Before we moved here I got teased a bit. People saying ‘oh you will soon be spending your days getting your nails done and playing Bridge’. I just laughed. That isn’t me at all, but if there is a chance to get a little pampering then I would definitely like to explore this option.
You see back home I rarely did anything of the sort. I had my nails done twice, the first was before BB was born, I figured if the Dr and Midwives had to hang out down that end of me then I ought to have pretty toes. More recently I got them done just because I was out of the house without the kids. The problem with me though, is that I don’t even get out of the salon before I have ruined the shiny smooth finish. So really, what is the point?
Aside from all that, for me I think it is a frivolous spend. One that I don’t need.
Well we are here now in the Philippines, where nail salons are as frequent as 7/11’s and as cheap as a McHappy Meal. I have been a few times in the evenings, when I am out on my own. Just a quickie mani/pedi. But what I really wanted to have was a foot spa. The big clean, massage, foot pamper. I have had that now…at the hair salon whilst having my hair done…you cannot get a much better pamper experience than getting your hair and nails done simultaneously!
One of my greatest joys in life is getting my hair done. The salon experience. I am sure it’s a girl thing, am I right? I haven’t had the salon experience in four years as I found it more practical to have a home service when my babies were little. That certainly has its merits; however nothing beats the joy of being in the salon. Moving here meant I’d need to go back which made me pretty excited. For a Westerner to get their hair done here, research is required to find the right hairdresser. So I started researching hairdressers the moment we landed. I had it down to two. A well known international salon and an individual who is of western descent who is well renown in the community. I chose him. I spoke to him on the phone and he was very enthusiastic and he could fit me in within a few days. I was so excited.
The relationship between a hairdresser and their client is a special one. Almost like a romance. I was in true form getting ready to head out to meet this person I was entrusting my precious locks to. I changed outfit three times and did my makeup nicely.
On arrival I got the mwah-mwah on each cheek, escorted to my seat and offered a cool beverage. This is where I am unsure where my love affair started, but it’s on.
First I had an assistant who prepped my hair. She divided my hair, ran her fingers through it, ran the comb through and stroked it. Her touch was the softest, most gorgeous touch. So soothing, gratifying, I would go so far as to say erotic as her fingers ran through my hair like she was delicately stroking rose petals. With every stroke I felt myself falling into a trance.
As this was taking place, the nail technicians arrived, one for my feet, one for my hands. They started the arduous task of cleaning me up. There is something cathartic about the sense of touch.
As I waited for the colour consult, the hair assistant gave me a massage. This woman was amazing moving from that delicate touch for my hair to the perfect firm pressure you need for a good massage. What a contradiction! I was massaged down my neck, shoulders and down my spine. My jeans had slung down low, and my top had ridden up so my squishy bits were hanging out – she massaged those and I did not care! Okay I did briefly but I was so seduced I just thought ‘meh’ and went with it. So now I was bent over at the waist, arms and legs everywhere getting the treatment. I was feeling like an octopus splayed out on display. I did not care.
I had my hair coloured then it was the wash out time. I lay back in my seat and suddenly I felt it and I wanted to cry. Oh my goodness…..Water Pressure…..Another luxury long forgone. I closed my eyes and focused mindfully on those drops moving at that perfect veracity out of the tap head. I focused on their impact with my skin and felt the water trickle through my hair, over my ears and down my neck. I felt that water beat across the top of my forehead – a sensation I just love along with the sound the water makes as the hairdresser’s hand scoops it back towards the bowl. A sort of scwoop-scwoop sound followed by the trickle of water down the sink to the drain. I was just so blissed out by this point, I was mush. While this was happening my nail technician was painting my finger nails. To add to this magnificent moment in my life I got a full head massage. Not just a crappy ‘oh I have to do this to make you feel you get your money’s worth’ massage. My head, my neck, my head again, my neck again to the top of my shoulders. My legs were wobbly yet I managed to stand and get back to my seat where I was indulged again with another neck, shoulder and back massage, and my pedicure continued. Oh yeah!
I had my hair cut and as usual this hairdresser thought my curls were ‘wild and fabulous’ so he totally boofed up my hair to ‘accentuate it’, and I did not mind one bit. I strode out feeling a million dollars and I didn’t look like something that fell out of the eighties with my hair style. That’s gotta be ok.