Sometimes you have the time for a deluxe, pampered pedicure whereas other times, your feet look so terrible you just want to dash to the nearest nail salon for a quick pedicure. Experiencing the latter situation, I was looking for a salon in my neighbourhood where I could get a quick yet efficient pedicure. Star Nail Salon fit the bill and not only was it relatively close to home, it was right beside the discount grocery store I frequent so the visit was doubly convenient. After wearing hot pinks and purples during summers past, I have become stuck on the blue hues and wanted to pick up a true blue nail polish at the drugstore to bring for my pedicure. This was not necessary since Star Nails has a more than adequate supply of OPI polishes to choose from. I ended up choosing OPI’s “Tomorrow Never Dies,” a deep blue shade with touches of purple shimmer.
Star Nails looks ordinary from the outside; however, the inside is clean, spacious and features two well-placed HGTV screens and thankfully, no piped-in music blasting out your eardrums. The salon also provides a good supply of current magazines (no, not People Magazine from October 2011). I was pleasantly surprised to find that Star Nails has invested in super-comfortable pedicure chairs with remotes so that you can choose a lower or upper back massage while you get your toenails done.
Julie wasted no time beginning my pedicure and, after asking me, cut my nails short the way I like them. She asked if it was okay to use the razor on my heels and I said yes. (Some salons don’t use a razor preferring to use a pumice stone instead, but I prefer a razor.) She proceeded to cut cuticles, file and buff and before I knew it, she was applying the nail colour, which looked wonderful. I then went to dry my nails under the foot fan while I read about Brad Pitt’s experience producing World War Z in the June 2013 Vanity Fair.
My pedicure was $25 including tax. Manicures are $15. A full set of acrylics is $18, a set of UVgel nails is $35 and a fiber gel set is $45. Star Nails also does waxing for women and men. A woman’s Brazilian is $30. I will definitely return to Star Nails since the experience was professional, enjoyable and efficient.
Star Nails, 344 Pape Avenue, 416-778-7688
