Before Valentine’s Day, I just wanted my nails to look pretty neat and painted. Where to have a manicure done without the need to splurge and go far? I walked into Beauty and Butter in SM Mall of Asia during lunch break without an appointment and inquired about their services and prices.

I was most intrigued to try the Ruby Wing nail polish which they say is a solution to the ultimate polish conundrum. It’s a color changing nail polish! πŸ™‚ There are plenty of colors to choose from. Beauty and Butter also sells Ruby Wing for PhP 500/bottle.

Review of Beauty and Butter (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

Ambiance: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

Usually, Beauty and Butter is packed with customers. But since it was a weekday and probably everyone else was having lunch at the peak of lunch hour, there were only two active customers besides myself. The nail salon’s walls are wrapped with colorful graffiti-like artwork.

Seats are comfortable and have a good amount of leg room. The lady to my right actually fell a sleep while she was having a pedicure. A wall-mounted TV is available for entertainment. The private waxing room is clean and sanitary with a relaxing atmosphere.

Awesome nail polish colors from different brands such as Orly, Zoya, and Ruby Wing are displayed on shelves by the counter. These polishes can make a variety of cool nail art designs as well that will suit one’s mood and personality.

Service: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

The welcoming staff was friendly and explained about their products and services being offered in good detail. Time estimated to complete a manicure was said to be around 40 minutes. I appreciated the excellent approximation, especially when I had to return back to work in proper timing.

The nail technician was courteous, respectful, and sweet. She took time to clean my nails first, cut my cuticles, and made sure that all my previous polish was removed. She used the mini file to smooth the tips down a bit, massaged my hands, and then applied Rodeo from the Wicked West collection.

The Buttercup/nail technician did two coats and the color turned opaque quickly. The drying process though, even with the help of the nail dryer and the quick-dry nail lacquer, took a long time.

The Ruby Wing nail polish I chose:Β  Perfect for summer, Rodeo is a bright mint green polish with a cream finish that’s supposed to shift to light orange orΒ nude peach in the sun. The fact that it appeared almost pastel indoors made me look at my nails more often. πŸ˜› I found the formula to be a bit on the thick side yet manageable and very pigmented.

To check the color-changing effect without having the sun’s UV rays hit my nails, the nail technician asked me to place my fingernails in the UV lamp machine. In seconds, we saw how the color changed to orange. It was absolutely incredible! Sadly, it stayed put for less than five minutes and went back to mint green.

The real test: When I stepped out in the sun and walked back to the office, the resulting orange did not become very well distributed in the nail. Rather, it left a gradient effect with some green spots still visible. I guess that the Ruby Wing nail polish works best only when exposed to the sun longer or when there is more direct and constant sunlight.

Price for Value: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

I availed of Beauty and Butter’s Love Thy Hands Manicure (PhP 230) and the add-on, Color Changing Polish (PhP 40). Prices may be a little bit steeper than those of an average nail spa or beauty salon, but for the great ambiance and experience, Beauty and Butter in MOA is not to be missed.

Upon checkout, I received the “Awesome Threesome” card which is like a loyalty card stating: “Collect two (2) stamps on your AWESOME THREESOME Card when the same service is availed and get the same service for FREE on your next visit! Card and services are non-transferable and not convertible to cash. Card is only valid at the branch it was purchased from. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Using Complimentary Gift Certificates is not valid. Promo valid for 2 months only.” I look forward to my return visits. πŸ™‚

If you want to be pamper in a beautiful, clean, and calming environment, do yourself a favor and come visit Beauty and Butter in any of their branches:

  • 5F Megamall Bridgeway – 02 470 4239 or 0917 592 5230
  • LGF SM San Lazaro – 02 353 7576 or 0917 592 5228
  • 2F SM Cebu – 032 236 9113 or 0917 592 5331
  • Basement Level, Bldg. B, SM Taytay – 02 650 2041 or 0917 880 4832
  • Ground Floor, SM Jazz Mall – 02 556 7059 or 0917 717 8516
  • 3F, Ayala Fairview Terraces Mall – 02 361 1093 or 0917 823 9681
  • 3F, SM Bacolod – 034 431 1531 or 0916 648 9840
  • 2F, Eastwood Cyber and Fashion Mall – 02 650 6122 or 0906 306 9673

2/F Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Bay Boulevard Central Business Park Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
For inquiries/reservations, call 02 556 9383 or 0917 592 5226
Date Published: 02/23/2015
13 / 15 stars

About 

Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.

