[Toronto Life - May 09]
Allan Parss Salon
Asmeret's attention to detail is astounding. Instead of soaking cuticles in water, she uses a cream callus remover for a cleaner result and exfoliates even the thickest calluses until they disappear. To keep feet smooth, she advises wearing slippers around the house since "carpets draw moisture from your skin, leaving you with dry, cracked heels."
Mani from $25, pedi from $45.
42 Wellington St. E.
Buff Nail Lounge
Ideal for the time-challenged, this drop-in nail bar stocks its own chemical-free line. Avoid drying ennui with a pay-by-the-minute shoulder massage or just watch the massive flat-screen TV.
Mani from $25, pedi from $45.
117 Front St. E.
La Di Da Boutique
Tucked behind the Paul Frank hoodies, lacy skirts and dainty jewellery, this intimate mani/pedi bar gets top points for cheerful service. And the customary filing, haggard-cuticle trimming and callus-sloughing is just as pleasant. The padded pedi banquettes are perfect for foot beautification en masse.
Mani from $20, pedi from $35.
128 Danforth Ave.
Lux-Spa
Offering all the bells and whistles of a Yorkville spa, Lux insists on waterless manis (they say water weakens the nailbed) and has a long, communal-style station, perfect for pampering with pals. The thorough hand massage leaves your limbs limp, and there's a wide selection of polish brands - OPI, Essie and Zoya.
Mani from $35, pedi from $55.
25 Bellair St.
Madison Nails
Owner Ellen Hastings modelled Madison on N.Y.C's express nail bars, and she ticked all the right boxes: quick, cheap and chip-resistant. Upping the spa's luxe credentials: all-natural scrubs and lotions, a soothing neck-and-shoulder massage while you dry, and local photography lining the walls.
Mani from $17, pedi from $28.
560 Mount Pleasant Rd.
Ritual Tanning Salon and Spa
The hip King West crowd flocks to Ritual, which is owned by two former bartenders. Perch atop the barstool-like chairs for a picture-perfect mani complete with sea-salt scrub and massage. Or for some serious gal-pal gossip, request the pair of pedi chairs in the private room.
Mani from $20, pedi from $27.
793 King St. W.
Tips Nail Bar & Spa
You'll feel right at home in this cozy, apartment-style spa, where owner Leeanne Colley hands out filtered water and sometimes offers a Starbucks run. Impeccable nail know-how and delicious Bodtini sugar scrubs are part and parcel, but the highlight is the new gel lacquer. It dries instantly and lasts three weeks sans a single chip.
Mani from $15, pedi from $30; gel lacquer, $25 extra.
844A Danforth Ave.
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2008 Guide to Men's Spa Services
This city is one of the epicenters of the men’s market for luxury grooming products and services...
Spa Site Guest Article by James Whittall
Today, according to the magazines and associations that bother to measure such things, men account for 35 percent of day spa-goers and slightly under half of all resort, destination, and cruise line spa customers. That, by the way, is an increase of more than 300 percent in less than 10 years -- remarkable growth, by any industry measure.
Despite this astonishing surge in male interest, only 68 percent of North American spas offer men's services -- fewer still in a relaxed, gender-neutral environment -- while an anemic 12 percent use treatment products designed specifically for men's tougher, thicker skins.
Truefitt & Hill
MenEssentials Recommended Spas
Lebron James on Manicures and Body Butter
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