These five treatments are guaranteed to perk up our mood every time

Alright, the so-called “most miserable day of the year” is set to be on the third Monday of January, and it’s coming. But, let us not premeditate glumness. Instead, let’s just plan to do something that makes us feel really, really good. For me, that’s buying a posh coffee, instead of going instant. It’s making a whole plate of potato wedges for tea. It’s ordering on ASOS (Klarna, obviously), and not filtering by ‘lowest to highest’. Oh, and it’s booking a treatment – or two – and kicking back in the salon for many hours. Join me?

By Rachel Spedding

• 1 Gel manicure

  A mani so strong, it will last straight through to February. Nails trimmed, shaped, and buffed, a few coats of polish will follow, before being cured under a UV lamp to keep the colour in place. Though the hand massage is most definitely my favourite bit of the manicure experience, looking down at glossy nails when typing at my keyboard feels darn fantastic. A guaranteed Monday boost, if you will. As for colour, I’m still indulging green, but dark burgundy seems to be the trend du jour (right, Meghan Markle?).
• 2 Head massage

  I believe there are very few stresses that a half an hour head massage cannot melt away. Aside from it just feeling really nice when someone rubs your head for a while, there are true benefits to indulging in a 30-min treatment. A head massage can help prevent migraines (and back pain), it can help to relieve insomnia and encourages hair growth. Your therapist will typically use oil during the treatment, and work pressure across the scalp. Your neck and shoulders are rarely left out, which makes for a kind of 2-4-1 experience. Kind of like a deal?! Dreams. ​
• 3 LVL

  Not that appearance matters (I’m just as content in a onesie and messy bun, as my fancy glad-rags and full face), but there’s something about tinting my naked eyelashes that does perk up my mood. Aside from blue mascara, LVL is the best advancement in lash-enhancing. During the treatment, lashes are curled against a ‘curling shield’ and coated in a bonding gel, then a lifting balm, which sits in place for around 15 minutes. A volumising fix follows, then a tint, and ta-da. Great eyelashes. For around 6 weeks.
• 4 Fresh trim

  There’s a little ‘Blue Monday’ in every salon trip – sitting back down in the chair, hair freshly washed, and looking into the mirror. Slick, reptilian, analysing every part of your face/life. Cut to 30 minutes later and you are restored as a glossy, well-trimmed individual, ready to take on the day. So many emotions for one hair trim, but, in summary, a trip to the hairdressers always leaves me feeling great. Whether it’s a change of colour, a dramatic cut, or just a bouncy blowdry, a good chat with the stylist and nice smelling hair is the ideal way to perk up a weekday. ​
• 5 Spa trip

  *With treatment included. It’s kind of a no-brainer that a spa visit would make you feel good. Reclining on a lounger, snuggling into a sleep pod, detoxing in the steam room, almost-napping during massage, afternoon tea. All of that makes me happy. You could book a whole spa day, and indulge 9-5, or make it a weekend trip. Take a friend, take a loved one, or go solo (it’s a real thing these days). Either way, if it’s a spa visit that gets you grinning from ear-to-ear, you should do it. Ta ta January blues. ​

  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.