The London beauty hot list: Our health director reveals the best salons, spas and skincare specialists in the capital
I have been a London-based beauty director for nearly ten years now, and in that time I have tried and tested practically every single treatment in the capital. Some transformational, some… a waste of time. Here are my favourite clinics in a very well-served capital.
They range from the cult to luxe, from indie to the A-list approved. Enjoy!
Founded in 1984, the family-owned Les Senteurs is London’s oldest independent perfumery. Renowned for curating the finest edit of cult and lesser-known fragrances and scented goods from across the globe, it presents an alternative perspective to department-store fragrance shopping. The perfect place to find The One.
An aesthetic dentist and dental surgeon, husband-and wife team Dr Brandon and Dr Mahsa Nejati are making their mark on the capital’s teeth. With 40 collective years in holistic dentistry prioritising prevention over cure, they consider what’s happening in your mouth in the context of the body’s wider wellbeing. “Research indicates links between harmful bacteria in the mouth and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as a range of other conditions that we never imagined were linked to oral health,” explains Brandon. The duo are known as much for their meticulous approach as their masterful micro-layering technique, whereby slivers of porcelain composite are painted on to teeth to sculpt, rebalance and brighten imperfect smiles.
An iconic cornerstone of eco-conscious haircare, this is a beauty stalwart delivering not just great plant-powered haircare, but first-class treatments, including waxing, manicures and massages too. A great one-stop beauty shop.
Sisley Paris
The beauty crowd had been bating their breath for the arrival of Sisley’s London outpost last year. With luxurious treatments, intuitive staff and a gorgeously refined setting, this fragrance-wrapped sanctuary is a perfect Parisian moment in Mayfair.
All adrift? Cosmetic acupuncturist and intuitive healer Sarah Bradden’s ability to support her clients’ physical and mental wellbeing with a combination of traditional Chinese practices and modern technology has earned her notoriety. Her signature treatment is a bespoke blend of cosmetic acupuncture, reiki, energy work, facial massage, Hydrogen + Activated Oxygen therapy and light therapy, which is out of this world.
Katharine Mackenzie Paterson runs KMP Skin
Those in the know flock to see skincare expert Katharine Mackenzie Paterson at her cosy digs in the eaves of a Georgian townhouse of Hanover Square. Expect tailored, highly prescriptive face and body treatments that deliver the results you want in this tranquil escape. “I love seeing Katherine,” says Madonna’s colourist and John Frieda Creative Colour Director Nicola Clark. “She picks the very best skincare to suit your needs each time.”
South Korean facialist Lee treats mind, body and spirit, identifying issues and treating them with a bespoke blend of acupuncture, massage and reiki, as well as a concise edit of hard-working products sourced from across the globe.
With three decades of experience as a health and beauty journalist, Suzanne Duckett founded Onolla as a place to share her edit of world-class natural products, as well as her tried, tested and trusted address book of contacts, practitioners and rituals. Try the concierge service, whereby she joins the dots to present the best beauty or wellbeing edits for your needs as required.
The embodiment of traditional British grooming and a pocket of timeless luxury, Truefitt & Hill has served almost all male members of the royal family since George III. An experience that is as much about heritage as it is about hair.
Want a perfume that none of your friends will have? Head to this iconic perfumer
Perfumer H is the nom de fume of iconic British perfumer Lyn Harris. Swing by her Clifford Street store to find the coolest smells that none of your friends will have (it’s Ink, Tobacco and Rain Cloud for me), delicious refillable candles in hand-blown glass, irresistible incense, plus artisanal tea and jam. A joy for the senses!
One of London’s most in-demand hairdressers, Adam Reed, thinks outside the box. Yes you’ll find superlative cuts and colour here, but also much more. A passionate advocate for the discussion of mental health, he describes his product range Arkive — for example — as “caring for your head, both in terms of what is on it and inside it”. Reed briefed eight fragrance houses to scent his spirit-lifting haircare range and it proved so popular that the scents are now available in traditional eau de parfum form. Try No One Elsie, £30 for 50ml, a zingy, soul-boosting blend of tomato leaf and rhubarb.
