NAILS

46 | NAILS MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2016{ }on the road``````>Open only two months when I visited, Paintbar Nails already had an impressivestaff of 11 nail techs. They distinguish themselves from other salons in the area byoffering what the owners believe to be the ideal salon experience: cleanliness,convenience, customer service, and competitive pricing.``````>To ensure cleanliness, all implements are cleaned using a Clarisonic brush andthen autoclaved. Files and buffers are disposable, and the tubs have no jets. Toincrease comfort and overall experience, clients are offered a drink and an iPad. Toincrease convenience, appointments can be booked online and the salon is opensix days a week until 7 p.m. and 12-6 p.m. on Sundays. To keep pricing competitive,clients can choose from manicures at three different price points. Along with nailservices, the salon offers lashes and facial waxing.``````>The owners credit their immediate popularity to the support of local magazinesand bloggers who were eager to spread the good news of two local girls openinga beauty hotspot. Instagram has proven to be another excellent marketing tool.Every post makes the salon look like a little oasis of luxury. Followers takeadvantage of daily deals or specials, such as 10% off mother/daughter services.``````> Looking ahead at their goals for their first year in business, Brewer and Fain intendto focus on educating clients on salon sanitation, maintaining their high standardsof customer service, and expanding their demographic into the male market.``````Owners Heather Brewer and Catherine Fain had noexperience in the nail industry, but armed with legal,business, and marketing experience, plus an image ofwhat a nail salon experience should include, they took therisk and opened this chic, modern salon in Raleigh, N.C.BY MICHELLE PRATTPaintbar NailsI took advantage of the 10% off mother/daughter services posted on Instagram.They agreed aunt/niece was just as good!``````The open, monochromatic salonprovides a calm, quiet space torelax andbe pampered.``````A sliding barn door adds a uniquefocal point at the back of the salon.``````http://www.paintbarnails.comThe custom-built pedicure platforms provideplenty of room for comfortable armchairs.The nail bar provides a good opportunity topeople watch — for those looking in or out.