When it comes to the best new beauty salons in London, there’s only one person to ask: Alessandra Steinherr. From cutting-edge, science-driven treatments at the new Dr Sebagh clinic in Marylebone to facial massage with The Skin Sculpter, aka Guendalina Gennari, and bespoke laser sessions with skin machine queen Keren Bartov, our Beauty Director has tried them all. Here’s Alex’s guide to the super salons and clinic openings in London to know and the best facials for real results.
Dr Sebagh
Chandos House, 2 Queen Anne Street, Marylebone, London W1G 9LQ
When Dr Sebagh and his team announced they were opening a new HQ in W1, it was sure to impress as one of the best new beauty salons in London. The cosmetic doctor and anti-ageing expert has a global reputation for his next-gen aesthetics as well as his science-driven skincare, setting a standard for the industry. He won’t name names – he’s the definition of discreet – but his clients include supermodels, actors and members of royal families around the world. Indeed, there are VIP waiting rooms for the A-listers at the brand’s new home and flagship London clinic, Chandos House. Set in the heart of Marylebone, on Queen Anne Street, the 18th-century townhouse has been beautifully renovated, with walls painted in a soft pastel palette and the Georgian period features exquisitely restored. It feels more like a five-star hotel than London’s latest beauty spot.
Dr Sebagh and his team of doctors are based on the 2nd floor and it’s here that clients can experience non-surgical anti-ageing and ‘ageing maintenance’ procedures for the face and body. These might include the New Vertical 3D Thread Lifting treatment, Lanluma – an injectable polymer for full body restoration – or PRF, a treatment which takes the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) facial to another level. In addition, there are seven treatment rooms, where clients book in for Dr Sebagh Signature and Supreme facials, as well as a range of holistic facial treatments. Most of what’s on offer has been purposely designed for a fast turnaround time, the idea being you can pop into Chandos House during your lunch break and be done within the hour.
I’m here for the brand new and exclusive Ultralift Facial aka the ‘Glass Skin Facial’, which promises to visibly lift, tighten and sculpt the face (£300 for 60 minutes). The treatment combines the use of high-intensity ultrasound technology with the application of Dr Sebagh products. It starts with a double cleanse, followed by an exfoliation – Evi, my facialist, mixes the Dr Sebagh Vitamin C Powder Cream with the Deep Exfoliating Mask, so it’s extra brightening and smoothing. Then she uses the Ultralift machine over my face, which sends pulses deep under my skin to tighten muscles, increase blood flow and stimulate collagen production. They do warn you that it can be a little uncomfortable and my pain threshold is quite low, so I just had the ultrasound around my cheeks and jawline. What I will say is that this is definitely a results-driven facial, don’t expect a passive, relaxing treatment. Immediately afterwards I look 100% snatched – my cheekbones are lifted; my jaw is tighter and a lot more defined. It’s really impressive and I would absolutely recommend this treatment, especially before an event or a wedding. It definitely delivers.
The hero product:
Dr Sebagh Pure Vitamin C Powder Cream (£88) is a cult classic for a reason. It’s an antioxidant powerhouse, helping to fight free radicals such as UV rays, environmental pollution and stress. The small test-tube vials are filled with a stabilised powder, which turns into a cream when applied to skin, for a plumping radiance boos.
Keren Bartov
25 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2EU
Keren is a very well-known facial therapist from Israel, who has been in the industry for more than 17 years. As adept at tackling acne, scarring and rosacea as she is ageing, she’s built up quite a following (actress Gal Gadot and model Bar Refaeli are clients, the former referring to Bartov as her “face’s best friend”). Now that client list looks set to grow, with Bartov recently opening a salon in Notting Hill, which has fast become one of the best facial clinics in London.
The best therapists know their machines and what to use when – Keren is an expert. Immediately after my treatment, I look super glowy, fresh and my skin feels lifted. Over the course of my visits with Keren, she’s also been working on some mild but stubborn hyperpigmentation that I’ve got. Hyperpigmentation is a long-term issue and I’ve started seeing some impressive results where I’ve never been able to see results before. As with anything, it’s important to keep it up and Keren asks to see you every six weeks. But that doesn’t mean you have the same treatment at every appointment; she will see where your skin’s at and what you need at that point in time.
The hero product:
Keren has her own skincare brand and I use the Keren Bartov Advance Skin Repair Serum (£160) a few days after my treatment, once my skin has settled. As well as protecting and deeply moisturising, it’s incredibly soothing and my skin looks radiant and bright, plus it’s beautiful to apply under makeup.
Royal Fern at The Lanesborough
Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7TA
The Lanesborough has a new spa partner Royal Fern, and it’s the only place in London where you can have the Signature Royal Fern Treatment (£240 for 90 minutes). I am a huge fan of Royal Fern; formulated by dermatologist Dr Timm Golueke, the German brand is entirely plant-based, centring around the anti-aging and antioxidant properties of the fern plant.
During the treatment, they use a series of Royal Fern products according to your skin type, combined with facial massage. What is really cool, however, is that they complement this with sculpting microcurrent and EMS technology, which works to lift and firm the facial muscles. They do this in two ways – with the traditional wand, but also the therapist wears sculpting microcurrent gloves. It’s like having a gently buzzing massage and it gives beautiful lymphatic drainage on the face, neck and chest. That’s what makes this treatment so special, it really depuffs and gets rid of excess fluid, leaving my skin visibly lifted and really fresh-looking.
The hero product:
The Phytoactive Skin Perfecting Essence (£85) is a watery essence, which you use after cleansing before the next step in your skincare. It works on all skin types to gently exfoliate and moisturise, leaving pores reduced and a smoother, softer, more even-toned complexion.
The Skin Sculpter
112 Talbot Road, Notting Hill, London W11 1JR
Guendalina Gennari, also known as The Skin Sculpter, is a classically trained facialist and massage therapist, whose new salon is in Notting Hill. Though she does have a few tools, Guendalina is famous for her ‘Sculptural Face Lift’; an incredible facial massage technique which works on lymphatic drainage, muscle oxygenation and collagen stimulation to tighten and sculpt the skin, and give it a glow. She also does buccal massage which involves massaging the facial muscles, but from the inside of the mouth. You definitely feel like you’ve had a proper facial workout.
I have the bespoke Advanced Facial (£345 for 90 minutes with Guendalina) which, after a consultation, includes her Sculptural Face Lift, as well as extractions, exfoliation, hydration, a mask, LED light with oxygen and a session with the radiofrequency machine if required. This is a really good treatment to take all the puffiness out of the face, and my eyes and jaw area are definitely less puffy afterwards and my skin feels instantly plumper and firmer.
The hero product:
Guendalina uses different brands in her treatments including the BioEffect EGF Power Serum (£165), which she sells in the salon. It’s a beautiful hydrating serum that contains barley to strengthen and protect the skin barrier, as well as hyaluronic acid for a deep hit of hydration.
