Getting a bi-weekly mani-pedi in NYC (or anywhere else for that matter) is a necessity.  With the hundreds of nails salons that encompass this island, there should be no reason we can’t shell out at least forty dollars a month to give our hands and feet the treatment they deserve.   So being a creature of spontaneity, I have frequented various nail salons throughout the city, and with every visit I leave with a different color.  This week, I am loving Coral (above: Essie - Too Too Hot) – this deep red and vibrant tone is sure to fulfill my color craving and best of all the red is deep enough to put on both my hands and feet!

Tips to the Manicure-Pedicure:

-  Nail Care starts with NailTek:  Nail salons normally use the cheaper brands of top/bottom coat that can be quite damaging to nails, and they charge for the better stuff.  So, I’ve invested in a $9 bottle of NailTek foundation and top coat that I bring to the salon every time I make my visit.  This is the ultimate nail saver – the foundation strengthens your nail while the top coat helps your nails last for at least 2 weeks.

-  Deal Days:  Salons normally have deals between Monday – Wednesday, so to get the most bang for your buck, try beating the weekend crowd by going to the salon earlier in the week.

-  Maintenance:  New Yorkers walk on average about 4 to 5 milesa day which can sometimes be hard on the feet.  So to keep the pedicure lasting longer and the feet feeling soft, purchase a filing stone (love this) for some basic upkeep between your sessions.

-  Once every 6 weeks:  I take my hard-earned dollars and treat myself to my one of my two favorite nail spas (here and here) to get some special mani-pedi treatments.  They may cost a pretty penny, but 100% worth it.