Time for a mini makeover at Hair and Skin Experts on 4th Avenue. Linden

February is the traditional MONTH OF LOVE...

Our salon is offering the following special to celebrate that fact...

Ladies have your colour, cut and blow

 AND we will spoil your man with a hot towel and shave OR a manicure.

It has recently been brought to my attention that although I support many local businesses, 

I get my hair cut outside of our bustling and leafy suburb. Recently I chose to change that

when I was invited to try out the services of the staff at this salon at 42 4th Avenue. 

My wife had said to me that I was starting to look like a participant in the Groot Trek

or a garden gnome...I am uncertain as to which was the less disparaging. 

But those words rang true when I took this selfie, just before the make-over began.

My nails were also in need of a good manicure. I have to be transparent and say

that I have been a stress nail-biter for most of my life. A habit I find

very difficult to break for many reasons.

But finally, I had got to a point where I had prevented myself from biting

 for several weeks, but needed to get them into shape quickly,

before I started again

Sitting in an area that is in full view of the passing pedestrians can be somewhat daunting,

but young Chantelle put me at ease and we chatted about a variety of subjects

while she filed and buffed...

I discovered that she and my wife share a birthday.

And like me, she also wants a tattoo of a tiger.

There is nothing like the feel of a good hand massage to make 

you want to drift off to sleep. And the feel of the scrub that Chantelle

was using only added to that sensation.

Warm soapy water to prepare for what lay ahead...

Chantelle's attention to detail was superb.

My cuticles have never looked (or felt) so good.

The final step in the process...

A two-part buffing to make the nails shine naturally.

Chantelle had offered me the choice of clear or colour polish,

but I chose to decline both on this occasion.

These are the products that were used during the manicure:

L-R: Vanilla scrub, Shea butter moisturiser, William Dabs luxury hand & nail cream

and finally an organic body butter.

And VIOLA...nails that I can feel proud of
and hands that have just a hint of vanilla...

A cuppa while I waited for Bobby and my haircut and beard trim.

After my haircut,

it was time to head off the basin for a wash and shave.

It has been several years since I have had the luxury of a shampoo in a salon

so this experience was MUCH appreciated.

With my face ensconced under a hot towel,

I felt like I was in a 50s gangster movie...but no shots were fired

and I emerged from under the towel unscathed.

Bobby and I had an in-depth discussion about the ease of using a straight razor.
Not an easy conversation to have when a sharp instrument is being used!
At the end of our chat, I decided to stick to my Gilette safety razor
and only allow the professionals to use a blade on my face and neck!

What a change a couple of hours can make!

I returned home to positive accolades from my wife

and that said it all. Job done.

I certainly enjoyed the entire experience and all the staff made me feel most welcome.

If you are considering spoiling yourself at a salon in Linden,

this why not book yourself a couple of treatments?

I came away feeling like a new person and I am certain that YOU will as well.

With thanks to Bobby and Chantelle 

and to salon owner Megan for the invite.