Happy New Year 2012! Hope that you had a great start…
I was sorting my photos for 2010 and came across snapshots of the 2 pedicures I’ve ever done in my entire life. I kid you not. I’ll be hitting 40 soon but I’ve only ever had these 2 pedicures.
My first pedicure happened when Mr. Metrosexual came to visit me. He tut-tutted about why I have not graced any of the nail salons lined up right outside my home. I told him, “I am a Mom – my brain is full of K-I-D-S. No space for beauty salons!”
He snorted and ushered me downstairs.
The first nail salon welcomed Mr. Metrosexual though they were curious to see this frumpy auntie in flip flops trotting along.
In the end, I decided to go for a manicure and pedicure. When the girl mentioned a RELAXING mineral salt foot massage, I said, “YES!!!”. Here’s the process of the pedicure:
1. Remove the dead skin cells from my soles.
The nail salon recommended that I buy my own exfoliating plane and since it’s only RMB15, I went for it.
I was surprised to see a young boy but I recovered when he applied a bit too much pressure. He apologized and tried to be gentler. I tried not to flinch!
In the end, he announced, “Actually, you don’t have a lot of hard skin on your sole.” Yeah, I knew that, which is why it hurts!
Anyway, he was a good kid so I let him continue his job. He wrote my name on the exfoliating plane and stored it away for use during my next visit.
2. Soak your feet in warm water to soften your nails.
He brought out a pail of hot water and for me to soak my feet in. He also put a spoonful of colourful powder into the pail. Not sure what it was.
3. Cut, file and buff.
One of the reasons why I don’t do manicures or pedicures is because I once had a nail fungal infection, which took ages to heal. In the end, applying Daktarin over my nails cleared it up.
If you’re going for a pedicure, be sure that the nail shop assistants sterilise the metal nail clippers, cuticle pusher, and use clean exfoliating planes, buffing and emery boards.
She applied some oil and pushed back my cuticles and clipped them. Then, she started to clip my nails, which made me really uncomfortable because I keep worrying that she’s gonna clip my flesh because she kept chatting with the boy!
Now, I know how my kids feel like when I’m clipping their nails 
After that’s done, she smoothed my nails using the emery board and then buffed them to a soft shine. I loved how *nice and neat* my nails looked!!!
4. The foot massage…
I enjoyed this the most because she rubbed a mineral salt all over my feet and gave me a nice foot rub.
If you’re pregnant, you can still go for foot massages – just be careful that they do not apply too much pressure on your soles because activating the right pressure points on your feet can actually stimulate contractions for labour.
In the end, my feet were smooth and soft and I felt so relaxed:
5. Choosing the nail polish or nail lacquer.
Did you know that there’s a difference between nail polish and nail lacquer? Nail polish chips easily but nail lacquer doesn’t. Nail polish dries up into a thicker layer, which means that nail lacquer is quite a b*tch to remove.
Here are the 2 shades of nail lacquer (both by OPI but I can’t remember the exact names) I’ve used:
* PLUM / BURGUNDY *
I have an olive skin tone so brownish / burgundy shades look better and have a “brightening” effect?
This shade is OK but I got bored looking at it after a while especially since I wear black slipper most of the time. It’s quite OK when I put on white slippers though.
~ BERRY RED / MAROON ~
The nail salon assistant suggested this during my next visit there but it’s a bit too bright for my liking. Please excuse the dry skin…No time for the foot massage yet 
Currently, my toe nails are not painted because the toddler thinks my bright red nails are candies! Yes, she keeps wanting to suck them. YUCK!!!
To save money, I went to Watson’s and I bought a few Sally Hansen D-I-Y manicure kits:
Unfortunately, my D-I-Y pedicure turned out rough, uneven coats and colour bleeding at the sides. I suck at arts and crafts. When the boy saw me doing it, he asked,
“Why are you painting your nails yourself? Are you a nail painter? You are not! You must go to the nail painting shop!”
I know, kid, but I’d rather save the money (and the pain) and do it myself. Got to check out one of those beauty gurus’ video tutorials and try it again 
How about you? Did you treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure or massage for the New Year?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow babe the red looks great on you. I had a pedi and facial to celebrate Xmas & New Year. Wished I could go for a full body massage.
wondering if this a sign for me to get mani/pedi, since my old nail polish are already chipped and i’m too lazy to remove them by my self :p
i am going to pamper myself soon, maybe next monday, after Jo finishes his final exam.
Paik Ling – Thanks. I’d love a full body massage too esp by the Malay lady who did my post-natal massage. Bliss!
Lilis – Hahaha. I’m letting the current one grow out or strip itself coz it’s nail lacquer. If I go to the nail salon, they’ll use a file O_O
huisia – Enjoy
I can’t wait for CNY coz am going bonkers with 2 monkeys at home!!!
I honestly cannot remember the last time I went for a mani/pedi!
A Mom’s Diary – It’s OK, I think I loved the foot massage more than the pedicure LOL