Why is there a nail salon on every corner?

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, a wave of Vietnamese immigrants called the “boat people” arrived to America in search of a better life for their families. With a tenacious work ethic and immense drive, they searched for high paying jobs to compensate for their lack of education.

Naturally, wanting to provide for their families, they were able to do so in the nail salon industry. It was a technical skill they could quickly learn while speaking little to no English. At the same time, it afforded them a middle income lifestyle for their families.

The media quickly caught on and subsequently, caricatures like "Miss Swan" on Mad TV poked fun at the industry and the workers.

Today, depending on who you ask, Some believe they destroyed the industry.

Others believe they saved it.

Caricature "Ms. Swan" on Mad TV.

Sibling Rivalry
Some salons and spas try distinguish themselves from these immigrant owned salons. Our industry -the nail care industry is divided between "natural nails" vs salons that provide "nail enhancements (like acrylics and gels). " The latter representing immigrant owned nail salons or "discount salons."

Walk into any spa and you'll know where they stand.

It's like sibling rivalry. One kid wants to rebel by having nothing to do with the other.

Likewise, certain spas inadvertently slander the same industry by bashing their brothers and sisters.

Sènsé Nail Spa was born out of these two worlds. We are passionate about what we do and we don't proclaim to say one is better than the other because we love and enjoy natural nail care and enhancements (for the record, we also believe in safer cosmetics - see our KOMO 4 news interview below).






If you ask us, we believe education is important to change the industry. These workers can learn American Custom. Continuing education with new technology. Safety standards for clients. Art. Community. Fashion.

As industry leaders, we feel we have a social responsibility (Read July 2006 back issue of Colors NW Magazine, entitled "Good Business")

We give much props to Gene Juarez for understanding this. As leaders in the salon industry for over 35 years, they don't profess to say "naturals only" is the only way to go. With a multi- million dollar budget, they could easily slander this divide any way they wish. Today, they have followed suit by offering continued training for immigrant nail techs and continue to provide education for these workers. We salute them for this.

To us, it's the same industry in the end. And ultimitely, we are all but one family.

Beautiful Nail

Ok. We'll be honest. We laugh at ourselves and our industry too. We thought this comedy routine is fricking hilarious...and Anjelah is adorable.

Nail Salon Safety - Seattle Manicures and Pedicures.

It was a busy afternoon at the nail spa when the phone rings..."Hi, my name is April Zepeda and we're doing a story on nail salons...can we come by in 30 minutes?" Wow. We were shocked, excited and nervous all at the same time. Moments later, the camera crew and April show up setting up monstrous cameras, lighting while working at a controlled and frenzied pace. "Don't mind us" (easy for you to say). It was an hour interview. It came by so quickly we didn't have time to prepare...or call anybody for that matter to record. All in all, we hear it was a full story. Great shots of the nail spa. Dad was watching tv...didn't know about the interview. "Whoa! I just saw you guys on the news!" We didn't get a chance to record, but we did find the a brief article online...

By April Zepeda
KOMO 4 article

Environmental groups are claiming victory for women after getting a OPI, a major cosmetics company, to remove a harsh chemical form its nail polish formula.

The news is especially good for workers in nail salons who inhale fumes all day.

"After doing it for 12 years, you can smell the different fumes. The ones without formaldehyde or toluene are lighter," said salon owner, Victoria Luu.

At her shop, Sense Nail Spa in Shoreline, her family has added a ventilation system and now offers polishes with fewer chemicals. They know customers want less toxins.

"We have seen a lot of push for it just in the last year. In the past ten years, that's something you never would have seen," said co-owner, Robert Luu.

Now the largest nail salon supplier, OPI, has agreed to remove one of the harshest chemicals from its polishes. Toluene has been shown to cause respiratory problems, memory and vision loss and even birth defects. The company decided to nix the chemical after a strong push from environmental groups, including the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle.

"To have a company that size respond positively to a campaign and remove the chemicals out of their products says a lot, " said the organization's Executive Director, Charlie Cuniff.

There are more than 400 nail salons in King County alone. OPI will start shipping the new polish in the next month

OPI's Chief Operating Officer Eric Schwartz said the company welcomes the change.

"We are pleased that technological advances have enabled us to improve our formulas and harmonize our product offerings," he said.

Environmental groups say the change will making a safer working environment for nearly 14,000 manicurists in the state, as well as their customers.

"I think anything will be better for me and the person doing my nails and probably the people who are making the product," said customer Tricia Barbachan.

Last year OPI removed another chemical from its polish - dibutyl phthalate - after it was banned in several European countries.

Sènsé Nail Spa raises $10,000 to support Art.

This clip is of The Shorecrest Hip Hop Dance Team. They are the 2006 State Champions and 2007 District Champions. This year, they took 3rd at Nationals in Orlando, Florida and we are thrilled to support them. More amazing they won the highest GPA Award two years in a row!



This is the dance show we produced to raise more than $10,000 to send 19 kids to Florida to compete at Nationals.