A vintage year for beauty

Call it the latest trend, call it the recession and a desire for tradition, but retro beauty has hit the big time in London.

Salons with a vintage-inspired service menu and a décor to match are popping up all over the city, and getting the perfect "finger wave" has never been easier.

"There's a big culture of going to Blitz parties and joining secret silver screen film societies at the moment," says Katie Reynolds, who set up the Powder Room at-home service for women wanting retro pamper parties in 2005, before opening her own salon in Shoreditch this year.

And men are reverting to traditional barber services: the City gent can once again get a wet shave and a shoeshine on his way to work.

From heated rollers to the ultimate wet shave, we visited London's top retro salons for service with vintage style.

THE FORTIES UP-DO AT NINA'S VINTAGE AND RETRO

Retro vibe: Pink hairdryers, check. Black and white tiled floor, check.
Photographs of Marilyn Monroe, Glenn Miller playing in the background, check. The parlour is so authentic, I feel like I've just entered a time warp.
The treatment: In the capable hands of stylist Leila Mauro (who sports a platinum beehive and blood-red lips everyday and has a boyfriend who's a Mod), I settle back to receive an authentic Veronica Lake "wave".
As I chat to a burlesque performer called Trixie on my left, Leila creates a strong side parting, works the top section of my hair into heated rollers and tongs the underneath into softer curls.
Ten minutes later, the rollers are removed, a hefty spritz of TRESemmé Freeze Hold Hairspray applied and the transformation is so authentically 1940s that I hardly recognise myself.
Verdict: The old-fashioned pink phone rings constantly as testimony to the salon's popularity among stylists, film producers, music industry experts (they've worked with Kylie's team) and anyone who's attending a retro-themed party. A hidden city gem.
Cost: Styling by Leila, £40. Also available: cut, colour and a range of beauty treatments and classes. At Alfie's Antiques Market, NW8; 020 7723 1911, www.ninasvintageandretrohair.com
Bella Blissett

THE DITA MAKEOVER AT THE POWDER ROOM

Retro vibe: Owner Katie offers "high-end affordable beauty".
It's like entering a 1950s boudoir — Parisian prints and vintage mirrors adorn the walls and fairy cakes tempt from tiered stands. Powder Puff girl Helen — clad in pink 1950s uniform — greeted me with tea and biscuits.
The treatment: Helen applied a thin layer of Paul & Joe's Moisturising Primer (£20), followed by a light cream (£25) to even out the skin.
She worked brown eyeshadow (P&J Palette, £28) onto the edges of my eye socket with a Japonesque brush before sweeping light brown powder across my brows, defining the arches.
She added a half set of Japonesque false lashes — optional extra — and, using Diane Brill's Black Star Lace Liquid Eyeliner, drew a thin line along the tops of my lids.
Finally she layered P&J mascara on my top lashes, dusted my cheeks with blusher (P&J, 001, £15) and painted on Diane Brill lipstick in Red Seam (£18.50).
Overall retro experience: I was in and out in 20 minutes. Dita is a good person to imitate when recreating retro beauty and paying at the old metal cash register just adds to the experience.
Cost: Dita, £15; eyelashes, £10. 136 Columbia Road, E2; 020 7729 1365, www.thepowderpuffgirls.com
Victoria Stewart

MURDOCK

Retro vibe: Murdock is a male grooming concern that aims for an Edwardian hipster vibe popularised by The Chap magazine and those who sport ironic moustaches. The original branch is in Shoreditch, another is in Mayfair and there is one in the basement of Liberty, which is where I went, looking unkempt.
The treatment: I recently sprouted a beard that needed some topiary. "You don't want it too neat; I always think that looks a bit Greek," said my cheerful barber before slicing it into a shape befitting a fashionable gent, making expert use of a cut-throat razor.
He first gave me a facial, with various concoctions of patchouli and amber. To finish, he doused me in cologne, shined my shoes and — my favourite bit — equipped me with a glass of single malt.
Overall retro experience: Highly pleasurable — would make a topping gift (they do vouchers). And so convincing, I was taken aback by the presence of automobiles when I emerged onto Marlborough Street. They seem to have caught on!
Cost: Traditional shave, £35, Liberty, W1; 020 7573 9417, www.murdocklondon.com
Richard Godwin

BEST RETRO BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Eyes: The Balm's No Money, No Honey Overshadow goes over the top of regular eye shadow to create an after-work shimmer. £14; www.harveynichols.com
Lips: Chanel's Rouge Allure in Lover has the depth of colour for the perfect classic red lip. £21.50; 020 7493 3836
Body: The Banana shampoo and conditioner from The Body Shop's re-introduced 80s Originals range will envelop you in nostalgia. £3 each, www.thebodyshop.co.uk (from 22 October)
Anti-ageing: Soap & Glory's Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Serum revives the complexion and adds humour to your beauty regime; £12.99, www.boots.com
If the fragrance doesn't entice you, imagine the bottle on your dressing table. £61.50; www.harveynichols.com