Vyrao
With roots in Paris, this self-assured beauty concept store champions clean formulations without compromising on efficacy or desirability. Expect the likes of Violette, Goop, Ilia, Susanne Kaufman, Nooance and Vyrao.
Liberty London Beauty Hall
Housed below Liberty’s storied timber beams, this one-of-a-kind beauty hall feels both thrillingly historic and contemporary, thanks to its excellent, niche-leaning edit covering beauty and wellness.
Keren Bertov opened her clinic in 2023
Keren Bertov
Israeli facial aesthetician Keren Bartov’s Tel Aviv clinic became a place of pilgrimage for A-listers and those in-the-know to achieve their skin goals (she was the go-to before the Oscars), so it was a case of handbags at dawn to bag a slot when she launched her clinic in Notting Hill in 2023. Clients book out Bartov’s time — or that of her team — rather than specific treatments, allowing a tailored approach.
Nichola Joss’s treatments are frequently imitated but rarely matched. Having tended to the faces of everyone from Kate Moss to Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow over the years, Joss is the founder of the Inner Facial technique, which takes her practice inside the mouth to relieve muscular tension and stress while draining, sculpting and lifting the face.
With more than 25 years of experience delivering laser treatments, skincare expert Debbie Thomas’s highly popular clinic delivers consistently excellent diagnostics and results. Try the non-invasive FaceStim lifting treatment or the AGAIN laser, which is currently the most powerful hair removal solution in the world.
For flawless manicures and beautiful blowdries there is nowhere more reliable in town than this quietly self-assured spot. A favourite among the fashion-adjacent with good reason.
There is nowhere more reliable in town than this spot, for flawless manicures and beautiful blowdries
Helmed by acclaimed, multi-award-winning barber Mark Maciver, left, SliderCuts is a cornerstone of London’s grooming scene. With a clientele that includes Stormzy, Tinie Tempah and Anthony Joshua and cuts starting at £20, value for money is an understatement.
Mark Maciver
The Light Salon pioneered the first affordable, express LED Light therapy bar in town. The ethos? Minimum downtime, maximum luminosity.
Address: Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, SW1 and Selfridges, Oxford Street, W1. thelight-salon.com
Claridge’s Spa
Claridge’s
Five storeys below ground, designed by architect André Fu and influenced by the healing rituals of the East, this beautifully composed, otherworldly space pairs unrivalled glamour with the worthy quest for wellness and relaxation. Discover exacting, hardworking, unashamedly luxurious signature treatments, as well as residencies with some of the best that the UK has to offer; think Josh Wood, Ross Barr, Hollie Parkes, Ciaran Keen and more.
Founded by cosmetic medicine specialist Dr Suha Kersh, 23MD has one of London’s most extensive anti-ageing treatment lists, while her results speak for themselves. The A-listers and beauty editors flock here with reason. “I’ve always believed in the power of (beautifully done, under-the-radar) injectables, and Dr Suha Kersh at 23MD has maintained my face for the past 10 years,” says Francesca Ogiermann-White, writer, aesthetics expert and founder of The Beauty Triangle. “Her results are elegant, while seemingly putting everything back in the right place — whether with dermal fillers, polynucleotides or the tiniest bit of toxin.”
Aesop
Many of us hold a soft spot for Aesop. But for now I am not singing the praises of the Geranium Leaf body cleanser, nor the Reverence Aromatique hand wash. Instead I implore you to take the lengthy elevator trip below the bustling hubbub of the brand’s Regent Street store, where you will discover a low-lit chamber dedicated to truly remarkable facial treatments, which are the perfect gift to self or others.
An institution, Neal’s Yard emerged in 1981, offering herbal tinctures, essential oils and homeopathic remedies, predating the mainstream adoption of plant-based self care. Yes, the blue bottles are iconic, but it’s the treatment offering, from osteopathy to ear candling and flower essence therapy that keeps this place quietly radical.
Brazilian-born physiotherapist Flavia Morellato wowed London with her bespoke lymphatic drainage method, which gently delivers miraculous sculpting and debloating. Trusted by A-listers, editors and wellness enthusiasts, her new Belgravia clinic is a must-book.
