Tag Archives: nail bar

Jin Soon nail bar, New York

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Renowned as one of NYC’s best nail salons, Jin Soon now resides at three different locations, catering to girls with nail needs in East Village, West Village and the Upper East Side.

I visited the West Village spa and was impressed with the service from start to finish. The selection of nail colours on offer ranges from deep winter reds and browns to the palest neutrals and I was glad to see some fluro brights on display too. Jin Soon doesn’t restrict the collection to just one brand, instead offering polishes from Chanel, Essie, Opi and many more, all lined up on shelves against the wall, ready for application.

The nail bar is petite with a few tables for manicures at the front, and several reclining chairs for pedicures at the back. You can tell immediately that the staff here are experienced and prepared for every treatment. I received a speedy and thorough mani-pedi simultaneously (which is what happens in New York) from the lovely, efficient and friendly girls. With a mug of mint tea in hand, slumped in a sofa chair, I felt totally relaxed as my hands and feet were pampered… total bliss. The girls pummelled, exfoliated, trimmed and filed away, working meticulously to perfect my previously abandoned fingers and toes.

As well as the spa salons, there is the Jin Soon Lacquer line to invest in. These polishes have been a hit, bold thick glossy colours that add extra glamour to your nails. Their snazzy glitter colours have been particularly popular over the festive period and feature in all the major magazines.

Jin Soon is a revolutionary nail bar in New York – in under an hour they will transform your hands and feet, Cinderella-style.

More information here: www.jinsoon.com

Many thanks to NYC GO for their help with this trip, and Virgin Atlantic for flights.

Sophie Gass, Holland Park

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Every girl needs a local manicurist for a last minute beauty fix. In Acton I found Nara, in Holland Park I have Sophie Gass, a fabulous little nail bar on Ladbroke Grove.

Sophie Gass is a brilliant Holland Park ambassador, working in the centre of this West London area and enjoying all it has to offer. Whilst my toes were being pampered by her best therapist I picked her brains on the best things to do in the neighbourhood. At only 26, this girl has impressive ambition, discovering a gap in the market, she opened an affordable and stylish nail salon just a few months after quitting her high-powered job in the city. With an assortment of unique clothes, lovely jewellery and tempting accessories, it is also the ideal place to pick up a party frock or last minute gift.

I went along for a luxury pedicure and was amazed by the precision and care of the treatment. My feet were soaked, exfoliated and moisturised, my toenails were filed and cuticles were trimmed ready for my Essie colour of choice.

The salon is bright and airy, designed simply but with indulgent touches. Each reclining chair has a nearby iPad for your use and new monthly magazines are scattered about to occupy you while your feet are being pampered. When my bright blue nails were done, I tip-toed around the venue trying on the beautiful brightly coloured dresses and smiling at the sweet cards.

This is the highlight of Ladbroke Grove, and my favourite new hang-out in the neighbourhood. I can tell I will be spending a lot of Saturdays in Sophie Gass.

More information here.

www.sophiegass.com

New York’s Best Nail Bars

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There aren’t many cities that have truly embraced the nail art trend… Londoners are taking cautious steps towards the new fad (with WAH leading the rest), apparently Japan are wildly creative with their designs and possibilities… I knew little of NYC’s opinion of the fabulous fingertip fashion. Spending five days in the Big Apple, I had the opportunity to try the latest trends in nail art and scour the streets for the best beauty bars. Here’s my top three:

Primp and Polish

Brooklyn-bound hipsters will find comfort in this blissfully calm and laid-back nail salon. I was impressed by the sophisticated decor and design, stools and plush reclining chairs are lined up ready for pampering. Boys and girls alike visit P&P for all kinds of treatments, but the classic mani’s and pedi’s seemed to be most popular. My friend indulged in a pedicure and assured me it was the best she had ever experienced, luxurious and invigorating, perfect for her weary sight-seeing feet. I went for a nail art manicure with the Queen of Designs, Kieu Bui. After a lovely exfoliation, massage and extensive cuticle work, Kieu got to work on some NY themed nails: stars, stripes, cocktails and the piece de resistance, an abstracted Statue of Liberty. The girls gathered round as she drew expertly on my nails, with precision and flair… it was a mini-masterpiece. I absolutely loved this nail bar and the district of Williamsburg that surrounds it… we spent the ideal Saturday morning, adorning our nails at Primp & Polish, drinking delicious coffee from Black Brick (just round the corner) and browsing in the boutiques.

http://www.primpandpolish.com/

 Valley

Hidden in the heart of the Nolita area on Elizabeth Street, this cute and glam venue offers the best waxes and manicures in the neighbourhood. It is located among the hippest stores in town – the girls visiting this salon are clearly regulars and all their chattering resembles a scene from Gossip Girl. Nail Art is a must at Valley, everyone has it and the wackier the design, the better. A quiet but efficient girl called Ayumi filed, soaked and buffed my toes before applying pink gel polish and decorating with glitter and an immaculately drawn American flag. I noticed plenty of other beautiful patterns and emblems, one girl even had a miniature picture of her beloved dog painted onto her thumbs. They have become known here for their elaborate glitter patterns and, trust me, it is hard to resist the trolley of bottled sparkles. The coolest nail bar in Manhattan and a must try for nail art fanatics.

http://valleynyc.com/

Beauty Bar

The all singing, all dancing Beauty Bar is more bar than beauty but wins its place on the list for the original concept and fun vibe. I was initially a little disappointed to see garish Halloween decorations up but aside from this minor discrepancy, I was wholly impressed. This is a retro girl’s dream and offers a manicure and martini for just 10 dollars. Unfortunately having already had both my hands and feet painted to the extreme, I didn’t have the chance to try out the beautician’s skills… but next time definitely. Have your nails painted, grab a partner and dance the night away.

http://thebeautybar.com/New_York/

With so many cool nail bars in New York, it is difficult to know who to trust: for nail art Primp & Polish and Valley are unbeatable and for fun Beauty Bar is the New Yorker’s favourite.