when getting a manicure/pedicure in the US for the first time? So what I mean is that when I lived in Karachi and got pedicures or manicures done, I mostly did it for the amazing massages… I’m going to be getting both things professionally done for the first time here (won a gift certificate, woohoo!) and I don’t want to find myself getting taken aback by something I’m not used to, for example a lack of amazing massages or any other difference. So. What is a reasonable expectation and what isn’t?
Re: What should one expect...
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Re: What should one expect…
it depends on where you go, I’ve only gone to the ahem cheaper places…where a mani/pedi combined is < $20… basically with a manicure, they soak the nails in hot water, file/cut/shape the nails, apply cuticle oil, clean your hands (cheap places will make u walk to the sink and wash ur hands, while I guess more expensive places will wipe it down for u with a hot wet cloth) and apply nail polish..they do give a quick little hand massage.
for pedicures, usually even the really cheap places have massaging chairs now and will massage you for some time while you’re having your feet done…they do the typical buffing/filing/clipping etc, if you ask, they’ll use a callous shaver on your foot, but otherwise they normally use a pumice stone etc. they may give you a slight/quick massage on the feet/calves but usually if you want more intense massage, you have to pay extra for it…
now again…these are really cheap places…I haven’t been to higher-end places in ages so they might have more servies, more add-ons etc. 
PS, a massage sounds heavenly right about nwo 
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Mani/pedis in the states are much more fun, I assure you. The salons are very clean and chic and decorated to make you feel relaxed and comfortable...some places offer drinks and snacks while you get your pedi/mani whatever it is. They do hand massages and the same with your feet...and when putting on polish they don't screw it up and the manicure lasts for weeks. I've been t a few 'upscale' places in Pakistan for manis and I was shoved in a corner, where there were a bunch of supplies...and I got a French manicure and the lady just made my nails look like they were done by a 2-yr old. =/ And for regular polish...no base coat, no top coat...just a single swipe of color...rather disappointing. There are def. terrible salons like this in the US, but...they're cheap. I paid a load of money for a half-arsed job in Pk. =(
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So the massages are clothing optional in Pakistan?
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Thanks for the replies guys. I just came back from the salon, and it was a good experience except for the fact that the lady made my cuticles bleed a little and then scolded me for touching my finger. And was also really weird about me choosing what color I wanted on my nails...strange. I missed my Pakistani salon because they give me longer massages, but I loved the massage chair I got to sit in during my pedicure! Nearly nodded off, it felt so good! :)
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^You should never let them cut your cuticles! Just ask them to push it back, it can cause infections or bleeding, like in your case. I have never went for a mani/pedi because I like doing it myself but I think I'm going to start going just so I can see how the pros do it.
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^I know, I know. It's just that the lady scared me (she kept talking to the other women in Vietnamese and I was convinced they were all laughing at me) and I reverted to my 5 year old self and just nodded at whatever she said/did. :(
Also, you should definitely go for a professional pedicure! The massage is so amazing (can you tell I'm a pedicure junkie?) and you just don't get the same results doing it yourself... manicures I'm not a huge fan of, though. This was my first pro pedicure in 8 months and boy, do I miss them or what!