Jo Hansford

When legendary colourist Jo Hansford closed her Mount Street premises, the neighbourhood blondes must have gone into meltdown. However, the ladies of Mayfair (including regular clients Gwyneth and Nigella) have nothing to worry about, at least in the hair department, as the closure was making way for a jumbo new flagship for this enduringly popular, consistently excellent hairdresser. While just a comb's throw from the old branch, the new salon is a different beast altogether. Set over two floors, it has shed the wooden cabinets of the old premises and had a bit of a makeover. If the old salon was a trusty bob, this new place is a highlighted, swingy new do with a few choppy layers. It's modern and glossy (with hair drying machines that look like they could put a man on the moon) but crucially it's not unapproachable or intimidating. Alongside the Elle mags, there are bound copies of OK magazine, and there is plenty of chatter and gossip on the floor even early on a mid-week morning. Mindful of the busy schedules of her clients (those Louboutins aren't going to buy themselves), the salon opens at 8.30am, and there is a brilliant menu of healthy, very fresh meals made in the in-house kitchen so you can eat while you're treated. Fabulous manicures (from £40) can be applied during your cut/colour (from £75), and there are beauty rooms downstairs for a full programme of facials.