The sleek, chic salon just off Brick Lane

Avant-garde is one of those oft-bandied around phrases that we like to attribute to those phenomena that manage to predict the trend, arrive there before anyone else and then cruise to dizzy heights of cool.  Not often can you really say that someone has foreseen a fashion or craze, even if through chance or serendipity.

When Vision Hairdressers’ Director Alberto decided establish his salon in Shoreditch, it was a million miles away from the buzzing East London hub that is today.  Vision has been 9 years at its home on Dray Walk, part of the Old Truman Brewery just off Brick Lane, and 13 years in the Shoreditch area.

The first creative hair salon to hit the East End, it has become a touchstone for the numerous cool salons in the area.   But Vision is no gimmick-reliant salon, nor do its prices reflect an overly opulent interior.  It’s a beautiful space, split into two levels showcasing a minimalist theme that sets off the large photographs that in turn showcase the work of the (London Fashion Week-regular) creative team.

Entering the salon I was greeted by the charming and interested staff, who remembered me from a trip many moons ago when my roots were dark, my hair was platinum and my ends were fried.  Oh the joys of all-over bleach!  I was offered an iced mint tea; a gorgeously refreshing spin on the Moroccan favorite.  Alberto himself was tending to my very own bird’s nest, and after a long consultation we decided to rework the layers and style it with an 1950′s pin-up twist.

Products-wise Bumble and Bumble dominate the shelves, alongside the hair world’s latest obsession – MoroccanOil.  If you haven’t already heard of this then you must have been living in a cave for the last three months (or at least not getting your hair cut.)   This luxurious product nourishes hair from within (don’t they all say that?) but really does seems to do the trick.  Applying it to wet hair before styling, my hair felt unbelievably soft and actually shone for the first time in months.

If you too want to banish frizz on a more long-term basis, Vision also offers permanent hair straightening, a process which – and if you’ve ever borne witness to it you will understand – would test the patience of even the most fashion-conscious saint.  Each small section of the hair is coated in solution and straightened individually – Vision’s system of choice is Yuko System, although they are currently looking to expand the range of services to include Brazilian Hair Straightening.

The deco lives up to the hype too!

There’s a full range of services as you would expect, with specialists in cut and colour – whether you’re looking for something seriously zeitgeisty or just a simple trim. And for the time-poor Londoner, the salon is open seven days a week, meaning that you can spend Sunday browsing the delights of Spitalfields before popping along to Vision for a relaxing blowdry. Alternatively you can combine drinks and a cut on Thursday and Friday evenings when the salon stay open until late. It might be an ideal to schedule the cocktails after the cut though…

And did the hair live up to the hype?  Post head massage and mint tea and the intoxicating parfum of my MoroccanOil treatment I was so relaxed I would have smiled and said something nice to Fidel Castro if he’d walked in the salon, but really my hair did look fabulous:  shaped layers that rolled up and sat bouncing on my shoulders.  And so soft! Obviously the uber-cool surroundings of the Brick Lane provide the perfect environment to show off one’s new style too. Plus there’s the added attraction of the area’s vintage boutiques – an outfit to wear with the new ‘do is a necessary indulgence!

For more information, see the Vision website, or you can book online here.

The pretty interior at Mathew Alexander

“So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Matthew 21:22)”

This is a quote from The Bible, it was not what Mathew Alexander said to me as I skipped out of his salon but it wasn’t far off. Since leaving the Lancashire Court salon some weeks ago I have dreamed of returning just to get another hit of the energy boost/confidence zap which he and his team specialise in.

I know, I know, it’s just a hair cut, but that’s the thing, it’s not just a haircut. The haircut/protein treatment/make-up lesson are things you suddenly remember you’ve had when you see yourself in a mirror some six hours later or when you start drying your hair a couple of days afterwards and realise what fantastic condition it’s in. No, Mathew and colleagues specialise in making you feel like the next thing you’ll be doing is meeting the president or sashaying down a catwalk. They have a genuine, or extremely good pretend, desire to make everyone leaving their salon feel like a million dollars. I almost felt like we’d known each other for years and that the next day I should have gone back to hang out on the sofa and have a quick natter before popping off to work!

