Pamper Your Skin For Weddings at Salon Meraki

It's the Wedding season OFFICIALLY!!!

Now, we all love this particular time of the year when we get dressed to impress, unapologetically hog on our favourite food, and get to dance unstoppable on the DJ music. The beauty of the Indian Weddings is just that happy state of mind! Isn't it? Also, this is the time of the year when every girl looks like Alia Bhat from Student of the Year when she’s grooving on the Radha song or like Kareena and her girls gang in Veere di Wedding. More than the Bride, it’s the “Dulhan ki Saheli” who has in the limelight and why not? The bride already got her D-day, it’s now OUR time to shine.

Honestly, a lot of my friends are getting married this year, and I'm having the best time of my life selecting my outfits. But, one very important aspect of looking my best is to pamper my skin and experience rejuvenation. With my busy schedule, I really don't get time to take care of my skin, but I did manage to take some time out and visit SALON MERAKI recently and get some super beauty services done!

WAXING (@INR 1500)

We started with the first service : Waxing. One of the most important parts of our beauty regimen is the removal of excess, unwanted hair, which can help contribute to the softer, cleaner look. I personally feel there are some benefits of getting waxing done at a professional salon, which are :
1.) Improved skin texture.
2.) No skin irritation or allergies.
3.) No cuts and minimal bruising.
4.) More comfortable, rapid, and produces even better results.

I got full arms, underarms, full legs, and my back waxed. The professional at Meraki made it really comfortable for me, so that I could feel no pain why she pulls the hair!

DE-TAN (@INR 3500)

The second service I opted for was a complete body de-tan. We started with the face, then the arms, the entire chest, the legs, and lastly the back! I personally feel, after a session of de-tan, it becomes easy for our skin to remove a layer of tan, and lets our skin pores breathe and retain its nourishment; also it helps me deal with acne (specially on my back).

FACIAL (@INR 1800)

Okay, so post de-tan I went for a quick bath, and dried myself to lay down for a facial. Honestly, nothing can match the feeling you get when you glide your fingers over your face and feel that soft and milky skin; and that only comes with a good facial done by a professional! Thanks Meraki for the best feeling in the world.
In case you're wondering why is it necessary, I'd really like to share some benefits of facial :
1.) Reduces stress and relieves psychological distress
2.) Promotes blood circulation
3.) Helps detoxify the skin
4.) Eliminate whiteheads and blackheads
5.) Exfoliates & tightens your skin

The facial included cleansing, exfoliating, scrubbing, moisturising, and then the professional gave me a face & back massage that helped relieve complete stress.

THREADING - Eyebrows & Upper lips (@INR 50)

TBH, I started getting threading done just 4 years ago, and since then I'm addicted to the procedure. There are months I don't get time to visit the salon and I skip the process and I start looking terrible! This time I made sure I leave no service untouched. Okay, one very important aspect of threading is that it's a technique that requires a great amount of skill and takes hours-upon-hours of practice to master, and all professionals at Meraki know their job best so I recommend you to visit them for a perfect set of eyebrows every month, and chemical-free removal of unwanted hair from your upper lips, just like I got done.

MANICURE & PEDICURE (@INR 850)

Lastly, I got a very relaxing manicure & pedicure done at Meraki. I feel both these treatments are a must not only to acquire a well-groomed look but also to keep your finger & toe nails healthy. And, while manicure and pedicure is a great way to feel pampered, their benefits go much beyond indulging yourself :
1.) Removes Tan
2.) Stimulates Blood Circulation
3.) Exfoliates Dead Cells
4.) Relieves Stress
5.) Ensures Soft and Smooth Skin

The professional at Meraki was very well learned, and he knew the exact pressure points to press post the cleaning of the fingers and the toes. I was super satisfied with how my hands & feet now looked - very well groomed!

Kudos Team SALON MERAKI for providing the best beauty treatments / services, using the best branded products, all under one roof, at the most affordable prices! I've always had the best experience with Meraki and would recommend everyone to visit them for all their salon requirements!

Location : Paramount Apartments (Basement), New Berry Rd, Near, Butler Colony, Lucknow.

Photographed by : Saud Ansari


~xoxo~

Gel Lacquer Manicure & Nail Extension Experience at Juice Salon Lucknow

Our hands do a lot for us; they allow us to touch, feel, grasp, hold, manipulate, and ultimately they help us to express ourselves. Even as we talk, our hands assist us in conveying our message more clearly from the way we move them as we speak. Whether on a conscious or subconscious level, hands are one of the first things we notice when we meet someone. With this in mind, it is easy to understand why our nails too have always formed such an important part of the grooming ritual. Today, as I write this, I recall the day when one of my friends in college told me how high profile in fashion and in popular culture a new generation of young women are opting for nail services to express their individuality, their fashion savvy side and creativity. Its been quite a few months to that discussion but I always felt that I too should try it once since it appears so charming!

