healthful treatment offered at Eden.

"Men used to think of a beauty salon as only for women,'' she said.

"They're now realising that it is not. We're getting more and more male clients, and at this point I would say it's on an equal basis. With the expansion that we are doing, we did take men into consideration.'' Lest the most macho of men balk at the idea of stripping off and walking through corridors in order to receive a relaxing massage after a long, arduous week, never fear! "What we have done with the beauty rooms is the men walk in through the main door and then they're off and down into a different level when they want to go and get their steam or get a massage. And we've made it so that they can come from their changing room right into a beauty therapist's room without being out in front of everyone else.'' Men are also taking the time for one of the most healthful experiences, albeit a misunderstood one -- the manicure.

"Men can come for a manicure,'' Valerie says. "Yes, even the construction worker. It's important. Their nails don't need to look rough. It (manicuring) gives a man a nice cleaner look. You still get dead skin all around the cuticle area. That skin dies. You need to be treated, so therefore we're offering that service to men.

"We also have regular clients that come in for a massage. There was a Christian bodybuilding group that came in every day to have a massage. They looked at the fact that a massage was needed for all of their muscles. Your muscles get tense, and it's relaxing. You're being pampered.'' Many men have the misapprehension that having a woman give them a massage might be inappropriate.

"We have only women that do the massaging,'' Mrs. Nearon says. "It's all very clinical. It's like going to a doctor. You're looking at a professional level. It's (massage) a good thing.'' NAILED -- Beauty therapist Helen Ryan offers her experience in the art of nail therapy. In addition to that, she can offer pedicures, and massage treatments.