Mathew’s salon is in an idyllic spot off the side of New Bond Street. His team are all gorgeous, chatty and non-judgmental. They are smart without showing off and funny without trying, they do not talk robot-fashion about holidays; they talk about their favourite restaurant in Barcelona or the most interesting way to travel across Europe, they do not appear to show any preference or transition when shifting between conversations about visits to the Palace and the financial constraints of living in a council flat with six children.  The salon is cute. Neither Aveda beige nor Claridges glitz, Mathew has picked out bold prints that he likes and has hung pretty mirrors, placed comfy chairs and chosen fabulous accessories (the hairbrush pot is a champagne bucket!). Tea is served in an array of pretty tea pots, cups and saucers and in an Alice-In Wonderland-esque manner, the initially tiny space becomes a warm, friendly salon in which Mathew and co move quite seamlessly.

Before cutting my hair, Mathew and his assistant applied their signature Biolustre treatment. This ‘keratin mimicking’ treatment bonds to the hair shaft and restores hair to its former glory but does not wash out. The treatment is applied to wet hair before being set to dry under heat. Once the hair becomes brittle the solution is washed out and hair is repaired and healthy. Biolustre is not the same as a Brazilian Blow Dry as it doesn’t aim to straighten hair. The idea is that tired and damaged hair is simply fixed – and it bloody works – absolute dream!

Mathew then cut my hair. From reviews I’d read about him I expected a mad artist who would insist that I have my hair cut ‘just so’. This was not the case. I would not have minded an approach like that – let’s face it, we mortals know very little about what suits us – but in reality he was very happy to trim and shape without cutting all my hair off and was far more interested in a classic cut than any new-fangled trendy do. The feeling is of glamour, not of fashion; an important difference.

The absolute cherry on the cake was his blow-dry – the man is a genius with hair. With his assistant, working in totally unprompted synchronisation, Mathew dried and twisted my hair to create a wonderful bouncy look which I had absolutely no idea could be created with my (otherwise pretty crap) hair. Walking to the tube later on I oozed the glamour he had put into my hair and my God did I get a response. At home, in the street and at work people were cooing over my new hair as if I had returned from bald rather than simply having some air put through it!

In a courtyard off New Bond Street...

The final thing which Mathew did was my make-up – his true passion. I was taught tricks of the trade and given tips on really useful products and application tools. You really get the sense when having your make-up done that you should have an idea of what you are doing to your face on a day-to-day basis. In reality, pre-Mat, I was still using the beauty products which I had been buying 15 years ago for no other reason than the fact that Becky Shepherd, the coolest girl in my year, was buying them too! Mathew applied subtle products and gave me the dewy, peachy tones I asked for using far more neutral tones on my eyes than I would have chosen. The result was a natural but beautiful look, perfect for summer days and nights.

If you go for nothing else, please go to look at Mat’s make-up box. I swear it is the finest piece of make-up housing I have ever encountered, he more or less squeals every time he opens a draw and remembers that it’s his!!

Mathew Alexander is not too cheap, and it’s not too expensive; it’s just right. You will not feel hurried and you will not want to leave. Everyone should go to Mat’s salon. It’s better than therapy and it leaves you looking good too! Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Now, about those highlights…

Running in Heels readers can enjoy a 20% discount, valid until 30th November 2010 when they quote ‘Running In Heels – reader offer’ when booking (first visit only).

Mathew Alexander is open Tuesday to Saturday (opening hours vary). For more information visit the salon’s website.

The English heritage-inspired salon interior at Jones & Payne

Cocktails, dainty purse-sized boxes of mints, hooks for your handbag and customisable massage chairs; it’s the details that make a good salon into a great salon.

