The Well is a health centre on Institute road, offering a comprehensive and diverse range of…read moretreatments. Their list of massage therapies alone is as long as your line of chakras! As well as treatments such as acupuncture that you'd expect a place like The Well to have, they also have more obscure services on offer. It all gets a bit CSI when you discover that they offer a DNA testing service... Although I live at the end of the road and I pass The Well every day, I'd not been in there until recently. Having slept on a sub-standard mattress that had given up the ghost a couple of months ago, my lower back was in some discomfort, so I went for Bowen Therapy. The treatment lasted an hour. The session started with some questions about my previous health and then the treatment began. It felt a bit like a regular general massage, and didn't have any of the intensity of some thing like chiropractic treatment. (Ouch!) After a good night's I awoke with a fine lower back and Mr Bowen's therapy seemed to have done the trick. Bullseye.

After starting a new job and moving house the same week, I was feeling a little stressed to say the…read moreleast. My friend recommended that I go to the Well Health Centre and try one of their full body aromatherapy massages. I'd never really had a massage up till this point as my first any only experience was really disappointing. But my friend swears by them so I thought why not! As soon as I walked in the smell of oils and the sound of calming music instantly made me sigh with relief. I was greeted by a woman who had a softly spoken with voice which just added to my experience. After being taken to my room, I got changed and jumped aboard the bed. At first I found it hard to relax but after the first 5 minute I was completely involved and loving every bit of it. I felt really relaxed afterwards and my mind was clear for the first time in weeks.

The USA Nail & Tanning Bar is the full name of a friendly nail bar in Lichfield with a sign out…read morefront sporting the American flag (excellent taste, if I do say so m'self) and the title "USA Nails". It's just up from the main city centre area, toward Tesco. Upon entering, one is greeted by the friendly staff, most of whom are Vietnamese, but not American. I enquired of the woman who worked on my nails why it was called such, and she said that it was owned by a chap who had a lot of family members in the US. Now, I'm a big sucker for getting my fingernails manicured and my toenails pedicured, and have been to close to 4 dozen different establishments across the world for such treatments. As such, I consider myself a bit of a beauty treatment connoisseur, and I have to say that the manicure/pedicure I received at USA Nails was one of the best. At £48 for both treatments, it's not a cheap treat, but rather a bit of a luxury. However, with my treatments totalling two hours, it was well worth every pence. The lady who worked on me was married to an Englishman, as am I, and we discussed at length the quirks that are particular to that type of gentleman. Lots of laughter and chatting, which isn't as common with nail therapists as hairdressers, so that was a nice touch. I received a long, luxuriant nail spa on each of my appendages, and an excellent massage before getting "Monroe Red" nail varnish on all twenty. The most interesting, touching part of my visit was when the owner, finding out I was American, came and chatted to me. Apparently, during the Vietnam war, his uncle was a spy for the Americans against the Viet Cong, and was beheaded after the war for his efforts. However, in the nick of time, American troops rescued the rest of his extended family, and gave them amnesty in the US. A sobering tale, and perhaps a deeper explanation for the name. Needless to say, I tipped well.

So, I walked in here asking what Male packages they offer, and how much to smooth me up round the…read moreedges. This is a little surprise in Liberty Place, and offers a one stop place for any beauty treatment that you may be after, or need help convincing to try! There is nothing that they don't wax, treat, tan, polish, buff, massage, tidy up etc. I felt they have a substantial and good mix of treatments for the modern man. If you just want a facial, a shoulder wax, or want to go the whole hog and book yourself in for an 'Indulgence' experience, they've got it covered. Also note, that some of the package treatments are a good 3-4 hours, so be prepared to be well looked after for what you pay. I noticed they also use the Dermalogica brand, which is well trusted, and a market leader in the beauty industry. You wont be disappointed with this beauty haven. I now know where to go next time I have a hot date. Closed Monday's and Sunday's, open from 10am-9pm Tuesday-Thursday, and late on Fridays, closes at 5.30pm on Saturday's.

This is one of my favourite beauty salons in Birmingham. It's very clean and stylish with wooden…read morefloors throughout. The seating area is well stocked with magazines and the beautician girls are always really friendly and chatty. Before you go in for your treatment, you'll notice a range of products for sale ranging from the Dermalogica skin range, including face wash and moisturising cream, to nail varnishes and jewellery. They have a sunbed available which is cheaper during the day time if you can get there. I know a few people that go here for spray tans as they use the celebrity tanning products which give a golden look. I however, go here to have bits waxed. The girls are very professional and always do it in the quickest, most painless way possible.. although it still hurts! They offer a great all in package called stripped bare which gets you in tip top shape and saves you a lot of money as it's only £45 for everything. Highly recommended.

Going to see Julie for treatments is like going from home…read more Julie's studio is based in the Hampton Lofts building and is a serene enclave in what is, well actually a relatively quiet neighbourhood that is barely 15 minutes walk from the city centre. I've had one or two wax treatments from Julie, who chat's to you like an old friend throughout. Julie also offers an array of other services; massage, including aromatherapy, and facials that include treatments for acne, sensitive skin, anti ageing or something simply to hydrate tired skin. There is also the option of hand and feet care including the obligatory manicures and pedicures although that's not my thing. There are also tanning treatments and products to available, all of which you can discuss with Julie.

