How many teeth does a hyena have ?
Corinne Sweet knows . But then again , Corinne ’ s just had her nails done at Jagwa
I
’ d love a pet hyena if I lived in Africa ”, says Tracy Ejuetami , as I sit down for a gel nail treatment in Jagwa Beauty Salon . “ Do you know they have 52 teeth ? We only have 32 .” This is a trip to a nail bar like no other . Tracy ’ s Jagwa has been a feature in the centre of Seven Dials for 27 years and Welsh-Lebanese Tracy and her British-Nigerian DJ daughter , Alero , make a fabulous make-over duo .
Entering Jagwa is a bit like a trip to Acorn Antiques meets Glow Up . It ’ s not just a hub of beauty secrets and treatments , it ’ s a trip to a West Hill cultural centre . Put simply , Tracy and Alero know everything and everyone . As my nails get denuded and dipped , I hear about local news and gossip .
The door constantly opens and heads appear as people drop in and out , warmly greeted by the pair . Jagwa attracts people of all genders as they seem utterly non-judgemental about who wears what or wants what .
Another permanent feature is Rupert , her snoozing Staffy / Jack Russell cross , who curls up under a chair in a cosy coat . Rupert greets all newcomers with a wagging tail and a friendly sniff . Suddenly , someone arrives and whisks Rupert off for a healthy trot round the block . “ Oh , Wiz is a music video director ”, says Tracy . “ We ’ ve known him for years – he always takes Rupert for his constitutitonal ”.
A main characteristic of a visit to Jagwa is how mother and daughter remember names , stories and want to know genuinely how you are doing . Tracy ’ s led quite a life : starting in Ghana , the North of England , via Italy and Norway , she landed in Brighton and started Jagwa . ( The shop ’ s name is derived from an ex-boyfriend calling Tracy a ‘ Wild-cat Jaguar with green eyes ’.)
Beginning as a make-up artist , Tracy trained further as a therapist and foot health practitioner . She whizzes round the local area four times a week goes off to treat peoples ’ feet . “ I see all ages : from eight years to over a hundred . My oldest was 108 . I hate seeing people suffer , and foot health is so important as we get older . It ’ s the difference between being mobile and being miserable and shut in . I can ’ t bear to see it .” She says she loves seeing people improve themselves and feel better .
At Jagwa you can also get massages from Russian Tania , or facials , hairstyles , pedicures , eyebrow shapes . “ I see a lot of bad fillers and botox ”, says Tracy , “ If people want to look younger they need to moisturize like mad .”
Tracy believes men need to look after themselves more and our diets really affect our skin . “ Keep your skin healthy ( your biggest organ ) and the rest of you will be well .” All the while , people are popping in for their next treatment . They sit , with Rupert snoring under the chair , and smile and chat and I feel I am in the middle of a lovely friendly social event .
She ’ s even been a bit of a dating guru , matching people up . “ I suggested one of my lovely male clients meet my daughter and now they are married ”, she says with a cheeky grin . “ I hate those dating apps , I think the personal touch is so much better .” Alero says she ’ s glad her mother ’ s suggestion led to a wonderful outcome : her Brighton wedding last August .
As my nails are smoothed and honed into green , purple or red beauties , I get the feeling that I am an honoured guest . I ’ m offered tea , coffee or water , and I feel like I am in a community of artistic and creative people .
“ I brought these in for you ”, says Tracy , hauling out a bag full of wonderful teacups covered in black cats , “ I was decluttering and remembered you ’ re a cat woman – would you like them ?” I ’ m thrilled . They ’ re wonderfully eccentric . I love them . But the bigger part is that Tracy remembered me and brought them in . “ Oh , I gave away some lovely dresses today , too ”, she says , “ I ’ m glad they ’ re getting some use ”.
Whenever I spend an hour with Tracy , I come away having had a wonderful far-ranging conversation alongside an excellent beauty treatment . Not only do we talk about hyenas , Tracey ’ s favourite animals , we often end up laughing like them , too .
l Jagwa is open 6 days a week . 119 Dyke Rd , BN1 3JE 01273 276793
Tracy ’ s top beauty tips :
• Moisturise , moisturise , moisturise – keep your skin healthy to keep well ;
• Avoid fizzy drinks and rubbish food ;
• Don ’ t pump fillers and botox into your skin – if you want a lift find a very good surgeon ;
• Learn to like yourself and how you look – enhance what nature gave you – learn to accept and like yourself .