5 TO FOLLOW

Check out these five vibrant nail salons with inspirational interiors, all getting it right on Instagram and attracting social savvy clients

Nuka Nails

Instagram: @nuka.nails 99k

One of the most colourful salons in London, Nuka Nails is owned by industry legend and 3D nail artist Anouska Anastasia and her business partner Kadimah Aaliyah.

Nuka Nails is a haven for nail art lovers – there is nothing these women can’t do. Their Instagram page is a treasure trove of the hottest current nail trends and the ones the mainstream hasn’t been cool enough to catch on to yet. Always the first to jump on the latest innovations, Nuka Nails is home to a nail art printing machine so that clients can get photos printed on their nails. In recent years, the salon has expanded to offer services including lashes, brows and tooth gems.

Sky High Studio

Instagram: @skyhighstudio 13.2k

Sky High Studio is a psychedelic and inclusive ray of sunshine located in Glasgow. Run by Elise Smith, the salon is known for its complex and intricate nail art. The décor is a millennial masterpiece, featuring DIY furniture, checked floors, disco balls and smiley faces everywhere. Wavy rainbows adorn the walls and plants hang from the ceiling, adding a touch of nature to the vibrant space. Sky High has also recently added lash and brow services as well as welded permanent jewellery to its offering.

Doll Parts

Instagram: @dollpartsmcr 10k

Described as Manchester’s most liberated and forward-thinking beauty salon, Doll Parts specialises in trend-driven nail art and beauty treatments that defy the “cut and paste” salon style, favouring services tailored to their diverse clientele. Nail services range from Gel-X extensions with 3D nail art to clean builder gel overlays. The salon also offers tooth gem application from its owner Ellie Bebbington, as well as brow lamination, simple wax and tints, lash extensions and, more recently, facials.

Ama the Salon

Instagram: @amathesalon 5.6k

British-Ghanaian Ama Quashie is known for her love of natural nails. Her career as a session manicurist has led her to work with stars Including Adele, Michaela Coel, Solange Knowles and Lenny Kravitz as well as fashion power houses such as David Sims and Phoebe Philo.

Now, the everyday nail enthusiast can have a slice of the action at her salon in Brixton, London. The eco-conscious business has a free-from menu featuring vegan, natural and cruelty free paint, and it’s also known as a safe space for a male mani. The salon’s Instagram is interesting in the sense that it functions like an inspirational page full of cultural references and Tumblr-style captions while the Stories display the day-to-day workings of the salon.

Paint Nails

Instagram: @paintnailslondon 3k

Paint Nails is tucked away behind Oxford Street inside The Beauty Club London. The décor is reminiscent of a Beverley Hills bar, featuring a bounty of plants, neon signs and hand-painted wall art, while the nail art stations are built with orange tiling juxtaposed with green striped walls. The salon also has a bar serving cocktails, with soft furnishings for clients to sit and sip. This makes Paint Nails a great location for hen dos and events.

Expect next-level nail art wrapped around chilled glasses from their Instagram feed, as well as snaps from the events, client education and profiles of the techs.