The 12-hour beach blitz

You have booked a last-minute trip, but with a pasty, cellulite-riddled body, feet that haven't seen a pedicure in a year and a bikini line that you'd rather not display in public, how are you ever going to find the time to get into swimwear shape?

The good news is that London is one of the best places to get a bikini-blitz. From a machine that gives you a total workout in 12 minutes to the celebrities' favourite waxer, here is all you need to know to get beach-beautiful in 12 hours flat - whatever your budget.

Wax work

First Class: Take a tip from Claudia Schiffer, Gwyneth Paltrow and even, it's rumoured, Madonna, and pay a visit to Arezoo Kaviani. She has been practising for 14 years and works from a private address in Knightsbridge. If you're feeling really daring you could try her latest invention, the Playboy wax, at £65. "Basically it's where you have everything off," explains Kaviani. Call 07768 903090 for appointments.

Economy: Pop in to Daniel Galvin's salon at 58-60 George Street, W1, for a bikini wax (£20), or a full-monty Hollywood wax (£35). Call 020 7486 8601.

Lashings of class

First Class: There will be no need to worry about your mascara running if you visit Vaishaly Patel for a lash perm and tint (£80). Favourite beauty therapist of Cherie Blair, Nigella Lawson and Naomi Campbell, Patel uses a special perming gel that lasts for around six weeks. Vaishaly Patel, 51 Paddington Street, W1 (020 7224 6088).

Economy: Body Shop Green Rooms offer lash tinting from £11 at 12 salons in and around the capital. Call 020 8940 4073 for details.

Condemned cellulite

First Class: Billed as the "pyromaniac of fat-burning treatments", Hypoxi-Therapy costs £50 for 30 minutes and involves cycling on an exercise bike that is encased, along with the lower half of your body, in a low-pressure pod. Club Kensington, 201-207 Kensington High Street, W8 (020 7937 5386). For further information visit www.hypoxitraining.com.

Economy: CACI International's ECM treatment, from £30, targets the hip, bottom and thigh area. Inch loss and improved tone are detectable after just one session. Call 020 8731 5678 for salons.

A final firm-up

First Class: The new Power Plate exercise machine, which uses vibration therapy, claims to offer an exceptional workout in just 12 minutes. Jonathan Ross, Gaby Logan, Ivana Trump and Les Ferdinand are all said to be fans. Our tester, Victoria Green, says her stomach definitely looked more toned the day after her session at David Lloyd Leisure, 116 Cromwell Road, SW7. Sessions cost around £30 a time. Call 020 8450 8777 for gyms using Power Plate or go to www.power-plate.com.

Economy: Resistance bands are a great way to tone and firm the whole body. Dyna band, £9.95 (call 01494 764802 or visit www.dynaband.co.uk for stockists), works wonders if you use it at least three times a week.

Head start

First Class: Charles Worthington's deluxe conditioning treatment (£18) combined with a head-and-scalp-massage (£21) will protect your hair from the ravages of sun and sea.

Economy: Try a Power Mask conditioner (£15) from Cobella Akqa, 5 Kensington High Street, W8 (020 7937 8888).

Best foot forward

First Class: An LCN pedicure, £75, at Beauchamp Foot and Bodycare, 41 Beauchamp Place, SW3 (020 7225 0794), is finished with a coat of resin that will guarantee your toes stay gorgeous for at least a fortnight. LCN products and treatments: 0870 770 8171.

Economy: Not Just Nails at Oriel Court, 12 Heath Street, NW3 (020 7435 1199), offers a Calgel pedicure with a resin overlay from £40.

Browned off

First Class: Everyone looks better with a tan. HQ Hair & Beauty's Fantasy Mist-on Tan, £35, takes about 40 minutes to apply and looks natural. HQ, 2 New Burlington Street, W1 (0871 220 4141).

Economy: Victoria Beckham and Cat Deeley are big fans of St Tropez tan (£20) from high street stores.