Top 5: Ways to Improve Your Week in LondonBy Angelica Malin

I love Christmas. The only thing I love more than Christmas, is the excuse to do a spot of pre-Christmas pampering. Because nothing says ‘festive vibes’ like a sparkly manicure and overly quaffed hair, right? If you’re looking for ways to put a smile on someone’s (read: your own) face, then here’s 5 brilliant ways to improve your week in London. It’s time to balance out all those planned mince pies with a spot of Vinyasa flow:

1. For Reformer Pilates: Studio One Islington

What: A new fitness studio you’ll totally love. Situated between vibrant Islington and Kings Cross, Studio One was created by real people to inspire a long term healthy lifestyle within the pressures of city life. They strive to break down the barriers to a healthy lifestyle – combining Reformer Pilates, yoga, boxing, barre and suspension training to reach any fitness goal.

Why: You’ll love their Reformer Pilates class – the small classes and experienced teachers make Studio One Islington an inspiring place to learn. You will receive personal attention to ensure not only that you are confident with the machines, but also the exercises ensuring your progress and helping to achieve your fitness goals. If you’re more advanced, the Dynamic Total Body Work Out will have you sweaty and lean in no time – more intense than mat-based Pilates, this workout will leave a serious smile on your face.

Price: First class £10, see all prices and memberships here

Where: 237 Caledonian Rd, London N1 1ED

2. For a Bright Smile: High Gloss Diamond Polish at Smilepod

What: If you’re worried about stained teeth, this is the treatment for you. The treatment couldn’t be easier – High Gloss Diamond Polish is a very accessible service, with no hassle of waiting for a dental check-up first. The teeth are so clean, it looks like they’ve been whitened – the treatment deep scales and cleans your teeth, making you feel all brand new.

Why:  Smilepod is renowned across London for teeth cleaning and oral hygiene – one treatment here, and you’ll know why. For fabulous teeth cleaning, which delivers outstanding cosmetic results, the High Gloss Diamond Polish is for you. You’ll walk out feeling a million dollars, and won’t be able to stop smiling ear to ear like a Cheshire chat. Seriously.

Price: £89

Where: Locations here

3. For At-Home Yoga: Yogi2Me

What: Yogi2Me is an amazing start-up in the well-tech industry, that focuses on providing users with top quality yoga teachers straight to their door. The idea behind Yogi2Me was the realisation that yoga beginners and experienced practitioners alike had to fit to a studio schedule or to their teacher’s schedule for private classes. Now through Yogi2Me, users can access a leading pool of yoga teachers throughout London at their convenience.

Why: For ease – choose your preferred type of yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin or pregnancy, and get a feel for instructors from watching short video clips online. Whether its sun-salutations at sunrise or helping insomnia with a restorative practice, you can experience world class private lessons at their home, office or hotel room. Yogi2Me teachers have been hand picked for their experience, ability to teach yoga and personality.

Price: Private lessons from £60.00

Where: At home – book here!

4. For Swishy Locks: Tatiana Karelina Hair Extensions

What: If you’re looking for some of the best hair extensions in London, then look no further. Tatiana Karelina offers professional luxury hair extensions, made of the finest Russian hair – choice of micro rings or clip-in extensions in their London and Manchester 5 star salons.

Why: The micro ring technique is the smallest and most undetectable non-glue hair extension technique available, which combines strands of natural hair with the extension hair using tiny copper rings. There’s no glue, adhesive or keratin bonds involved so there is no excessive force applied during removal and therefore no damage. And, unlike glued-in extensions, 100% of hair can be re-used again and again. The salon are experts in texture and colour blending, making sure the extensions look as realistically as possible, and no-one will notice – not even you!

Price: All information here

Where: 33 Holland St, Kensington W8 4LX

5. For a Fresh Manicure: London Grace

What: London Grace is an award-winning concept that combines a nail bar, independent coffee shop and cocktail bar to create a social beauty experience. Following the success of their Putney and Clapham High Street locations, London Grace are opening a third store in Leicester Square this month. London Grace is all about high quality nail treatments; their own-brand polish promotes happy, healthy nails, the formula is free from the usual nasties. The salon is about more than just nails, too. You can order from their bar menu of locally sourced food and drink, from the fantastic coffee, roasted by Ozone Coffee in Shoreditch, to the gin and vodka from Sipsmith in Chiswick. Guests particularly enjoy taking advantage of the daily Lacquer & Liquor offer, with 2-for-1 cocktails between 5-6pm alongside any treatment booked.

Why: Located at 11 West Street, the store will be a welcome alternative for those in Central London who are used to battling their way through department store crowds in the name of a decent manicure. Friends can even book a treatment table together, where they can catch up over coffee or cocktails whilst a dedicated nail technician pampers them. With late night openings (until as late as 10pm on Thursdays & Fridays) and timed treatments, it’s easy to book an appointment around any busy lifestyle. Win.

Price: Treatments from £9

Where: 11 West Street, London, WC2H 9NE

And one for luck…

6. For Easy Health: Fitty London

What: Fitty London is a surprise monthly fitness box that’s fuelling the city’s sweat game. Their mission is to help make the world a healthier, sexier place – the monthly fitness box lets you discover the hottest fitness foods and workout products, from protein powders and superfoods to resistance bands and muscle rubs. We love.

Why: It’s great if you want to discover the latest nutritional foods and workout products to power and replenish, without having to spend hours in Whole Foods. They do the hard work to collate amazing products you wouldn’t normally find. Expect all kinds of brands, from the big boys that grace the health shop shelves down to the small start-ups you haven’t heard of – yet. All packaged in our iconic box and delivered to your doorstep. And the best part: it’s a complete surprise until you open it. Surprise!

Price: From £29