Nailing the tropical taste

AS I SAT back in the shoe-shaped chair and sipped on Lilt poured into a coconut-shaped cup, I gazed out the window at the snow flurries and allowed myself to be transported to sunnier climes. It wasn’t difficult — the Eighties reggae music, the palm trees and the sunset murals all lulled me into a sense of peace in a Caribbean-like retreat. Which is exactly the plan at Tropical Popical, a friendly, vibrant nail bar in Dublin city centre. Based on US-style salons, treatments are available from just €7, with bright, vibrant polishes and nail art available. My therapist Aoife invited me to choose a colour from the wide range of options so I settled on a neon purple. I was having the basic manicure, which involves a file and soak, followed by intense cuticle treatment, finished off with a polish. I decided to indulge in some nail art too — there were a range of designs to choose from, and Aoife offered me some of her own patterns too. I’m a big fan of Swarovskitype jewellery so Aoife perfected a palm tree-type swirl on both my ring fingers, topped off with a tiny crystal. I have always been blessed with strong nails but even I’m surprised at how long the polish is lasting — 11 days later, it looks as good as new, with even the crystals still firmly in place. Apart from Lilt, it may be the only taste of the tropical I get this summer...

BASIC manicure €13, nail art from €3 per nail. Tropical Popical, 28 South William Street, Dublin 2, 01 675 3569. A miniversion has just opened from 6-9pm, Thursday to Saturday, in Crackbird, Dame Street, Dublin 2, with manicures from €10