Getting ready for an event or a night out can be time-consuming, stressful and a bit of a palaver. With hair, make-up, spray tans and manicures to juggle, some prefer to pay others to do all the hard work.
Secret Spa is a company which visits your home and gets you looking tip-top for that party, wedding or soiree. Some of its most famous clients include Amanda Holden, Tommy Fury, Vogue Williams, Michelle Visage and Radio 1 presenter Molly King.
Launched into Manchester and Altrincham in 2021, it's also expanding its luxury services to Cheshire and Brighton. Speaking about the expansion, Annie Ramrachia, general manager of Secret Spa, said: “We used lockdown to ensure everything would be perfect in the new locations and it was vital that the marketing around this would be the same standard."
Ahead of Oh Polly's fashion show earlier this year, Rachel Pugh, fashion, beauty, money and shopping editor of the Manchester Evening News, travelled down to London and tried the service out for herself. And she declared it left her feeling like one of the Real Housewives of Cheshire.
She recalled: "The weather was awful, meaning my train was quite drastically delayed, and I arrived at my hotel windswept (that's putting it politely), and with only an hour to go before the show started. It's safe to say I was STRESSED.
"Luckily, my Secret Spa hair and make-up team were waiting in the lobby for me, and when I explained the situation, they were ready to spring into action and make things happen. Unfortunately, because my train had been so delayed the MUA (make-up artist) who had been assigned to do my nails had to dash off to another appointment. It was disappointing, but totally understandable.
"As soon as we got up into my bedroom we laid out all the tools necessary and got cracking. My team worked together to consult me on the best and most time-efficient look we could achieve given the time constraints we were facing.
"I showed my make-up artist and hair stylist my outfit, and we decided on a Hollywood glam look. Both artists got to work on the same time, and I felt like I was living a scene from the Real Housewives franchise (that's my dream, so I was very happy)."
Rachel said the whole process took around 45 minutes. Her hair was perfectly coiffed within 20 minutes with make-up sorted 20 minutes later.
"Throughout the process my MUA asked me if there were any particular products or brands I preferred, and catered to my preferences as much as possible," said Rachel. "She had a good selection of products, and I was impressed to see brands like B.Perfect, Fenty Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury and Kevin Aucoin in her bag of tricks.
"The overall experience wasn't as relaxing as I'd have liked, but given the circumstances, it got the job done. It's not the cheapest thing in the world, but you do get more of a VIP service in the comfort of your own home (or hotel) if that's what you're after. And if you're stuck for time or can't get away from the kids, it's ideal."
You can see the full range of Secret Spa services available in your area here. Prices for a blow dry in Manchester start at £27 and glam make-up at £40.
