

Hi, I'm Kristen
I have loved painting nails since I was a kid. Back then I was drawn to color and sparkle and I found joy and satisfaction in helping people feel relaxed and pampered. I dreamed of painting nails for a living when I grew up. After growing up, working a few office jobs, getting married, and having two kids, I finally decided to pursue my dream. I signed up for nail tech school in 2019, earned my licensure, and started working at a nail salon in Minnesota that specialized in healthier nail care, including dry manicures and pedicures. Minnesota has long, cold winters, and pedicure season was just too short for me, so we packed up and moved to the Triangle. I searched for a similar nail salon here, but there were none. By now I had become passionate about health and safety in nail care and couldn’t bring myself to compromise, so I opened my own studio.
The Full Story
My enthusiasm for color, sparkle, and pampering haven’t changed a bit since I was a kid. As an adult I developed an additional passion: healthy nail care. I want to give people the chance to have beautiful and colorful nails without the negative health effects of toxic products. I research the products used in my services with particular attention to toxins and select the healthiest options available. When I can’t find something that meets my standards I make my own products, which I do for cuticle oil, lotion, and scrub. I do not offer acrylic services, so my clients and I never have to breathe the strong, toxic odor associated with nail salons. None of the products I use have artificial fragrances. I have unscented options as well as options scented with essential oils. All of my services are waterless, or dry, meaning I use warm towels instead of hot water baths, eliminating the primary way germs like toenail fungus can spread at a traditional nail salon.
As a Dazzle Dry Regional Education Ambassador, I learned about the unique needs oncology patients have for nail care, forcing many to abandon their trips to the salon. With all of the challenges and restrictions that people in oncology care experience, I wanted to make a little difference by offering access to luxurious, relaxing nail spa services, so I took a certification course through Oncology Spa Solutions and now know what questions to ask and what modifications to make before beginning a service.
I love meeting new people, I love seeing returning clients over and over again, I love to talk, I love to laugh, and I also welcome a stretch of quiet time with those who prefer it. I care deeply about the long term health of my clients’ nails, so between the laughter, conversation, and silence, I love educating people on their options, helping them make choices that fit their needs, and teaching them how to care for their nails at home between visits. Since I’m the owner I don’t have any upgrade quotas to meet, so I lay out any options that might be right for you and let you pick without pressure.
Honesty, transparency, and authenticity are important to me. I am on an educational journey myself, constantly learning more about the health aspects of nail care, and have discovered along the way that nothing is perfect. It took some soul searching to realize for myself what I’m about to tell you. The absolute healthiest thing to do for your nails is to leave them uncolored and apply jojoba oil daily. For those who want color, the next healthiest thing to do is come see me.