Blog post for the Pretty Parlour, 11th September 2024
Luxury lost its lustre. Have you noticed? For far too long many premium experiences have been downgraded - there is nothing luxurious about queuing to get into expensive boutiques on Bond Street! - and many goods have been described as ‘luxe’ without a valid reason. A friend just came back from a so-called luxury hen-do at Cap-Ferrat in a breathtakingly beautiful Côte d’Azur where guests received goody bags filled with heart-shaped plastic sunglasses (cheap and probably not good enough to shield your eyes from scorching sun) and other irrelevant, low quality items. What was luxurious about that?
So what is luxury? Tom Ford (the chic Texan designer who re-invented Gucci brand in the late 90s) allegedly described luxury as those things that can be repaired. Sir Henry Royce (of the Rolls-Royce fame) suggested; ‘Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better’ which I have in mind every time I step into the Pretty Parlour. Here, from the moment you start interacting with the salon’s beauticians, through the attention to detail (yes, they have a chic bar where you can order your favourite drink!) and a thoughtful selection of well designed and skilfully executed services, you feel truly taken care of and pampered.
The interior of this salon transports you to Hollywood's glamour of the bygone era and your senses are soothed with sophisticated scent wafting through. Big screen displays palm trees and gentle ocean waves when I start my treatment - I hear that the image is chosen with each client in mind. Relaxing music playing in the background helps me settle into my comfy armchair. Even my tea is served in a chic glass cup with a slice of exotic fruit added to enhance the taste. As my treatment unfolds, I also opt for a sweet glass of Italian classic - Asti Spumante from the Southeastern Piedmont region.
Have you tried their Hermès pedicure yet? The pedi treatment area is so Instagrammable that you may just book it for the likes you are going to get! But seriously, the soothing scrub, the warm soapy water adorned with floating rose petals, the meticulous foot wrap and massage makes this experience truly luxurious. And Hermès nail colours last in perfect condition for a long time. You will get your Hermès-branded, burned-orange colour nail filing board and cute flip-flops to take away with you. And if you fancy, they have sumptuous yet reasonably priced gifts that you can purchase like flavoured teas boxed in richly-coloured tins, perfect for your pick-me ups or to offer as a present to your luxury-loving friends.
I’m absolutely thrilled that I found this oasis of calmness, beauty and top customer care - a bastion of true luxury. I’m already booked for relaxing yet firm back, neck and shoulders massage. Next stop after that? Expertly delivered Elemis facial (yes, the therapists here are the best in business). So don’t blame me for going back for more. Once you experience such opulence, precision and total focus on customer, you would want it to be part of your life!
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