Dianne Bourne tests out a new beauty boutique which promises to get you ready for the festive party season in super-quick time.

If, like me, you live absolutely nowhere near your office, Christmas party season brings its own dilemmas. 

With no time to get home to change, you are left struggling to transform yourself from office mouse to party vamp in time for that Christmas bash.

The new Fake Bake Boutique in Selfridges was set up to solve just this problem, with an emphasis on fast, fashion-focused treatments for both ladies and gents.

I put the salon to the test to see if I could be transformed from office drab to party fab in under two hours.

First up it will be my party hair.

The salon's team of stylists specialise in full-on fabulous party hairdos, and I tell my hairdresser the bigger the better with my lifeless locks.

She sets to work on a big blow dry, finished off by wrapping my hair into big velcro rollers for added volume.

With the rollers left in to ‘set’ I’m wheeled off to my next beauty station.

THE BILL: Party hair - £25

Two specialist nail technicians set to work on making my fingers and toes super-glam. 

I get to sit in a huge padded throne while they work their magic. You can choose from a range of colours, or straightforward french polish. 

I’m feeling bold, so let the ladies turn my talons fire engine red.

THE BILL: Manicure - £16; Pedicure - £16

Off I go into the Fake Bake spray-tanning studio to get me glowing. 

My tanner for the day is none other than James Read, the world’s foremost spraytanning expert (yes there is such a thing) who has previously tanned the limbs of the likes of Lady Gaga. 

Now, the poor chap, has the unenviable task of making my corned beef complexion become something more sizzling senorita.

James says the key to a great fake tan is preparation – and  he tells me you can head straight out after having a spray tan as long as you avoid any wintery showers.

James takes one look at me and spies straight away I’ve got the remnant of some bad home-tanning left on my body – even though it was over a fortnight ago.  This guy is good.

I apologies profusely, and he sets to work scrubbing it with a damp towel. Oh, the shame!

After he sprays me from head to toe and, gulp, every nook and cranny, the results are admittedly impressive.  Not quite Gaga, but a damn site less blah-blah than when I arrived.

THE BILL: Spray tan - £25

On to have my make-up done courtesy of the new Giorgio Armani counter.

I tell my make-up artist I want glitz and glamour and she sets to work with shimmering gold eyeshadows and sparkly blusher.

She has to work over the top of my spray tan, but still does a fabulous job turning this sow’s ear into a silk purse.

THE BILL: Most counters offer a free makeover with the purchase of a product. Best to book ahead.

I’m ready to hit the town. It has cost me £82 to get fully party ready, almost the price of my entire outfit.   But at least the spray tan and nails will last me a good week of party-going.

And I feel a heck of a lot more fabulous as I head out to my revels!

Fake Bake Hair & Beauty Boutique is now open at Selfridges, Exchange Square, Manchester.   For booking call 0161 838 0513

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