Foot Zone
Last Sunday, my mom treated me, my cousins and my aunts to Foot Zone, this reflexology center along Annapolis in San Juan. From the little that I know of reflexology, each point on the foot corresponds to a particular organ or part of the body. The pressure points are designed to help a specific problem in a specific area. Having kidney problems? Might wanna check out that big toe of yours. Eye problems? Blame it on your heels.
I must say, I'm not quite as pleased with the whole experience as the others. I've heard raves about this place so it's disappointing that I don't share the same enthusiasm.
Let's start with the positives. Foot Zone claims to be an authentic Chinese reflexology center. Their staff undergoes almost three months of intensive training from recognized reflexology masters. Chinese figurines and good luck charms are also scattered around the center itself. Some of their staff are Chinese and can't speak English or Filipino. Having all these Chinese-ness all around does make you feel as if you're about to undergo a wellness ritual that has its roots in ancient, esoteric Chinese wisdom.
I did like the ambience. The rooms are dimly lit, which makes it even more relaxing. The chairs are these leather-upholstered Lay-Z boys that you can stretch all the way back for maximum comfort. Before the foot massage begins, the staff gives you chrysanthemum tea and puts your feet in this hot foot bath complete with herbs. The attendant also gives you a soothing scalp massage, after which she starts working on your feet. After the foot massage, the attendant uses these wonderful hammer-like wooden massage tools. It feels really good on the feet and lower legs even when you realize the attendant is basically hammering away on your skin. She finishes off with a back massage that involves a whole lot of stretching.
Okay the negatives. I don't know if it's just me, but I didn't find the foot reflexology part amazing and I got a Chinese attendant, who was more expensive than regular attendants. It wasn't horrible of course; it was simply all right. I could've gotten a better massage somewhere else for a lower price. I suppose reflexology is different from a simple foot massage. Anyway, still, even the back massages weren't spectacular. I'm not sure if it's because it was already 10 pm that night and the attendant was already tired from a day's work but it felt like the massages were rushed. I like my massages to feel deliberate and I like to feel my back really responding to the pressure.
All in all, I give it four stars. I think I'd go back because I did like the general feeling of the place and I'm willing to give reflexology another chance. This time maybe I'd get an authentic Pinoy instead of an authentic Chinese and I'll see if that will spell the difference.
California Nails and Day Spa
Monday afternoon I took my cousins for a manicure pedicure at California Nails and Day Spa at SM Centerpoint near Tiendesitas. I've had my manicure done there once before and while I WAS pleased with my nails, I wasn't all that jazzed with the service. I went on Thursday and asked for a French Tips manicure. The receptionist said they lacked the materials for French tips. I don't know, but a nail salon that lacks stuff for a simple french tips manicure is like a McDonald's that lacks stuff for a cheeseburger. It's just not right. She said she'll text me on Saturday, when they expect the materials to be delivered. She never texted me back. Thankfully when I went back the next Tuesday, I was able to get the manicure that I've been wanting.
My cousins were able to get their manicures and pedicures all right, but not without this little incident. Apparently, the attendant cut too close to the cuticle and Andrea ended up with this bloodied finger. She had to ask for ointment or antiseptic because it was quite a big gash.
Result? I am boycotting that place! I only need to hear one episode like that to make me want to look for other nail salons. I should've stuck with Nail Tropics, in Eastwood, but it's closed on Mondays.
Last Sunday, my mom treated me, my cousins and my aunts to Foot Zone, this reflexology center along Annapolis in San Juan. From the little that I know of reflexology, each point on the foot corresponds to a particular organ or part of the body. The pressure points are designed to help a specific problem in a specific area. Having kidney problems? Might wanna check out that big toe of yours. Eye problems? Blame it on your heels.
I must say, I'm not quite as pleased with the whole experience as the others. I've heard raves about this place so it's disappointing that I don't share the same enthusiasm.
Let's start with the positives. Foot Zone claims to be an authentic Chinese reflexology center. Their staff undergoes almost three months of intensive training from recognized reflexology masters. Chinese figurines and good luck charms are also scattered around the center itself. Some of their staff are Chinese and can't speak English or Filipino. Having all these Chinese-ness all around does make you feel as if you're about to undergo a wellness ritual that has its roots in ancient, esoteric Chinese wisdom.
I did like the ambience. The rooms are dimly lit, which makes it even more relaxing. The chairs are these leather-upholstered Lay-Z boys that you can stretch all the way back for maximum comfort. Before the foot massage begins, the staff gives you chrysanthemum tea and puts your feet in this hot foot bath complete with herbs. The attendant also gives you a soothing scalp massage, after which she starts working on your feet. After the foot massage, the attendant uses these wonderful hammer-like wooden massage tools. It feels really good on the feet and lower legs even when you realize the attendant is basically hammering away on your skin. She finishes off with a back massage that involves a whole lot of stretching.
Okay the negatives. I don't know if it's just me, but I didn't find the foot reflexology part amazing and I got a Chinese attendant, who was more expensive than regular attendants. It wasn't horrible of course; it was simply all right. I could've gotten a better massage somewhere else for a lower price. I suppose reflexology is different from a simple foot massage. Anyway, still, even the back massages weren't spectacular. I'm not sure if it's because it was already 10 pm that night and the attendant was already tired from a day's work but it felt like the massages were rushed. I like my massages to feel deliberate and I like to feel my back really responding to the pressure.
All in all, I give it four stars. I think I'd go back because I did like the general feeling of the place and I'm willing to give reflexology another chance. This time maybe I'd get an authentic Pinoy instead of an authentic Chinese and I'll see if that will spell the difference.
California Nails and Day Spa
Monday afternoon I took my cousins for a manicure pedicure at California Nails and Day Spa at SM Centerpoint near Tiendesitas. I've had my manicure done there once before and while I WAS pleased with my nails, I wasn't all that jazzed with the service. I went on Thursday and asked for a French Tips manicure. The receptionist said they lacked the materials for French tips. I don't know, but a nail salon that lacks stuff for a simple french tips manicure is like a McDonald's that lacks stuff for a cheeseburger. It's just not right. She said she'll text me on Saturday, when they expect the materials to be delivered. She never texted me back. Thankfully when I went back the next Tuesday, I was able to get the manicure that I've been wanting.
My cousins were able to get their manicures and pedicures all right, but not without this little incident. Apparently, the attendant cut too close to the cuticle and Andrea ended up with this bloodied finger. She had to ask for ointment or antiseptic because it was quite a big gash.
Result? I am boycotting that place! I only need to hear one episode like that to make me want to look for other nail salons. I should've stuck with Nail Tropics, in Eastwood, but it's closed on Mondays.
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