THE JOURNAL
Illustration by Mr Coen Pohl
Good news for introverts. Not only do you no longer need to leave the house to feed yourself, earn a living or shop for the most luxurious garments (you’re welcome), you can now have a top-to-toe glow-up delivered to your door, too. That’s right: thanks to the rise of on-demand apps, not to mention the at-home boom sparked by the pandemic, all the barbers, facialists and trainers you’d lean on especially heavily during this most skimpy season of the year will now come directly to you.
To save you the stress of the search, we’ve rounded up a few of the very best on-demand pros who’ll get you Hot Boy Summer ready from the comfort of your living room in no time. And in case you’re in need of a mini boost in between appointments, they’ve even shared their DIY tips, too.
01.
For great hair
House call:
Ever wondered where the professionally handsome go to get their hair tended to? The answer: with convenience and discretion of the utmost priority, the barber typically comes to them. One such in-demand pro is Mr Fadi Rachdi, who works out of Neville’s salon space in London’s Bulgari Hotel, but will also drop by the houses of nearby residents (and even fly out to see you in Cannes or Monaco if you’re a regular). His USP is his thermal scissor system, which seals splits ends, ensures a smoother grow-out – and has won Mr David Beckham as a fan.
Price upon request
Do it yourself:
Anyone who took a pair of scissors to their locks during the lockdown will have swiftly learnt that it’s a job best left to the professionals. But don’t underestimate the importance of a solid haircare routine in transforming your barnet from limp to lustrous. Rachdi’s best advice for a glossy summer mane? “Avoid wearing hats daily,” he says. “And you can rinse with water every day to keep hair fresh, but there’s no need for a full shampoo until day four.”
02.
For a radiant complexion
House call:
A step up from lathering on Dr. Barbara Sturm’s raved-about products in your bathroom is having one of her trained aestheticians come straight to your door, treatment bed and all. In London, the skincare brand has partnered with the Ruuby app to deliver a couple of the brand’s signature facials on the go, save the heavy-duty in-clinic machinery. For a quick pre-event boost, try the Signature Sturm Glow Facial, which combines the masks, creams, cleanser and serums with a lifting lymphatic-drainage massage and extractions. Otherwise, there’s the Super Anti-Ageing Facial, which includes all the aforementioned, plus a microneedling tool for deeper penetration.
Signature Sturm Glow Facial, £225 on Ruuby
Super Anti-Ageing Facial, £300 on Ruuby
Do-it-yourself:
Think of facials as a nice-to-have addition to a solid at-home skincare routine. According to Ms Milena Naydenov, lead aesthetician at 111SKIN, this will at the very least consist of a sulphate-free cleanser, a vitamin C serum for brightening, a night-time retinol moisturiser, and a daily SPF. More substantial at-home treatments will also work wonders: the Miami-based medical aesthetician Ms Amy Peterson suggests a weekly peptide-rich mask for a boost (the Y-Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Mask by 111SKIN is top of her list), while Naydenov recommends investing in a red-light device (“to help reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen”). And no expensive elixir can ever beat the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Both stress the importance of a balanced diet, lots of water and adequate sleep, which will have you glowing in no time.
03.
For a head-to-toe glow
House call:
Super-subtle spray tans are the secret weapon of many a model or celebrity looking for a spot of sun without the very real risk of skin cancer. For equally imperceptible results, turn to Mr James Harknett, who runs an award-winning clinic in London’s W Hotel, but will also deliver his two decades of expertise straight to your door. It’s a no-mess process – Harknett’s 3ft-wide tanning pod can be set up anywhere in the house and he uses a super-precise spray gun for flawless application. And thanks to his skill for matching skin’s undertones (plus a thorough consultation about what you’re looking for beforehand), you can rest assured you’ll simply emerge a more glowy, vacationed version of yourself.
Price upon request
Do-it-yourself:
Tanning yourself is admittedly much trickier, but in Harknett’s view a good level of prep is the key to great at-home results. “Do any hair removal 24 hours before you tan and have a gentle exfoliation – nothing too harsh on the skin,” he says. “And have a cool shower before application and ensure you’re tanning in a cool environment.” He also recommends applying moisturiser to drier spots such as elbows, knees and hands to avoid patchiness – plus a little on the face, which tends to be the giveaway. “It’s best to go gentle on the face to start. A light barrier of moisture will lighten the glow and just give that look of good wellbeing.”
04.
For a fitter physique
House call:
If you’re finding it impossible to fit the gym into your daily schedule, or simply aren’t seeing the results you’re after, why not call in a personal trainer to get you back on track? On the Lucie app, you can book at-home sessions with an array of wellness experts and top trainers, all of whom have worked with world-class brands as a prerequisite. For a dynamic full-body workout, try a one-to-one boxing class with an instructor from Rathbone Boxing Club (they’ll bring the gloves). Or for a tailored-to-you transformation that combines strength-training, conditioning and Pilates – plus all the nutritional advice – book in a block of sessions with Ms Aimee Long, who’s whipped plenty of celebrities into shape.
Personal training with Aimee Long, £120 an hour via Lucie
Boxing sessions, £80 an hour or £255 for five sessions via Lucie
Do-it-yourself:
Thanks to the lockdown at-home workout boom, a handful of high-end gyms now offer apps that allow you to train with their best-in-class fitness instructors from your sitting room. Can’t make it into one of BLOK’s industrial-style east London studios? Try BLOK TV, which delivers live and on-demand classes such a BLOKstrength, boxing and Pilates. “For those that weight train, run or box, Pilates provides a great opportunity to focus on length, flexibility and increasing range of motion in the joints,” says instructor Mr Jonny Caguioa. The famously luxe Equinox also caters to the masses with Equinox Plus, which offers everything from strength-training to guided meditation. Die-hard SoulCycle devotees can also get their fix here – granted you’re willing to invest in the $2,500 at-home bike – or try their metabolic conditioning class with Mr Chris Vo.
05.
For flawless feet
House call:
A pre-sandal season pedicure is standard, but for Flintstone-like feet, you’ll need something a cut above. Enter Mr Bastien Gonzalez, a world-renowned pedicure-podiatrist with 25 years’ experience who’s known to perform miracles from his spas in glamorous locations such as the London’s Mandarin Oriental and Paris’ Place des Vosges – or better yet, in the comfort of your own home. That is, if you can secure an appointment with him. For 10 days of the month, he’s committed to regulars in London and New York, and he’ll often hop over to south-east Asia and the Gulf region to tend to well-heeled clients there. However, the lucky few who manage to land a referral (yes, really) can rest assured their knackered feet are in the very best hands.
Price upon request
Do-it-yourself:
For a decent at-home pedicure, you’ll want to equip yourself with a foot file, a crystal nail file and good moisturiser, says Ms Nikoletta Louka, principal podiatrist at Margaret Dabbs London. “And make sure you’re cutting nails straight across, not down the sides. And you should always work on dry skin.” Day-to-day, regular buffing and moisturising will keep feet smooth – as will avoiding walking around barefoot, Louka says. However, if it’s super-thick calluses, bunions and other such delights you’re working with, best to book in for a pro medical pedicure at one of the brand’s sleek outposts.