Need to get your glam on in Manchester? No problem. From 9 minute braids on King Street, to on point blow-dries in The Northern Quarter, to speedy contouring and fashion-forward manicures in Hale Barns; this city is packed full of salons waiting to transform you. Our Editorial Director Liz Hambleton shares her personal edit of Manchester’s best beauty spots and the treatments you need to know about in each.
Explore beauty bars in Manchester
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1 Red Angel Salon
Best for: an afterwork hairover
Slap bang in my favourite part of Manchester city centre, King Street, you can roll out of this salon and into any number of great bars and resturants. I popped in with not much time to spare and discovered their high-speed hair service, the style station. Here I got to choose from nine different hair styles, all of which can be whipped up in nine minutes, and cost, yep you guessed it, a mere £9. I decided to go for the Wandwave, a tousled, backcombed number but next time i'll be trying Spellbound – a half up, hair bow affair that's as pretty as it is quick to do.
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2 Opium
Best for: head to toe glam
This salon is about as glamourous as it gets. Owned by Ampika Pickston, star of ITV's The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, every inch is dedicated to creating that lavish, luxurious Cheshire look. The treatment list is as impressive as the interiors and with an hour to transform myself, i'm spolit for choice. Personal highlights include tanning by Vita Liberata (The secret weapon of the A-list) a contouring workshop, full make-up application with false lashes, gel nails with glitter overlay (So cooll) and a bespoke hair up service. If you've got longer than an hour to get ready, I'd recommend booking in for a quickie, non surgical Caci face lift and a High Definition brow-over.
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3 Preened & Polished
Best for: high impact nails
Now, call me fussy but i'm quite particular about manicures and pedicures. I like the seats to be comfortable, I need a precision paint job, I only wear a very specific shade of red, every scrap of dry skin needs to be expertly removed and both must be accompanied by a soothing refelxology massage. I'd heard great things about this salon and i'm pleased to say my Preened & Polished mani & pedi ticked all the boxes. Other need to knows about this gem of a salon include their quick fix relaxation packages (Great before a big night out or if you're short on time) and 30 minute good to glow Microdermabrasion facials.
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4 Body Northern Quarter
Best for: an emergency grooming session
This place is a grooming-obsessives paradise. You can be waxed from head to toe (Literally) get a new set of silk eyelashes, have a spray tan and even squeeze in a spot of teeth whitening. The edit of treamtents is clever and concise, you'll find several results-driven facials and body treatments here, but the emphasis is firmly on getting, and staying well groomed. I booked in for a set of silk lashes and was impressed by the skillful application and finished look. If, after all that grooming you fancy a little something extra, bling up with a new ear or nose piercing.
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5 Spa Santori
Best for: putting your party face on
If I could send my face to Spa Santori every Friday night i'd be a very happy, and a very glamourous girl. They know exactly how to get you looking and feeling your best no matter how hard a week you've had. I visited the spa after a week of serious deadlines and late night laptop action, my skin was grey, dull and tired when I needed it to be glowing, plump and radiant. One Transdermal Infusion Facial and a make-over later and boom; glowing, plump and radiant it was. If you haven't heard of a Transdermal Infusion Facial then it's best described as a facial that pushes high level antioxidents, vitamins and hydrating ingredients deep into the skin using a current. Effects are instant but last for weeks. This treatment followed by a natural, glow-giving make-up application makes for a great pre-party combination.
FAQs
How quickly can you get your hair styled at Red Angel Salon?
You can choose from nine hairstyles and have your hair styled in just 9 minutes at Red Angel Salon. Each style costs £9 and the salon is conveniently located on King Street for a quick transformation before a night out or event.
What treatments can you try at Opium for a glamorous look?
Opium offers a range of luxury services like Vita Liberata tanning, a contouring workshop, full make-up application with false lashes, gel nails with glitter overlay, and a bespoke hair up service. If you have extra time, you can also book a Caci face lift or High Definition brow-over.
Which salon offers quick relaxation packages and expert manicures?
Preened & Polished is known for its quick fix relaxation packages and precision manicure and pedicure services. You can also enjoy a soothing reflexology massage and a 30-minute Microdermabrasion facial for glowing skin.
What grooming services can you get at Body Northern Quarter?
At Body Northern Quarter, you can be waxed from head to toe, receive silk eyelash extensions, get a spray tan, or try teeth whitening. The salon also offers results-driven facials and body treatments, with the option to add an ear or nose piercing for extra flair.
How does the Transdermal Infusion Facial at Spa Santori work?
The Transdermal Infusion Facial uses a current to push high level antioxidants, vitamins and hydrating ingredients deep into your skin. Results are instant and last for weeks, providing a glowing, plump, and radiant complexion. This treatment pairs perfectly with a natural, glow-giving make-up application for pre-party prep.