A GOOD mani-pedi can do you a world of good. Sometimes, if the service is really good, it can even change your whole outlook in life.
That’s what Cat Ilacad has come to realize after years of running Posh Nails, the hand and foot spa specialist that has been converting more and more people, celebrities included, into serious hand and foot-spaholics.

Like Reese Witherspoon’s loveable acter Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, many girls, including powersuited career women, come to the spa to feel good about themselves. Similar with a perfect haircut that accentuates the features of your face, or a closefitting jeans that fits snugly around your legs and tooshie, a great pedicure or manicure can make your day.

”Don’t you just love it when you see your nails or toes all clean and beautiful?,” says Cat Ilacad with a smile. “I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t feel good after a treatment.”

True. For most people, a trip to Posh Nails is like taking a pep pill. You’d always leave the place all perked up and beaming.


Color my world pink

Unlike most neighborhood spas and nail salons, which are crowded and noisy, Posh Nails has a very laidback ambience.

”I don’t really notice it, but those who had gone to other spas would say how nice and beautiful my spa is,” enthuses Ilacad, who oversees the day-to-day operations of all the three branches of Posh in Taft, Greenhills, and Tomas Morato. “They say the place is very relaxing. Some even call it their second home.”

Its walls painted bright pink and its ceiling adorned with a very kitsch but cute chandelier, Posh Nails looks as if it had the signature stamp of Elle Woods. One could half-expect to see a teacup chihuahua named Bruiser traipsing around the place or two perky blondes gushing over the latest makeup at the reception area.

Instead of the usual recliners, Ilacad installed couches for its customers. She found out that the leg rest of recliners are more prone to infection than the stools. Ilacad also wanted to make her clients feel as if they own the place. ”I think it’s easier to fall asleep on these couches,” she adds.

Celebrity hangout

Since it opened a few months ago, Posh Nails’ Tomas Morato branch has been the favorite hangout of most celebrities. Because it is conveniently located near ABS-CBN and GMA networks, celebrities can easily swing by to have a quick pampering during their freetime.
Some of the celebrities who have visited the place are Alessandra de Rossi, Tanya Garcia, Nikki Valdez, Mylene Dizon, and Karel Marquez. Even guys like Epy Quizon, Rovilson Fernandez, Greg Martin, Bernard Palanca, and Dingdong Dantes are not ashamed to admit they go to Posh Nails to avail different services and treatments.

”These stars have been loyal patrons of my spa. Sometimes, they would just drop by and hangout and talk,” shares Ilacad. “Would you believe that some of them are even interested in having their very own Posh Nails Spa?”
Among the services Ilacad recommends are the Posh Spoiling Package, which includes manicure, pedicure, scrub, and a 20-minute massage; Posh Grooming and Posh Treatments like dry foot pedicure, basic refresh, fetish (hand and feet, spa package), Foot spa, heated paraffin dip, body massage, reflexology and leg waxing. One can also avail of the spa’s nail art services, which uses stamps, rhinestones, and stickers as fancy embellishments for the nails.

As one of the pioneers of natural nail care, Ilacad aims to bring the best in nail care—perhaps new technology and techniques—to her loyal clients. Every year, she makes sure she doesn’t miss the international conference of nail experts in the US.
”Through this conference, I get to keep myself abreast with the latest in nail-care—the technology, the new discoveries,” says Ilacad, proudly adding that because of her continued effort to strive for the best, the spa has received 2005’s Shopper’s Choice for no. 1 Nail Salon and 2005’s Marketing Excellence’s Most Outstanding Nail Care Salon awards.

Bonding time

It’s true that the best way to experience different things is to do them with friends.
In the past, Posh Nails has had shower parties, late-night bachelorette parties, and birthday celebrations. If guys bond together over beer and pizza and perhaps a great basketball game on TV, girls do it while having their hair cut, or in Posh Nails’ case, their nails done.
”Can you imagine, shower parties at a nail spa?” says Ilacad with a laugh. “Not very many shops offer that!”
Indeed, this is where Posh Nails continue to rise above the rest. More than offering the best in nail-care, Posh Nails gives its clients something they can treasure for a very long time.

For appointments and inquiries, call 705-1516, 926-5077 or 373-8766.