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58 Responses

  1. Jien

    I noticed that the nail dryer’s big. By the way, that’s cool! Changing nail polish colors when you are going indoors or outdoors. I never mind that the resulting orange did not last as long as the changes still look good on direct sunlight. I tried California Nails & Day Spa but I found it expensive. Although I had a good time there but the gel polish didn’t last on me.

    Looks like Beauty and Butter’s prices are worth for its ambiance and nail polish quality. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yeah, it was big enough to fit both hands and there’s still space. It was my first time to try that device and it felt like just the hand blower in the washroom when you want to dry your hands after washing.

      The Ruby Wing nail polish turned out to be really cool. I also checked out prices and services in California Nails and Day Spa and found them also charge higher. Try Beauty and Butter soon. πŸ™‚ You’re welcome!

      Reply
  2. Alli

    This looks like a cool salon! I’ve never worn color-changing nail polish before. This would be fun to wear on a beach vacation since the color changes in the sunlight.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Ah yes, this kind of nail polish is best worn when you will be out in the sun for a longer period of time. Impress your friends and make them think like you had just changed nail polish colors in a minute of just standing. πŸ˜›

      Reply
  3. brook devis

    thamk you for sharing this. These nail paints colour are definatly amazing and i love the fact of changing colous indoor and outdoor.i love the butter deals these are quite intressting and amazing. Unfortunatly i cant go there bcz i am in italy right now. but if i will be one dat around there definatly gonna check them out

    Reply
  4. Ashley

    My daughter got color changing polish at her last manicure and it did the same thing! It didn’t exactly change colors in the light, but the tint changed more from a purple to a pink instead of a full color change. This salon, though, looks incredible! I love the ambiance and all the bright colors. As someone who lives with 7 nail salons within 5 minutes of my house, I can definitely say I would try out Beauty & Butter if there was one local to me!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Haha. I also know of a kind of nail polish that changes colors when exposed to different temperatures. It will turn to something else when in a warmer zone, and like Ruby Wing, that’s also one interesting stuff to try out. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. CourtneyLynne

    omg this salon looks so cool! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a hip looking place…. Here in NY all the salons are boring… And when I was living in FL the salons were all facny…. I would love to go someplace that looks chill like this one πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  6. Amy @ Will Run For Ice Cream

    I didn’t even know that they made color changing nail polish. I will have to look into that. I don’t paint my nails much, but I usually keep my toenails polished even though I have ‘runner feet’. I love how the nail salon was decorated πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I always pass by Beauty & Butter in SM Mall of Asia but this was just my first time to take courage and enter this nail salon. Glad I did that. Next time, I will also have a pedicure here. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Tammilee Tips

    This looks like an amazing nail salon!! I would love to be able to relax enough to fall asleep during a pedicure but my feet are too ticklish. Those are great nail colors that they have too.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      You sound like my sister who’s very sensitive when it comes to tickles. πŸ˜› Beauty and Butter has an extensive array of colors of nail polishes to choose from.

      Reply
  8. Breanna

    I really need to get my nails done! They need attention badly – and while I’m at it, I may as well add in a pedicure! My nail beds are horribly dry in the winter. This salon looks really amazing! How neat that they offered color changing polish. I love that they had so many colors to choose from!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Exactly. I wanted to have my toe nails pedicured at the same time that day but unfortunately time was limited. I definitely have to return for my nails upkeep. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Notorious Spinks

    This is a pretty funky place. I love the decor in addition to the services and goods they offer. I would be so broke in there with all of that nail polish. It’s one of my weaknesses. Glad you enjoyed.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      It’s just recently when I discovered my love for trying out different nail polish colors and textures. Now I also watch different tutorials on YouTube and try to do nail patterns as well.

      Reply
  10. Lauren

    Color-changing nail polish is my favorite!! I used to wear it all the time growing up, but I’ve since lost that polish! Thanks for posting about this fun salon!

