Pure Fiji pedicure. Photo / Supplied

Pure Fiji pedicure. Photo / Supplied

Ways to get your body in top condition for its summer debut.

The toe tickler

A jolly good pedicure is always a treat, but this was one of the nicest I've had. My feet were treated to a hydrating coconut milk bath, a sugar rub and more soaking before the pedicure proper ensured my cuticles were hydrated and tidied, my nails shaped and buffed and dry skin on the underfoot and heels given the heave-ho.

More Pure Fiji products were applied, first a body butter mask is applied and my feet wrapped and left to absorb the soothing natural plant oils. Then a traditional Fijian therapeutic massage worked body lotion into my feet and legs.

Finally my toes were painted - it had to be this summer's favourite, coral - and I wiggled them away in jandals.

* The Pure Fiji Exotic Pedicure (60 minutes) costs between $70-$90 depending on stockist. For a spa near you call 0800 7873 3454.

Viva's treatment was at About Face, 415 Mt Eden Rd, Ph (09) 623-8400 or see aboutface.co.nz.

The permanent solution

After half a dozen IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, I'm well ahead of the predicted 80 per cent plus permanent removal of pesky lower leg and underarm hair. I'm pleased with progress over the winter months and now looking forward to a summer without regular waxing or shaving.

If you're not bothered by having to shave every few days or clambering up on a table to get waxed every month then carry on, and save yourself a lot of money, because laser hair removal doesn't come cheap.

But if the idea of spending your life removing hair (and that can cost a bit too) palls, and you start early enough (think of fashion's cost per wear equation) then it's worth considering.

Best get some decent advice though, to find out just what the cost will be and if you're a suitable candidate (my fair skin and dark hair is the ideal combination for the laser light to lock on to). Blonde, red and grey hair cannot be treated so successfully and neither can the hair of those with melanin-rich dark skin or the very tanned.

Beware of cowboys offering cheap treatments; in the hands of an untrained operator lasers can burn skin. A decent clinic should be happy to provide an assessment and consultation and explain the process to you. If you don't feel satisfied with the professionalism shown, don't proceed.

I liked that Skin Institute senior practice nurse Sally Ellison was quite upfront with me from day one that this method of hair removal isn't perfect, though with my colouring I should expect good results.