Beauty in the city: one big new change

What is it?

Not your regular spa, in fact One New Change is a shopping centre in the heart of the city of London, close to St Paul's cathedral. And unlike a spa, where you book treatments in advance and spend hours trailing about in a bathrobe, here you can pop in for fast treatments on the go - so for example you could have a 20-minute facial in Dermalogica, a half-hour hair styling session in Hershesons's, a fish pedicure at Malika or a wax treatment at Strip.

What's it like?

The shopping centre is bright and modern with retail outlets like Topshop, H&M, All Saints and Hotel Chocolat; the restaurant floor has a good mix of casual and formal dining, including SumoSalad, EAT and Jamie Oliver's Barbecoa. The hair and beauty salons are all sleek and shiny with a very contemporary feel and lots of glass and light.

What are the facilities?

Beauty facilities are surprisingly good - hair styling, skincare, pedicures and waxing - with everything geared towards busy beauty queens who don't have time to hang around.

What about treatments?

I sampled a Dermalogica facial - £20 for 20 minutes. I've always been a fan of the brand; back in my pre-beauty editor days when I wrote theatre reviews for a living and had to buy skincare products, I always bought Dermalogica. So it's interesting to see the brand offering facials.

This is very much a no-frills approach; the facial takes place on the shop floor - though there's a screen for privacy. The emphasis is on high quality skin analysis and high impact treatments, so you really do get value for your 20 minutes. I particularly liked the skin analysis at the start of the treatment, where the therapist peered at my face through a mask (all very high tech with super magnification no doubt, but it looked a bit like a wartime gas mask!) and quickly pointed out a number of areas I need to pay more attention to in my regular beauty routine.

Then there was the gadgetry - the deep cleanser and hydrating mask were both applied using electric widgets to allow the products penetrate deep into the skin. My skin felt refreshed and glowing afterwards, and I left with a big bag of product samples to try at home.

Tips to take home?

If you have dry skin - common at this time of year - make sure you moisturise all over and don't forget areas like behind the ears and close to the hairline which can become extra dry and flaky if neglected.

Don't forget your sunscreen! Either apply this after your moisturiser or buy a moisturiser with SPF. The sun may not be blazing in the sky but the harmful rays are still doing their evil work; a close inspection of my skin revealed I had the pigmentation to prove it. If you find moisturisers with SPF too heavy on your skin, Dermalogica offers a sun protection booster, which can be added to your regular moisturiser for lighter coverage.

Why will I like it?

With so many treatments under one roof it's fast, convenient and offers good choice. In just two hours you can have glowing, hair-free skin (facial and wax), sleek hair (blow dry bar) and super smooth feet (courtesy of some fish teeth).

Anything I won't like?

On a busy day you may find it difficult to get treatments on a walk-in basis. Still Hershesons take bookings in advance, as does Malika and Strip, and Dermalogica offer same-day appointments.

Where is it?

One New Change, London EC4M 9AF, beside St Paul's cathedral; for more information visit the website at www.onenewchange.com

See last month's spa review - luxury by a heliport!