By Kathleen Schiop
Everyone loves to be pampered and I’m no exception. So, when I was invited to indulge in a spa pedicure at Lee Nails & Spa (located in the small professional center opposite TJ Maxx in The Grove Shopping Center off Oakley Blvd.) in Wesley Chapel, I jumped at the chance.
Owner Tony Truong, who has 16 years of experience in the nail business, opened the spa 4-1/2 years ago and says he has enjoyed loyal patronage ever since. Since the plaza itself is (and always has been) mostly deserted, I wondered how he has managed to not only stay in business, but also thrive. But, my questions were answered when I actually came to the spa.
As Tony says, “We believe we will continue to be successful because we trust our experience and how we treat our valued customers.”
He adds that he picked the location, because it is a very convenient plaza with plenty of parking. “It’s easy for our customers to get in and out quickly, and this area looks very nice, too.”
Elegance & Friendliness
The first impression upon entering the spotlessly clean Lee Nails is one of elegance. A color scheme of soothing peaches, light browns and yellows greets the eye, and relaxing music is playing. With ten pedicure stations, the spa is able to accommodate large groups, but what first caught my eye was the cute child-sized station, which caters specifically to the little princess or prince in your family.
The spa offers a full range of services at affordable prices, ranging from a complete menu of manicures and pedicures to waxing and facial services, as well as a variety of eyelash treatments and even permanent makeup.
My pedicure began when I was seated in a massage chair and my feet were placed in warm, swirling water. I turned to the customer next to me, and asked her how long she had been coming to this spa. April, a regular client who travels all the way from New Port Richey, said she had been to five other spas closerto her area before finding Lee Nails, and has been a loyal customer ever since.
“I love the cleanliness and the nail art work they do,” she said. “It’s unique and well worth the drive here.”
Of course, one of the primary concerns of any customer coming to a nail spa is hygiene. So, when my licensed nail technician Mya (one of seven at the spa) began, I first questioned her about the procedures Lee Nails uses to avoid contamination of their tools. She explained that all of the spa’s nail tools are soaked in a powerful antiseptic, placed in a sterilizer, then sealed in a bag. The bags are only opened when the nail technician begins work on the client’s pedicure.
After trimming and buffing my feet, Mya began a massage on my lower legs, using a mask which felt cool and tingly and had a wonderful aroma of eucalyptus. She let the mask dry, then followed it with a cooling gel. My feet and lower legs felt fantastic. But then, she rubbed my legs with an orange scented sea salt and encased my feet with warm, melted paraffin wax, wrapped in plastic.
After the pink wax hardened, she peeled it off, leaving my feet feeling incredibly smooth. Utter bliss. The massage was incredibly relaxing, and Mya spent more time on the massage than I’ve experienced at other spas. I thought to myself that Lee Nails would be the ideal place to come after one of my 5K road races as I dissolved into a little, contented puddle.
I also asked Lee Nails’ manager and Licensed Aesthetician Cindy about some of the spa’s other product and services. She showed me the menu of spa services, featuring Galvanic Spa, NuSkin and Ageloc products, to name a few. She added that the spa uses nothing but the highest quality products to give the customer the best treatments possible. The wide range of facials surprised me. The Mini Facial Treatment, the Full Facial, and the Super Facial consist of varying degrees of firming, hydrating and brightening techniques, and there is also is an Acne Facial treatment available. I am tempted to come back for one of these treatments in the very near future.
Another service I asked Cindy about were eyelash treatments, since Lee Nails offers more of these treatments than I have ever heard of before. In addition to eyelash tinting, the spa offers eyelash perming for those blessed with long eyelashes (I wish!) and eyelash extensions, (which is more up my alley), giving you a choice of either Push-up or Flare lashes done in 20 minutes, or individual extensions which take approximately 90-120 minutes to apply. Tony says he recommends the Flare lashes because the final look is fuller and the method uses less time and is more economical. And, once applied, Cindy also recommended stopping into the spa for eyelash maintenance about every two to three weeks to keep that beautiful, diva look.
While Mya finished polishing my toes with a beautiful burgundy OPI polish, a couple came in for his & hers pedicures. I asked Mya if this was a normal occurrence, since nail spas often tend to be “no man’s land,” but she said they see a mixed clientele of both male and female, as well as families enjoying the spa services together. After my experience at Lee Nails, I can certainly understand why.
Lee Nails & Spa is located at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 104. It is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. For appointments (which are not required) and more info, stop in or call 907-8100. Also, ask how you can get 15-percent-off all services of $20 or more offer just by mentioning this story when you visit Lee Nails & Spa.
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