Maxim Nails & Spa

 

2

14

Danielle B.

Houston, TX

8/19/2008

My search for a nail salon actually started this past weekend. Hoping to find a salon open on Sundays, I cruised up and down Eldridge as twilight fell on Saturday evening. Maxim Nails was already closed so I peered through the plate glass storefront hoping to divine some clues from the murky interior as to the type of establishment housed within. I wasn't able to tell much, but as I pressed my face against the glass I was approached by an Asian lady in a lab coat inquiring if she could help me. She explained that they were closed already(and closed on Sunday) but that if I came back Monday I could have my nails done. She told me a little about the salon, with most of her account devoted to the stringent sterilization processes they used. She also gave me a 15% off coupon.

Darkness was falling quickly so I abandoned my search for the night with the intention of resuming it the next day. However, life interfered and Monday found me despairing over the condition of my feet. My prior pedicure had been over two months before and the polish looked like half-raised red blinds. The skin on my feet appeared as arid as it felt with my cracked heels resembling nothing so much as a sun-baked salt flat. It is safe to say that the condition of my feet was deplorable.

Remembering my coupon, I arrived at Maxim near five p.m. As I approached, I thought it might have been closed as  the salon was empty and all the lights in the front  were turned off, but the door wasn't locked so I went in. I was greeted promptly and ushered to a massage chair in the back. I was relieved to see that the furnishings appeared to be clean and fairly new. Indeed, the spa chairs were of a nicer variety than most I have been in, with a padded pillow to rest one's head on and faux wood trimmings and side trays. The attendant drew hot water and added scented bath salts to the bubbling foot bath and I gratefully lowered my feet to soak. I was offered something to drink (sodas, water, etc.) and shown how to work the controls for the massage chair. As my back was percussed and kneaded, my cuticles were ministered to, the nails trimmed and shaped, and the skin exfoliated. The cleaning was followed by a moisturizing massage and I was encouraged to wear something besides jeans the next time so that the entire lower leg could be massaged. I brought my own polish (a shade I refer to as Harlot Red but is actually called The Thrill of Brazil) which was deftly applied, and soon my feet were looking less like those found on a Sasquatch and more like something I could slip into sandals without being embarrassed.

During my pedicure two other ladies arrived to have pedicures, and we all had an amiable chat about mobile phones. The friendly conversation really enhanced the entire experience. (One of them did try the wine but opined that it had been left open too long. If you're interested in having wine while you have a pedicure, you might do well to BYOB.)

All in all, it was a very pleasant experience and I would go there again. I felt that the pedicure could have been more thorough in certain areas - cuticle trimming, curetting under the nail and along the sides, exfoliating, and the price was a bit high($35)  but the end result was more than satisfactory and my feet have never been softer.

I would still like to find a salon that's open on Sundays since that usually seems to be my only free day but until I do, I'll be scheduling my Monday - Saturday free time here.

Maxim Nails & Spa

Waxing; massage, nails; pedicure

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday:
9 AM - 7 PM
Saturday:
8 AM - 5 PM

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