Polish Me Pretty: The Haute 5 Manis/Pedis in Dallas

The eyes may be the first thing people notice, but the feet are the last. This includes you, Y-chromosomers. They may not be your most appealing feature but feet do count, and now that Spring has sprung it’s definitely time to retire those boot-ready babes…it’s foot-flaunting weather. So before you enjoy that stroll through the Arboretum or commit to that afternoon sandal-shopping at Neiman’s, consider visiting one of the places below for a tootsie tune-up.

V Spa

Nestled inside the Hilton Anatole, V Spa’s luxurious services and amenities make it the No. 1 spot for total toe makeovers. Essential oils of Chinese Jasmine, Indonesian Ginger, Lavender and Mandarin swirl in the warm water, refreshing and rejuvenating the skin. Exfoliating mineral rubs with Micro-algae and vitamins are put on the feet and legs as a mask, followed by a Shiatsu-inspired massage that relieves the tension and melts away all that stress from wearing those too-tall strappy heels (but they look so good on). Top all this off with a warm neck wrap and one of their incredible specialty drinks (included in the 80-minute signature pedicure), and you’ve got the most invigorating below-the-knee experience of your life.

V Spa is located on the second floor in the Verandah Club at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 Stemmons Freeway

Exhale

I work out across the street from Hotel Palomar, which is why I always find myself chasing Sunday morning yoga with an afternoon of pedi/manis at Exhale. I love the decor and the staff, and the G.R.N. pedicure they offer is top notch. A Blue Chamomile wash, Avocado and Almond Scrub and Natural White Tea Spray and lotion are the essential components of the service, but I tend to want to top it off with their RedRock Detox Paraffin wax, a $20-bonus feature that’s totally worth it.

Exhale Spa is located inside Hotel Palomar, 5300 E Mockingbird Ln. at Highway 75

Spa Habitat

If you’re enjoying a day in the West Village, put down those shopping bags and get pampered at Spa Habitat, across the way from the Magnolia Theater. The Organic Foot Ritual begins with a 10-minute foot soak in a hammered copper bowl filled with a bath of cucumbers and rose petals, followed by a hot Basalt stone massage on the legs and foot reflexology that alleviates stress and restores sore muscles. However, if it’s that hot pink polish you’re looking for, you’ll have to search elsewhere—everything is organic at Spa Habitat, from the products to the reclaimed wood floors, so no polish or acetone is allowed.

Spa Habitat is located at the West Village, 3699 Mckinney, #304

Hiatus Spa + Retreat

Aveda has never steered me wrong in the past, which is why I love the hiatus spa + retreat at Inwood Village. Your basic pedicure comes with an aromatic bath, walnut exfoliation and massage, but the best parts are what they call “add-ons.” Choose from five different services, such as a seaweed Caribbean wrap, a Perfecting Plant Peel for skin brightness, or a microderm-like exfoliation process they call Botanical Resurfacing to soften the skin and make it absolutely glow. Hiatus also uses ZOYA nail color, which is a natural, fume- and DBP-free polish that comes in a great variety of spring colors.

hiatus spa + retreat is located at Inwood Village, 5560 W Lovers Lane, Suite 250

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa

Nothing says old school beautification like Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door spa, pampering the elite for nearly 100 years now, although I’m fairly certain the Plano location is a tad more recent. Living up to its name, the spa offers a series of near-perfect pedicure experiences. There is a Champagne and Rose pedicure (how very Pretty Woman), an Olive Oil pedicure rich in antioxidants, a Citra Spa pedicure, and Healing pedicure, all of which come with a Paraffin wax (my favorite, callouses are so passe.) If you’re on your lunch break try their Timesaver pedicure, which includes a peppermint bath and a toe shape and polish.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa is located at 7700 West Northwest Highway

and at The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd. Plano, TX  75093