Mystery Shopping Assignment - Pedicure

Compiled by BR Natalie

Being one of our three Superheroes has some perks. The most enviable (other than the cape) has to be the chance to mystery shop a beauty counter, salon or shop.  Oh yes, we give our Superheroes some spending money and send them undercover in the beauty industry

Here's how Farmers-Wife, aka, Ongelique got on.

What was the assignment you were given?

To go to the Pacific Bliss Day Spa, Dunedin for a Tropical Pedicure (75 minutes / $80)

Describe your first impressions of your experience?

As soon as I seen the Beauty Review post that Super Hero Mystery shops had been sent out I raced over to see what I was assigned. I saw I was off for a Tropical Pedicure. I was sent a link and went to see what that all meant. You should have heard the OMG, what the, oh wows as I read it. Sounded amazing THEN I freaked out! I HATE my feet! They are always snug in my socks away from others. When I seen there were hot stones involved and someone massaging them, I honestly had images of accidently sending stones flying around the room, crashing into the person's face and police being called. Then I told the husband what I was off to do. He took one look at me and said "and you wanna do that!!" He understands my not liking being touched.

Anyway on the day of the appointment we were looking out for what I thought was a distinctive sign, only to find the business next door had the exact same ones. I walk into the front door into a very small reception. No one was there to greet me. I arrived at 1.20pm. There was an amazing fragrance and nice calming music. I stood and waited, there was a piece of paper on the desk saying no available appointments and to leave details of enquiry. I thought that was odd. I sat and was a bit miffed why it looked so different to the Web site. So onto the site I went and it showed photos of a nice lounge looking area and nice sign writing. I was sitting in front of a desk on a couch with posters on the wall. Then I noticed the product sitting out on display. I totally could have stolen the whole lot and left. Know one would have known. 8 minutes later a lady left a room down the hallway and didn't look my way and vanished again. I was wondering what a very odd place!

What questions did they ask you before commencing your consultation?

I was asked to fill out a information sheet. It was never looked at or talked about

I had to tick what my skin concerns where, what kind of skincare I used. Age, allergies, if I was pregnant and what pressure massage did I like.

Describe what happened during your consultation. Talk about the environment, how you felt during the appointment, your consultant’s attitude:

I was taken into a very small room with a bed, it was very dimly lit, with a nice photo art on the wall, nice mirror, oil burner going and nice mirror with a chair and nice soft carpeting. I was very pleasantly surprised how nice it was after the reception area. The lady showed me a large round deep bowl that had coconut milk and water in. She explained the coconut water soak and said to remove shoes and sit on the edge of the bed. I had worn shorts and was told I could leave them on. You sit on the foot end of the bed with your feet hanging over into the bowl. She helped me into position, placed a tray of nail polishes beside me as well as magazines.

She asked if the water temp was ok, it was very hot which I love! She said I would sit there for 10 minutes soaking. She said read or play on your phone while you soak. After a minute or so I realised my bottom was warm and looked under the sheet to see I was in fact sitting on a electric blanket. Really nice touch. She came back in and rubbed my feet withe a hot sugar scrub. Again it was hot. She even went up my calves with it, then helped me slide back so I was leaning against the bed in a sitting up position. She placed a folded towel behind my neck. I apologised to her saying my feet were a mess. I explained I had spinal surgeries and I'm not very bendy so my feet are my poor long lost body part.

My toe nails were tiled, oiled and scraped. Then the bottom of my feet were sanded with what seemed to be just a large nail file. Again I said about how bad my heels were. That they would probably need alot of work I'm sorry.

Next hot oil from the oil burner was applied to my leg and she used two hot pebble stones to massage it in with. I really quote liked this bit. Then I sighed relief thinking phew no stones would go flying or injuries would be happening!

I was asking questions about the stones, how they were heated, about the oil, the treatment the whole time. The lady was happy to answer all my questions and explained it's about the ritual of the stones and oil and product that the treatment is about. Once she finished my foot and leg it was wrapped in a very hot towel so the oil could soak into the skin while she did the other side. The poor lady really needs a wee table to put those towels on. She had to hand them on the door knob.

My nails were then painted in the polish I had picked. Then a big air blowing machine was brought in. I was to sit with my toes in far enough so the air would dry my nails. She dimmed the light and said to lean back and relax for 15 minutes so the polish would be dry properly. I really really really did not like this at all! It was cold on my nice warm feet and legs. I got goose bumps! Then the odd position I was in was a killer on my back. This I would say is due to my back condition (maybe?) But the way I had to sit, my bottom got so sore, my lower back ached like crazy. I couldn't handle it so I leaned forward then had to bend my legs in a weird position to keep my toes in place. I was looking around to see if there was a bell I could ring and nothing. I felt like I was stuck! I even watched my phone clock counting down the minutes when she would return. Finally she returned I said I was sore and couldn't sit in that position. She checked my nails and said they were dry. She helped me put my sandles on (thankfully without being asked). As we left the room I got a glimpse of the lounge area that was on the website

What did you like about your experience?

I loved how she sat and smiled the whole time. Not a freaky weird smile, just like she enjoyed playing with my feet and legs (again I'm sorry for showing them to you) I really liked the hot oil stone massage and foot soak.

Anything you didn’t like?

I didn't like not being greeted, the waiting in the reception area wasn't what was shown online, and the cold air blower. Even if there wasn't enough staff, the note that was left on the desk could have been Sorry I'm with a client, please walk into our lounge and enjoy a drink while you wait. For the pedicure I would have enjoyed sitting in a over sized recliner chair better as when you soak your feet you don't have any back to lean back on instead of sitting on the edge of the bed, and same when it came to the toe drier

Were you happy with the outcome from your experience?

No as it was a expensive treatment yet comfort/greeting/drink wasn't there. Even when I was soaking I could have been offered water? Or when i was drying a coffee? Also my heels weren't 'sanded' enough. I wikipedia the definition of what I should have experienced with a pedicure when I got home. "Usually dead skin cells on the bottom of feet are rubbed off using a rough stone.." So if she had the right tools my feet may have sparkled. When she had done the nail prep, with manicures it is cut away, she kind of ripped it away. It was OUCHY!

Would you visit this place again, if you were paying for it yourself?

Not for the same service. I'd be interested to see how a manicure would be done there. Is comfort different? It's like the small things were missed

Would you recommend this experience to a friend?

I would tell them how lovely my lady was. How lovely it smelled and how the stone massage was lovely.

Is there anything else would you like to add?

I was left feeling in a right quandary. Did I enjoy it or did I not. I think if the last part of the drying the nails with the cold air was left out I would have left feeling alot warmer and happier about the experience. If warm air can't be used it would be lovely having the hot towels still wrapped around your legs and moved to a sitting lounge maybe? Just a couple of small tweaks could totally turn around the whole experience without the added cost. Thank you so much to the Beauty Review team for picking me as a Super Hero and sending me for such a interesting treatment. I've actually talked to a friend about trying out another salon and doing it in a room where we can both be together for a pamper chat session. (NEVER EVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DID I THINK I WOULD EVEN CONSIDER DOING THIS WILLINGLY)

So there we have it - another Superhero Mystery Shop - big thanks to Farmers-Wife for going undercover for us!