Southampton - In times of economic hardship, women and even men, indulge in a personal grooming habit. What's a more pleasurable and affordable self-esteem fix than a pedicure? In true capitalistic fashion, enough nail salons have popped up on the East End to service the Court of Versailles. From hair salons to Manhattan-style nail parlors, brush-wielding salon workers await your tired tootsies from Montauk to Mattituck. Below are a few that might interest you:

Salon Xavier
Located at 1A Bay St, Sag Harbor, 631-725-6400, www.salonxavier.com
Detox Pedicure $85. Inside a brick wharf building in Sag Harbor, a whale processing plant in less civilized times, is a sophisticated hair salon/spa owned by gracious Frenchman Xavier Merat. Merat formerly sported shears at the legendary Alexandre in Paris. Sinking into a heated massage chair with a view of exposed brick walls and the indigo harbor beyond, hands and fee are handed over to Fang (pronounced Fong), who places the sad appendages into a footbath filled with deliciously hot water. This is no ordinary H20, but rather "bio-charged" water that is meant to "realign the body's energy field" so that it can self-repair with a "detoxifying recharge" coupled with a cup of toxin-laden cappuccino. Fang thoroughly snips cuticles, shaves calluses, and pumices feet until they're as smooth as river stones. Then she rubs your legs with a sea salt/sand scrub which she removes, like a barber, with hot towels. The best is yet to come: an expert in Reflexology (she was a nurse in China), Fang works on acupuncture points to calm your body which was "energized" by the footbath. Using Fang's favorite color: Limited Addiction - a deep red, like black cherries, is applied - it's the new seasonal red from Essie. And, clearly, the new black.

The Detox Pedicure at Salon Xavier is both energizing and relaxing. (SX)

Suki's Spa
Located at 17 Sterlington Commons, Greenport, 631-477-1864
Pedicure $25. Upon entering the cutesy colonial village style shopping center in Greenport, you are told "Pick your polish." Several long rows of square Essie bottles, dozens of colors, all beckon menacingly. Maybe it's the North Fork air, or maybe it's the prodding of delightful proprietor Suki Kim, but black polish is chosen, however, there is no black in the Suki selection, or even gray. But there it is: Mink Muffs. The rich brown polish, referencing an era of fur-wearing glam, and nearly as dark as black."Very good for fall," purrs Nancy, her Mexican pedicurist.

East Wind Spa & Studio
Located at 5720 Route 25A, Wading River, 631-846-2339, www.EastWindLongIsland
Perhaps because it's connected to a wedding hall, the treatments at this underground spa are geared toward luxury. Treatments have names like Champagne & Roses, which features a Champagne "fizz bath" ($50; $75 for Royal Treatment) and Essence of the Sound (as in the body of water to the north of Long Island), a "soothing sea soak" in which your feet are exfoliated with a sea salt polish ($45). Add-on treatments include Aromatherapy Parrafin ($20) and French Polish ($10).

At Suki's Spa in Greenport, the "Mink Muff" polish by Essie. (Scott)

Gurney's Inn Resort, Spa & Conference Center
Located at 290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-1892, www.gurneysinn.com
At historic Gurney's Inn, known for its Thalasso Spa, you get an ocean view along with your pedicure. The Hot Sea Shell Spa Pedicure ($95), a "marine inspired facial" for the feet, incorporates a four-step exfoliation (sand, crystals, sea salt, alpha-hydroxy acid), a sea-algae foot masque, and a therapeutic cucumber (land, not sea) cream for treating cracked heels. The title comes into play with the foot and calf massage with hot sea shells. In the Sports Pedicure ($50), calluses are smoothed away for even armchair athletes.

Katherine & Company Salon And Day Spa
Located at 61 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-0256
Seldom does a groundbreaking product come along in the world of nail polish. Shellac™ marks a true breakthrough. According to Katherine at Katherine & Company, "It's not your grandma's nail polish." After five years in the lab, CND (Creative Nail Design) introduced this no-chip, no-smudge, no smell, no-dry time polish earlier in the year. The hybrid of traditional nail polish and UV gel polish, Shellac lasts on fingernails for two weeks. After being painted on, it's "cured" under a UV light, thereby eliminated drying. It's hypo-allergenic and "3-free" (no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP) is available at a handful of local salons. You'll be able to run on the beach barefoot or stuff your tootsies into boots tout de suite and keep your polish pristine.