Hidden nail havens are abound in Jakarta for those who do not have the privilege of free time; being busy does not necessarily require one to appear careless.
Time and convenience are two of the most precious things for city dwellers; they are aspects of life money cannot buy. The decreased enjoyment of either one is arguably a dilemma that on-schedule people have to endure. As time moves faster and life becomes more harried, slots for self-indulging activities also grow thinner.
The fact is, most metropolitan residents look for shortcuts so as to get full enjoyment out of their busy lifestyles. Especially in Jakarta, where getting from point A to point B takes a hefty amount of effort, what is cut is usually distance. A majority of people prefer to schedule all of their appointments in one place since free time is simply a period where one appointment ends and another one begins.
In a perfect world, a career woman should easily balance her hectic business schedule for the sake of her well-being. In reality, it demands many shortcuts getting to that point – one of which is to take advantage of Jakarta’s most trusted resource: the shopping mall. Modern malls here are no longer just for shopping as they offer a whole lot more than retail and food. Every prestigious mall in the capital city is now housing at least one establishment for nail care as they are immensely popular amongst time-deprived, urban women.
The quick and instant, spa-like services offered in nail parlours are what make them ideal.
For many women, these salons are sanctuaries and havens for some good, old-fashioned, tender, loving care. Something as simple as a manicure can provide an uplifting, mood altering makeover from the fingertips to the soul – bringing joy and serenity to the bearers. There is also the bonus of a skilled nail therapist whose magic conveyed through touch and small conversation can replace even the most experienced psychotherapy session.
Apart from the convenience, nail parlours in malls have increasingly become much better compared to stand-alone salons, both in terms of service and skill. Recently, many of these parlours have undergone upgrades, and have attracted more and more customers through good interior designs. Many salons have also acquired international certifications and won awards for best practices. They have trademarked names and applications for nail shapes, invented new approaches for hand and foot spas, developed different brands of polish, and adopted hospital-grade hygiene practices. Sophisticated designs abound for both your nails and the salons.
In contrast, at-home beauty services featured on mobile apps and websites, have several major issues associated with them. While they may seem convenient in theory, realistically they cause problems from bothersome appointment rescheduling to the lack of professional tools and selection of product offerings. Some people also feel uncomfortable letting strangers into their homes. And most importantly, many of these beauticians don’t have credentials to provide services and treatments – which is unusual at nail parlours one would find at the mall.
Below are some recommendations for reliable nail parlours for those interested in a quick pampering.
Pink Parlour
This beauty haven is as glamorous as they come, women can indulge in several major shopping malls in the city. Their all-inclusive, professional services keep customers coming back for more. Although they are commonly known for their less painful waxing services – especially their award-winning Brazilian waxing – the parlour also offers immaculate treatments for nails, including a basic manicure and pedicure, gelish service, and advanced manicures and pedicures that involve hand and foot massage and scrubbing. There are countless bottles of nail polish – both regular and gel.
Location: Pacific Place, Grand Indonesia, Lippo Mall Puri, Kemang Village
Price for nail services starts from Rp. 95,000 to Rp. 395,000 before tax.
Onnie Studio
Owned by Indonesian Hollywood actor Joe Taslim’s wife, Julie Taslim (who is also a certified therapist) this Korean-inspired salon is a paradise for nail art connoisseurs. Besides their manicure and pedicure spa, they are famous for creating art on nails. Starting from a simple polish to lace embellishments, glitter ornament, metallic facing –all the way to their signature three-dimensional acrylic nail art; Onnie Studio knows how to get them done right.
Location: Plaza Indonesia, Gandaria City, Pluit Village, The Dharmawangsa Square
Price for nail service starts from Rp. 60,000 to Rp. 450,000.
Kimi Nail Salon
The professionalism and knowledge of the therapists are one of the star qualities of the salon; they act more like a counsellor than a nail therapist. They understand that each person has different types of nail beds and conditions, and different treatments are required depending on each person’s state. They also provide one-of-a-kind relaxing massage chairs so customers can get free massages while being pampered. They offer luxurious nail polish brands such as the likes of Chanel, CND and Marc Jacobs.
Location: Kemang Village, Bintaro Xchange Mall, AEON Mall BSD City
Price for nail service starts from Rp. 90,000 to Rp. 500,000.
ORLYmiin Beauty Lounge
This premium Korean beauty salon offers head-to-toe services using only the finest products. They are deemed to be the ultimate trendsetter in terms of nail art techniques with their international nail products, and semi-permanent makeup services. For treatments, they offer amazing hand and foot spas, unique twists on nail polishes and nail extensions, and also elegant wedding treatment packages for the bride-to-be. The salon offers membership programmes for loyal customers with special discounts and benefits.
Location: Plaza Indonesia and Pondok Indah Mall
Price for nail service starts from Rp. 100,000 to Rp. 650,000.
O.P.I Nail Spa
Arguably one of the most popular nail polish brands in the world, O.P.I has opened its doors in Jakarta. Their trustworthy array of products is now being served by well-trained professional therapists customizing customers’ nails. This is the place where nail care devotees can dedicate their time to try the newest collections and treatments of O.P.I’s top-of-the-line products.
Location: Plaza Senayan, Plaza Indonesia, Lippo Mall Puri, Mal Taman Anggrek
Price for nail service starts from Rp. 120,000 to Rp. 1,500,000.
Apart from the leading nail parlours mentioned above, there are plenty of professional, high-end places worth a try. They include Sassi Beauty Nail & Spa, Her Glam Nail Boutique, NAP Professional Spa & Beauty and Tokyo Nail Collection.