Steak, Sizzle or Fizzle

Article 2

ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT!

In the interest of our very busy clients, and in consideration of their pocketbooks, image and "self-presentation" considerations Extreme Elegance Image Consultants, LLC will be starting a brand new monthly column as a public service that I, personally evaluate services, stores and product claims and reports back to our followers whether the claims are STEAK, SIZZLE or FIZZLE-in other words, are these highly promoted and touted products and services worth your extra dollars?

As you know, many designers, and service providers charge more for the privilege of using their brand names. This column will regularly review many of these brands and report back to our clients as to the value of the item or services. You can then be the judge regarding whether it is worth it for you.

I, or one of our staff members, will anonymously go into the venue, pay the full cost of the service or product and report back to you. If any of you has an item or service you would like to see reviewed in our column, please email me personally at Merry @ ExtremeEleganceImage.com. We will follow up on your request as soon as possible.

Below is our first review.

Rescue Beauty Lounge 34 Gansevoort Street 2nd Floor-

Having recently suffered from the ill effects of nail tips-weak, paper-thin nails that look terrible and won't even support a coat of nail polish, I was very interested when I noticed Ji Baeck's new book, Rescue your Nails, in Barnes and Noble. After pouring through it voraciously I was not only impressed with Ji's philosophy and self-described "obsession" with cleanliness but with her devotion to the health of her clients' nail care and maintenance.

In the book, she says that nails in my condition should not even have nail polish on them. A coat of strengthener, a base coat and topcoat are all that should be applied until they grow out and are healthier. She also goes into great detail about all of the possible sterilization techniques for tools and the fact that anything that cannot be sterilized should be disposed of after one use.

On Friday July 11, 2008, after perusing her web site, www.RescueBeauty.com, I decided to make an appointment. I had no problem getting an appointment for the same day but ultimately decided on a Saturday appointment. The person answering the phone knew basic English. But I was not sure she understood the nature of my nail issue. Nevertheless, I held the appointment with my credit card info and decided to go.

For all of us familiar with the neighborhood salon, you know that a manicure and pedicure can be had for a very reasonable sum. In the salon I had used a regular manicure and pedicure cost $15.

At Rescue Beauty, the regular manicure alone was $30. I also had to make a trip from Brooklyn to go to the salon. Considering the desperate shape of my nails and the fabulous marketing put forth by Ji Baeck, I decided to do it. By the way, Ji Baeck is featured as a nail care expert in virtually all the major magazines. I wanted to judge for myself whether Rescue Beauty is Steak, Sizzle or Fizzle.

The salon is a bit off the beaten path. There are several venues but I went to the one in the Meat Packing District, 34 Gansevoort Street, 2nd Floor. If you don't look for it carefully, you won't find it. There is no sign outside and only a tiny name written on the bell downstairs. Not even the local neighboring stores are aware of its presence.

I walked up to the salon, a bit early, and was taken immediately. The atmosphere is very serene. It is almost completely white and beautifully and carefully laid out. I was offered a selection of teas to enjoy during my manicure and accepted Green Tea, which was delicious.

Manicures take place at a long aluminum table. Each technician has her own set of products consisting of Ji Baeck's own line of soaps, exfoliants and lotions along with the ubiquitous cotton balls and other supplies. I explained my problem to the tech. I had selected a nail polish color, as instructed, upon entering. As suggested in the book, the tech suggested that I not use a polish today and wait until my nails grow out stronger. I was impressed at the follow-through and consistency with the philosophy of the book and the training that apparently occurred in the salon. This is steak.

She studied my nails and said that I basically have good nails and in a few weeks they will grow out and be fine. She then removed my clear polish, asked what shape I wanted (squovals-square/oval) whether I wanted my cuticles cut or pushed (pushed) and proceeded with her manicure.

She removed her tools from a sterile plastic bag reminiscent of a dentist's office. In the salon, microwave ovens, referred to in the book for sterilization are visible. She also removed a fresh emery board from a plastic bag. She had me remove my watch and after soaking my nails and pushing my cuticles gave me not only a hand massage but also a lower-arm massage that was pure heaven. She used their own exfoliating cream. It smelled fantastic. I have a very sensitive nose and don't care for most scents. But this was very clean and non-invasive. She then removed the cream with hot towels and applied the moisturizing cream. It was worth it just for the massage.

She treated my injured nails with TLC and put on a strengthening polish, their own base coat and a top coat, as described in the book. I only had to wait five minutes for it to dry. No one approached me about buying any products, although they are prominently displayed.

Before I left, I met Ji Baeck herself. She is very down-to-earth and spends most of her time in this particular salon, although she visits her other salons. She is clearly a hand-on manager and practices what she preaches.

The service and follow-through in the Salon are excellent. Whether or not the $30 price tag is worth it to you is the question. If you worry about the sanitary practices of your local salon this may be the place for you. For my money, Rescue Beauty is filet mignon.