Plush Polish Pillows
“I love the idea of a salon highlighting some of its favorite OPI colors in its decor,” says Laurie March, a Los Angeles-based interior designer and project manager. March has made a name for herself custom designing pillows that match OPI polish colors.
Fusion Comes to the Nail Salon
By combining the efficiency of Vietnamese craftsmanship with the American expectation of a luxurious experience, owner Samantha Hanby finds a way to offer customers the best of both worlds.
The Salon Owner as Brand
Prompted by the advice of a beauty business consultant, nail tech and wellness expert Maisie Dunbar moved from her old salon to the new branded Maisie Dunbar Spa Lounge.
by Thi Dao
On the Road: Southcentral Alaska
The noteworthy salons and spas in Southcentral Alaska are proof that top-notch services aren't always hard to find.
by Sree Roy
On the Road: A Totally Unique Nail Boutique
We first met salon owner Heather Goodwin in 2007 when she entered (and won 1st runner-up in) our Nail Tech of the Year program. She didn’t have her own salon yet, but the plans were in motion. The next time I was in Orlando for the Premiere Show was 2008 and Heather was moving into her salon that very weekend. I promised her next time I was in central Florida, I would visit her salon. In June, publisher Cyndy Drummey and I made the visit.
by Hannah Lee
Salon Profile: Nowhere to Go But Up
Orchard Nails opened in Corona, Calif., when the economy was at its worst, but co-owner Thomas Irwin says this meant the salon had “nowhere to go but up.”
by Thi Dao
On the Road: Nailcessity, Chicago
Managing Editor Sree Roy heads to Chicago to check out Nailcessity in the heart of the big city.
by Sree Roy
Taking Over Knoxville
Starting as a single hair salon, Visage has expanded to four locations with nail and hair services. With the goal of being “more things to more people,” it looks like Visage is on its way to a Knoxville takeover.
by Thi Dao
Reception Area at Modern Day Spa
Modern Day Spa, Arlington, Va., showcases its reception area.
Making Rome Her Home
A 15-year resident of Rome, Stephanie Alliman owns Ari’s Nails, which caters to English-speaking tourists who flock to see the city’s ancient ruins, expatriates who have decided to stay, and Italians looking for some nail pampering.
by Thi Dao
On the Road: Body Shoppe Spa, Yorktown, Va.
Java is my friend, so it’s a good sign when I head into a salon and they have a coffee bar. Food too? Even better. I can grab a bite to eat and be pampered at the same time. That’s what I found at the Body Shoppe Spa in Yorktown, Va.
Grab-and-Go Furniture
Manufacturer LeChat, known for its nail enhancement systems, polishes, and embellishments, is on the move with a new product line: portable salon furnishings.
Not a Princess Salon
Chicago-based Pure Rain Nail Spa’s success is a result of owner Ulzii Tsogtbaatar’s experience in business management and years of being a nail tech. The salon attracts young professionals and a larger-than-average base of male clients.
by Thi Dao
A Bright Ikea
It’s an open secret that many salons owe their interior design to their neighborhood IKEA store. The home furnishings giant — known for its affordable prices, streamlined modern design esthetic, do-it-yourself assembly, and store layouts that mimic individual room layouts — is the perfect design playground for the money-wise entrepreneur.
by Sree Roy
This Land Is ‘My Land’
In opening Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa, Justin Mitchell and Karina Restrepo bring water-based polish, Latin flair, and a designer’s keen eye to the Philadelphia nail world.
by Thi Dao
Pedi Like a Rock Star
When Shauni Kelly was creating Hot Heads Barbershop and Cool Claws Nails in Albuquerque, N.M., she wanted to take the “rock star pedicure” service to the extreme — by tying the entire pedicure room decor into the “rock star” theme.
Just Right, the Second Time Around
Prompted by the desire to create her ideal salon, esthetician and nail tech Victoria Vo sold her nails-only business and opened up a full-service location just two miles away. Decorating it herself and offering the services she’s always wanted, Ku’tur Nail Lounge and Salon has ended up being just right, the second time around.
by Thi Dao