aquaeria - Express Pedicure ★★★★★

The Spur: I'm not much of a nail person. I've never done gel nails. Never jumped on the rhinestone bandwagon. Never even tried glitter or anything beyond polish. I hardly ever get manicures but still go for the occasional pedicure to lift my spirits. This time, I'd waited long enough for my feet to become downright unsightly. My cotton candy pink polish only covered the outer half of my nails. One of my nails is half gone from an "injury" I sustained from a previous botched pedicure at Bliss spa a full year ago. I know I should just see a doctor. I'll get to it someday. But it just seems so minor for medical attention. It's like the time I wanted to see a doctor for an infected hangnail but thankfully didn't after getting ridiculed by my coworker (just have Dettol cream ready and pop the pus out - ew - once the pressure gets so bad it wakes you up at night). But more pressingly, one of my big toes is suffering from what is termed "tennis toe" (yes I did get it from tennis), with an uneven bruise under the nail that looks like a dark purple continent on a map. I had to get it covered up with a good polish since Hong Kong's eight-month long sandal season has officially begun.

The Sticker: I tried to walk-in to Essential Spa, which was full (both the Soho and Central locations), and, dejected, I started to walk home, passing by aquaeria. It's literally 20 feet from my apartment building but I've never been there. The Express Pedicure at $200 is a doable price (lasting approximately 45 minutes). But this place specializes in Japanese nail art, and those things aren't cheap. Even the spa pedicure is shockingly over $600.

The Atmo and the Goods: If I were to open a nail salon, this is exactly what I'd want it to look like: bright and airy, high ceilings, slightly shabby chic, white paint on uneven plaster, moody photographs on one wall, a small patio, Moon River playing on the speakers, muted color scheme with hot pink accents, a small connected clothing shop that sells some painfully gorgeous accessories, three manicure stations, three professional pedicure chairs that slide forward and backward on tracks, small TV monitors at each chair, rattan baskets to throw all your stuff in. ★★★★★

The Service: This place calls itself a Japanese style nail and beauty salon. The manicurists are Japanese, and the one other customer in there at the time was also Japanese. So I guess it's appropriate (or inappropriate?) that having a toe bruise always makes me think of that scene in Lost in Translation where Bill Murray makes fun of Scarlett Johansson's "black toe" and suggests that the Japanese might have that on the sushi menu. Anyway. The hospitality here is truly awesome and "very Japanese," as Bill might say. The receptionists and assistants are friendly and genuine, my technician was sweet as can be and a perfectionist - a trait that's always desired at the spa. I initially wanted a light pink polish but was talked out of it because the ones I liked wouldn't cover my bruise. As all the staff helped me decide from the rows of fake nails on the color card, I chose an opaque Essie color that's exactly Tiffany blue (don't know what the official name is). Then, they brought me a small tray with a pot of tea, a teacup and two cookies. This little gesture made my day. ★★★★★

Treat Me! The pedicure was basic, since it was "express," which is exactly what I wanted. No frills. Just perfectly applied color to make my feet look good. There was a soapy foot soak, followed by cut (no cuticle work with the express version), base coat, two coats of polish, top coat and quick-dry coat. There was kind of a Japanese feel to the whole thing, such as the use of pointy wooden sticks to clean up little mistakes and an overall unrushed process. The atmosphere really made the visit relaxing and enjoyable though. ★★★★☆