THE JOURNAL
Illustration by Mr Albert Tercero
While the rituals of grooming – scrubbing, plucking, trimming, lathering – can be immensely satisfying, some days it makes sense to call in the pros. No more does this ring true than during party season, which brings with it a swathe of social events and photo ops on top your usual schedule, yet no extra time to prep for it all. Thankfully, over our years of reporting on all things grooming and wellness, we’ve uncovered an array of whizzes who will take the work off your hands this December and – let’s be honest – do a much better job of it, too. Below, our pick of the need-to-know professional treatments that will not only have you looking especially suave this festive season, but also feeling your most merry and bright.
BEFORE
01.
The last-minute LED facial
Perhaps you’re one of the clever ones who started pre-emptive microneedling sessions back in autumn, with the goal of hitting peak glow this party season. But if not, and you’re on hunt for a last-minute, zero-downtime complexion fix, then a nifty LED facial – which uses the light spectrum to repair deep inside the skin cells – will do wonders.
At London’s The Light Salon, clients can pick from their menu of treatments, which includes a blue-light facial to target blemish-prone skin and a collagen-boosting treatment that combines infrared with a lifting massage. You’ll notice a glow after one session, although if you’re looking to garner extra compliments on New Year’s Eve, then try booking in two or three courses before the big day for maximum results.
Oh, and be sure to take advantage of the add-ons, too. The Brightening Enzyme Peel (ideal for those who are used to exfoliating acids) will deliver a skin-sloughing radiance boost, while the Hydrating Mask is best for plumping.
02.
The private A-List groomer
One up from a pre-party trim at your local barbershop is a private one-on-one session with a pro groomer. And we really do mean pro in the case of Mr Joe Mills, an award-winning hairdresser who’s tended to the likes of Messrs Jamie Dornan, Sebastian Stan, Nicholas Hoult and Paul Mescal, to name but a few.
Those in the know head to his private studio in Soho – a discreet, cosy space complete with artwork, candles and vinyl playing in background – where the man himself devotes an entire hour to their grooming needs. No other clients.
If you’re a newbie, expect a consultation so he can get to know you first, followed by a red carpet-worthy shape-up and beard trim using his kit of top-line products. Even better, the space boasts its own bar, so you can properly unwind ahead of your ‘do.
_From £125 for one hour; _joemills.net
03.
The uplifting B12 booster
Feeling sluggish and need perking up before a big night? Skip the espresso and energy drinks and try a B12 shot instead. “Caffeine is a short-term, 30-60-minute boost, and too much may cause high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, nervousness and trouble sleeping,” Dr William Buxton says. (How’s that for the holidays?)
Alongside fellow anaesthetist Dr William Turner, Buxton runs Effect Doctors, which specialises in doctor-delivered IV drips – although if you’re short on time and looking for a quick hit of energy, then their intramuscular vitamin booster will do the job brilliantly. How it works? “Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays essential roles in red blood cell creation, cell metabolism, nerve function and production of DNA. It also works as a co-enzyme in the conversion of protein and fat into energy and because of this has been found to boost your energy levels.”
It’s worth dropping by one of their clinics (or better yet, taking advantage of their mobile service) an hour or two before your event, as you can expect peak energy levels within the space of about 60 to 120 minutes. However, says Buxton, unlike a cup of coffee, the effects will last you up to eight days.
AFTER
04.
The morning after IV drip
No better time to get on board the IV-drip train than the December party season, when you’re most likely to be burning the candle at both ends. For those who aren’t up on the phenomenon, it works by administering a potent cocktail of vitamins and amino acids into your veins – and is ideal for the morning after.
“A vitamin IV drip goes straight into the blood stream and bypasses the gut so it’s a lot more effective [than a supplement],” says Ms Claudia Brand, an aesthetic nurse at 111 Harley Street in London. “They also contain a higher dose of vitamins that your body and blood stream can absorb.”
At 111, you can go for a custom drip tailored to your needs, although for the festive season Brand recommends their anti-inflammatory Immunity Drip, their antioxidant-rich Detox Drip or the “ultimate infusion” 111 Signature Cocktail, which contains brain-boosting B-Complex. And for best results, why not throw in a good night’s sleep, too?