On a recent trip to the seaside, I had something of a treat: my first ever professional manicure. Now, this may sound a little perculiar coming from a beauty junkie like me, but the fact is I've neglected my nails for my entire life due to a lifelong habit of chewing not only my nails but the skin around them - with such ugly results I'm not even going to show you before and after shots (Sorry! but trust me on this one - fellow sufferers will know how bad it can get)
But a month ago, I finally quit this unsightly habit, and decided to celebrate by getting them well and truly pampered. I chose The Lanes Health & Beauty, Brighton for my first exposure to serious nail care, a lovely little place that's an absolute shrine to glamour, frequented by a celebriy clientele including Katie Price, whose neon nails are currently starting a mini-trend. Read on to find out how I got on!
On arriving at the salon - somewhat apprehensive - I made a few quick apologies for my awful fingers (which are still rather little bit red and swollen) before being given a relaxing glass of bubbly and ushered to the at the pink champagne nail bar, where the friendly manicurist got to work on my neglected nails, managing not to look too horrified and assuring me that despite the damage I'd inflicted on my skin, I actually have 'perfect nails'! She quickly selected a colour that would suit my skin tone: Essie's 'perky purple'' (Madonna's favourite brand, I'm told!), from their current neons range. The treatment went without a hitch, and even with my thick and damaged cuticles in the equation, it wasn't long before I had nails to be proud of. Here's the result!
After the treatment was over, I got a little tour around the salon, which I'm told is something of a hit with visiting hen parties - and it's easy to see why: downstairs, besides the bar, you'll find pedi-chairs and an elegant chaise longue; all you need to keep a group of hens relaxed and comfortable. Scenes from the silver screen are all around, and every surface shimmers, setting the scene for a fab party. Upstairs are the treatment rooms where you can enjoy a range of pampering treats, including massage and facials. A full list of treatments can be found here and here on the site.
If you'd like to include a visit to the Lanes as part of your hen weekend, their address and contact details are below:
5 Market Street, Brighton, BN1 1HH
Telephone: 01273 725572 Fax: 01273 500139
Email: julieatthelanes@aol.com