Henna Beauty is a discreet salon located on the first floor of a building adjacent to a nursery and…read moreCaribbean eatery. It's a ladies-only beauty parlour that offers all face and body treatments and massages. It's best to book an appointment for lengthy treatments such as body waxing or facials. However, you can drop-in for eyebrow threading. My favourite threading therapist is Jyoti. She gave my eyebrows a shape that I never knew existed! And it costs just £2.50! It gets busy during the school-run when mums drop-in so I'd avoid going at this time. Satya is the head beautician who executes most of the facials, massages and waxing treatments. She is very knowledgeable and professional in her approach. She is also welcoming and bubbly. Just listen out for the laugh and that's Satya! The salon also offers mendhi, eyebrow tinting and bridal services. It's a homely salon with all the essentials and no pretence.

I went to Henna Beauty Salon for a half leg wax…read more As I tried to take my mind off the pain, I noticed that the inside décor of the room was pleasant, it was quite neutral although some of the posters on the wall looked old and could do with modernising. There were a range of products that they must use for treatments such as facials but I'm not sure if they sell these behind the counter as I was in too much pain to ask. Not my most favourite treatment, mainly due to the pain, but they did the job and I could wear a skirt once more!

Lovely little shop with really friendly staff. Thanks to my husband i had a lovely massage,…read morepedicure & manicure. They offer a good range of treatments at reasonable prices and make you feel really special well worth any money.

Most girls, girly or otherwise, require lots of attention, pampering and lip gloss…read more Lip gloss is quite cheap, and easily found, whereas attention takes a bit more time and energy, and usually involves other people (attracting and keeping employed male who speaks English and doesn't harbor secret longing to sleep with sister or friends). Pampering then, is the most fulfilling and least emotionally straining of the lot. And the nicest, most relaxed and personal treatment I've found for this in the UK was in the Birmingham suburb of Tamworth, much to my delight and surprise. A local holistic therapies centre (I know, right?) provided me with a pamphlet of a beauty service called "Pampered by Pom". The first thing that caught my attention was the low prices (pampering should not involve staggering charges on credit card that will inhibit attraction of above-mentioned male). The second was the unique titles of the beauty treatments -- these didn't seem to be "one size fits all". So I rang and spoke with Pom and scheduled an eyebrow wax, manicure and pedicure. She fit me in the following afternoon, after much pleading and description of eyebrows as Pomeranian in nature. Pom gives her beauty treatments from her home, in dedicated room. I arrived, and she was waiting at the door. With gorgeous skin and a lovely smile, Pom is a testimony to traditional Thai remedies. I followed her upstairs and was led into a room that rocked my socks off (mainly because I had left them at the door with my shoes, and was wearing specially-provided flip flops). The decor was stunning, from the gorgeous paint colour to the authentic Thai furnishings and lovely lighting. I sat in a chair, cup of tea in hand, and went through a health questionnaire with Pom, to make sure all the treatments and products were suitable for me. I then spent an hour and a half chatting politics, the strangeness of British men, the horrifying weather and feelings of homesickness with Pom while she truly pampered my tootsies and paws. Though I prefer a manicure with cuticle treatment, the massage and potions she used were really wonderful, and left my skin softer for days. The pedicure was divine, and sorted out my pavement-pounding peds to dance floor perfection. Pom even pointed out that my nails had some little ridges in them that would be shown with glaring clarity if I wore the fire-engine-red polish I had chosen, and suggested instead a more metallic colour to hide the little grooves. She's constantly offering specials and discounts, and great advice on beauty care, and is one of the chattiest, most friendly therapists I've met. My only wish is that she offered more detox/anti-cellulite treatments, and cuticle work with the manicure, but these are minor points in an otherwise lovely experience. I haven't tried a massage yet, as I think I'll fall asleep and ask to stay the night, which could put a strange on the beauty therapists/client relationship.

I go to this place to see Jay who offers the usual beauty services or in my case, the dreaded…read morewaxing! I've been going here since I moved to Birmingham in 2009 and lived across the street. Even though in 2010 I moved further into the city, the fact that Jay is now 20 minutes walk for me and yet I still go to see her says everything you need to know. I occasionally have other treatments but as far as the regular wax goes, the time goes so quickly and pleasantly as Jay keeps me talking throughout. She remembers everything I talked about during my last treatment and asks how I'm getting on with all my projects. We also swap movie chat and she listens patiently as I tell her about by travels and my writing. Jay has never been late for me despite always being busy. They offer late appointments and only take cash but there is a cash point right outside.

Situated in Edgbaston near the top of Broad St, this salon is very convenient for anyone living or…read moreworking near by. The interior is a lot more inviting than the exterior would lead you to believe. It;s decorated with patterned wallpaper which gives it a modern feel. They have a good clientele base with many regular faces popping in throughout the week. There have both stand up and lay down sunbeds available which you can either pre book or just walk in if you're passing by. Before you go in the sunbed, don't forget to ask the girl behind the desk for some goggles. They also sell a range of tanning creams which will prolong your tan so definitely worth asking about these if you pop in.