You no longer have to suffer the high price of a day spa or the low quality of a discount nail salon. The new breed of nail salon offers an environment in which quality of service and ambience are impeccable but prices are reasonable.

Flora Fingertip Beauty Nail Salon's warm ambience relaxes and soothes the mind immediately when you walk through the door.

Tucked away on the 12th floor in Jiafa Building at the intersection of Datian Road and Beijing Road W., the place is not easy
to find.

But according to the owner Judy Yang, the secluded location is ideal for a warm, cozy, and home-like nail salon where guests with style and standards can get their fingers and toes touched up.

Two Shanghainese girls Judy Yang and Cathy Xia opened the nail salon dedicated to providing thorough, meticulously conducted mani pedi treatments and nail arts services in a home-like setting.

"There are numbers of cheap manicure stands with unremarkable service over Shanghai," Yang said. "But in my place, girls can just relax on the comfortable sofas with all kinds of magazines and drinks while professional nail technicians beautify their hands and nails."

People normally go to facials, body massages and other forms of body therapy; but we have been neglecting the hands and feet that deserve attention too.

"As our lives get busier and our spare time get even more precious, it is important to sit back once in a while and pamper two of most important parts of the body," Yang said. "A good manicure and pedicure are essential in making a women or man feel pampered."

Girls are fond of getting their nails decorated to match the latest fashions - from prim and proper French manicure to bejeweled designs. With the current trend of nail arts, it is of paramount importance that one keeps their nails in pristine condition. And even if you don't normally paint your nails, nail care is still a must-have once in a while.

"It is not a secret that beautiful hands and healthy nails are two of the most important elements of one's image," Yang said. Especially in the summer time, a splendid manicure cannot help drawing everybody's attention.

The menu features six manicure treatments and five pedicure treatments, including the basic moisture replenishing manicure (78 yuan/US$10.30), scrub and massage (50 yuan), to professional manicure spa (298 yuan).

All the nail products and instruments are from OPI, the world leader in professional nail care. Yang is aware of the potential health risks found in nail spas and makes sure all the nail kits are cleaned and disinfected.

OPI professional whitening and winkle-resistant manicure spa is recommended this season. To clean dirt or remaining polish remover from nail surfaces and underneath nails, the first step is the hand soak for five minutes. OPI effervescent soak is used to brighten nails and revitalize hands.

It is followed by a skin renewal scrub that the natural, ultra-fine sugar crystals gently exfoliate away dryness to leave hands smooth and glowing. Rejuvenating serum is then applied to infuse skin with natural lightening ingredients.

The whole procedure is finished by the basic manicure including the trim and shape, the finishing butter massage, and polish applying.

The 1,400-yuan membership card is a great value. With the card, you can actually purchase up to 2,000 yuan for all services and additional benefits.