Scholl Nail Beauty Set

 RRP: £40

--What does the promo say?--
"This useful Scholl Nail Beauty Set includes 13 different manicure and pedicure attachments, and an integrated nail dryer."

 --Packaging--
The box is Scholl's usual cheerful blue and yellow, which means you immediately associate it with a trustworthy brand, and implies that the product will be effective. The nail beauty set itself is compact and practical, meaning you could easily take it with you on holiday or to a sleepover, without it a) falling open in your bag and spilling all the attachments everywhere, or b) it taking up too much space. Each attachment has its own individual space in the carry case, and the nail drier is well integrated into the tray as well. The lid is an attractive blue-green colour and is made of see-through plastic, evoking images of sea, spas, and swimming pools, which all adds to the general notion of well-being. There's room enough, too, between the lid and appliance to ensure that there is enough space for the mains wire (no matter how haphazardly you shove it in there) and the instruction leaflet (which comes in English and Arabic).

--Usage--
The aforementioned instruction leaflet is clear and concise, and comes with a handy diagram that labels each attachment with a letter for logical identification. It would be even better if each attachment had the corresponding letter marked on it, or if the kit came with stickers for you to mark them yourself - some attachments are quite small and look similar to others. Still, you could always do this yourself with a permanent marker. The two-speed manicure pen is easy to use and not at all painful (even if the whirring sound is a little reminiscent of a trip to the dentist), and can be used either wirelessly or while plugged into the mains (the same is true of the unit itself when you wish to activate the nail dryer). The attachments are also easy to clip into place and then to remove, which along with the painlessness of treatment makes the set ideal for beginners who may lack confidence with professional-seeming instruments.

--Results--
The various files shape nails and cuticles effortlessly, leaving a smooth rather than ragged finish. The buffing discs are also effective once you've finished evening out the nails that have a rougher texture. However, the cones for removing rough skin are perhaps the stars of the show, transforming your lizard feet in moments. The integrated nail dryer is also convenient and does the job well.

--Value for money--
The efficacy and simplicity of this kit makes the £40 price tag a pleasant surprise. Scholl could easily charge double for it and it would still be worth it. However, the £40 RRP keeps it accessible for all, and it's perfect for keeping your feet in top condition in between (or perhaps even in place of) professional pedicure sessions. I was sent mine for free by Scholl's lovely PR, but would definitely pay out for it and recommend it to others (FWIW, Amazon and Argos are the main suppliers).

perfect partners
Velvet Smooth Essential Moisture Cream, £5.99
Velvet Smooth Foot Soak, £6.99
Colour Pop Foot Spa, £30 
Fungal Nail Treatment, £19.40

Nail Bar Review: Hollywood Nails, Maidenhead

I love getting my nails done (is there any girl that doesn't?) but this hardly ever happens for a few reasons. Number one: the expense. This is a common problem in many establishments, and one of the reasons I practically never get my nails done at the beauty salon where I'm actually a member, where even at the members' rate, a manicure and pedicure would set me back nearly €50 a time. Secondly, there's the pain. I've also tried another chain that's close to where I live, and the girls that work there are so rough with you that it makes me wince just thinking of it. Definitely not what you want when you're paying for something that's supposed to relax you and make you feel beautiful! Finally, on a more frivolous note, there's the fact that my nail colour never seems to last. I know this is down to me and my bad habit of basically being orally fixated and constantly having my fingers in my mouth - but if it isn't going to last, I may as well not bother paying for it.

However, at Hollywood Nails, which is a salon round the corner from my parents' home in Maidenhead, Berkshire, those first two problems are definitely eliminated. There you can have a manicure and pedicure for £35, which at today's exchange rate comes to €40 - a good saving compared to the €50 I would normally have to pay for the same. Obviously the amount you save depends on the exchange rate, but I find it good value primarily for the second reason I mentioned above. The treatments are always so gentle, yet effective: not a single suck-your-teeth-in moment to be had. You also get to sit in their massage chair and read trashy magazines while they turn your lizard feet into perfect paws, so it's a relaxing experience in more ways than one.

There are also other reasons I choose this salon. Staff are friendly and discreet as well as being professional, and they also offer a range of other services that I'm yet to try, such as their maxi facial (also £35). The array of nail colours available for manicure and pedicure is mind-boggling (well over 200) and the addition of colour is included in the price of the treatment (which it isn't at my usual salon), which makes a huge difference psychologically. The salon itself is also within walking distance of my parents' home, which is practical, and they offer discount coupons via their website, as well as a loyalty scheme. Such friendly and good-value service is rare in France, so I'm always happy to visit whenever I'm in the UK. Now, if I could just keep my fingers out of my mouth...!

http://www.myhollywoodnails.com/
9 Queen Street, Maidenhead SL6 1NB

JML Pedi Pro Deluxe

RRP: £19.99

--What does the promo say?--

"Pedi Pro Deluxe is a professional pedicure treatment that fits in the palm of your hand. This electronic personal bodycare system has a high-speed rotating head, with hundreds of ultra fine micro-crystals. The head quickly, but gently, removes dead and hard calloused skin, while exfoliating and rejuvenating your feet. The result? Silky smooth, soft soles that feel like they've just stepped out of the salon. Pedi Pro Deluxe has 2 different speed settings, and comes with buffing pads that will give your feet the perfect finishing touch. Skin shavings collect in the in-built storage tray, so there's absolutely no mess. Safe and easy to use, Pedi Pro Deluxe is the perfect at home salon solution to dry cracked skin on your feet, toes and heels."

--Packaging--

The ergonomic design of the appliance means it sits very well in your hand, and while large (probably the size of your hand!) it's easy to hold. The hot pink plastic means it seems to be very much aimed at women, so even though it's superficial, bringing it out in other colours, such as black, could help it reach a wider market. While it's not always easy to fit all the parts together initially, the appliance is easy to operate thanks to a switch with three settings (full blast, half strength, and off). All of the blades and accessories can be stored with the appliance in its accompanying hot pink drawstring bag.

--Usage instructions--

Push the switch to half strength initially until you get more of a feel for how the appliance works. While the whirring and buzzing does sound terrifying at first, when you put the spinning blade to the soles of your feet it really is as promised: just a gentle buffing away of dead skin akin to the procedures and equipment used by professional podiatrists. Use on dry feet only (i.e. not when you've just stepped out of the shower!) and you may also find it helpful to use it while standing in the shower: while the appliance itself will catch most of the dead skin, some excess does fall outside of this area.

--Effects on the feet--

Just as it says on the tin, dead skin (even really thick layers of it) is gently but quickly buffed away.

--Recommendations for improvement--

This appliance runs on batteries, and I prefer mains-powered appliances, so would prefer a version of the product that plugs into the wall to recharge, even if this makes the product more expensive. I'd also recommend that a version of the product is released that is more like a pen shape (or, alternatively, that an attachment for the current product is trialled), as this is also what's used by podiatrists to get to the sides of the toes and in between toes more easily.

--Value for money--

A great value electrical appliance that does exactly what it promises, is near-equivalent to equipment used by professional podiatrists, is affordable, and is an excellent step up from JML's previous product on this theme, the Ped Egg. Brava!

perfect partner

Pedi Pro Deluxe Replacement Pads, £2.99