On the Road in Reno, NV

RENO, NV – Patricia Oropeza, associate editor – It wasn’t all work and no play for this NAILS editor. Although I was in Reno for a show, I made sure to put aside some time for a relaxing manicure. I had no idea what Genesis Salon Spa would be like, but I was pleasantly surprised when I spotted a pretty waterfall-type fountain outside. That’s when I knew I had gone to the right place.

Upon entering, all I could see were hair stations. Where were the nail stations, I wondered? That’s when I was ushered into another room, where my nail tech, Ty Moore, was waiting. As Ty began working on my nails, she mentioned that the salon was in the process of expansion. The salon was adding a few more spa rooms, and one would even be devoted specifically to spa manicures and pedicures. The newly expanded salon was set to open in a month.

Ty does lots of gel nails – all of her clients get them. I’ve wanted to try gels for some time, so I was a little disappointed that I hadn’t found out about her specialty sooner. I could’ve left the salon with a cool set of gels!

As Ty worked on beautifying my hands and nails, she told me a little more about the salon. Apparently, a large number of clients are tourists who come to the Biggest Little City in the world to gamble. And most of the salon’s regular clients are people who come from out of state to live in Reno. Could it be because of the booming casino business?

As the city has grown, so have the number of salons and spas in the area. Ty, who’s been working at the salon for about two and a half years, said she remembered a time when Genesis was the only salon/spa around. However, in the last six months, that’s all changed. In that short amount of time, about five spas have opened in Reno, but Ty doesn’t seem worried. She said she and the other eight nail techs who work in the salon have plenty of regular clients.

As my manicure was about to come to an end, I confessed to Ty that I have a hard time keeping my polish on straight. Somehow, I always manage to nick and smudge my freshly polished nails. She quickly helped solve that problem by instructing me to place my hands underneath a small fan she had in a corner of the room. But that wasn’t all. She even offered to drive me back to my hotel, which was only a short distance away, after I mentioned that I was planning to walk back to my room. As we got in the car, she made sure to open my door so I wouldn’t mess up my nail polish (which by the way was a glittery, dark wine) and she even put on my seatbelt for me! Next time I’m in Reno, I’ll be sure to call on Ty. I wouldn’t mind being spoiled rotten again.

Nail tech Ty Moore must have thought I was strange when I asked her for a plain manicure – most of her clients opt for gels.

When I spotted this pretty waterfall outside the salon, I knew I was in store for a salon treat.