Frequently asked questions

Gel polish adds colour and shine but little strength. Dip powder relies on glue and a rigid powder that tends to crack and needs a full acetone soak each visit. Builder gel is a flexible gel sculpted over your own nail with a supporting apex, so it bends with the nail, stops peeling and is rebalanced every three to four weeks.

To keep the air clear and natural nails healthy, the studio does not apply acrylics or dip powder. It does remove another salon's acrylic, hard gel or dip under removal and reset, at $25: mention it in the enquiry so 25 minutes are added and nothing is rushed.

Metal tools are scrubbed in an ultrasonic bath, sealed in indicator pouches and sterilised in an autoclave, then opened in front of you. Files, buffers and wooden sticks are single-use. Pedicure basins are pipeless, with no jets, and are scrubbed and disinfected between every client.

Yes. The studio stocks fully HEMA-free and TPO-free bases, builder gels and colours. Note any known sensitivity in the enquiry and a HEMA-free tray is set out before you arrive.

For brows, pause retinol, acids and exfoliants around the brow bone for five to seven days. For lashes, arrive without eye make-up or oily eye cream, and wear glasses rather than contact lenses.

Keep them away from water, steam, saunas, hard workouts and oil cleansers for the first 24 hours while they set. After that, wash and wear make-up as normal, and brush through each day with the spoolie you take home.

Every builder gel manicure has a seven-day wear guarantee. If a nail chips or lifts within seven days, call or message the studio and a quick repair is arranged at no charge.

Please give at least 24 hours' notice to change or cancel, by telephone or message, so the slot can go to someone on the waiting list. Arriving more than 12 minutes late may mean simplifying nail art to a plain colour so the next client still starts on time.