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SEARCHCustom bedazzled Beats By Dre headphones and iPads at each customer’s disposal are just two examples of how House of Polish in Beverly Hills, Calif., is sparing no expense to be as trendy as its zip code.
High-end black and white chairs furnish the salon, while chrome nail polish droplets hang from the ceiling.
High-end black and white chairs furnish the salon, while chrome nail polish droplets hang from the ceiling.
The House of Polish staff poses with owner Robert Nguyen (second from left).
With a name like House of Polish, it makes sense that clients feel as if they are entering a chic fashion house as they step into Robert Nguyen’s new nail salon. House of Polish has been open since November 2014 and is combining top-notch nail art, luxury service, and stylish vibes.
The Scoop:
Nguyen has been working on his craft since the age of 19. He has built his reputation around his attention-grabbing 3-D nail art and landed a gig as an international guest artist for OPI in 2005. After doing countless nail art competitions, getting some face time on the reality show Nail’d It, and a little push from OPI, Nguyen decided to take on the challenge of opening his own salon.
The ’Hood:
It wasn’t an easy task for Nguyen to find the perfect location for House of Polish. “In Los Angeles the biggest problem is parking, and once we found a location with valet services, it jumped up higher on the list,” says Nguyen. What used to be an old flower shop got a complete head-to-toe renovation. House of Polish is located in Beverly Hills off a main thoroughfare, in a prime location near the Beverly Center and on restaurant row.
Clients have an entire wall of colors to choose from including the famous (and expensive) Louboutin polish collection.
The Menu:
House of Polish is best-known for nail art. Each nail artist has his or her own personal style, so whether you’re looking for a Disney-themed mani or to test out the $675 Louboutin Nail Polish, you will be able to find it here. House of Polish offers “anything under the sun,” according to Nguyen. Clients can also choose to bling it out with Swarovski crystals, or choose from an entire wall of nail charms. But if you want to keep it simple, the starting price for a basic manicure is $16. If you’re indecisive, good luck choosing from the wall-to-wall selection of colors.
The Staff:
Nguyen started interviewing for nail techs early on to ensure he had a talented staff. Each artist has her own special style to give the client what she wants. When it comes to training, much of it is done in-house. As a nail tech and international educator for OPI, Nguyen stays on top of what is current in the industry. However, for special products he organizes events with manufacturers to train his staff. One benefit House of Polish employees get is their own personal nail polish color that is designed specifically for them. Nail techs can give their new clients a bottle of their custom polish to help promote themselves.
Clients can choose from the branded iPads or bedazzled Beats By Dre headphones to keep them occupied.
The Decor:
Although House of Polish is very cutting edge, the salon decor is very clean: white walls and floors, chrome artwork hanging from the ceiling, and the HP emblem scattered throughout. The salon is filled with high-tech gadgets like photo booths, flat screens stretched across the back wall, and social media pictures of House of Polish creations. It seems odd to make special mention of the restroom, but the bedazzled toilet is equipped with a heated seat and bidet. Inside, clients can also test out the collection of OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers.
The Extras:
It’s obvious that one comes to House of Polish for the unique designs and talented staff, but the extras are also what make House of Polish stand out from the competition. In addition to free valet parking, the salon also offers complimentary drinks and phone chargers in each chair. Clients also have the opportunity to show their new nail looks in the light box where their nail art will be shared on social media. Beneath the over-the-top extras are the core fundamentals that make a salon quality. House of Polish uses a fresh set of sealed implements and files on every customer. “We have an extremely clean salon environment with a very different feel because of the decor,” says Nguyen.
There is an assortment of charms and rhinestones that clients can peruse.
The Clientele:
Because House of Polish is known for its nail art, male clients are few and far between. Its location is great for affluent customers, but there are plenty of customers who are ordinary people. If you plan to get your nails done at House of Polish appointments are recommended. “Business is great. We are currently booked out a few days in advance and had to start a waiting list just in case we have any cancellations,” says Nguyen.
Quick Look
Salon Name: House of Polish
Location: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Owner: Robert Nguyen
Square Footage: 2,300
Opened: November 2014
Nail Techs/ Employees: 8/10
Specialties: Nail art
Compensation Structure: Commission for techs, hourly for reception
Website: www.thehouseofpolish.com
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