Classic manicure and pedicure at Indulge Skin and Body lab, Star Vista

Bought a groupon deal online for classic manicure and pedicure with hydrating mask for $28. Honestly, this is one of the most satisfying manicure and pedicure that I have went to in these 2 years. Indulge is a beauty salon that offers a lot of treatments ranging from massage to facials and manicures. Hence, the 'nail' portion only comprises of 2 massage chairs at a little corner.
Tea was served promptly after we sat down.I like the fact at how the massage chairs are designed. There are 'wings' flying out from each arm rest which serves to hold your cups or those small little containers for you to soak your fingers in.

The bath soak for the legs has the massage factor in it too.

Something that I didn't expect was the application of mask to both the arms and legs and they are wrapped up with cling film to improve absorption. The mask serves to hydrate and whiten skin.After removing the mask, a short massage is also included.

My therapist for the day is Fu Yu or.. is it Shu Yu?! I didn't really catch her name but she is very skilful and detailed. Look at the amount of dead skin slogged off my feet!

Quite an extensive range of OPI nail colours.

My bimbo pink toe nails. Oil was applied before and after application of nail colours.

Shimmery pink nails! However, the nail colour was a little uneven. Due to the yellowish lighting in the store, I didn't even notice it until I left. Other than that, I have no complains.

 

 Indulge's regular prices is a little steep, going at $66 for the classic manicure and pedicure. However, if you were to buy a package with them, it is going at around $50 for classic manicure and pedicure with sea salt (serves to soften skin) added into the water bath. One important point is that they don't not charge extra for festive periods and they give priority to their members. Indulge is in the middle of filing for CaseTrust so that their customers are protected if they ever close down. 

Allure Nail Lounge at Serangoon Gardens

Allure Nail Lounge shared the place with a massage salon hence it was rather distracting as there were many people walking in and out the massage salon. Allure has a vast selection of OPI colours and they did quite a good job for my express manicure and classic pedicure. Oil was applied after manicure and pedicure was done.  However, they could brush up on their service. 

Wants ultra glossy nails but don't want to do gelish? Try Étude houseJelly Pop nail top colour

Étude house jelly pop nail top coat is a shiny jelly coating that supplies nail strengthening enamel protection for long lasting manicure expression.
This top coat is really cheap and good! It is ultra glossy and allows nail colour to last longer.

Review: Ikeda Spa

Ikeda Spa is truly a rare gem in Singapore. It is the first traditional Japanese spa in Singapore with details that allows one to feel like she is in Japan. Its zen-like atmosphere, aromatic scents and excellent service allows one to feel relax and calm.Get new experience of Japanese-style spa right here in Singapore. Ikeda spa is Singapore's first traditional Japanese spa and every little details is filled in to make you feel just like you were in japan. With their imported hot spring essences, get the experience akin to soaking in the relaxing hot spring in Japan.
For a full menu of their services, go to http://www.ikedaspa.com/#/menu/face-care/

Facials (Normally done on Level 2)
For their facials, they use a range of products from Albion and Chidoriya. Albion is one of the leading brands in Japan and has a long history of developing award winning skincare products over 50 years. Established in Kyoto in 1949, Chidoriya focused on making beauty products for geisha girls. Chidoriya products are certified to be 100% organic as they only use natural organic ingredients. Ikeda spa has a variety of facials that are catered to different skin types.

1. Geisha Organic Facial
This is supposedly their signature and highly raved facial which serves to improve skin conditions using nightingales dropping and Chidoriya products coupled with Japanese meridian massage techniques. However, I developed breakouts after the facial which I think it was due to the massage as my face was ultra sensitive. Normally, after a face massage, I would tend to breakout.

2. Exage Corrective Facial
The therapist would whip up a mask that is specially catered to your skin conditions. The mask I had was quite unique. It was in a liquid form when applied and it would solidify to a gel texture when dried.  Skin was instantly brightens up and hydrated after the mask.

3.Exage Whitening Facial
It was quite ok and the mask they used was the signature Albion mask. However, I felt that this facial wasn't very value for money given the fact that I could be able to buy these Albion masks off the shelf from Takashimaya. Apart from the extraction, I think applying a sheet mask should be as easy as ABC and it could be done at home.

