Eeeeeuuuwww! What have you done to your hands FashionJunkie? In a matter of minutes, I’ve unconsciously ripped every cuticle right down to the bone. What can I say, nothing beats the stress of urban living. I’ve already cut out chocolate, coffee, and even yoga won’t help my panic-stricken state. C’mon FashionJunkie, get a hold of yourself! Breathe… inhale, exhale. Talk about total calamity. I’ve got a trendy party to crash tonight and hands that look like hell. Hmmm… I could hide the damage with a pair of sexy silk gloves. Nope. Way too cheezy. Think FashionJunkie, think! Of course, Pir manicure to the rescue… the coveted nail salon in Yorkville touted for their Exotic Escape Manicure Bar. Sounds too good to be true, right? Follow me and I’ll show you co-owner Joanna Black’s manicure magic.

Don’t expect a typical manicure here, ok? In case you didn’t know, Pir Cosmetics is the hottest new concept to hit Toronto. This small ground-level shop is every beauty junkies dream. Neatly stocked with cult beauty brands including Shu Uemura, special f/x make-up for film sets, Two Faced, Taut, Joe Blasco and other hard-to-find brands you’d normally find at big beauty stores in the U.S. Catch my drift?

I’m so side-tracked from the serious cosmetic selection, I nearly forget what I’m here for. I hear a faint voice echoing in the distance, “are you ready to embark on your journey?” Ok, what drug is being slipped into my Perrier? Yeah, right!

Whew—all this beauty under one roof is making my heart beat a mile a minute. Gotta sit down and focus. A quick glance at the nail menu and I’m in total ecstasy. Joanna asks me to choose from one of four exotic destinations abroad including The Mediterranean, The Orient, The Middle East or The West Indies. Hmmm, should I cancel my vacation plans to Miami now? I’m dying to visit every location but only have time and money for The Middle East… manicure that is ($38). Besides, I couldn’t really handle those long flights abroad anyway. “Think Lawrence of Arabia and lose yourself in the mystical horizons and starry nights of the Middle East. The lavish scents of bergamot, sage and cardamon tone and condition hands while calling forth a hidden hedonism.” Not bad for a one hour fix, eh? A light sip of Perrier with a wedge of lemon and I’m ready to embark on my journey abroad.

Middle Eastern music wafts from the speakers while my nails are gently cleansed and filed to perfection. I notice I’m surrounded by martini shakers and immediately get a mad craving for a dry martini. C’mon Fashion Junkie, they’re for the special floral peppermint elixir that soothes your hands. Next, I’m super relaxed as my hands soak in a colourful floral elixir. You definitely don’t get this kind of treatment at your drop-in Korean nail salon. Moments later, a fine, natural exfoliation scrub is gently applied to soften my sand-paper hands. They’re really dry, ok?

As if I’m not already in heaven, I’m told to get ready for the ultimate pampering experience with an invigorating hand and arm massage. Too bad this isn’t covered by health care. I’m wishing this would last forever!

A quick rinse and I’m ready to choose from a rainbow of top-of-the line Shu Uemura colours. This Japanese line is known for its’ superior quality. But of course quality means ca$h. For a long-lasting manicure, it’s a smart idea to buy a bottle of polish for do-it-yourself touch-ups at home. With one bottle of Shu Uemura polish at $24, you’d better choose wisely.

I’d look tres glam with any of these sexy sparkle polish, don’t ya think?

A refreshing spritz of Shu Uemura Deep Sea Water and a dab of moisturizing oil for the finishing touch. Wow! I’m amazed how smooth and silky my hands look and feel. At $38 a pop, I’d better stop abusing my cuticles. Yeah, right. Better put aside ca$h for my next trip to The Mediterranean pronto. Off to the party I go…

Top Colour Tips From Pir: Colour can heal the mind, body and soul, so listen up!

Red counters depression, lethargy, exhaustion and discouragement. Blue relieves fatigue and exhaustion and also helps meditation and reflection. Yellow stimulates creativity, enhances intuition, relieves headaches and harmonizes the nervous system. Green provides a feeling of tranquility, harmony and peace, reducing insomnia or irritable states.

  Photography © Zack Medicoff