By Erin Frank

On your wedding day you want to look and feel great from head-to-toe.  That’s why before my big day I went to my top choice for manis/pedis in town, Silk Spa.

Silk offers full nail and waxing services.  A basic manicure is $18, pedicure $30.  I’ve enjoyed both, but a word about the pedicure for now. For a long time I was addicted to the bubbly tub and massage chairs you get many nail spas. Then I started hearing horror stories about women who’d left with more that just a polish, like a nasty infection, and realized how tough it can be to really get those tubs clean and sterile.  Silk doesn’t use the tubs.  Instead your feet soak in a lovely silver bowl (easily sterilized, folks) filled with warm water and floating chamomile. Even better, well…equally good, you can see all of their sterilization equipment out front and in use, so you have the peace of mind that comes with decidedly clean tools.

Just about the time you’re missing the comforting jets of your former bubble bath the real fun begins.  Your feet and legs are slathered with warm mango lotion, and you get an expert massage from your technician that lasts oh-so-much longer than you’d expect.  The whole pedicure takes an hour, so there’s no skimping here.  This decadent bliss is followed with steaming hot towels wrapped around your legs to warm you up and remove the excess lotion.

To top off the pedicure you get nail polish, of course. Silk has a wide selection of polishes including OPI and Chanel (shown above: No Spain, No Gain by OPI).  Head over to the drying bar where you can snack on gummy candies or chocolates while your polish sets. Even better than this, schedule your appointment on a Saturday when Silk puts on quite a spread!  Sandwiches, veggies, pastries, and other goodies are there to tempt and satisfy you.  You’ll feed me, massage me, and make my feet pretty?  More Silk, please!

Silk Spa

1425 Franklin St (between Sutter and Bush Street)

San Francisco, CA 94109

415-885-3277

A bit of gossip: A little birdie (not affiliated with Silk) told me that the director of a top SF beauty school forgoes the free manis/pedis she has at her disposal and goes to Silk instead, as it is the bees knees!