In a world where shopping online from the comfort of your bed and next-day delivery are our best friends, it's no surprise that the beauty service industry has taken note. A growing number of salons are extending their opening hours to cater to our hectic schedules.
Having long been the norm in New York and Los Angeles, this open-all-hours culture is slowly making its way across the Atlantic. Treatwell, the online beauty salon booking service, sees 25% of all its weekday bookings take place after 7pm in London , with beauty clients in Manchester and Edinburgh also booking after-work appointments.
Fiona McIntosh, founder of Blow Ltd, explains the increasing demand: "With social media, selfie culture and digital dating now entrenched in British culture we need more flexibility, speed and professionalism in our beauty services. Convenience is crucial in the 24-hour culture we’re living in now." A report from 2007 found that the average British woman working full-time spends 40 hours in the office, 3.3 hours commuting and 23 hours doing domestic work per week, which leaves little time for TLC. Come party season, it gets even more difficult to squeeze in a blow-dry, manicure or lash lift.
Featuring a 24-hour salon (yes, really), late-night spas and a nail salon-cum-cocktail bar, read on to see our guide to the best after-hours beauty spots across the UK.
The Salon
Available 24 hours for appointments, The Salon, created by Neil Cornelius, is the first of its kind. Cornelius' impressive clientele includes royalty and A-list celebs, from the Duchess of Cambridge to Keira Knightley, so your tresses are in good hands. The idea behind the all-hours availability is to cater to our busy lives, whether you're a working mum who needs a blow-dry before the school run or a late-night appointment for an evening event. The Georgian townhouse salon boasts a generously stocked bar, an office dog and a playlist of tunes chosen by customers.
Open until: 8pm Monday-Friday, 24 hours on request
The Lounge Soho
With appointments available until 8pm on a weekday and 9pm on Thursday evenings, The Lounge Soho restructured their opening times to accommodate the needs of their loyal customer base. The team's decision was a simple one. "As we are based in the heart of Soho, a lot of our weekday clients work within or just outside the area. We were finding that female clients who wanted colour services with haircuts (that took an extended period of time) would not always want to come back into town on a Saturday but preferred coming after work. We are also in close proximity to Regent Street and Oxford Street, so big shopping destinations, so we were keen to mirror their extended hours so clients could have the full experience, shopping and pampering." Make sure to book in advance as the late-night openings have proven popular for the salon.
Open until: 8pm Tuesday-Friday; 9pm Thursday
The Paint Shop by Nails Inc. at Selfridges
One of 60 Nails Inc. Nail Bars in the UK, The Paint Shop at Selfridges is a firm favourite. The combination of statement nail art, extensive range of treatments and shades, and the convenience of indulging in a spot of retail therapy while you're there makes it a one-stop shop for last-minute Christmas gifts and party prep. Open until 10pm, manicures come with a complimentary massage and prosecco.
Open until: 10pm Monday-Saturday
Nailista City Centre
Opening until 8pm on a Thursday and Friday night, Nailista works around your weekend plans. We love the colourful decor and the huge choice of shades on offer – from cyber punk to Christmas-themed, they've got it all. If you're lacking in inspiration, take a look at our party-season nail design roundup here.
Open until: 8pm Thursday and Friday
Barn/it
Located in Manchester's city centre, Barn/it describes itself as a 'super salon' that covers all your beauty needs. Whether you're looking for a fabulous Brazilian blow-dry, HD brows or a pedicure, enjoy it in the salon's art deco-themed interior. Need more convincing? Have a peek at their Instagram for your next style inspo.
Open until: 9pm Thursday and Friday
Blow Ltd
Founder of Blow Ltd, Fiona McIntosh described her decision to open from 7am-8pm as a 'no-brainer': "How many times have you had an 8.30am or 9am meeting yet can’t find anywhere open? It was really important to us we created a business that worked around the lifestyles of busy women. That we could offer fast and premium beauty services wherever and whenever they needed them. So we can come to your home, or you can come into one of our beauty bars with bed hair and no makeup and in an hour you can walk out with a fabulous blow-dry and makeup looking and feeling the best you possibly can." The demand for these early-morning and late-night appointments is clear; they make up 30% of Blow Ltd's bookings.
Open until: 8pm Tuesday-Friday, 9pm Thursday
Herbert of Liverpool
One of the city's most popular hair salons, Herbert of Liverpool is the creation of celebrity hairdresser, Herbert Howe. They only open until 8pm on Thursday evenings but it is well worth booking an appointment. Located in the heart of Liverpool's city centre, the lavishly decorated salon boasts a team of staff with a combined 700 years of experience with hair, so you're in safe hands for a full head of colour, bouncy blow-dry or dramatic chop.
Open until: 8pm Thursday
The Spa at Suites Hotel
Late-night openings are not just confined to hair and nail salons; spas across the UK are offering more flexible opening times to fit around our busy lifestyles. Staying open until 8pm from Monday to Thursday, invest in some downtime during party season with a Decléor facial, aromatherapy hot stone massage or a spell in the Himalayan salt inhalation steam room.
Open until: 8pm Monday-Thursday
M.K Massage
Situated in Formby, M.K Massage is a bespoke massage service run by therapist and personal trainer, Megan Kelly. From deep tissue massages to targeted rehabilitation and an Elemis product range, it's one of the highest rated establishments in Liverpool on Treatwell. Open until 9pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Open until: 9pm Monday-Tuesday
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
The spa at Apex Waterloo Place Hotel offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets of Edinburgh. If you have a big weekend planned, why not take one night out of the week leading up to it for an Elemis treatment, full body massage, or shellac manicure. Closing at 9pm on weeknights, you'll have plenty of time to fit an appointment in after work.
Open until: 9pm Monday-Thursday, 8pm Friday
Zen Lifestyle Spa Hanover Street
One of two Zen Lifestyle Spas in the city, both opening from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Thursday. The Hanover Street branch offers a range of medical cosmetic procedures such as Botox and facelifts, alongside a brow bar, nail station and hair removal services. We love the modern, tranquil interior and wide range of treatments in this city centre spa.
Open until: 10pm Monday-Thursday
Ora Beauty
This quaint, cosy salon specialising in nails, tanning, waxing, brows and holistic therapy is perfect for a quick top-up if you're pressed for time. Open until 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, it's an intimate space to get yourself prepped for a Friday night on the tiles.
Open until: 8pm Mon- Thurs
19 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh EH10 4HN
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