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NORFOLK, VA. - Hannah Lee, executive editor – I first met nail technicians Monica Pugh at a networking breakfast during the Premier Orlando Beauty Show. When everyone passed out their business cards, I noticed that one of them was from Norfolk, VA., which is where my parents live. I sought out the pink-haired tech and we chatted for a few minutes and she told me to come in for a service next time I was in town. As things tend to go when I’m home for the holidays, I was so busy with family and friends I never made it into her salon that year.
So imagine my surprise when my mom called last fall to tell me she was getting her hair done and the nail tech at the salon knew me. Turns it was Pugh, and my mom booked pedicure appointments for us.
Avalon is a full-service salon and day spa in Ocean View and up-and-coming Norfolk community on the Chesapeake Bay. The salon has hair stations, massage, and facial rooms, as well as two-station nail look and separate pedicure room. The owners, both hair stylists, previously worked at another day spa before they struck out on their own. Pugh, who has been doing nails for 10 years, went with them to start their new adventure.
She’s the sole full-time nail tech, but there is also a licensed cosmetologist who does nail part time. She told me she does a lot of acrylics - both pink-and-white as well as color acrylics designs - and she offers clients nail art whenever they are willing. As the only nail tech in the salon, the owners let her pick and choose what products she wants to use for services and what she thinks will retail well.
A Young Nails educator for at least two-and-a-half years, Pugh travels to shows and is excited that she will soon be teaching classes at the salon for other nail techs to attend.
Even though it was pretty chilly outside, I opted for a spa-style pedicure that included a choice of a paraffin dip or a mask. I went with the mask and completely enjoyed the thorough leg massage. I hadn’t seen my mom since May and it was nice to sit in the cozy private room getting side-by-side pedicures. Before rushing back out into the cold, I topped my pedicure off with deep purple polish and abstract nail art.
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