Caroline McEneaney tried the waterless manicure and pedicure at Bellacure Nails Spa to spruce up her tired fingers and toes.
The promise
A quick nail treatment which leaves your hands and feet hydrated. The simple formula allows you to combine treatments for a full spa experience in less than 90 minutes.
The experience
Long hours tapping on a keyboard take a toll on our hands, and New Year’s fitness resolutions are already blistering our toes. It is time to pay our nails some attention, so we head to Bellacure Nails Spa.
At the back of Marina Mall on the Breakwater, this branch is smaller than its Al Mamoora outlet but still offers a full menu of services and feels comfortable and relaxing despite its compact space.
Bellacure Nails Spa stands out from its competitors because of its meticulous attention to detail. Every comfort is offered – from your choice of beverage, ginger cookies at the drying station, to pillows and blankets on the spa chairs if you feel chilly. The spa is sparkling white and spotless. The staff are friendly and attentive – clearly taking into account the different needs of each customer.
The waterless manicure and pedicure sounded to us like a simple polish change or speedy mani-pedi, but the name is deceptive. Essentially, it is an all-in-one treatment. After cleaning your nails, the technicians wrap your hands and feet in a plastic gloves or socks filled with urea, plant keratin, vitamin E and copaiba oil. They leave this on for around five minutes, massaging the solution into the hands and feet.
The plastic gloves and socks are then cut from the front, freeing only the nails and allowing the solution to continue soaking into your hands and feet as they manicure each nail and toenail.
Meanwhile, as the technicians work on the manicure and the pedicure, another aesthetician begins a Medibac Dermalogica facial. This treatment – specifically recommended by the staff based on a skin analysis – is designed to clear acne and cleanse the face. It uses cleansers, toners, scrubs and moisturisers from the Dermalogica line to clear dirt and oil and seal in the products.
At one point in the treatment, our hands, feet and face are all being scrubbed at the same time and it feels great.
Using warm towels to wipe away the waterless solution, they apply the polish and take you to the drying station, where warm air dries the paint.
The results
Prettier nails and a cleaner face. Dry, chewed nails now look smooth and beautiful. We leave feeling fresh-faced and glowing.
The pros
The treatment is quick and simple. Staff here are incredibly friendly and more importantly, great at what they do.
The cons
Getting so many treatments at once can be overwhelming at first. Just relax, though, they have it under control!
4/5
The Waterless Manicure and Pedicure is Dhs140 and the Mini Medibac Facial is Dhs175 Open Mon-Sun 10am-10pm. Bellacure Nails Spa, Marina Mall, Al Marina (02 681 2005).
