I was lucky enough to get a 'sneak preview' of Emporio Valenti (a new salon in the heart of Cape Town) the week before its official opening on 1 October. This preview included a tour of this comprehensive 'beauty shop' — an industrial stark white space, which is essentially an emporium of beauty treatments.

A one-stop health and beauty shop (think Quick Shop for the woman who likes to be pampered); Emporio Valenti offers everything from a Brazilian wax and tanning to Indian head massage and hair extensions…

The brainchild (and managing director) behind the concept, Tanya Valenti, boasts over 16 years experience in the health and beauty industry.

Each of the 11 treatments rooms at Emporio Valenti has very functional characteristics and enjoys natural daylight, which only enhances one's wellness experience.

Says Valenti: "It was important for me to structure the salon so that each feature, facility and treatment room was not just perfectly designed from an interior perspective, but also totally and absolutely functional. Furthermore, our service excellence is most certainly synonymous to that of a five-star hotel."

Pick-me-up experience

Functionality was also factored in because of Valenti's commitment to employing deaf and blind therapists.

Valenti says that these therapists are not given a chance to work often enough, even though there disabilities don't affect their capabilities when it comes to their jobs.

"Blind therapists are really in touch as they use all their other senses when they treat people and sometimes customers actually feel more comfortable with a blind therapist massaging them, especially if they have body issues," notes Valenti.

"We have also hired a deaf nail technician whose only setback is not being able to talk to customers, but other than that there's no real issue."

Although the focus at Emporio Valenti is essentially on is on skin makeovers, they also have nail stations, a fully-equipped hair salon, a men's retreat room (with flat screen TV), as well as an extensive tanning section.

I was offered a treatment and decided on the aroma massage and reflexology treatment.

I've always been intrigued by reflexology which is based on the link between your feet and the organs in the rest of your body. Marisca my therapist kindly explained which areas of the foot relate to which areas of the body. She was on the button when she said that I have some sinus issues.

Since I wanted a bit of a pick-me-up (being a Friday afternoon) rather than a completely relaxing massage, Marisca chose oils with uplifting properties like black pepper.

Despite the massage, I could have had my hair done, my nails done and even got a tan — what a great way to start the weekend! Maybe next time…

Emporio Valenti is located at 42 Hans Strydom Avenue in Cape Town and operates six days a week, as well as offers complimentary parking. For further information, please visit www.emporiovalenti.co.za or contact 0861 367 6746.