Admittedly, none of these guarantee that you’ll walk out with a killer cut, but they are the little touches that make all the difference and mean that even if it is just a hair salon, you want to gush to all your friends about just how fabulous it is. Jones & Payne is one such place. And did we mention they served strawberries and cream during the World Cup? Wow.

Amidst the hoards of trendy Shoreditch salons, Jones & Payne stands out: “marrying East End cool and creativity with West End standard service and attention to detail.”

Forget stark ,whitewashed walls and fluorescent lighting, the salon’s design was inspired by the English heritage interiors at the Geffrye Museum. Think gilt-edged mirrors, opulent chandeliers and charming vintage furnishings; the interior is welcoming, cosy and just that little bit more personal than other salons you may have visited.

Co-founder and stylist Ricky Lee Jones has had his fair share of salon experience; he trained under Trevor Sorbie and Angelo Seminara, worked at Taylor Taylor and has styled creative looks for Vivienne Westwood at London Fashion Week. Suffice to say, he knows his stuff. Talking to Ricky about Jones & Payne, his passion for every aspect of the salon is clear – from the deco and furnishings to the styling and products they sell. Having met co-founder and salon manager Stewart Payne at Taylor Taylor, the pair decided to go it alone and set up their own venture that would provide a high-end hairdressing experience to appeal to a variety of customers – not just the fashion-forward Hoxtonites in the area.

Personally I have never wanted an undercut or a La Roux-style quiff, and it’s true that for those of us who are looking for a simple, flattering cut that’s more chic than cool, the East End salons can seem overwhelmingly trendy. I want a stylist who listens to me;  I don’t want to have to shout over an electro soundtrack. The beauty of Jones & Payne is their ‘best of both worlds’ ethos; personal, West End calibre service infused with a laidback, unpretentious East End vibe. Yes, you can get a fashionable cut (check out the J&P tips page for some on-trend hair tutorial videos), but the salon caters for simpler tastes too.

The styling team at Jones & Payne are a creative and talented bunch with years of experience at London’s top salons and numerous awards between them. The salon stocks Sebastian Professional, Kerastase and Shu Uemura Art of Hair products and stylists will tell you what they’re using and why, rather than trying to upsell shampoos and masques, which can come off as jarring and a bit off-putting. Service and styling are unhurried and tailored to each individual client; I felt that Ricky really listened to me and thought about my cut and what would suit me. Before brandishing the scissors, he talked me through what we were going to do, as well as how my cut would evolve as my hair grew and what we could think about for a future visit.

Fast forward an hour or so, and the cut was exactly what we had discussed, with a sexy finish that was less polished and princessy than my usual blowdry; think perfect shiny loose summery waves, without a hint of frizz in sight. The kind of hair that makes you walk a couple of inches taller and check yourself out in every shop window on the street.

With such impeccable service and an inspired and accomplished team, maybe, just maybe thanks to Jones & Payne, the East End might be becoming the new West End.

More information and bookings are available on the Jones & Payne website. You can also become a fan on Facebook, or follow the salon on Twitter @JonesandPayne.

For the latest tips and trends in hair, be sure to check out Jones & Payne’s tutorials online here.

A personalised styling experience at H&J

If, like me, you tend to prickle with intimidation at a) finding a salon in London that doesn’t make you feel like a rag-headed loser and b) one with stylists that do actually fully engage during a consultation, then you need to (literally) head over to Hair and Jerome.

Recently relocated to Toynbee Street in Spitalfields from Artillery Passage, the salon’s new roomy, industrial skeleton is bizarrely melded with a wasp-coloured baroque interior. Sounds insane, and to an end, it is. But at the same time, it makes perfect sense. In fact, that’s kind of the thing with Hair and Jerome: its avant garde focus meets seamlessly with traditional styling.

