To gel or not to gel…
To gel or not to gel…
Basically, gel polished nails are a type of polish that hardens under UV light. This means that when you go for your manicure or pedicure, as soon as you are finished your nails are dry. And, best of all, the polish stays on for a minimum of two weeks. These nails are dishwashing-proof, sauna-proof, sand-proof, and swimming-proof.
We visited two of Tallinn’s great nail salons to try it out for ourselves.
Nail Lounge is the first salon in Estonia to offer an OPI-only Nail Lounge offers an OPI-only experience. The gel polish manicure lasts about an hour and a half. experience. This means that all the products that are used during your manicure or pedicure are OPI brand. Nail Lounge manager Katrin Sootna is proud to offer these products to her clients and says, “you can really feel and see the better quality. The hand creams contain natural ingredients, and the scents are soothing but not overpowering.” When a client walks into the cosy and warming Nail Lounge they are made to feel special. Each manicure or pedicure is personalised to suit the client. The gel polish manicure (24.50€) lasts at least two weeks, and clients usually come back with the colour having simply grown out. The Nail Lounge also offers classic manicures (17€) and pedicures (29€). These include a massage. The classic pedicure is comparable to a regular spa pedicure. Feet are left feeling clean, relaxed, and soft. Appointments can be booked online as well as via telephone.
The Nail Spa works like a welloiled machine. As soon as the client walks in, they are greeted and offered a beverage. The salon is filled with the chatter of regulars, and the friendly and professional service is just part of the reason clients keep coming back. The Nail Spa uses OPI-brand products for their manicures and pedicures. The gel manicure (23€) lasts about an hour and half. Your hands must be dry for this manicure so there is no soaking involved. First, nails are filed and shaped. Then the nails are brushed with a coat of special clear polish that helps the colour adhere to the nails. Throughout the manicure, it certainly seems like there are many coats of polish being put on, but the gel polish will not damage your nails. After each coat your nails are put under the UV light to dry and at the end of the manicure, the manicurist gave a hand massage and my nails were completely dry. Appointments can be booked on-line as well as via telephone.
Location
Nail Lounge
Roseni 9 / Mere pst 6A Tallinn.
Nail Spa
Narva mnt 9 Tallinn.
TEXT: KRISTINA LUPP, PHOTOS: ANDREI CHERTKOV
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