Time Out - August 2009

Children's book editor Rose Gardner, 27, was getting ready for a special date with her boyfriend, gallery curator Paul. She tried the 'Late for a Date' treatment at The Powder Room in east London from £30.

The Day So Far...

'It was the end of a really long week and I was pretty exhausted I wasn't interested in sitting in front of a mirror and preening myself but was really excited to have someone do it for me. Paul and l have been really busy recently, we'd planned to have a proper evening together. I was going to meet him at the SPACE gallery on Mare Street to an art opening followed by dinner.'

The Greeting

I was greeted by the lovely Katie, the owner of The Powder Room and one of her PowderPuff Girls, Helen. I immediately felt relaxed they sat me o n a banquette in the window and gave me a cup of tea and some little biscuits in the shape of hairdryers and lipsticks- handmade by Katie's mum. A bride-to-be was just on her wav out. She’d had a1940s up-do and looked great so that was a good start.'

The Experience

We discussed the look I wanted to achieve, and Katie and Helen were really attentive and interested. I was g given a couple of look book one for hair and one for make-up – filled with cute illustrations like, the Dita with red lips and flicky eyes. There were about eight looks to go for but Katie explained that they were just a starting point. I was going to go for a Bardot '60s up-do, but changed my mind, in the end choosing a more full-on' 80s look with tight curls and smoky eyes. The girls put my hair in hotsticks and got to work on my make-up. They taught me a couple of good tips, like using an aubergine colour for a less intense smoky eyes, and they also stuck on false eyelashes and gave me the packaging (so could use them again).

Katie then took out the hotsticks and loosened my curls with her fingers. I changed in to my dress and heels in the cute bathroom that's decorated with pages from vintage magazines. I dumped my bags with Katie and she promised to courier them to me the next day at a specific time. I then left unencumbered for my date.

The Big Event

I met Paul at the art opening and l felt great having dressed up for it. He liked the make-up but wasn't so keen on the hair- l think the crazy '80s thing was a step too far! Still, I loved it, and so did my friends.

I'd recommend The Powder Room and will definitely be going back. It's seriously great value and they really devote a lot of time and attention to you. The next day my clothes arrived by courier packaged in a pink paper bag covered in ThePowder Room stickers – a lovely touch!'