The small team of stylists – just four; Danilo, Misook, Simon and Jerome himself – with Cecile, their host and receptionist (I don’t want to gush forth with superlatives, but if ever there were a dream salon maitre d’, Cecile is it for absolute real…) comprise a highly – if not luxuriously – personalised salon experience. Yeah, so, salon owner Jerome won the Avant Garde Hairdressing Award a few years ago and the salon itself is squeezed in between Tracey Emin, the Chapman brothers and Gilbert and George’s studios, but Hair and Jerome is a pretension free zone. The salon’s clientele ranges from uber-eccentric Hoxtonites through to traditionalist sexagenarians.

My stylist for the afternoon was Misook. Originally from South Korea, where she trained as a stylist 17 years ago, she’s been living in London for the last six and before joining forces with Jerome, worked with him at Rush.

One of Misook’s signature moves is issuing clients with a head massage during their shampoo. Okay, so nothing especially new there: don’t most stylists do this? Yes, but Misook wins triple platinum – South Korean training commands a half-hour head massage as standard treatment before anything happens with scissors. Although H&J clients don’t get a whole half-hour, I strongly recommend prospective patrons to take a tissue for the dribble factor.

My cut was relatively radical in that I’d rocked up with pretty plain mid-length hair. Misook spent one-and-a-half hours reshaping my hair into a slightly-above-ear length ‘bob’, grading my hair at the back to create volume and thickness, while exaggerating the length of it slightly at cheekbone level. I’d been determined to emerge with a ‘Louise Brooks’ cut, which I more than got, with a very modern edge to its sculpt. Cutting a deeper fringe, Misook’s finishing flourish was a slightly asymmetrical line above my eyebrows. The finished shape was flawless and, as Misook had advised during my initial consultation, flattered my face shape impeccably. Yep; she steered me away from suggestions I’d made, explaining the balance of my features to me (I like straight talkers if I’m putting parts of my image in their hands).

The quirky cool salon interior

In addition to enjoying such a personalised experience, what struck me also was that at no point did I feel like a faceless £60. Chatting to Misook – and Cecile and Jerome – during my restyle was genuinely enjoyable, something I very rarely feel in the hairdresser’s chair.

Hair and Jerome use Redken and Bumble and Bumble products and prices for a cut and blow dry (women) range from £43 with Simon, £48 with Danilo, £62 with Misook and £89 with Jerome. Colours range from £12.00 (refresh / tone) to £120 (full head foils) dependent on stylist. Where the cost of the salon’s services certainly aren’t the cheapest in London, what you do get for your money does feel like a bit of a steal on the part of the client.

Bear in mind that the salon is easy to miss if you do book an appointment as at the time of my visit, there was no signage. I walked passed it three times before I twigged. I’m a little ashamed to admit that I thought it was an Indian restaurant from the exterior…

If you’re looking for an independent salon with genuinely friendly service, commendable technical expertise and a bespoke ‘do, your search is over as Running In Heels has done the legwork for you.

www.hairandjerome.co.uk

Essential summer cleansing and toning

Summer is finally here, meaning warmer weather, longer days and more time spent outside. Your legs may be rejoicing in their new found freedom but its really important not to neglect your skincare routine which also needs adapting to suit the hazy days to come. If like me, you’re not overly thrilled at the prospect of shelling out twice, take a look at some of the new products on the market which are designed to be multi-functional. In essence, one item is effectively doing the job of three. The beauty industry knows that what we want is a less-is-more approach to skincare – we want our skin to be as under-dressed and free to breathe as the rest of us!

One of the key things to remember for smarter summer skin is that as the weather hots up and the humidity rises, oil production increases. If your skin is prone to dryness and dehydration, this is not such a bad thing but if you have oily or combination skin already, the increased sebum can lead to shine and make skin more prone to outbreaks.

For drier skins, heavy lotions and thick creams which are great for protection and repair during winter months are just too much. They sit on the skin leaving it feeling clogged; switching to an oil-based cleanser at night will leave the skin purified and softened and can then be followed with a lighter moisturiser. Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oils are perfect for this and there is a nourishing formula for every skin type. The oil is massaged into the skin removing the day’s grime and dirt including stubborn make-up. Then add just a splash of water to transform it to an emulsifying milk.