Ama Quashie is one of the fashion and beauty industry’s most loved manicurists and you’ll find her work across the pages of the world’s best glossies. Her namesake SW9 salon supplies superlative manicures in all forms, but her true passion is nail health.
An old-school barbershop with oodles of contemporary polish, expect in-chair whisky pours and razor-sharp fades
Pankhurst, Thom Sweeney Townhouse
An old-school barbershop with oodles of contemporary polish, Pankhurst is famed for its in-chair whisky pours and razor-sharp fades.
Wassim Taktouk’s extensive medical background and exceptional eye for detail have earned him a stellar reputation in the aesthetics world. Renowned for subtle yet transformative augmentations and legendary non-surgical rhinoplasties, he’s a master when it comes to elevating natural beauty.
John Bell & Croyden
Pharmacy John Bell & Croyden opened in 1798 but remains consistently relevant, with an excellent, constantly updated beauty edit that covers of-the-moment launches, cult skincare and tools.
James Harknett Away Spa, W hotel
If it’s a bespoke, seamless tan you are after, look no further. Harknett, who tends to a ream of models, celebrities and actors, works meticulously with your skin tone and body shape to deliver flawless results. No one will know…
Khapung’s meticulous shaping and sculpting skills lie behind many of the best brows you’ll see on screen, from Margot Robbie to Emma Corrin
Anu Khapung at the Dorchester Spa
Admired Margot Robbie’s eyebrows in Barbie? Those were the work of Khapung, whose meticulous shaping and sculpting skills lie behind many of the best brows you’ll see on screen, from Emma Mackey to Emma Corrin. Get in on the action.
This salon has become a cult reference in elite haircare circles and is a must-visit for those with, or considering, hair extensions. Staff are deeply knowledgeable and the brand has a new wet line, formulated especially for extended hair.
A serene escape with sound baths, meditation and breathwork sessions. “I never thought I would find something that would calm me, or get me to sleep,” says aesthetic practitioner Dr Wassim Taktouk, “but sound healing at this studio has changed my life”.
A ‘Flower Power’ candle from Earl of East
Handout
Earl of East began as an east London market stall and still delivers flawless, atmospheric candles and a desirable, of-the-moment slow-living ethos, but also an unpretentious edit of cool, small-batch scents, homeware, books and art across its four London stores. A modern ritualist’s retreat.
Ross J Barr at his London clinic
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You’ll find Ross Barr, right, on the speed-dial of nearly every wellness editor in the city. Specialising in Five Element Acupuncture, his approach works to restore balance, with particular expertise in stress management, grief support, women’s health and fertility. One of life’s great listeners, Barr has also developed a range of supplements and therapeutic patches meticulously formulated to support key areas of health, including fertility, immunity, calm and sleep.
Highly intuitive acupuncturist and healer De Mamiel takes a holistic approach to skincare and healing, harnessing sound therapy, aromatherapy and craniosacral work to improve your skin and sense of wellbeing. Treatments are followed up with a personal plan.
Founded in the 1990s, Neville defines that type of London polish I wish I could embody more often; immaculate, glossy and grown up. Expect serious technical pedigree and a likelihood that you will bump into an It girl, royal or both.
Experimental Perfume Club
A wall of fragrance atThe Experimental Perfume Club
Experimental Perfume Club
Founded by French perfumer Emmanuelle Moeglin, this cool Covent Garden pitstop is part olfactory classroom, part perfume atelier. Book into The Academy to buff up on the art and science of perfume, or commission a bespoke blend.
With a degree in anatomy and eight years’ experience in NHS plastic surgery, David Jack is a globally-renowned aesthetics practitioner with state-of-the-art clinics in Belgravia, Harley Street and the City. Highly reputed as the city’s go-to for subtle procedures, his eponymous product line reflects a similar ethos: effective, elegant and quietly luxurious.
PureSeoul was born in the summer of 2019 as an online store importing five Korean brands, before rapid expansion thanks to its careful, clever curation. Expect Isntree, Beauty of Joseon and plenty of lesser known stars you’ll not find elsewhere.
