Lux or Lollipop?

By Kristin Dudley
Beauty Editor, MavenMag

A moment of Zen comes over me as I walk into Cosmo's Nail Salon at the corner of 7th and Chestnut. I spot the shiny new gossip magazines and am welcomed with the standard "pick your color" request. I delightfully head to the wall of OPI and consider my upcoming events. If I have no substantial fashion inspiration upon which to base my color choice, I consider another crucial factor – the name. If my nails clash with my outfit, at least I have a flirty back-up conversation piece with "Italian Love Affair Pink," "Feelin' Hot Hot Hot Red," or, my favorite, “Tasmanian Devil made me do it Red/Orange.”

I was recently given a gift certificate to a high-end spa on the Main Line. After perusing the lavish spa menu, I decided to take a chance on a posh spa manicure and pedicure and test the claims of the $120 package versus my reliable $45 in-and-out at Cosmo’s. Now, I have made this monetary mistake in the past, leaving a chic spa with an incredibly inflated manicure, only to have it chip that evening. This spa, however declared bliss, harmony and pure nail genius. My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to go for it. I scheduled an early Sunday appointment, anticipating a morning of aromatherapy rejuvenation, an expert consult on polish color, and a much-deserved pampering for my nails.

A Sunday morning spa appointment, for me, was marvelous. It was quiet and serene. I was poured tea, given a cozy robe to lounge in all morning, and had a heated neck wrap around me. Ahhhh… holiness. I sat for my manicure. A sweet woman sat across from me and presented a small tray with limited polish color options. I chose a basic pink and closed my eyes in preparation for glorious nail therapy. Almost immediately, however, the manicurist asked me, "So, what do you do?" This led into, "Where are you from?" Before I knew it, my manicure was over, my tea was cold, my nails looked… fine, and I was angry with children at my manicurist's daughter's school for teasing her for having thick eyebrows... and wondering why this woman did not just trim them for the poor girl.

It is now time for my pedicure. Ahhhh… now I can relax! They reheated my tea, and I sat on the royal pedi throne, fantasizing about my feet becoming silky and relieved from years of stiletto torture. I sat back and awaited the big guns to tackle these feet. My heart dropped as I realized my pedicurist was gently buffing my feet with a file, barely penetrating the surface of what needed to be taken care of (I wear very high heels). And the salt scrub? Child’s play for what my peds needed. Within a few unsatisfying minutes my pedi was complete. I immediately felt the soles of my feet, hoping a miraculous aromatherapy oil within the bath had shed my dry skin and left me with those beautifully nourished twinkle toes I had so fiendishly hoped for. My hopes were not realized; so much for a blissful cure. I should have gone with a Swedish massage.

In comparison to the $45 walk-in at Cosmo’s, and the premium costs of high-end spas, I must mention the easy $25 mani/pedi nail salons. However, take this savings into consideration. While it is nice to save money, you should not expect much, and in terms of magazines, better prepare for a Better Homes and Gardens circa 2004. Let me also give fair warning that you must be careful of where you go for such savings, as I can give first-hand experience of an $18 pedicure resulting in a $15 prescription… this is a whole new article in itself.

In the end, I realized the luxury mani/pedi did not compete with my reliable local gossip mag-filled walk-in salon. Although Cosmo's Nails does not offer a robe wear or tea to sip, they do massage your upper back and offer you a lollipop while you are drying. Cosmo’s staff is friendly and respectful, and is determined to make you feel relaxed and satisfied. Their traditional pedicure includes a hot stone massage to awaken your peds, and tingle your whole body. From now on, this gal on the go will save her beauty budget, and stick to what she knows!

Cosmo’s Nails – 2 Locations! Same fabulous service:
21 S. 7th St., Philadelphia – 215.627.1020
1308 Sansom St., Philadelphia – 215.545.5456

Walk-in!