Salon

What is it about the Beauty Salon that entices us chicks in? The pampering? The lighting? The free champagne/coffee/tea - while we're treated as princesses? The promise of beauty and health on stepping out the door?

I had a chance to head off to my nearest one this weekend - not for anything pleasant (unless you count ripping hair out of your body pleasant, in which case more strength to you!), just a routine check-in type thing. I was up first thing in the morning, basically straight out of bed, but the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing the minute you step through the door.

About a year ago I booked myself in for a 2-hour Ultimate Spa Experience, a rare indulgence of cash and time while I took a few days off work. From the full-body massage, the salt scrub, the facial, the head massage, the moisture wrap... wow. I came out of there feeling all new and rejuvinated.

Which was just as well, becuase a few days later I was hit with the hardest situation I've yet had to face, and which took me months and months of recovery and ultimately led me to leave my last place of employment...

Anyway, back to salons. I had an ex who worked at an incredible place near here. We dropped by to say hi one day and I immediately wanted to move in. There's just something about a place made for pampering that is horribly irrisistable to women - and lately the Metrosexual Male too... Or even just the bloke who knows the value of a skilled pair of hands (massage - what were you thinking??!!). It's great to every now and then chuck in life's troubles and let yourself be taken care of for a while.

I'm probably not going to make a habit of it (kinda pricey..), but I do think I'll indulge every now and then. Some days you really need it.