There are manicures, and then there’s the Gold Kissed manicure from Mayfair go-to Nails & Brows. The boutique salon has been firmly in our Little Black Book since it opened in 2014, not just because its location means it is the perfect pit stop on shopping trips to town, but also because the service is always second to none, and the results are brilliant – quite literally, in the case of their newest manicure. It uses 24-carat gold leaf to accent Shellac in the colour of your choice. I’ve found the perfect LBD for a big party, booked to have my hair done and new nails are to be the finishing touch. Usually the understated type (ahem), I’m a bit apprehensive about the idea of going for gold. And nail art isn’t typically my thing. But my therapist, Claire, assures me that this is a very grown-up look, and can be as subtle, or as bling-tastic as I want. Reassured, I settle in and let her work her magic. Before getting creative with the precious metal, Claire spends time filing, buffing and getting my cuticles into shape, while I peruse the colours. I’m tempted by a very light pink, which Claire says has been very popular since the treatment launched, but at this time of year it feels wrong to go for anything other than fully festive in rich berry red. Once the colour coat is done, the tiniest flecks of gold are applied in a fading pattern on the tips of the ring and middle fingers of both my hands. Afterwards, I can’t stop admiring my shiny nails – it turns out I am the nail art type, after all. And I manage to pick up a few Christmas gifts at the same time. Not just a talented manicurist, but a great salesperson, too, Claire talks me into buying some lovely products from the salon’s own brow enhancing collection, Beauty Edit Mayfair, plus a rather brilliant pawpaw-infused Gentle Healing Balm from The Gentle Label and a gift card with a package of six treatments, which includes six complementary mini treatments. I haven’t quite decided who gets what, and I can’t guarantee that everything will make it out of my now sparkly grasp… The Gold Kissed manicure, £66. 31 Berkeley Street, W1J (020 7499 5245; nailsandbrows.me)