Party season pit-stops

There's nothing like Christmas to send you into a whirl. You're behind with present buying, working long hours and hardly looking (let alone feeling) fabulous for the evening parties. But help is at hand - ditch the hasty hair and make-up sessions in the office loos and acquaint yourself with London's party season pit stops. From Christmas pudding nails to bespoke lashes and shimmering facials, the new multi-tasking beauty treatments will have you primed to party in less than half an hour - so you won't even have an excuse to be fashionably late.

For a fly-by facial
If late nights and cocktails leave your skin and nails suffering, Groom at Selfridges has created the perfect after-work pick-me-up. Lie back and relax as its cleansing facial removes crusty make-up, rehydrates skin and culminates with the anti-ageing DIBI Gold Performance Cream, containing light-reflecting particles to give you back your glow. A second therapist will indulge you with a quick hand or foot massage, a nail-neatening mani or pedi, then re-apply your make-up. It's open until 9pm so even late workers can do a quick, on-the-spot wardrobe change and go straight from pamper session to party.

Gold facial, mini massage and mani/pedi, £80, available until 31 December; www.groomlondon.com.

High-speed hair and nails
Surreptitiously trying to curl or straighten your hair under your desk rarely has the desired effect. So bag a spot in the December-only late-night blow-dry and nail bar at Daniel Hersheson, Harvey Nichols. While your hair is primped, curled and slicked into your choice of eight styles (the "Big and Bouncy" or "Bardot" beehive are great for parties), specialist technician Simone Williams will provide the finishing touches with her nail art designs. From Christmas puddings to animal prints and fashion-forward updates on the French manicure, she'll give you the prettiest nails in town. They'll be done in half an hour and last a week.

Blow-dry, £45, nails £30 at Harvey Nichols (open until 9pm from 14 December); www.danielhersheson.com

A multi-tasking makeover
Transforming your computer-weary eyes to the ultimate smoky look is not easily done. So make a pit stop at the East End's new Butterfly Boutique and revive your eyes in minutes. Start with its cool Relaxing Eye Treatment to brighten and de-puff, followed by a lightning-speed brow tidy for an instant "lifting" effect. Then let one of their professional make-up artists get to work. Within half an hour you'll have a flawless complexion plus the ultimate power lip or smouldering cat's eyes. Stock up on Italian make-up brand Barbara Bort in the boutique on your way out, pop items in your handbag and keep your face foolproof all night.

From £51 (open until 7.30pm but late appointments are available on request); www.butterfly-london.com

For a body glow-on-the-go
When your back's aching and your ankles are swollen after a long day on your feet, the last thing you feel like doing is slipping into five-inch heels and a body con dress. A quick visit to The Sanderson Agua Spa will revive flagging party-goers with its super-speedy milk-and-honey hand and foot treatment - ideal for soothing away aches and softening dry winter skin. Then whizz into James Reads's tanning booth for a 10-minute Hollywood Finish - complete with light-reflecting shimmer to bring you and your skin back to life before you head off into the night in your party dress.

Hands and feet, £40, tan £30 (open until 10pm); www.sandersonlondon.com

Beauty that's bespoke
Forget the usual sparkly clutch and shoes combo and perfect the art of beauty accessorising with treatments that match your dress instead. With a selection of colours, patterns and Swarovski crystals on hand, the false lash gurus at Shu Uemura will help you design a unique set to complement your party dress and last up to 10 wears. They'll fit them on you in under half an hour and even re-do your eye make-up afterwards. Or whizz into Hari's salon, South Kensington, with your party peep-toes (or email a picture beforehand). Nail expert Jo Stenner will tailor your pedicure with lace inlays, studs or sparkle for toenails that flatter rather than fail your favourite pair of heels.

Lashes from £22 at Selfridges Shu Uemura Lash Factory (open until 10pm from 15 December) or the Covent Garden boutique; www.shuuemura.com. Bespoke nails from £30; www.harissalon.com.

For men who need a post-office pick-me-up
If a day in the office has left your suit crumpled and your face more so, there's nothing like having an alpha-male sanctuary to retreat to pre-party. The Refinery grooming salons in Mayfair and Harrods are offering a Christmas Pit Stop Package for frazzled office workers to relax in their massage chair in a private room for half an hour. While you lie back with a refreshing beer or warming mulled wine, they'll give you a head and neck massage, quick facial and a nail tidy so you're primed for action all evening.

£40 (open until 8pm most days); www.the-refinery.com