Really is at the cutting edge

It was after a frazzled Thursday - deadline day - that I arrived in Cutting Edge in Edenderry for an Indian head massage, tired and slightly cranky complete with a headache. After a quick hello to proprietor Joy Coyle, who was busy putting the finishing touches on a beautiful hairdo for a wedding, I was introduced to beauty therapist Jackie Lynch. Small world that it is, Jackie and I soon moved past small talk into comfortable conversation after we figured out she had worked with my sister while training in the Marriott Johnstown House Hotel in closeby Enfield. Indian head massages are carried out on a treatment bed, with the customer tucked up under blankets. Based on ancient Ayurvedic healing techniques, Indian head massage is one of the most widely practiced complementary therapies in the West now, and involves massaging the head, face, neck, shoulders and upper back. A very relaxing treatment, I nodded off some way into my half-hour massage, only waking myself up close to the end with what I"d like to say was a snuffle but was probably closer to some sort of snort. At only €30, an Indian head massage is at worst deeply relaxing and at best a powerful preventative medicine in today"s stressed out lifestyle that can fix tension headaches, tight jaws, eye strain and stiff muscles. After half an hour, which was very pleasantly passed, I didn"t have a headache anymore. Not the most complicated treatment in the world, it"s still nice (and not that expensive) to get it done, which makes it a treat both for you and your wallet. For my massage, Jackie also used oils as a deep conditioning treatment for my hair. I left these oils in overnight, but you can also go straight on to having your hair done in the salon while still getting the benefits of the oils. The next morning, for the second part of my treatment, me and my greasy hair turned up at Joy"s second Cutting Edge salon in Daingean, where Siobhan was waiting to wash and blow-dry my hair. You never do know where talent is hiding. Hairdressers don"t have to be working for a top hairdressing name in order to be good. Having never thought of going to a hair salon for just a wash and blowdry (it"s almost beyond me to fit in a cut as frequently as I should), I think it"s something I"ll be getting done again. It only costs €13 in Cutting Edge, and for that you get your hair dried in whatever style you fancy. Bored with straight hair, I told Siobhan to let loose. With the help of what seemed like 100 brushes, she gave me a gorgeous head of wavy-not-frizzy hair and left me with no option but to hit the town that evening with my beautiful barnet! Overall, while neither a head massage or a wash and blow-dry are anything out of the ordinary, I think they are just the kind of treats I would get again. Both affordable, they are examples of how you can treat yourself, come away with noticeable results, and not even have to feel a second of guilt for splashing out. Cutting Edge in Edenderry is located just off the town square. Open from 10.30am until 5.30pm Monday, 9.30am until 5.30pm Tuesday and Wednesdsay, 9.30am until 8pm Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday by appointment, appointments can be made by calling 046 9733125 or 085 7082942. Cutting Edge in Daingean is closed on Monday, open from 9.30am to 5.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.30am until 7pm on Thursday and Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday. Appointments can be made there by calling 057 9362813 or 085 8236623.