Getting Prettified

Ok, before I start this post proper, here is a quick quiz.

A nail bar is
1) An upscale hardware store that specialises in nails.
2) A bar where the most hardened people in society hang out.
3) A place where dainty, delicate women go to get their nails taken care of.

If you guessed 1) or 2), just know I don't blame you at all. But this post is about my pedicure experience, so the right answer is 3). Thanks for playing.

I have been to a few nail bars in the last 2 years and the experience has been mixed.

The one at Suntec, Nail Addiction, is pretty good, but the space is small and cramped and only one of the nail technicians (yeah, i know!), Sharon, is consistently conscientious about her work. The others are a bit moody and if you draw them on one of their bad days, then sub-standard is all you are getting.

The worst one I have ever been to is PINC, the Woodlands branch. I paid for the deluxe pedicure, and what I received was just the most rudimentary of cuticle trimming and a quick slather of exfoliant before she started painting my nails. The paint job didnt even last 3 weeks. I didn't like the atmosphere either. The girls were loud, brash and speaking in Chinese all the time, and it was more like a cafe then a spa. People want to be spoiled and pampered a little when they come in for a pedicure. I know you want a quick turnaround, so you can service more people and make a killing, but really. If we wanted to be herded like sheep to be sheared, we won't be shelling out $38.

But coming quickly to the reason for this post. I pass by this place every day on my way to work and the reason I never stopped in was this.



Pretticure. What kind of name is that, right? It just sounded so.... cheesy, you know. Like they were at Registy of Companies and went, "Darn, we don't have a name for this venture.. let's see.. people want to be pretty and they come in for a pedicure.. let's see... prettipedi? Pedimanipretty? Prettymani? I know!! Pretticure!!!" (For all I know, that's exactly what happened!)

Anyway, I went in on my way home from work yesterday solely because my other option was PINC and I REALLY REALLY didn't want to go in there again. As soon as I walked in, there was this pleasant scent of lavender everywhere, which is nice, since most nail bars smell like acetate.

Then, the girl behind the counter smiled and took me in, sans appointment. She offered me a drink list (!), with a selection of teas, from simple Earl Grey to the exotic Ginseng and Vanilla.


She left me there to choose my nail color while she went to prepare for my pedicure.
When she invited me to my station, I just knew this was gonna be a good experience. Reasons
1) Bubbling foot soak. Usually you get a tub of lukewarm water.
2) Equipment within their own sterile packaging.
3) Copious amounts of exfoliant
4) Cup of Earl Grey (my order), piping hot

My technician's name was Milo, and she was gentle, careful, conscientious and a great conversationalist who actually spoke good English. She did not try and sell me anything I didn't want or need and she gave me the first foot, ankle and calf massage I ever had at a nail bar. I thanked her profusely for the massage and she smiles behind her surgical mask and says mysteriously, "Wait.This will be even better." She then places a hot towel on my feet and kneads my toes till I sink into sweet, estatic oblivion. Sigh.....

This is the finished product of Milo's handiwork.


Now the cost of this little experience was only marginally less than other nail bars - $35. But the experience was worth so much more. I was so impressed by the level of service I received that I did not even let Milo finish her sales pitch when I signed up for their 5 pedicure package. She did all selling she needed to with her gentle hands and immense pedicure and people skills.

If you need a little pampering and a lot of TLC for your feet, go to Pretticure. Located at Jurong Entertainment Centre. Tel: 65600778. Don't let the silly name fool you. These ladies know how to treat another lady. And the rest of you, you are in the service industry. A little service wouldn't go amiss.