Pedicure
Overlooking at their Japanese garden, this is the most relaxing pedicure that I have ever tried. Manicurist was very attentive and a mask was applied to feet after the bluffing of nails.
Feet felt baby smooth and nail colour was gorgeous. However, the range of nail colours were quite limited.

Massage

1. Shiatsu Acupressure
This massage done with oil and I enjoyed it.

2. Foot reflexology
Legs were instantly relieved. However, I felt that it was a little too pricey.

3. Charcoal Acne Control Scrub
Basically, this is just a quite normal scrub and skin did not really feel smooth aftet that.

4. Onsen Bath
Nice atmosphere, Cute wooden Japanese bathtub and pails, Pelican clay shower gel and shampoo. A huge variety of bath salts for you to choose. However, I felt that this is the most not value of money treatment in Ikeda Spa. I was expecting a pool of oranges like what was shown on their website but what greeted me was only a tub of purple-coloured water (I chose lavender) and that's it. I was disappointed.

Ikeda Spa Pros

• Appointments are extremely easy to book! Normally, you only have to book two days before.  It is a relief for me as my another two packages at FIL and Bella require you to book one month in advance.
• Service is excellent and every room has its own privacy and it is quite soundproof.

Ikeda Spa Cons

• Facials done here are quite basic with no machines involved. For the same amount of price given, one could be able to get a more 'Wah' facial done at other places using more advanced technology.
• Located at 6th Avenue, it is a total nightmare to go to Ikeda Spa after work. Traffic is always terrible there and one would most probably be stuck in the jam for more than 15 minutes.

Cold tea for you? This is what one will expect when they arrived.
Aroma diffusers are placed inside every treatment room and the waiting area.



Tatami waiting area with magazines

Unique lights

Another waiting area.

Treatment rooms with Japanese Shoji doors

Aroma diffuser in the room.

I love the sink!



Treatment room for massage and facial  

Classic manicure and pedicure at Palette Nails at Star Vista

Was there on Thursday after work. It was crowded with 4 customers and 3 staffs. I was their 5th customer. My appointment was at 6pm but only started pedicure at 6.30pm. From then on, it was always a 6 customers vs 3 staff scenario. Overall, standard of service is still quite good although the waiting time is long. I overheard the customer beside me exclaiming that she has waited for 45 mins and nothing was done yet. Ha! Attitude of manicurist (i think she is the boss) didn't change although I requested for a colour change after she finish 5 of my toes as the colour didn't match what was on the sample palette.
Palette Nails is located at Star Vista. Do book an appointment with them before going as they are always quite packed in the evenings.

The nail colour is not very smooth

Express Manicure and pedicure at Sonianto, Far East Plaza

Was there for an express mani and pedi. The place is quite small with only 4 seats for customers but it is conveniently located at level 5 of Far East Plaza, just beside the escalator. During the time that I went, there are 3 staffs and 2 other customers.
CONS
The lady with short hair helped me to cut and bluff my nails as well as applying the base coat and the base colour. She was friendly but I would be glad if she could pay more attention on my nails than keep turning around to chat with the other customer. Base colour was applied on unevenly and she didn't bothered to wipe off excess nail colour that was on my skin.

Portion of the nail is not filed off properly with bits of the nail hanging there.

Base layer is uneven with excess at the sides not wiped off.












PROS
Another lady with long hair took over after base colour was done. I supposed the short hair lady don't really know how to do gradient and polka dots on nails. I was glad as she was the exact opposite of the first lady who did my base colour. She was very focus and skilful and my nails were done in a flash. She painted the polka dots on my toenails too.

It was a steal at $28 although it was only an express mani and pedi but it came with designs on the nails including quick dry on the fingernails. I couldn't decline that fact that it really look quite nice from far and the uneven base colour wasn't obvious as it was mostly covered with the glitterly gradient.

Would I go back again?

Yes if I could get back the lady with long hair to do my nails.

Rating

Service: ***

Technique: ****

Value for money: ****1/2

Location:****1/2

Recommended for people who wants to get their nails fixed at a cheap rate.