I was so happy; I was going to get a pedicure at a new salon called Dashing Diva. It was then with horror that I realized I had winter feet. You know what I mean, ladies, those feet that haven’t seen the light of day in months because they’ve been ensconced in closed-toed shoes, socks or slippers. So it was with great embarrassment I took myself and my feet to the salon.

I was brought into a private area where I was offered a movie (I said “no thank you”), magazines, tea, seemingly anything my heart desired. My feet were left to soak in a warm, bubbly bath smelling pleasantly of lavender.

I was treated to the “Spoiled Diva Pedicure,” 45 minutes of all-out pampering for your feet. After my soak my feet were coated with a lotion and then covered with cling wrap, which helped to soften all those dry patches. My toes were meticulously looked after and then all those nasty rough spots were taken care of.

As part of the “Spoiled Diva” my legs were treated to micro-dermabrasion which left them feeling smooth and soft. Next came my favorite part:  the massage. Legs, feet, toes all were tended to. Lastly, a Cucumber Finish™ cream was used – again with cling wrap – and I was led to a place where my toes could dry and my feet could marinate.

The result was a pair of soft feet with beautifully painted toes. If it hadn’t been 50 degrees outside I might have been tempted to walk around in sandals. I hated to keep my beautiful feet under-wraps. My feet haven’t been this soft since I was a baby – okay a slight exaggeration, but they were soft.

Now a word about Diva – it’s pink, really pink; pink walls, pink floors, pink furniture, pink lighting too. It’s also big: 2,500 square feet. They offer a variety of manicures, pedicures, silk wraps, acrylics, paraffin treatments, waxing and something unique to Diva, Virtual Nails™. 

Virtual Nails™ are an alternative to acrylics; they come in 160 different sizes and don’t require the manicurist to “rough up” the nail bed. They are applied with glue that is designed to last for up to two weeks. After that you just have them removed and reapplied or let you nails grow naturally. The cost is $30.00.

Diva’s also offers “Girls’ Night Out” evenings every Thursday and Friday where free drinks are served with any nail service. I asked the owner Leila Lee if many men came in for manicures and pedicures. She told me that they do and once they try it they’re hooked (who says pampering is only for women). Prices are competitive; $15.00 for a basic manicure all the way up to $38.00 for the works. Pedicures range from $25.00 to $60.00 for a sixty minute all-out pamper fest for your feet.

Dashing Diva is located at 27 North Raymond Avenue in Old Pasadena. Their hours are Monday – Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information call (626) 449 DIVA.