We’re all busy. Between the meetings, the socialising, the episodes of Great British Bake Off, squeezing in ‘you’ time is rarely the priority. That’s why lunchtime beauty treatments – or ‘express’ as we call them – are a true miracle. You can make time for a treatment, and everything else too. A snappy beauty fix, without the guilt, and room for a sandwich should you wish. It’s time for us to tilt that work/life balance a little more in our direction when the lunch hour swings around.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Nails
Because you want your nails to look f-a-b, but can’t sacrifice an hour after work. The express manicure is super speedy and ensures your nails look tip-top. A cuticle tidy, shape and polish are the usual elements of the mini mani. Swift as it gets. As for gel nails, that’s picked up its pace too, so you can squeeze in an appointment with the strong stuff on your lunch break.
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2 Wax
Let’s be honest, one does not wish to linger on this treatment. The time taken during your appointment will always depend on the body area, but a skilled professional will be able to carry out a brow, leg, arm or a simple bikini wax in 40 minutes or under. So you can slide out the salon, super smooth, and leave your evening free for important plans. Like napping.
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3 Hair
Taking chop, chop to a whole new level. A haircut will take around thirty minutes, usually skipping the ‘wash’ part. As for a styling trip, express stylists have perfected the art of the blowdry to 45 minutes (or less), so you can get back to that conference call post-salon – yay… More volume, good shape, less time – that’s our kind of efficiency.
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4 Facial
An express, or mini, facial will carry out most of the same procedures as its full-length cousin, but at an accelerated pace (usually skipping spa amenities, like steaming or massage). You could go CACI on your lunch break for a real hydration kick. Cleansed, toned, exfoliated, moisturised – for a burst of really good skin – in 30 minutes, tops. Head back to the office with a newfound glow and a smug little grin.
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5 Massage
Like relaxation, on demand. No lengthy spa visit, or comfy robe required, just a burst of restoration to refresh midday: 30 minutes of tailored knot-kneading is what you need on your lunch break. Hunt out a salon near the office and you’ll be melting back into your office chair in no time (some venues – like Cucumba – allow you to select your massage based on time rather than type – ideal).
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6 Eyes
For brows, try threading. Removing individual hairs from the follicle (unlike waxing, which gets the skin involved too), you’ll experience minimal redness, and a precise shape – in ten minutes, maximum. As for lashes, a tint is super swift with a real transformative effect. Deepened in colour (and lifted, if you go LVL), head to the salon sans mascara and you’ll be heading back to the office with wide-awake eyes and enviable lashes.
With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover amazing salons in your area for your next wax.
FAQs
How long does an express manicure or gel nail appointment take?
You can expect an express manicure or gel nail treatment to be very quick, fitting easily into a lunch break. A mini mani includes a cuticle tidy, shape, and polish, and gel nails have also become faster, so you can have your nails done with plenty of time to spare.
How quickly can you get a waxing treatment during lunch?
A brow, leg, arm or simple bikini wax can be completed in 40 minutes or under by a skilled professional. This means you can have smoother skin and still keep your evening free for anything else you have planned.
How much time do you need for a haircut or blowdry?
A haircut usually takes around thirty minutes when the wash part is skipped, while an express blowdry can be done in 45 minutes or less. Both options let you get back to work quickly while enjoying more volume and a refreshed style.
What does an express facial include and how long does it take?
An express or mini facial covers most key steps like cleansing, toning, exfoliating, and moisturising in 30 minutes or less. The process skips spa amenities such as steaming or massage, so you can leave with glowing skin and get back to the office on time.
How fast can you get your brows threaded or lashes tinted?
Brow threading takes a maximum of ten minutes and offers precise shaping with minimal redness. A lash tint is also a quick choice, giving a noticeable colour boost and making your lashes look lifted—perfect for a lunchtime transformation.