Lextan is your one-stop shop for all things beauty in Cardiff's city centre. Although my tanning…read moredays are long gone (I'm surprised I still have skin with the amount of sun and fake sun worshipping I've done), I still appreciate a collection of quality sun beds when I see them. Lextan have three different models here, in addition to a range of other beauty services such as Swedish and deep tissue massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, eyelash perms, extensions and tints, and even ear piercing. The draw for me is the Dermalogica range used in their facial treatments; it's also worth mentioning that the therapists at Lextan also carry out a free face mapping skin analysis, where your face is split into 14 zones to target any skin problems or concerns you have. I am coming back to try this, mark my words.

I first came across Consol Subcenter in Bristol, and have to admit to being more than a little…read moreshocked by the concept! It all seemed so new! I couldn't quite believe that it was entirely feasible to leave a shop essentially unmanned, and still to this day I'm not sure that vandalism doesn't present a major threat to these seemingly vulnerable tanning studio's. However, in term of cost effectiveness, the idea is pure genius! And at 50p a minute for really fast tanning, I guess it's pretty unbeatable on price! A friend of mine regularly uses the facilities and wouldn't dream of going anywhere else... she likes to pop in on a whim and spend a few minutes on the sun bed before getting in a few groceries, (she says it makes the prospect of going shopping a lot more attractive). It's funny, I have a few friends who use nail shops in much the same way... They pop in and have one nail done to break up a whole string of chores, and they reckon it lightens the load!

When I arrived I was asked if I had an account. Didn't know…read moreI needed one! Was then told I needed to download an app and then the details would have to go to the head office for approval. What a waste of time! Won't be going there again.

You could very easy walk past and miss this little place, and it doesn't really looks like very…read moremuch from the outside. But, should you venture in, there is a very pleasant and professional service awaiting you inside.

I used to walk past this rather alarming, slot machine tanning salon every day when I lived in…read moreCanton, and it is enduringly popular despite all the sunbed warnings we repeatedly hear. Apparently, this place provides us with 'the modern way to tan', yet every person who emerges from the place seems to have got totally carried away, so that they glow artificially orange. Still, if sunbeds are your thing, it's very accessible, open every day of the week from 7am in the morning until 9pm in the evening, and with no appointment necessary (since you pop your own coin into the slot to get things started) - and with their 'pay as you go' system costing from just 30p per minute, it's also very cheap.

I am not launching into how sun beds are bad for you. If you don't want to go, don't go. But for…read morethose of us who chose to go, this place is immaculate and the beds are regularly updated. It is always manned, which I find comforting, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Cubicles are safe, big enough to organise yourself before and after the session, have a handy little bench for your belongings, paper tissues and disinfectant spray in each cubicle and a small rug to step on. You can buy lotions if you want and the eye protection is given free of charge. Prices are extremely competitive and often have a sale on too. It is open really long hours as well, so you can go in before work in the morning or quite late at night ( 10pm I believe). All in all, 5 stars.

When are we going to learn that sun beds generally aren't good for us? They are certainly no match…read morefor the real thing, and we can wear UV protection whilst we enjoy outdoor activities instead of cramming our sweaty bodies into an uncomfortably hot coffin! Where's the pleasure in that? In special circumstance sun beds have their place. For people that suffer with SAD or dermatological conditions that respond well to sunlight, (whether it be real or synthesised), sun beds offer all-year support. But Supersun Tanning Studio plays the vanity card, and targets the narcissists amongst us, instead of mentioning the more profound benefits that can be obtained by people who, if they were to use the facilities, could possibly maintain for their mental health or improve their skin conditions, therefore preserving their self confidence and eliminating discomfort. But that would mean talking about issues that prove that we as humans fall short of perfection... and that wouldn't do! It would also mean possibly restricting their potential customer base, thereby losing them revenue... Hmmm...

The Instagrammers dream that is Dollymixers (formally known as Rehab Nail Bar) is located on Crwys…read moreRoad. The salon offers a range of treatments including St Tropez Spray Tans, Gel Manicures, Nail Wraps, Blow Drys, Colours, Cuts and (among others) Hair Extensions. Upon my last visit I opted for a Blow Wave and 'Colour Tip Nail Extensions' - both of which in total took 2 hours. Now, If like me you sometimes don't feel like sharing the general niceties you usually share with your beautician / hairdresser, Dollymixers is the salon for you! Watch a movie from your personal TV, browse the internet on one of their Apple iPads or opt to listen to their nostalgic choice of music while sipping your complimentary Milkshake (or glass of wine if you prefer) in-between bites of your complimentary cupcake! To view their Pricelist in full click: http://goo.gl/PxzzEZ *Note, there is FREE customer parking. Simply turn left at Subway!