If you’re more prone to breakouts, particularly during the summer months, you may want to introduce an astringent toner to your regime. These work to help eliminate impurities and reduce excess sebum and tighten pores after cleansing. Some people find these too harsh and drying on the skin but Vichy’s Normaderm Purifying Astringent Toner is made with thermal spa water for extra hydration and is hypoallergenic too.

For an alcohol-free formula, try Instant Boost Skin Tonic from Liz Earle which comes either in a bottle for application with a cotton pad or as a facial spritz. Its gentle formula adds a fine layer of hydration while the floral components including rose-scented geranium work to revitalise, soothe and brighten the skin. It also contains a conditioning natural source of Vitamin E which clings to the skin reducing moisture loss. Dermalogica’s Multi-Active Toner contains lavender, aloe vera and balm mint to cool, soothe, purify and soften the skin. It’s revered by many as being the perfect rehydrating mist for long-haul flights or air-conditioned environments which strip moisture from the air thus dehydrating the skin.

Now it’s tempting to forego moisturiser altogether during the summer but it is still an essential step in protecting the skin from dehydration and repairing damage from harmful UV rays. Opt for a lighter moisturiser such as Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel or Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Power Berry Daily Moisture both of which are readily absorbed into the skin without leaving a sticky residue. If you want to be really efficient and have already banished your thick, heavy foundation then opt for a lightweight tinted moisturiser – great if you’re not quite brave enough to be a bare-faced beauty. Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser is the go-to product – its formula helps to control excess oil production, it’s lightweight yet hydrating and it’s got buildable coverage to ensure an even finish. Not to mention it has an SPF 20 which protects the skin from harmful UV rays and adds anti-ageing capabilities.

Oily and combination skins will also benefit from a weekly facial including exfoliation and a deep cleanse. This helps to rid the skin of toxins, remove the layer of dead cells which sit on the surface and reduce the appearance of pores. Skin will feel brighter and tighter and the risk of outbreaks should diminish. For normal to dry skins, try a weekly treatment such as No 7 Heavenly Hydration Moisture Mask to replenish and nourish.

Summer bodycare from Kiehl's and Rodial

It’s not just our faces that need a revamped routine – the skin on our bodies will also take some adjusting to the warmer weather and more humid conditions. Heavy creams will leave skin feeling sticky and clammy so a lighter lotion is needed to keep you feeling cool yet hydrated. Johnson’s 24 Hour Moisture Body Cream is a lightweight cream that is so readily absorbed, you’ll be left wondering if you’ve even applied at all. It contains shea butter so really does leave skin feeling soft for 24 hours but its formula is light enough not to smother the skin in warm weather.

If you want something a little bit more intuitive try Kiehl’s Crème de Corps light-weight body lotion with SPF 30. This iconic moisturiser has now been developed to feel even lighter on the skin and with an SPF 30, combines moisturising with the benefit of sun protection without the need for two separate products. Similarly, Rodial’s Skinny Beach combines an SPF 15 for protection and tan-boosting peptides to enhance your colour whilst at the same time, slimming actives help to reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve the silhouette. Genius!

Drinking plenty of water is also crucial to maintaining healthy skin particularly when the weather is hotter and you’re more physically active. Think of it as moisturising from the inside! There are so many products on the market to combat our every need so you should have no trouble in putting together a new regime for the summer but just remember that the best tip for anti-ageing is to use an SPF every day come rain or shine. The effects of the sun unfortunately cannot yet be reversed so as the saying goes, prevention is definitely better than cure.

