Xpress, Deluxe or Medi Pedicure? A Simple Guide to Choosing the Right Pedicure

Summer in Cape Town means sandals, beach days and bare feet — and suddenly you notice your heels. Or maybe your toes just need some colour. Either way, you look at a pedicure menu and see Xpress, Deluxe and Medi. What's the difference, and which one do you actually need?

This simple guide explains what each pedicure includes, who it's for and what it costs, so you can book the right one without overthinking it.

The quick answer

• Xpress Pedicure — a quick tidy-up and colour. Choose it when your feet are in good shape and you just want neat, polished toes.
• Deluxe Pedicure — more time, more pampering and more attention to dry skin. Choose it when your feet need some TLC and you'd like to relax.
• Medi Pedicure — the most thorough option, with extra focus on hard skin on heels and soles. Choose it when your feet are rough, cracked or neglected.

All three can be finished with regular paint or long-lasting gel.

Xpress Pedicure

The Xpress Pedicure is designed for busy people who want neat, polished toes without a long appointment.

What's included: toenails trimmed and shaped, cuticles tidied and colour applied.

Best for:

• Regular maintenance between fuller pedicures
• Feet that are already in good condition
• A quick refresh before an event or holiday

Deluxe Pedicure

The Deluxe Pedicure gives you more time and more care. Along with nail and cuticle work, we spend longer on softening and smoothing dry skin, so your feet look and feel noticeably better.

What's included: everything in the Xpress, plus more time on dry skin and a more relaxing, pampering experience.

Best for:

• Feet that feel dry or a little rough
• Treating yourself after a long week
• Getting sandal-ready at the start of summer

Medi Pedicure

The Medi Pedicure is our most thorough pedicure. It gives extra attention to hard skin and calluses on heels and soles, for feet that need more than a quick polish.

What's included: everything in the Deluxe, with extra focus on hard skin and rough areas.

Best for:

• Hard, thick or cracked heels
• Feet that have been neglected for a while
• People who are on their feet all day

Paint, gel or rubber base?

Once you've chosen your pedicure, you choose your finish:

• Paint — regular polish. Budget-friendly, but it can chip and needs time to dry. Wear open shoes home.
• Gel — cured under a lamp, so it's dry instantly. Glossy and chip-resistant, often lasting 3–4 weeks on toes.
• Rubber base — adds a flexible, strengthening layer under your colour. Great for thin, uneven or damaged toenails.

Pedicure prices

Side-by-side comparison

Xpress vs Deluxe vs Medi pedicure

Feature	Xpress	Deluxe	Medi
Nails trimmed and shaped	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cuticle care	Yes	Yes	Yes
Time on dry skin	Light	More	Most — hard skin focus
Pampering	Quick	Relaxing	Thorough
With paint	R100	R250	R350
With gel	R200	R300	R400

How to choose: three questions

1. How do your heels look and feel?

Smooth and soft? Xpress. A bit dry? Deluxe. Hard, thick or cracked? Medi.

2. How much time do you have?

Short on time? Xpress gets you in and out. If you'd like to sit back and relax, choose Deluxe or Medi.

3. How long do you want your colour to last?

If you want toes that stay glossy for weeks, choose gel or add a rubber base. If you like changing colour often, paint is fine.

Signs you need a Medi Pedicure

Not sure if your feet need the full treatment? You probably do if:

• Your heels feel rough or catch on tights and bedsheets
• You can see thick, yellowish hard skin on your heels or the balls of your feet
• The skin around your heels has small cracks
• It's been months (or years!) since your last pedicure
• You stand or walk for most of the day at work

After a Medi Pedicure, many clients switch to a Deluxe or Xpress every four to six weeks to keep their feet soft.

Pedicure hygiene: what to look for in any salon

Whichever salon you choose, your feet deserve a clean, safe treatment. Here's what good hygiene looks like:

• Sterilised metal tools, cleaned between clients
• Clean foot basins, cleaned between every client
• No cutting of healthy skin — hard skin should be gently reduced, not sliced away
• Honest advice — if you have a possible infection, you should be told to see a doctor or podiatrist rather than being treated

At Marvelous, hygiene isn't optional. Our tools are cleaned and sterilised, and every station is prepared fresh for each client. You can read more about our standards on our about page.

Make it a treat: pedicure pairings

A pedicure pairs beautifully with other treatments. Popular combinations include:

• Pedicure + gel manicure — matching hands and feet in one visit. See our nails menu.
• Pedicure + foot massage — extra relaxation for tired feet.
• Pedicure + leg wax — smooth, sandal-ready legs and feet for summer.

What to wear and bring

Aftercare for soft feet and lasting colour

• Moisturise your heels every night — a thick foot cream works best.
• Wear socks over foot cream at night for extra softness.
• Avoid very hot baths for the first day if you had gel.
• Don't pick at polish — book a soak off + file + buff (R100) when you're ready for a change.
• Rebook every 4–6 weeks to keep hard skin under control.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I get a pedicure?

Every 4–6 weeks keeps your feet soft and your colour fresh. If your heels are very rough, start with a Medi Pedicure, then keep up with Deluxe or Xpress.

How long does a gel pedicure last?

Usually around 3–4 weeks, because toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.

Can I combine a pedicure and manicure?

Yes — many clients book both in one visit. Mention it when you book so we can plan enough time.

How much is a gel pedicure in Lansdowne?

At Marvelous, an Xpress Gel Pedicure is R200, Deluxe Gel R300 and Medi Gel R400.

The bottom line

Feet in good shape? Xpress. Need some TLC? Deluxe. Rough, hard heels? Medi. Add gel for colour that lasts weeks.

We're at 377 Imam Haron Road (Shop 11), Lansdowne, close to Claremont, Athlone and the Southern Suburbs. Browse our pedicure menu, pair it with a gel manicure, or message us on WhatsApp to book.