocolate-Hazlenut, Lavender or Manifico (for men) — and sumptuous surroundings. Therapists are swift and adept.
Details: £42/full-leg wax, STRIP Chelsea, 102 Fulham Road, SW3
(020 7590 0050, www.2strip.com)

FITNESS

Reebok Jukari Fit to Fly workout
An introduction to basic acrobatics using a trapeze, with endless waiting lists for classes. It's the closest you'll get to flying and a serious calorie-burner. Super-fit Magda will push you almost to your limit so you'll feel exhausted but well-worked.
Details: From £96.89/monthly membership at the Reebok Sports Club, 16-19 Canada Square, E14
(020 7970 0925, www.reeboksportsclublondon.com)

Four-minute fitness
Cornel does modify his routines to suit your ability but 20-second bursts of exercise for four minutes at a time leaves more than just your forehead glistening. You'll try lunges, squats and press-ups, you'll feel fitter and you'll notice the results.
Details: £100/hour (07956 558 769, www.cmcfit.co.uk)


Tested by Jackie Annesley, Nick Curtis, Jasmine Gardner, Liz Hoggard, Felicity Lloyd, Charlotte Ross and Victoria Stewart

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