The Podium, an upscale mall in Ortigas Center, suggests six ways to kick off 2007 with confidence.

l Get a hip haircut and eyelash extensions. One can feel the hip energy the moment one enters the "Hairshaft Salon" at the mall’s 5th level.

The salon is 1960s–inspired, with playful 3D design on the wall, a funky brown sofa, and a white rotating globe chair. Hairshaft’s creative director Allan Penales says that the chair is an exact replica of the one which pop diva Janet Jackson sat on during a pictorial.

The contemporary salon is part of the BCBF chain of salons. It offers hip haircuts and treatments like coloring, rebonding, and digital perming as well as scalp treatments, massages, and wedding packages.

For eyelash extensions, Hairshaft only uses natural hair.

l Welcome wellness in your lifestyle. The Spa, located at the 5th level of The Podium, is a relaxing retreat from office stress.

The Spa’s monastic inspired interiors have a meditative ambience. Soothing hands, aromatic oils, flower‑filled baths and treatments reflect the healthy and holistic lifestyle it promotes.

Services offered include Swedish massage, Japanese shiatsu which works on vital energy points, deep tissue massage, and aromatherapy massage for mental and physical health.

l Get a facial. But don’t just get a facial, do it in style at Darphin which is at the lower ground level.

Founded in 1958 by Dr. Pierre Darphin, it specializes in haute couture beauty using innovative skin care formulas.

Darphin’s calming ambience complements its painless facial treatments like the Quick Lift Facial (anti‑aging) and Calming Cocoon (for sensitive skin).

The establishment offers 20 percent discount on all facial treatments and 25 percent off on all regular items.

l Try new things such as "waterless manicure" and "I‑Warm treatment." These pampering services are offered at the Lotus Hand and Foot Spa at The Podium’s lower ground floor.

Leah Magallanes, who co‑owns the spa, recommends their "waterless manicure", and their "I‑Warm" signature manicure treatment — a mixture of warm lotions and moisturizers that are smoothened through the cuticles, hands, and arms.

"We are the first hand and foot spa to offer this and our staff are well trained for this," says Leah.

A personal Lotus kit is available at the store and comes with slippers, a nipper, wooden cuticle pusher, nail file, nail brush, and buffer in a bamboo colored case.

l Beauty the Belo way. Clients as young as eight and as old as 70 attest to the popularity of the Belo Medical Group founded by Dr. Victoria Belo.

It is located at the lower ground level and offers facials, peels, lifts, augmentation, as well as laser removal of hair, veins, tattoo marks, and moles.

Another product worth trying is the Obagi Skin Health Restoration System which improves skin’s health and appearance by restoring skin at the cellular level.

l Make grooming fun for kids. It’s never too early to start good grooming, and the Kids Hairsalon at the lower ground level makes looking good fun for kids.

In fact, some seats are made of hydraulic toy cars which kids can ride while getting a haircut.

The salon, which caters to kids five months to 15 years old, offers a free haircut and toys to kids after their 12th haircut. Babies also get certificates for their first haircut.