Digits Fingertips and Toes is a "chic salon specializing in artificial nails, Jessica Manicures, Chiropody, the exclusive and trademarked Chiro-Pedi", which is a combined chiropody and pedicure treatment created by the owner of the clinic. They also offer a Dermalogica Skincare range of treatments, as well as the usual waxing, tanning and beauty therapies etc...
In the interest of fairness I will make my position clear with regards to this kind of spa, just as I have with Rebalance, a similar establishment that is practically next door to Digits. Both places are nice enough in themselves, and I'm sure that a lot of people appreciate the services that they offer, but I've been to a fair number of spa's in my time, and have had to conclude that the ones that seem to focus on superficial treatments just aren't my thing. That's not to say that Rebalance and Digits aren't heading in the right direction... both of them offer treatments that have a profound impact on the condition of the body... but it's just the way that they market themselves that makes me uneasy. Much of the fanfare is reserved for the superficial treatments, like fake tanning, waxing and false nails, which is just a little too plastic-fantastic for my liking. It's not that I'm averse to faking it either... I own a bottle of St Tropez, and have used this product pretty consistently over a five year period, up until about a couple of years ago. These days I feel disinclined to bother with the faff, and probably won't invest in another bottle once my current one is spent.
I've always been acutely aware of the perils of the objectification of people, and grew increasingly concerned when men became firmly at the centre of this kind of attention, alongside the women... to my mind two wrongs don't make a right! With boys now suffering from bulimia and other low self-esteem and low self image related conditions, I feel more inclined to veer away from endorsing businesses that trade in the promise of bodily perfection, and the maintenance of youth everlasting.
Neither Digits or Rebalance is anywhere near the likes of the clinics that offer cosmetic surgery... quite the opposite. They are moving more toward an holistic approach to beauty and wellbeing. But the fact that they lead with superficial treatments as Digits does, or more woefully, using gorgeous girls with pursed lips and fake tans to market themselves, like Rebalance chooses to do, doesn't sit well with me. The latter is neither representative of their client base, nor a realisable reality for most women. And even if I were personally able to conform to the appearances of these beauties, I certainly wouldn't be adopting any of the expressions that they all seem to sport in the publicity posters... sun drenched sex kitten isn't a look that would suit me! read more