Nail parlours

1: Miracle of Nails
02-32 Coronation Plaza; Tel: 6468-8689

Set up by three friends who met during a manicure and pedicure course, this nail hut turns talons from blah to wah. Clients like their attention to detail, plus they aren't into hard-selling.

$22 for express manicure and pedicure; $35 for basic manicure and pedicure; $55 for classic manicure and pedicure; and $70 for aroma spa manicure and pedicure

2: NailsTalk
01-05 Block 78 Redhill Lane; Tel: 6479-3638

This four-seater parlour offers quiet 'me' time. Try its signature Spa Pedicure where a specialist will examine your feet and recommend one of three treatments: for dry skin, tired feet or skin whitening.

$18 for express manicure and pedicure; from $20 for classic manicure; from $30 for classic pedicure; $45 for Spa Pedicure treatment. From now till Sept 30, enjoy a classic manicure and pedicure plus free 'ice foot mask' to moisturise tired feet, at $45

Hair salons

3: Esteem
01-101 Block 103 Yishun Ring Road; Tel: 6755-6383

Self-esteem is what clients walk out with after a hip snip. Stylists give clients a look to suit their needs; products are from the likes of Shiseido and L'Oreal.

From $20 for a cut and wash; and from $95 for rebonding. From now till the end of this year, get a cut, colour or highlight job and an intensive treatment from $88

4: Clippers Salon
04-131A Far East Plaza; Tel: 6734-8908

Enjoy a cuppa and let your hair down at this salon that plays R&B tunes to help clients relax. Your hair is in good hands - owner Alvin Lee, 40, studied hairstyling in London and has over 10 years of experience.

For men, from $35 for a cut, wash and blow; for women, from $38 for a cut, wash and blow; from $95 for a cut and perm; from $180 for rebonding

Facials

5: Skin Revival
49B Kreta Ayer Road; Tel: 6323-0823

Great for 'eco'-centrics: Its in-house skincare brand, Derma Nature, is chemical-free and contains natural ingredients like grapeseed extract and vitamin C.

With its three therapists certified by international institutions, it prides itself in giving value-for-money, personal service.

From $70 for customised facials and from $98 for back treatment, which includes a scrub and massage

6: Euphoria Beauty Care
05-11 Far East Plaza; Tel: 6235-9717

An hour-long facial includes steaming, extraction of blackheads and whiteheads, a face massage to improve blood circulation and the use of a high-frequency sonic light machine that is said to get rid of bacteria and dry up zits.

From $38 for a 60-minute facial

Massage parlours

7: Qi Mantra
80B Pagoda Street; Tel: 6423-0335

If you're in need of a quick pick-me-up, this sister company of islandwide chain Spa Esprit has two treatments that might suit you. One is its Chi Chair Blast where you sit and receive an acupressure massage for 30 or 45 minutes. The other is its Qi Quick Blast, a 10- or 20-minute massage.

$35 for 30 minutes and $48 for 45 minutes of Chi Chair Blast; $12 for 10-minute back, shoulder and neck massage and $20 for 20-minute foot massage for Qi Quick Blast treatment. For other services, visit www.qimantra.com

8: The Javanese Spa
182 Telok Ayer Street; Tel: 6220-8896

Reduce those bad stress vibes and increase your blood circulation with a traditional Javanese massage in which a blend of essential oils is stroked onto your body. Oh yes.

$60 for 60 minutes and $90 for 90 minutes

Others

9: Sha Sha Beauty & Bridal Services
01-189 Block 744 Yishun Street 72; Tel: 6759-7050

Say bye-bye to bushy brows and fuzzy legs at this parlour, known for its eyebrow threading and waxing services. It has been waxing eloquent for 14 years.

From $4 for threading services; from $15 for waxing

10: The Spa Avenue
01-1848 Block 302 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3; Tel: 6553-5080

If you prefer to get facials, massages and hair removal services at the same place, check out this set-up, which uses French skincare brand Maria Galland's products. Signature services are its Hot Modelling Mask, which brightens the face, and its Bamboo Massage, where a therapist rolls out the kinks in your body using bamboo sticks. Talk about rollin' good times.

$120 for 120 minutes of Hot Modelling Mask treatment; $55 for 60 minutes of full-body Bamboo Massage

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Aug 29, 2008.