Hairdresser, salon founder and eponymous haircare line owner Charlotte Mensah, below, is a legend in Afro hair circles, the clientele that pass through her Portobello salon doors a storied crowd from Edward Enninful and Michaela Coel to Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. You’ll find a soulful sanctuary of elevated artistry and pioneering care for Afro and textured hair. Expect conversation a-plenty and — word has it — home baked cake.
Dr Barbara Sturm Spa & Boutique
The Dr Barbara Sturm spa and clinic in Mayfair
Barbara Sturm
A pristine and glamorous temple dedicated to superlative skin. Swing in for perfect product top-ups, great advice and first-rate treatments, such as the new Thermal Sculpt Facial.
A cult west London wellness spot blending Chinese medicine with intuitive massage, cupping and gua sha. “From the moment I met Ingrid, I knew I was in expert hands,” says hairdresser Charlotte Mensah. “She’s helped melt away layers of physical tension, while nourishing both my mind and soul. I go every Sunday, and it’s honestly been life-changing. After years of being on my feet, I’ve finally found lasting relief.”
Aire Ancient Baths
Aire Ancient Baths
While many today chase the latest and greatest technology, Aire is resolute in its duty to offer clients a disconnect from the world outside. Housed in the building where JM Barrie lived while he wrote Peter Pan, you’ll discover candlelit baths, eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, hydrotherapy jets and bubbling plunge pools. New on offer is a heavenly 150-minute Restorative Ritual in collaboration with Jo Malone London.
Founding hairdresser Hari Salem learned his craft working alongside Twiggy’s stylist and — rumour has it — used to coat Catherine Zeta-Jones’ hair in Beluga caviar. Establishing his first salon in 1976, he has been popular ever since. Book in for glossy, polished cuts, superlative colour and bouncy blowouts.
Surrenne at the Emory London
Surrenne at The Emory
Surrenne at The Emory
Tucked into a sleek, subterranean space below Knightsbridge, Surrenne is the ultimate urban medi-spa, delivering cutting-edge, longevity-focused wellness treatments in stunning surroundings. Think functional doctors and diagnostics, neuroscientist-curated music, Alice Temperley-designed robes, menus by nutritionist Rosemary Ferguson, and celebrity trainer and body sculptor Tracy Anderson’s only UK outpost.
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The psychic Estelle Bingham, whose clients include Fearne Cotton
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A revered presence in London’s wellness world, energetic healer Estelle Bingham brings a refined emotional intelligence and remarkable spiritual fluency to the healing space. Part energy work, part manifestation, part intuitive therapy, her sessions (which have been described by many as sacred) are powerful, deeply attuned and transformative.
A London-born entrepreneur with Indian roots, Dimple spent 16 years travelling the globe to hone her craft. Now back in town, her body and facial treatments integrate ancient Ayurvedic principles with Brazilian lymphatic drainage, gua sha techniques and Finnish infrared therapies, with transformative results.
Neko Health Spitalfields
Neko Health
Launched in Sweden with the stylish, minimal aesthetic and tech-first ethos that you’d expect from the Nordic region, Neko Health is changing the face of preventive healthcare in London. Its futuristic £299 hour-long full-body scans harness AI and cutting-edge bio-sensor technology to assess everything from skin anomalies to cardiac function and blood markers with style, speed and efficiency, which feels a world away from your local GP. The aim of the game? To empower doctors with the highest quality information in the most effective way so they can quickly and efficiently flag potential issues before they become problems. This is healthcare reimagined: quietly radical, thrillingly empowering, beautifully clean and lovely to look at.
Jasmina Vico’s Vico Skin Clinic in Fitzrovia
Jasmina Vico
An expert in skin health and lasers, Jasmina Vico draws a starry A-list crowd to her Percy Street clinic. And with reason. Her bespoke treatments are testament to the fact that beautiful skin is an inside-and-out job, delivering everything from laser to LED and lymphatic drainage, as well as gut, sleep and stress protocol too.
Clean beauty boutique Content delivers a flawless edit of cult and hard-to-find, world-class natural brands. It was forced to close its Marylebone store during the pandemic but you can now shop the edit online, or book in for an in-person consultation with the vastly knowledgeable team by appointment.
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