Nebraska is the land of cornfields, the college baseball world series, and the site of rising stars in the nai industry.
First stop was with Eva Jenkins in her Lady Lounge. This Top 24 NTNA S.5 competitor built her nail studio in the mud room of her house. The spacious room includes a separate bathroom, huge manicure table (purchases on craigslist!), racks of polish, signage, her NAILS Magazine mentions, nail magazines, and an electric sign that rotates through her favorite sets.
Jenkins' nails
Jenkins showing me her nail scrapbooks featuring her first sets of nails.
Jenkins sees 14 regular clients and does all nail art on them. She is known in Omaha for her artistry, and prefers working with acrylic most of all. While I was there, she gave me an Old English "B" on my nail. She used gel-polish top coat to paint the B over a holo nail. After curing, she wiped the holo off, and the B remained!
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Next up was Buddy Sims. Sims works with Tat'z and recently opened a new full-service salon in Omaha. The spacious venue is called Vibe. Inside, you'll find a row of manicure tables, hair stations, rooms for aesthetics, a pedicure, and, of course a Tat'z machine.
Sims' clients go to him for nail art and he is of course fully booked. Most stylists in the salon brought their clientele from other nearby salons when they opened in June. The staff is gearing up for a grand opening.
Sims added personal touches to the salon, including this antique manicuring kit that was a gfit from his parents. He also made the decor on the canvases that hang in Vibe. Both Eva and Buddy recommended I see Chill Body while I was in Omaha.
These candles are Chil's best sellers
Chill is a cool nail salon, complete with blue interior and exterior accents and impressive retail. The salon has a plethora of options including the upscale Smith & Cult and Ella + Mila. Known around town for quality gel-polish manicures, the interior is relaxing (like a spa), but for nails only. The lip lines, clothes, accessories, and bath bombs are all eye candy and beg to be photographed. The Sweet Mana candles are found all over because they're the salon's bestsellers.
Eva, Buddy, and the staff at Chill all know each other because continuing education in Omaha consists of in-salon training. I loved seeing how these three separate salons wroked together to bring quality nails to the people of Omaha.
Next stop: Columbus, Ohio
Follow along with the tour @nailsmagazine on Instagram and Snapchat.
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