REVIEW The ultimate feet restoring leg treatment at a professionally run Pedicure and Manicure Studio

The ULTIMATE Foot Treatment in Da Nang, Vietnam

Facade of PEDI:MANI:CURE STUDIO by Bastien Gonzalez

Simply Beauty was invited for a fabulous foot treat at the PEDI:MANI:CURE STUDIO by Bastien Gonzalez in Vietnam in February. This would be Wee Ping’s second holistic treatment at PEDI:MANI:CURE STUDIO by Bastien Gonzalez conceptualised and founded by the renowned ex-French international ski competitor turned podiatrist Bastien Gonzalaz.  Gonzalaz’s  clients include the likes of international models and celebrities alike.

 

PEDI:MANI:CURE STUDIO by Bastien Gonzalez waiting area

REVIEW

I have been experiencing achy foot for half year now and when Benoit Perié, the studio manager (who is Vietnam as a pedicurist, not a practising podiatrist) heard about it, he immediately said let’s take a look at this first after you’re comfortable in your seat, he said with some French accent. Having practiced as a professional podiatrist at clinics in France that treat diabetic patients and people with serious foot problems before, he immediately pressed at my most painful spot and assured me that I most probably have Calcaneum Spine, which is caused by stressed tendons causing a major tension on the bone they are attached to. He explained that they are also pulling some calcium deposits such that a sprint is caused, so the best option is to soothe the pain with a thick insole for the heels. So medically, if I were to go for an X-Ray it would most likely reveal a white like line coming out of the heel bone at the base of the feet near the arch. (Perhaps I should get an X-Ray to have a proper look at it.)

 

Picture 1 Perie used the Chammy to 'polish' my nails.
Picture 2 Reverence de Bastien Unguent was applied on nails to treat cuticles and strengthen nails. Do you see the healthy sheen on my nails in Picture 2 after the Chammy was used?

Perié then started on my nails after removing the red nail polish. He patiently smoothened the nail surface with his tools after showing me the white spots that had appeared on my the nail bed and the yellow tinge on my toe nails after having nail colour on my nails for weeks on end. My bad. Thankfully they can be sloughed off. Next he asked me if I had injured one of my toes before as its toe nail is thicker than usual at certain parts. That was when I recalled having dropped stuff on my toes before a few months ago and simply forgot about it as I didn’t see any bruise surface. Wow, with age it is really great to have someone who knows more about foot care and the medical aspects of my foot help me get my feet back in shape other than mere aesthetics.

He expertly removed the excess dead skin especially around the knuckles of my last two toes on my right foot (probably caused by rubbing against the sides of my jogging shoes). Indeed when he was skilfully slicing off the dead skin layer by layer, I did not have any sensation at all, even when he stopped. Having worked with diabetic patients before, Perié is careful not to over strip the skin, which would otherwise cause bleeding. Explaining in his French accented English he said, “It is essential for diabetic patients to get the proper care for their feet to save them from getting nasty cuts which may have problem healing due to their medical condition, and only a medical professional would have the training to handle a scalpel to remove callouses and corns without hurting the feet. We know when to stop.” With proper feet care, diabetics can be assured of saving their toes from infection and worse conditions. Perie then showed me how corns can also be avoided if proper care like regular massage is done to prevent the skin on the toes from sticking to the bone with regular massage around corn prone areas. In fact Bastien Gonzalaz shared during the press conference that he taught the personal assistant of a diabetic client the right massage techniques. One month after his client received regular foot massage (especially where the corn was removed) twice a day, he was told that the skin where the corn used to surface looks healthy again.

The treatment at the Studio was very systematic and gentle. At no point in time did I feel any pain. Having gone for pedicures and manicures at nail spas before, we would know that pushing the cuticles back can be painful at times. But at Bastien’s Mani Pedi Cure Studio, the treatment is done the painless way with careful use of tools like at scalpels and battery charged “buffer” made with many mini black diamonds to gently slice off and slough of hard dead skin, or smoothen rough or thickened nails before moisturising the areas with a hydrating moisturiser, during a foot and calf massage. Chammy leather is used to give nails a healthy sheen. “To take care of foot problems, the treatment stops at the knee as calf muscles are sometimes retracted after long hours of wearing 4-inch (about 10cm) high heels,” says Gonzalaz the founder of Mani Pedi Cure. Gonzalaz shared that he had a model client whose heels could hardly touch the ground when she’s barefooted as her calf muscles had become retracted from failure to stretch the calf muscles regularly.  

Perié’s massage strokes were firm. I didn't feel any pain at all although the heel and arch of my right foot is sensitive. This is a bonus as I have had my feet massaged by other masseuse before and they asserted pressure while massaging that area as they are trained that it would help, until I stopped them that is. 

At the end of the treatment, my toe nails no longer need any nail colours to pretty up as they have a healthy sheen. And I felt that my foot fall seem lighter than before.  

CONCLUSION

This is just the kind of professional advice and foot treatment I wish I could easily find all the time especially when I am travelling abroad. Being in a foreign country, it really helps to find professional English-speaking podiatrist offering foot treatments that also works on the aesthetics aspects of my feet as well. It is great that Gonzalaz is having more Studios at more destinations. And being at exclusive resorts, which is away from the crowded city, a Studio like this offers restorative treatment in a tranquil environment. Women can return from their holiday, not just totally recharged from being away from the city stressed, but also have their feet restored after a good stretch at the right places – toes, feet arches and the calf muscles.

This treatment leaves my nails with a healthy sheen that lasts at least a week, before I slicked a coat of red nail colour before attending a wedding luncheon. I am impressed by the Bastien Unguent cream used on my nail bed. It contains a blend of arnica, calendula to soften dead skin, nourish nail and heal cracks too.  The Bastien Celeste Leg Shimmer is also a pleasant introduction as it nourishes and seals in moisture with dry oil, without leaving skin oily.

The whole treatment is professionally done. To protect female clients' sense of modesty, a huge towel is used to cover the legs. I love the reclining chair which the option to simply lie back and relax during the one-hour treatment.

Model resting in the chair during leg treatment

TIP from Perié:

1. For healthier feet, choose heels not more than 5cm high.

2. Stretch your feet regularly at the toes and arches with massages, which will also improve blood circulation and relax the feet.

3. If the sole of your feet hurts, use an insole for extra padding.

4. Maintain the elasticity of your skin with a good moisturiser.

You can purchase any of these items from the Studio.

To keep your hands and feet in optimum condition back home, replenish your chiropody supplies with Bastien’s effective and special concoction at the Studio. Other treatments to check out includes award-winning like Bastien’s Duo, VND 3,200,000, (S$195), where two therapists work simultaneously on both your hands and feet for the ultimate relaxing manicure and pedicure. Bastien Foot Refoundation, VND1,600,000, (S$100) improves muscular flexibility, joint mobility, blood circulation and skin elasticity from the feet up to the calves. Those who frequently sprain their ankles or who can’t live without their 4-inch heels, should have their calf muscles stretched proper by an expert.  

Reserve a slot at +84 511 3938 888 or +84 120 4138 929 via Perié. 

PEDI:MANI:CURE STUDIO by Bastien Gonzalez is located within the exclusive and luxurious InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and away from the bustling city. About half an hour’s drive from the Da Nang airport, it is located Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula, Danang, Vietnam. For more information on the resort, please go to danang.intercontinental.com.

Reviews of a couple of these quality products and an interview with the founder to come in the next few days. Till then a bientot.

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