Our favourite exfoliators for smooth, radiant skin

We all have our top tips for glowing, healthy skin but by far the quickest and easiest way to achieve polished perfection is to slough off those dead skin cells. With summer fast approaching, it’s time to rid ourselves of our dull winter pallor and get a fresh faced, clear complexion ready to welcome the sun. There is plenty of choice out there from a wide range of manual exfoliators containing grains, particles and beads to shift those cells or chemical exfoliators which work to actually dissolve the debris. Here are our top five facial exfoliators to help you buff your way to beautiful skin…

Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator

With extracts of Moroccan Rose, this mild exfoliator is suitable for dry, sensitive and mature skins. Its rich gel formula with soothing cucumber, rich in Vitamin C and a natural anti-oxidant leaves skin feeling soft and silky while micro-spherical Jojoba beads gently exfoliate the surface. This forms part of the Elemis anti-ageing range and is perfect for a luxurious treat! Available online here.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

This super-fine microfoliant starts life as a rice-based enzyme powder. Make a paste with a little water to remove dulling debris leaving your skin noticeably smoother and brighter. It’s a playful product which can be used daily as part of your regime without being too abrasive and contains no artificial colours or fragrance. Buy online here.

St Ives Apricot Invigorating Scrub

This high street favourite formulated in the Swiss Alps harnesses the power of nature to leave your skin refreshed and radiant. Ground apricot kernels are the basis for this product to slough away dead skin cells. If you’re after an invigorating deep cleanse, you’ll enjoy the gritty texture which is perhaps better suited to younger and oilier skins. Available online here.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

Exfoliating is the middle stage in Clinique’s staple 3-step programme. It uses hydroxy acids to dissolve dull, dead cells leaving behind clean and refreshed skin which allows more effective moisturising and helps your make-up to stay put for longer. It sounds scary but with four strengths of Clarifying Lotion plus an extra one for blemish control, there is a formula to suit every skin type. Buy online here.

Sanctuary Warming Microbrasion Polish

Natural Marine Earth which has a microbrasion effect and detoxifying Kaolin clays are combined with a thermal action to open pores, draw out toxins and exfoliate the surface of the skin. Jojoba and Beeswax smooth and soften and work to reduce the appearance of fine lines. This smells like you should be in a spa and its warming sensation on your skin ensures that exfoliating with this polish is no chore. Available online here.

Looking for more tips on prepping skin for summer? See our feature on bodycare products.

For more advice on exfoliating, watch skincare expert Sarah Chapman’s tutorial

Always groomed to perfection, she was picture perfect wherever she went. Simple updos and thick, well-defined eyebrows were Audrey’s trademarks and have been seen time and time again on the catwalks and beauty pages over the last few decades.

Audrey's timeless, glamorous look is perfect for a chic soirée

How to Get the Look

● To create a flawless look like Audrey’s, start by using a brightening moisturiser such as Clear White Brightening and Hydrating Cream by Darphin. This will make your skin glow and it give it a fresh, luminous look.

● Next apply a light reflecting foundation to give you that perfect complexion. Clarins’ Everlasting Foundation is lightweight and works best when applied to the centre of the face and blended outwards.

● Give your cheeks definition by first brushing Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in In Love over the apples of your cheeks followed by their Shimmer Tweed Highlighter over your cheekbones.

● Using a brush and gel eyeliner such as Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, apply a thick line along your top lashes with a slight flick at the end.

● Glue on a set of 107 Eylure Naturalites lashes for the ultimate glamourpuss look. Blend in your lashes with the false set by using a black mascara on the top and a little on the bottom.

● Next shade your eyebrows in with a pencil making sure it matches your colouring and won’t leave them looking orange. MAC’s Impeccable Brow Pencil is creamy and fills gaps easily making your brows appear naturally groomed.

● To finish the look give yourself a beautiful pout by using a nude coloured lipstick. KissKiss Baby by Guerlain is a delicious combination of make up and skincare. It is rich and creamy and will leave you with a sleek, kissable pair of lips.

Sandra Bullock may have won the award for Best Actress this year, but beauty critics were less convinced by her ability to choose the right lipstick. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s fresh, bright pink was another much-discussed cosmetic decision. Stars tend to play it safe with their hair styling, however Nicole’s Richie’s top knot has proved to be one of the big hair trends this season. And the mussed, romantic updo is always an easy, sexy style for summer days.

