House of Beauty

Situated somewhat prosaically over an estate agents at Blackheath Standard, Anita is a no-nonsense beautician who can wax your legs in a trice and still keep you smiling. She's just that bit older - which in my book means more experienced and therefore less pain. Her place is tiny - but quite big enough for her - she works on her own. She does all the usual - waxing, massages,facials etc, plus various specialist things like reflexology and electrolysis and keeps chatting so that you can take your mind off any horrid things going on. One day I must go and have something nice done rather than just treatments which cause exquisite pain. I have no idea whether she does "Brazilians" or not - by the time she's finished my shins I'm just counting the seconds until it stops - but then I'm a total wimp and Anita's are some of the least painful waxes I've had (the most painful was in a very posh French salon - presumably the more expensive the worse (and more snooty) the treatment.)

Hold your breath as you climb the stairs if you don't like patchouli oil - the building is occupied by a lot of holistic practitioners who seem to like that sort of thing.