On my recent visit to JUICE SALON LUCKNOW, the nail expert guided me on how beneficial a manicure for me is, as well as directed me towards the option of a trendy nail art with extensions to add some swag to my appearance! Below is a detailed procedure for both the services and I'm sure you'll love watching my nail transformation story..

MANICURE

A manicure is simply a cleaning and beautifying treatment for your nails which helps your nails look fresh and pretty. At Juice Salon, the manicure services are performed by highly trained individuals, and unlike amateur manicure, there's nothing to worry about misshapen or over polished nails. I booked an appointment for myself the previous day and my manicurist on the service day was Dheeraj who with his expert skills gave me the best manicure of all time! Take a look at the steps below.

Step 1. After sanitizing my hands, Dheeraj filed my nails in shape.

Step 2. Application of LYN Wheat Massage Cream for softening of the cuticles.

Step 3. Dipping the hand in LYN Lavender Foot Soak for proper cleansing.

Step 4. Using the Back Pusher to push back excess cuticle growth.

Step 5. Using the brush to clean hands.

Step 6. Scrubber usage for exfoliation. 

Step 7. A sharp Nail Cleaner is used to remove the dirt stuck in & around the cuticles. 

Step 8. Dead skin is removed from the nails using a Cuticle Nipper.

Step 9. Nail buffering to smoothen the cuticles.

Step 10. Application of LYN Kiana cuticle oil for moisturising.

Simple manicures are so much fun if you enjoy it learning the benefits. Like, how my manicurist kept explaining me that the procedure helps prevent wrinkles on the nails, massaging with cream increases the blood circulation in hands, increases the flexibility and suppleness of wrist and hands. Any damages in nails like fragile tips, wear and tear, and splits can be prevented, and you will get tidy, shaped and strong nails with glow.

However, since it's the responsibility of the professional manicurist to provide you with quality service that meets your satisfaction, you can be sure of walking out of the salon with beautifully shaped, moisturized and polished nails!

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NAIL EXTENSIONS AND ART

Nail extensions are a lightweight plastic plate that follow the shape of your nail which it is glued to at its tip by professional nail technicians to add length and enhance the visual appearance of your nails. Acrylic or Gel lacquer is then applied on top of the extension and is usually ‘cured’ in order to secure the extension and add strength and shine! While discussing with my nail artist Alia, I finally opted a Gel Lacquer since it's considered to be usually applied in very fine layers, with the nail technician ‘curing’ or ‘sealing’ the gel with a UV light between each layer so that the finished result is hard but still flexible with a natural looking glossy finish which is both instantly dry and chip resistant. 

PS : Whilst gel can be applied on top of an artificial extension to add length, they are particularly good for individuals who have very short, weak or bitten nails because they allow the nail to strengthen and grow below the layer of gel.

Tools used during the procedure of nail extension and art

Step 1. Removal of shine from natural nail using a Buffer & Flyer.

Step 2. Application of PH Balance Solution.

Step 3. Application of Nail Glue to fix the nail extension.

Step 4. Cutting of the extension into desired length and shape.

Step 5. Application of Acrylic Powder Solution.

Step 6. Application of Nail Varnish.

Please note : The entire extension and nail art procedure takes upto 2 hours so you can always steal a nap in between, while the artist will take care of your nails!

 A LYN Quick Dryer is used to dry any liquid solution applied to your nails.

Step 7. Application of Gel Lacquer.
I opted for Beige and White Color to be applied on alternate nails.

Step 8. Application of Crystals for nail art.

I had various designs to choose from but I opted for the crystals to keep it sophisticated and classy.

And, this is how my final nail extensions with pretty art on it looks! Cool, eh?

While getting the extensions and nail art done appeared super fun, getting to know that the removal of these would be a tough job made me a bit conscious, but that's okay because its mandatory to get your gel nails removed only by a nail technician (preferably who applied your gels in the first place), and under no circumstances should you attempt to remove it at home! Since all products used at the salon are of high quality (of LYN brand), the gel nails are said to last for about 2 weeks (Be sure to remain tension free chipping off or hampering your nail art while working) and if you need refills, you can re-visit the salon for the same. Please Note : If you have had gel nails applied, bear in mind that some systems are not suitable for infills and will have to be removed completely and reapplied!

The entire procedure costs : Rs. 4800

Manicure : 300/-, Acrylic Nail Extension : 2600/-, Gel Lacquer : 1400/-, Nail Art : 500/-

To conclude, my nail service experience at Juice Salon Lucknow was an absolute satisfaction and delight! The entire place is swanky, clean and clutter free with vibrant surroundings (mostly due to colored makeup and other salon stuff displayed on the shelves) & diligently chosen music that instantly peps you up! The staff members take care of you and make sure you're always comfortable. JUICE is one place I'd highly recommend if you're looking for similar nail services!

If you liked this post, do share it across and don't forget to drop in your feedback! 

 Photographed by : Saumya Kumar

~xoxo~