The 'at home' beauty spa

THE MASSAGE
What? Classic Swedish massage with The Body Tissue Service using Aromatherapy Associates' oils.
As good as the spa? Pretty much. The company name makes it sound as if it harvests organs but I can't fault the service. Masseuse Alicia was punctual, charming and deft. A darkened room, candles and a good masseuse — what more do you need?
Any mess? None. In fact, I felt guilty about the dust that transferred itself from my floor to the massage-table bag.
Price: from £75/hour (bodytissue.com)
Felix Lloyd

THE HAIR
What? Cut and blowdry with Candy
& Bloom. In just an hour, my lank locks were turned into super-soft, Pantene ad-worthy hair — all from the comfort of my kitchen.
As good as the spa? Better. When I go to the hairdresser, it invariably rains — just as I am leaving. This way, I avoided my usual drowned-rat transformation; my hair stayed bouncy all evening.
Any mess? All split ends swept up.
Price: £65/cut and blowdry, £50/cut (candyandbloom.com)
Rosamund Urwin

THE WAX
What? A leg and bikini wax with The Home Spa at my flat. Eva was prompt, arriving with two bags and a cheery, no-nonsense attitude.
As good as the spa? As long as you keep your curtains closed to neighbours. It's like having a friend over who happens to be an expert beautician.
Any mess? No sticky wax in sight.
Price: £15/half leg; bikini/Brazilian/ £15/£30 (the-home-spa.co.uk)
Victoria Stewart

THE SPRAY TAN
What? Fake spray tan with Victoria Beckham's tanner, Moiya Saint at home. She set up a screen with its own extractor fan and used an electrically-powered spray gun to cover me in colour. The spray took minutes.
As good as the spa? Better — you don't have to travel home sticky, the paper knickers are optional and there's a choice of tan brands. The results were stunning — no streaks, no smears.
Any mess? No, but be prepared to wake up and find your bedlinen stained brown. It does wash out easily, though.
Price: from £40, plus C-charge and parking (Moiya Saint, 07711 498400)
Katie Law

THE FACIAL
What? A facial on the new Elemis SpaBus which is touring events such as Polo in the Park and the Wireless Festival, offering 15-minute facials, massages and foot treatments. The skin booster facial focuses on detoxing and hydrating the skin.
As good as the spa? The therapists are the same. Expect express (and noisier) versions of the spa treatments.
Any mess? Of course not — and you will be a lot tidier when you leave, too.
Price: £10/15 mins (Follow the SpaBus on Twitter @ElemisSpaBus)
Jasmine Gardner

THE MANI-PEDI
What? One of Return to Glory's many therapists — the company offers a host of services from Father's Day massages to make-up lessons — arrives at 10 o'clock prompt, for a traditional manicure and pedicure.
Good as the spa? Yes. Faye is supremely efficient, equipped with her magic trolley, a foot spa and nail bar rolled into one. She has a vast array of nail polishes as well as candles and music.
Leave any mess? None from her but some from me. I started packing for a weekend away too soon after Faye applied the final coat to my fingernails.
Price: £70/90 mins (returntoglory.co.uk)
Deborah Collcutt

Who else to call
5 Minute Angels come to your office, giving 20-minute massages to you and colleagues (£120/two hours minimum, 0800 288 8673, 5minuteangels.com). Beautopia can sort almost any last-minute beauty panics at home (Prices vary, 020 8741 5888, beautopiauk.com) but for nail tidying, trust in Teresa Smith at Nails at Work (From £19, 07931 724404, nailsatwork.co.uk). For fake tans, try Fake Bake at Home (£50 for 15 mins, fakebake.co.uk) or the Simply Fab Company (£65, thefabcompany.co.uk, 0870 042 94550).