The latest work of the world’s best designers is up for judgment at the Oscars, and make up brands also take the opportunity to showcase their newest products. Bullock’s bright pink-red lipstick was Chanel’s Rouge Coco, and J.Lo’s soft, golden glow was achieved with NARS’ Enchanted cream blush – part of the brand’s collection for S/S 2010.

And the award-winning looks we’ve chosen will certainly have been scrutinised by the actresses heading to Cannes this week. These are looks that are glamorous, elegant and can be recreated for the red carpet or, if you’re a mere mortal – a sophisticated night out.  The glitz of Hollywood and the Croisette at Cannes may be the preserve of the rich and famous, but in front of the mirror, you always have the starring role!

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Get ready to relax at Cucumba

I hadn’t had a massage in years. I was always complaining about a sore back having been hunched over a laptop all day, at a useless old desk with an even more useless, wooden chair. It’s not the perfect work station and is almost certainly the reason for my aching back. I had frequently thought about getting myself a massage but things always seemed to get in the way and I just never got round to it.

That is, until I heard about Cucumba: the Urban Pitstop – a delicious pampering space in Soho that caters for the busy men and women of London who want a little bit of me-time, without the added hassle of having to leave the city, take a weekend off or spend a fortune.

Cucumba was set up in 2003 by two ladies who sought to create a relaxed and accessible environment in the centre of town, enabling workaholics/shopaholics/pamper-holics (delete as appropriate) to get their quick beauty fix, whether it be a ten minute pedicure or a 45 minute sports massage. Cucumba divides its menu up into time categories, ensuring that you know exactly how much time you will have to get back to work/the shops/your next treatment. Customers can either book ahead or simply drop in and are then asked to choose a treatment from either of the 10 minute, 20 minute, 30 minute, 45 minute or 60 minute menus.

I decided that a 20 minute ‘pitstop’ would suit best, allowing time to walk to Cucumba and back, without being rushed during a one hour lunch break. I booked ahead for Monday (it’s always nice to have something to look forward to once the weekend is over) and after much deliberation opted for an Aromatherapy Back, Neck and Shoulders Massage (£26). Within the 20 minute ‘pitstop’ category, other options included: a head massage, a speciality manicure or pedicure, threading and a facial – all for the same price.

Eagerly arriving 15 minutes early for my appointment, I expected to wait around in the reception area until the allocated time slot but was pleasantly surprised when – after a bit of confusion as to who I was and what treatment I had booked – I was seen to immediately.

I was given the option to have the massage done through my clothes, on a chair, or on a bed with oils. I quickly consulted the aching back which creaked in agreement that oils were indeed the way forward. It was a nice touch to be given that choice however, as I’m aware that some people would definitely be more comfortable with the prior option.

The massage took place on Cucumba’s lower floor – the main treatment area – which is sectioned into individual beauty rooms with huge curtains. This means that as well as being able to cater for numerous treatments at any one time, the floor can be opened up into one big space for private pamper parties that are also on offer at Cucumba. Options include, but are not limited to: pole dancing, belly dancing and make up and massage tutorials!

The spa has a luxe, boutique feel to it

Once in my treatment area, I was left to undress and make myself comfortable, lying face down on the massage bed. The chill-out music was soon switched on and the masseur went to work on my knotted back with aromatherapy oils, while I tried my very hardest not to doze off…

As might be expected, the 20 minutes flew by but it was certainly enough time for me to feel the difference in my back and I thoroughly enjoyed my very different and relaxing lunch hour. The process was all very swift, meaning I was in and out with plenty of time to get back to the humdrum of a working Monday and as expected, the afternoon was much easier to get through after such a soothing break.

Cucumba offer a decently-priced, convenient and most importantly, pleasurable experience in a relaxed and friendly environment: I will most definitely be looking into their other treatments when I next fancy a spot of mid-week pampering!

For a full list of treatments and prices, take a look at Cucumba’s website. And you can also follow Cucumba on Twitter, @urbanpitstop.