    Reply
  11. Natalie

    This nail shop makes me want to go get my nails done! I have never seen nail changing colors, that’s so cool, my girls would love that so much! But what I love more than the nail polish is the decor & the walls! I love funky art like that, those walls are so awesome.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I love the funky designs on the walls, too. If I were to design a nail spa, I would also want the same kind. It attracts more people to come visit and stay. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. mindy

    Wow color changing nail polish? How cool is that! I hope that i’d be able to try one soon! Although the long drying time could be an issue, i hate waiting for my nails to dry πŸ™ i always seem to smudge them somehow! I absolutely love the color you’ve chosen, i would love it even if it isn’t capable of color-changing. Btw, they call their nailist Buttercups? How cute!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I also hate waiting and the fact that even with the help of the quick-dry nail polish solution, I still had to extend my patience and wait some more. πŸ™‚ Yes, they’re called Buttercups. I thought it’s a cute name, too. The nail technicians wear a hair clip that looks like a small crown fit for a queen or a princess.

      Reply
  13. Raymond Vasquez

    My sister’s going to love this place. But I think it’s not yet here in our place. And she’s not going there sooner, haaha so might allow me to save some money.haha

    These are interesting work of art on nails.

    Reply
  14. Marjorie

    I tried Beauty and Butter a long time ago, I think that was in their SM San Lazaro branch. I remember feeling quite disturbed that the person who did my foot spa was sick, she was coughing the whole time. Anyway, I’ve heard about the nail polish that changes color, there is one that is quite cheap I believe, I just forgot the name of the brand.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      There’s one in Watsons. I have tried it on but I didn’t like how the colors turned out. They didn’t look opaque even after applying three coats, so I did not end up buying the bottles. Ruby Wing’s texture is great but the price is quite expensive (if you think about buying it for PhP 500 each). Adding PhP 40 though is reasonable for trying it out. It stayed neat for a week on me.

      Reply
  15. Pingerrain * Priscilla

    I have a nail polish I bought in Bahamas that does the same thing. It changes from sparkly pink to metallic purple in the sun. LOVE IT to bits!! But the effect on the nail polish does not last long. The bottle lost its effect after two years of using it.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I think two years is enough time already to have it disposed. It’s for this reason that sometimes it’s wiser to just visit salons for nail services instead of buying your own nail polishes. πŸ˜›

      Reply
  16. phyliciamarie

    The orange color actually looks prettier than the mint, I think, for you I mean. the orange suits your complexion better, too bad it doesn’t easily change color. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  17. Vanessa Ally

    Wow, I love the trendy color that you chose for your nails! Now is the year of the sheep and this color is very suitable cause according to astrology we should wear all shades of green for good luck. The place you chose for your nail polish seems very colorful and cozy!

    Reply
  18. Franc Ramon

    It’s nice that they are really systematic with their services and can give you an approximate time on the finish. I was also looking for the photo after the treatment.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Those were the only photos I took. I had no one to ask to take pictures since the other attendants were also busy with the customers. I also did not bring a decent camera but only my phone’s camera so the quality of pictures was not as good as I imagined. 😐

      Reply
  19. Eliz Frank

    Interesting concept. like the color you picked as it’s fun and bright. I would have loved to see the bright orange on you.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      It’s not too bright like orange but more like peachy nude. Anyway, I also like the color. πŸ™‚ Maybe I’ll choose that next time as the primary shade.

      Reply
  20. Dannea

    Thanks for the detailed review. That nail polish changing color is very interesting! Oh and the salon has plenty of interesting interior decor, loved scrolling through your pics πŸ™‚

    Reply
  21. Fred

    The orange color does not look orange nor very attractive. I guess this color changing is just a gimmick than anything else.

    Reply
  22. Mia Foo

    i like the shade when it’s indoor, but not when it’s outdoor. the shade of orange looks like it’s old and washed out? that’s quite a shame. never heard of ruby wing before. the brands i usually see in my local manicure places are orly, essie and opi.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Ruby Wing is not as popular as those three brands you mentioned but it really caught my interest because of the color-changing effect. You can also view its website: rubywing.com.

      Reply
  23. Ron Leyba

    The price is quite expensive compared to the ones where we usually have our nails done. But since you got great experience out of it and the method and tools they use is pretty much high-end, I think it’s a good price after all.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I thought so too. However, when I revisit the nail salon and have another manicure session, then I can get one free session. I’ll just have that in mind so I can divide the two added costs into three. πŸ˜›

      Reply

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