If you’re shocked easily, block your ears (or your eyes in this case): I had my first EVER pedicure two months ago. I know what you’re thinking: “She must have had hobbit feet!!!”. And yes… I kinda did.
The technician said it wasn’t that bad, but she’s not the one rubbing her feet against mine before falling asleep. Sand-paper-like feet are not the sexiest thing, ask my boyfriend ;)
It’s at the new V&O Salon (an acronym for “vegan and organic”) that I had my makeover worthy of Rachel Leigh Cook in She’s All That. The ultra nice owner Pascale welcomed me like a princess, regardless of my lumberjack feet, into her mid-century minimalist space.
See you at the end of the post to discover organic and vegan nail products :)
Clearly, I’m not the absolute pedicure authority, but I tend to think of nail salons either as too sterile and soulless or the total opposite, an OD of glitter, animal prints and neon colours with an on-going bachelorette party vibe. It isn’t V&O’s case. It’s spacious, luminous — it’s occupies a corner building in St-Henri — and the decor is super zen without being kitschy. Even the footbaths are pretty, casted in copper and embellished with floating fresh flowers. The other thing that I think is amazing: the pedicure room only has two chairs. So if you manage to bring a friend, your mom, your sister or your dad (what?? They too want beautiful feet!), you’re in for some great fun, let me tell you.
“Ok Joëlle, other than being gorgeous, what’s so special about that place?”
Well, the salon is 100% chemical, toxic and cruelty-free. The brands they use: Deborah Lippmann, TenOverTen and Bkind (a Montreal company, yay!). I know, many nail salons offer organic treatments, but what’s the point in getting an eco-friendly pedi if your surrounded with Shellac fumes and fake nail powder?
As my toenails are being painted in the most perfect navy hue, Pascale tells me that she decided to open up her own salon after her son suffered from a skin disease. Nothing seemed to work until the day she was advised to replace her whole surroundings with organic products. Coincidentally or not, that 180° decision ended up curing her son’s condition.
An hour and fifteen minutes later with my eyes half-closed (newbie side note: pedicures are sooo relaxing!), I leave the salon with the cutest and the softest feet without having harmed any animals or multiplied my risks of getting cancer.
P.S.: V&O also offers sugar paste waxing, a technique developed by the Egyptians many centuries ago.
Here are other mani/pedi non-toxic products to be used at home, for a dream pampering session with no down sides :)
1. Volcano foot mask by Lush | 2. Sugar body scrub in lemongrass by Beautycounter | 3. Cuticule oil by French Girl | 4. Quick-drying nail top coat by Deborah Lippmann | 5. Nail colour remover and nail & cuticule treatment by Aila Cosmetics | 6. Nail polish by Bkind in Mates Before Dates | 7. Nail polish by TenOverTen in Watts
💕If you liked this post, you’re going to looove these ones💕
Nail Art for the Ones Who Don’t Have Time for Nail Art
My 3 Favorite Beauty Products This Month
3 Skin Products for the City Girl Who Doesn’t Sleep Much
I really want a pedicure!! I aren’t sure if I’m too young though as I’m a teenager! Great post! Check my blog out too? Xx
I say there’s no minimum age to treat yourself to a little pedicure, especially if it’s done with organic products :) Enjoy! xx
Thank you! Xx
YAY I was wondering if they had an all natural salon like this in Montreal — thanks for sharing! <3