Stormy shades from OPI, Essie and Models Own

Stormy Weather

Current weather conditions, though leaving us more than a little down in the dumps, are at least bang on trend colour-wise for this season. Those cumulonimbus clouds have rocked everything from graphite to ash and dove grey to mink in the past few weeks – it seems where Chanel (or in this case artistic director of make up – Peter Philips) leads even the weather follows. This season, Particulière, the must-have mauvy-mink nail shade from Chanel has caused as much of a stir as last season’s Jade, prompting beauty counter waiting lists and numerous copy-cat colour-ways.

Less gloomy than the inky blacks and blues of winter and more flattering on emerging-from-the-cold-and-dark skin tones than some of the lighter, brighter nail colours, grey is proving to be the perfect transitional tone.  If waiting lists and price tags of £16/€18 upwards are not your thing, there are some varnishes that come surprisingly close; OPI’s You Don’t Know Jacques, Essie’s greige offering Chinchilly and Models Own’s Purple Grey.

Candy Cravings

Whilst sugar-cravings should have been thoroughly sated following Easter’s indulgences, keep your sweet-tooth at bay and your waistline intact all season with these super sweet candy-coloured pastels. Illamasqua’s pre-summer shades are just as enticing as their names suggest; Blow, a fabulous lemon sorbet – super flattering against darker or tanned skin tones. Wink, an on-trend lilac  – the perfect alternative to girly pinks, the milky mint-toned, Nudge and Caress, a wonderfully opaque greyish-blue.

Though Illamasqua appear to have all bases, and shades, covered with these offerings the beauty industry are definitely leaving us spoilt for choice this season when it comes to Miami Beach-inspired pastel palettes. Think cool aquas, hot corals, icy blues, marshmallow pinks and lemon sorbets all in milky, opaque textures. For darker skin tones, MAC’s Coconut Ice  is simply stunning whilst Revlon’s Lilac Pastelle or Marks & Spencer’s Mint polish pop against paler skins. OPI’s Panda Monium Pink  looks effortless and very now, working against all skin shades.

Mannequin shades from CND, Essie and OPI

The New Nudes

If pretty pastels and sorbet shades are proving a little too sickly sweet but you still crave that fresh, spring look, then the trend for Mannequin hands – as seen at Louis Vuitton where nail shades were meticulously matched for each model by nail artist Sophy Robson – might prove to be the perfect alternative.Though the look is somewhat troublesome to create – the wrong nail shade can leave your hands looking a little corpse-like – the perfect foundation-like shade will elongate your hands, looking modern and groomed.

As with all make-up bases, when matching up skin tones a bit of trial and error is required but the following shades proved very popular on the Spring/Summer runways. CND’s Putty, OPI’s Samoan Sand and Essie’s Mucho Dinero.  To achieve a true plastic, mannequin-esque hand, a coat of Essie’s Matte About You gives a matte, shine-free, modern finish.

Creative Nails

Looking for something a little more high-impact? Minx’s high-shine, high-definition, molten metallic nail transfers will not disappoint.  Available in a number of finishes and patterns from plaid to polka dots, stripes to animal skins, these are not for the faint-hearted. That said, the simple gold, platinum or bronze transfers look simply stunning against tanned feet, and lasting up to four weeks, make the standard pre-holiday French pedicure look like a very dull option in comparison.  If you are feeling particularly creative, Minx are also able to replicate your own pattern or design onto custom-made transfers.

It’s All About WAH!

If it’s individuality that you are craving and you happen to live in London, look no further than WAH nail salons, located in Dalston and now Topshop, Oxford Circus, for a menu of multi-coloured leopard prints, moon-manis, Swarovski-crystal and rhinestone encrusted designs. Go designer with Chanel-style interlocking C’s or urban chic with monochrome Aztec prints, add cutesy bows or pretty pink pouts. Or, if the choices totally overwhelm you simply ask one of the fabulous technicians who will give you a quick once over, checking out your style, clothes, hair and make up and come up with something totally unique.

One of our favourites from WAH! Nails