Yes we all know sunbeds are bad but you can't really deny the feeling of stepping out of the cold…read moremiserable British weather and into the warmth of a big tube filled with UV light. Gail owns the shop and has been a friend of my mum's for years. On the rare occasions when I do use a sunbed, this is one of the only places I go. I tend to buy a block of minutes for about £20 and use them sporadically and I know other people that do this and it's totally fine. Gail keeps a tally of how much you've used and how much you have left. She does advise you well on using the beds (most of which are standing) and won't allow you to use a dangerous amount of minutes. If you're a bigger fan of the fake bake then the salon also offers a spray tanning service for around £15.

This place competes with Skin "n" Tonic for the day spa style business. They have a good pedigree…read more"being featured in GQ magazine". Get your self a gift voucher to spoil the other half with. There are many treatments on offer and if you have never tried it before I would recommend you do. I don't feel the need to have beauty treatments, but I get the idea of being pampered like a star celebrity.

Tanning and beauty salons are, largely, the sole preserve of the female. They are feminine affairs,…read moremade with feminine concerns in mind. There is a certain kind of man who can enter a beauty salon and not feel that special kind of intimidation that only comes when you're thoroughly out of your depth in an alien atmosphere. I am not one of those men. This is why I was exceptionally pleased with my treatment when I entered Tans and Hands. It was my girlfriend's birthday looming up, and she wanted something incomprehensible done to her skin that I, as a man, couldn't even half understand. She'd sigh wistfully as she walked past Tans and Hands, hoping that one day she might get the chance to have it done. I, being a boyfriend, leapt into action. I would get her a Gift Certificate! That would give her what she wanted, and also had a little benefit for me if she ended up looking even more radiant. Armed with this knowledge, I stormed in and quickly tripped over my own words. I hadn't a clue what she actually wanted. Sure, she mentioned it to me in passing, but going into a tanning salon and saying "my girlfriend wants you to do something to her skin", accompanying the sentence with vague hand waves isn't going to get you very far. Happily though, they saw my predicament and guided me gently through the experience.

I do find that it is sometimes hard to differentiate between the different tanning places. After…read moreall, a tan is a tan is a tan and the way that you get them varies very little. All in all, I'd say a well done to City Suntan Beauty Centre for being just as good as everywhere else. I'm looking now for a place that can exceed all my expectations - that can make me tanned AND satisfied as a customer. For that to to happen, I'm looking for a place that greets me (I don't know why - but I find it disconcerting when there's no one there) and that can deliver a power plate...

This is a small salon the the outskirts of the city centre. Here you can get teeth whitened, hair…read moreremoved and everything else you might expect, as well as a haircut. Good prices, but not the most lavish of surroundings. This is a small and comfortable spa/salon situated in the Canton area of Cardiff, under a mile from the centre of town. It's a bit of a one-stop-shop for all your salon needs, as they have a massive variety of treatments to choose from. Facials, manicures, hair cut, hair colouring waxing... The staff here are very lovely and, importantly, well qualified in their fields of expertise. You really get the impression that they know what they're talking about, and that was only when I went in for a price list. They also have a range of products and gifts on sale, as well as vouchers available if you wanted to treat someone to a relaxing afternoon (or if you know someone with an uno-brow, who just won't take the hint.)

Not only does Beauty on the Park offer your usual range of beauty and body treatments, they've also…read moreincorporated in makeup lessons, bridal and spa packages, professional teeth whitening, and Hopi ear candle treatments as well. If you're looking to buy a gift for the new mother in your life, Beauty in the Park boasts a pre and post natal face and body treatment, which I reckon beats out a breast pump or bottle of bubbly any day. This treatment claims to "ensure your comfort and well-being from three months through to early motherhood with specially designed massage movements to ease muscular aches and reduce water retention as to maintain good skin tone." Beauty in the Park also offers a "Ladies Night In" package, where you and your closest girly mates can enjoy a range of treatments, wine, juice, nibbles and a chocolate fondue with fruit (all robes and slippers are supplied for the evening). The cost is £50 per person, with a minimum of five people participating.

I have been a Infinity customer for many years, the service is very professional and friendly!…read moreThe nail extensions are long lasting, durable and an affordable price. As well as nails, i get face treatments, wax, etc and Agnes always provides an excellent service. The salon is classy and has a relaxing atmosphere, great for a pamper after work :)

I have been coming to infinity for a few months now, I always love it always have a great time and…read moreeveryone is lovely have recommended them to friends