Of the one who turns the corner between luxury beauty salon and a super-professional podiatrist, to a super-luxurious spa where you can take a dip afterwards. These are our favorite places for a perfect pedicure — all tried and tested.
For the ultimate gel pedicure
If you’re a fan of the long-lasting benefits of a gel pedicure or manicure, you’ve no doubt heard of BIAB™ (Builder in a Bottle), made by The GelBottle Inc. You can use the brand’s salon locator to book an appointment at a convenient location to freshen up with the vegan, cruelty-free shades. For an after-work appointment, I had a quick but super relaxing treatment at the gorgeous Urban Retreat (18-19 Long Ln, Barbican, EC1A 9PL). Marble basins with rose gold fittings and elevated comfy chairs made it feel super luxe. My brilliant technician shaped my nails perfectly, buffed and exfoliated my feet (without tickling me like I’m usually afraid to), and gave them a generous squirt of moisture to top it all off. My tired feet looked the freshest they’d ever looked.
197 New King's Road, Chelsea. 0203 866 4569
Salon atmosphere: Blush and Blow is decorated in beautiful pastel colours, with a lovely calm atmosphere perfect for a Saturday afternoon pedicure. The luxury gel pedicure includes a relaxing foot bath, scrub and massage, before the CND Shellac gel colour is applied. Great staff, great setting and honestly my toes have never looked better.
Bulgari Hotel
171 Knightsbridge, SW7 1DW, 0207 151 1010
Treatment booked: Gel pedicure, price on request
This 2000m² spa is a super-luxurious oasis in the heart of Knightsbridge. The staff are experienced, friendly and attentive. Pedicure take place in the salon area with a good selection of refreshments to enjoy whilst you sit back and relax in the very comfortable mani-pedi chair. The time flew by as I chatted to my wonderful beautician. He took great care in shaping my nails to my liking including cuticle care and callus removal. The OPI polish resulted in a smooth, shiny finish. I felt truly pampered when I left. It is worth spending some time before or after your pedicure for a dip in the pool. Lined with textured Vicenza stone, it is the pièce de résistance of the spa.
Locations in Angel, Victoria, Canary Wharf, Clapham, Leicester Square, Marble Arch and Putney
Treatment booked: Top-notch gel polish pedicure, £68
Pedicures at London Grace’s bright and airy nail salons are dry-only – meaning germ haters don’t have to worry about bacteria-breeding water baths, eco-conscious types can rest easy knowing London Grace saves over 100 litres of water a week, and your feet will still walk away feeling smooth and finished with a fine shellac or nail polish. Your feet may stay dry, but your evening doesn’t have to be – each location has a fully stocked bar serving coffee, cocktails and even champagne.
31 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, 020 7499 5245
Treatment booked: Manicure Non-Toxic Gel Pedicure, £92
Rumored to be Meghan Markle’s favorite beauty salon, it was located on Mayfair’s Berkeley Street, just across the park from Clarence House and Buckingham Palace. The location is definitely A-list worthy. The atmosphere inside is relaxed, friendly and unpretentious. I had the Haute Pedicure, which to my delight included a heavenly foot massage with wax to soften my feet. My nails were trimmed and filed, cuticles were cared for and horrible, hard skin was buffed away.
With thanks to Margaret Dabbs London
7 New Cavendish Street, Marylebone, 020 7487 5510
Treatment booked: Medical Pedicure, from £90
Sore? Bumpy? Drier than the Atacama? If these are the best words to describe the state of your feet, then you’ll want to (sorry) get to Margaret Dabbs ASAP. Straddling the line between luxury beauty salon and super-professional podiatrist, Margaret Dabbs clinics (located in Marylebone, Notting Hill and Liberty’s) are the gold standard when it comes to medical pedicures. You’ll spend the first half of your treatment sitting with a podiatrist in a white coat as she scalps and softens your feet, then you’ll hop (light as air!) into the beautician’s chair where she paints with precision. You’re guaranteed to leave feeling truly healed and with a pain-free spring in your step.
Treatment booked: Shellac Pedicure, £85
Dry By is split over two floors, so if you need a blow-dry, you can easily kill two birds with one stone in the hair salon on the top floor. However, downstairs is where the manicure and pedicure is located and it is a refined and elegant space with marble decoration. The pedicure department is located in the cozy corner of the room with a large chair and a pregnancy pillow for each person that is so comfortable you could easily fall asleep. I opted for the signature pedicure with all the bells and whistles. The experience starts with a shaping, followed by a foot scrub and ends with the actual painting with CND Shellac. The salon has a vibrant atmosphere with extremely friendly staff.
115-117 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 8UR – 020 3725 2777
Treatment booked: Ultimate cowshed
The Cowshed Primrose Hill, one of five London branches of the Soho House spa group, feels like a real escape. The salon is light and rustic with its white panelling and plush armchairs. The Ultimate Cowshed is a real treat with all the amenities included: bath, exfoliation, mask, foot massage and polish. You even get a head and shoulder massage while the mask works its magic. With a café next door, you can enjoy a cup of tea and a croissant while your toes are being painted. I walked out on a cloud, my feet softer than they had been in months and a week later my nails looked as good as new.