A CUT ABOVE

Edward James is the only salon I’ve ever been to where you get a massage. I’m not talking about those precious few moments while you’re having your hair washed where a few hyper-sensitive hair follicles are tugged at (and it feels like the best thing ever). This was a full-blown muscle-melting shoulder, head and neck massage. And a glass of Champagne perched tantalisingly on the styling station in front – no Dry January here.

Shoulders loosened, I made my way over to the backwash where I had a Top Coat applied, which is left to soak in for about eight minutes and designed to increase shininess levels for around six weeks. I’m writing this a week later and have had a bit of a greasy hair situation in the interim (which I was warned about), but it’s starting to settle now. I’ll keep you updated on levels of shininess.

The salon itself is very pretty – think emerald-green walls, rows of twisting tree trunks and a vast squishy sofa with blue and white scatter cushions. And the staff can’t do enough – Luna was actually sick as soon as we walked through the door at they didn’t bat an eyelid, which I loved them for. This is a little beauty mecca in my old stomping ground on Northcote Road – a 10-minute walk from Clapham Junction – offering a lovely kind of hospitality and pampering that lifted a bleurgh January day.

Edward James is at 18 Northcote Road, London, SW11 1NX