Chillhouse is a new-age spa offering facials, massages, nail and pedicure services alongside a wellness cafe in New York.
Treatment
THE GEL MONTY 1HR $50
Treatment Description
The full rodeo (nail shaping, cuticle care and gel application), as well as a homemade scrub, removal with a hot towel wipe, a 5-minute hand and arm massage, finished with a dollop of Lauren’s All Purpose Salve. This service will leave your hands feeling like a baby’s bum.
Review
I am a huge fan of the Chillhouse’s quirky Instagram; a montage of weird and wonderful images with some funky nail art thrown in for good measure. On a recent trip to New York, I made an appointment and dropped into the nail bar in Manhattan’s Lower East Side for some much needed R&R.
My treatment of choice was The Gel Monty; a full-on manicure with the additional application of Shellac gel polish. After deciding on painting each nail a different colour, I opted for; Mint Convertible, Denim Patch, Mystic Slate, Lilac Eclipse, and Taffy; all gel colours in varying shades of blue, purple and green.
Sitting at the marble manicure bar, I relaxed into #MYCHILLTIME as the nail technician treated my talons to some much-needed maintenance.
I took in the space around me and noticed it was also a massage parlour AND a coffee shop. A trendy urban retreat where the cool kids hang out with their hipster friends and French bulldogs.
The mood was fun and relaxed, with customers gossiping over their Matcha Lattes and making plans for the weekend, whilst perusing nail art in the salon’s look book.
The décor was fresh and modern with the brand’s trademark peach coloured furniture, hints of gold and large cactus’s dotted around for decoration.
I noticed that the workspace was meticulously clean, with new files, orange sticks and sterilised tools (straight out of the packet) for each and every customer.
Due to my jet lag I was pretty zonked, and so I totally zoned out as my hands, nails and arms were scrubbed, rubbed and polished back to life. If I’d had more time, I would’ve booked myself in for a massage. With zany names such as Stretch Armstrong, The Chill Pill and The Hangover Cure; there’s a treatment for everyone.
Result
After an hour of relaxation and people watching, my manicure was finished. My nails had been filed into perfectly shaped ovals and my colours of choice complemented each other well. I enjoyed the treatment and the experience and would definitely consider having my nails done as a special treat if visiting again.
