What a lovely salon! Had a haircut and full head of highlights, was a really great experience from…read morestart to finish. Lots of drinks to keep me going (my hair is really thick and takes ages to highlight) and they didn't rush me through. Excellent cut as always and I love the colour. Need to come back again soon! Love the decor, I'd quite like one of the mirrors in my house!!

From the owner: Guy Christian Salon, Cwmbran is one of only a small number of Sassoon partnered salons in the UK…read more We offer fashion focused precision colours and cuts in a comfortable and opulent environment. We also offer a full range of beauty treatments using prestige brands

This place only recently opened. I went last night for a pedicure and an Indian head massage…read more The place - Treatments take place in the local hairdressers after hours. No spa pretentiousness; it's nice and calm but you don't have to worry about not fitting in. The prices - Wow. My pedi was £15, a massage starts from £20. You can pay more than double in other places in town. The treatments - The pedi was good; she really got through my nasty claws. I had a few painful moments but then I am overly sensitive about my feet. Foot soak, trim, file, buff, cuticle work, massage, paint. My feet feel much better and they definitely look it too. I will be able to maintain this for a while. As for the Indian head massage? I have had one before... 12 years ago... Again, there were a few painful moments when my neck went stiff but then it eased again. It was very relaxing (I was almost asleep afterwards) and definitely worth the money (£25). I staggered out all covered in oil... I have woken up this morning with a few bruises so it must have been good... I fancy getting ear candling next (again, done it before) and I have always fancied a hot stone massage... So yeah, get over there. Can't think of a better way to spend a Friday evening...

I came home from work one evening to find a post-it note stuck to my computer monitor from my…read moreniece, Isobel. It merely said "Newport Nails, £5". I was able to deduce that Isobel fancied a manicure... So it turns out that her friend had gone to Newport Nails and had her nails painted with nail art for £5. Isobel does belly dancing shows so asked if I would take her before her next one to have her nails done too. I needed some work done so figured we might as well. Newport Nails is like the places you get in California where all the workers are from Asia and probably only just clearing minimum wage. We went in and I asked for a manicure and for Isobel to have her nails painted. The woman started on me and my first concern was the lack of cleaning of tools. The nail file and clippers used on myself were put straight back in the storage box without being sprayed (let alone autoclaved). While I soaked my nails in a mini-bath, she painted Isobel's nails and then put her under the dryers. She then really got to work on me... File, sanding and repair of a split nail, buff, nice hand massage with cranberry lotion, base coat, two layers of a stunning red, then top coat and then I sat under the dryers. Second concern... she cut me while she was trimming my cuticles... It didn't get infected or anything but I did have to scrub my hand when I got home... Isobel then had her nail art done. She had the colours suggested by the woman and also had no say in the design but that is fine as she would never have made her mind up. Isobel's friend also came down and had hers done at the same time and was impressed with the results. The staff speak very limited English but they are lovely. The woman was telling me all about her son and I was attempting to explain home education and belly dancing... My manicure only cost £10. Isobel's was a fiver. We are going back for my other niece's birthday at the end of the month. They stock OPI, China Glaze, and Elise. Between layers of polish, my nails were allowed to dry under a heat lamp. They were completely dry and amazingly smooth when we left. My index fingers started chipping after 5 days and my thumbs went on day seven. Not bad. There are loads of these places springing up all over Newport and Cardiff but I think Newport Nails will be my favourite. Four stars because it's cash only and I am part of the credit age...