On the Road: Diva Studio, Las Vegas

Ironically, there are no divas at Diva Studio. The staff is a down-to-earth, friendly bunch, who, although they all look like high-fashion models to me, are there to see to every pampered wish of their clients. My attendant while at this unique salon in Las Vegas was Desiree Bargiel, who divides her time between doing nails and teaching hip-hop to teenagers.

Owner Lisa and Steven Brooks have created a place where you feel comfortable whether you’re getting a spa pedicure (like I was) or touching up your fuchsia Mohawk (which a young gentleman was having done this particular day). You may remember Diva as the salon that opened The Men’s Room two years ago as a male-focused salon fully equipped with pool table, industrial lighting, and a shoe-shine station. The pool table is gone and while the men’s-only concept hasn’t been completely abandoned, the room is now gender-neutral.

Desiree had recently been trained in Creative’s Spa Pedicure line and decided to add some touches of her own (like an extended foot massage her favorite part and a powder bath at the end). She says she especially enjoys serving out-of-towners. (“For some reason, they’re more relaxed,” she explained.) Unlike a lot of nail technicians, Desiree loves working on feet. As a dancer and foot abuser herself, she knows well the therapeutic nature of a salon pedicure (she told me the story of how she did a pedicure on Creative chemist Doug Schoon and was in a nervous panic trying to follow every step).

The nail room at Diva is home to three nail stations, although currently the salon only employs two nail technicians. Nail director Jennifer Favela would like to find one more nail technician: “She doesn’t need to have a clientele, but she need to be serious about her nail career,” says Favela. One thing I loved about the nail room is that  although it is decorated in a funky, colorful style, it changes every month. A local shop owner and artist provides accessories for the room.

Desiree says her clients are usually “willing to try anything new” and she stocks a wild variety of polish colors and keeps her art skills honed. Among her many male clients, she has a handful who wear color on their nails. She recently designed a star-spangled design on a drummer friend.

You can visit Diva yourself and avoid the sweltering heat of Las Vegas by browsing their 3D website at www.divastudio.com.