Norfolk

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="693" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/flowerwall1-1000x693.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61002" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/flowerwall1-1000x693.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/flowerwall1-800x554.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/flowerwall1-768x532.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/flowerwall1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Since opening its doors in Norwich last year, <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/simply-beauty-thorpe-st-andrews/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simply Beauty</a> has been a high street hit. With its instagrammable flower wall, glass of Prosecco with every treatment, service with a smile, modest and might I add incredibly reasonable treatment menu, it&#8217;s not difficult to see why. Using popular brands (hello Bio-Sculpture gel and Tropic Skincare), Simply Beauty caters for all your essential beauty needs; hair removal, skincare, manicures, pedicures, and it does them well. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="856" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/FRONT05.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-60625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/FRONT05.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/FRONT05-800x685.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/FRONT05-768x657.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Having outgrown their small city salon roots, the team have just swung open the doors to a new and bigger space in nearby Thorpe St Andrew with the scope to do even more. Sitting pretty (in pink) on Yarmouth Road with an abundance of free, street parking just outside, my visit to check out their new digs certainly got off to a calm start. Though they are no longer in amongst the hustle and bustle of the city (a godsend this time of year with frantic Christmas shoppers about let&#8217;s be honest), you can still take your mani with a mooch around some of Thorpe St Andrew&#8217;s cute independents or your lashes with a side of lunch at the nearby Rivergarden or River Green Pantry, which just so happens to be next door to the salon. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="854" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/sign.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-60629" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/sign.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/sign-800x683.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/10/sign-768x656.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Relaxed, warm, welcoming with just the right amount of pink! The reception, manicure and pedicure stations are all within the same area meaning it&#8217;s a lovely communal space. It made me think of the salon in Legally Blonde where everyone was chatting and bending and snapping away, talking through their problems. Which, let&#8217;s be honest, is the kind of salon we all want to go to for our preening and pampering isn&#8217;t it? Where you can get a dazzling new manicure with a side of therapy. The glorious, neon &#8216;What happens in the salon stays in the salon&#8217; sign, the gospel everyone who enters shall now live by. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="728" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/room5-1000x728.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/room5-1000x728.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/room5-800x582.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/room5-768x559.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/room5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There are two treatment rooms, one for waxing and lash treatments which has also been earmarked for aesthetic treatments and tweakments in the hopefully not too distant future &#8211; I know, very exciting. The other is larger and set well away from the chatter of the nail stations and reception. This room is for the more relaxing treatments, facials and an assortment of massages (hot stone, deep tissue, Indian Head) which are a new fixture on the treatment list. I particularly loved the exposed beams which really add to the cosy vibe they have created in this particular room.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-treatments">THE TREATMENTS</h2>



The Simply Beauty gals pampered me from top to toe with a manicure, pedicure and prescriptive facial. Nail treatments are perhaps what the salon has become best known for, offering both Bio-Sculpture and the Build in a Bottle (BIAB) gels, trad manicures and nail extensions. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="915" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/toes2-1000x915.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61004" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/toes2-1000x915.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/toes2-800x732.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/toes2-768x702.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/toes2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



As I spend a considerable amount of time tap-tap-tapping away at my computer every day, I don&#8217;t tend to do a lot with my nails as normal varnish chips off easily and extensions are more of a hindrance. I was assured Bio-Sculpture would be the best option to help protect my nails and go the distance, and 10 days in, they weren&#8217;t wrong. After the filing, buffing and hand hokey cokey with the UV light, my laptop tappers looked party ready in under an hour. The only difficult part, deciding on a colour! There is a lot to choose from, I changed my mind at least three times over before settling on a particularly festive red-winey maroon. Beautiful, oui?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="690" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/finished-mani-1000x690.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60999" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/finished-mani-1000x690.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/finished-mani-800x552.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/finished-mani-768x530.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/finished-mani.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Next was the pedicure, and after putting my trotters in hibernation for the winter already, I knew I wouldn&#8217;t be getting away with just a buff and go! The salon uses Elim Spa Products for the luxury manicures and pedicures which are ultimately more prescriptive tackling problem areas like dry, chapped, hard skin. 



The treatment began with a genius exfoliation. A mild acid solution &#8211; applied to my callouses via saturated cotton pads &#8211; which was left to work its magic while I enjoyed my cup of tea laughing at the time dangling your feet in a fish bowl was a thing for hard skin. After this was removed, my hard skin literally sloughed off with a gentle scrub and pumicing. A glorious foot soak and massage followed, and then onto the layers of gel &#8211; matching of course &#8211; before walking on air to the facial room.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1168" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/tropic-products9.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60990" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/tropic-products9.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/tropic-products9-800x623.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/tropic-products9-1000x779.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/tropic-products9-768x598.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



I personally feel a bit overwhelmed when I look at the treatment menus at some salons and spas. There are so often too many options and it can be hard to know what is actually best for you and your skin. At Simply Beauty this is not the case at all, they offer two facials, a prescriptive miracle, thirty-minuter and a luxury, power hour, both using the deliciously smelling, sustainable and animal friendly Tropic Skincare. 



Treatment began after a brief consultation and study of my skin. All in I found it incredibly relaxing &#8211; the accompanying shoulder and scalp massage was heaven! It was clearly just what my skin needed as it quite literally drank the serums, creams and emulsions which were applied, even the balm-like cleanser from the many-step routine. Afterwards I had the kind of rosy glow I had been trying (and failing) to recreate with blusher for years which detracted somewhat from my wild hair post scalp massage (notes to self, bring a hat or hair covering to wear afterwards next time!). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Though the treatment offering here is relatively modest, each treatment was tailored to my specific needs. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly and non-judgey, I left with a spring in my step, looking polished and with a glow to rival any festive light show. 



I personally enjoy the product spiel after treatments like a facial and would have loved to have taken some of the items used on me home (the much needed Skin Feast moisturiser and Rainforest Dew hydration serum were calling my name). At the time of visiting this was not an option, however this has since changed and along with an informative aftercare leaflet with all the products on and therapist recommendations you&#8217;ll be given a web shop link to purchase what you would like. I know, nifty stuff! 



GOOD FOR: All you essential beauty needs, anyone looking for a relaxed welcoming salon to become their new regular. 



NOT FOR: If you&#8217;re looking for really advanced treatments or gimmicky gadgets, the clue is in the name people &#8211; Simply Beauty &#8211; and that is what they do here. If you want the latest TikTok beauty trend go elsewhere as these are tried and tested treatments which do exactly what they say on the tin. 



THE DAMAGE: Cheaper than therapy! I jest but the treatments are reasonable here ranging from £20 for express mani/pedis, lash and brow treatments from £10, with facials and massages roughly working out at £1 a minute. Plus the treatments are value for money with gel manicures lasting up to three weeks and pedicures up to six.



<a href="https://www.simplybeautynorwich.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simply Beauty</a>, 71 Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew, NR7 0AA, Email: info@simplybeautynorwich.co.uk



Words: Claire Hool

Review: Simply Beauty, Thorpe St Andrew

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