Salon nails it right

MANILA, Philippines - The hair may be our crowning glory, but it’s our nails that speak a lot about our health and hygiene – or lack of one.

In the past decade, we have seen a proliferation of nail salons in the country, perhaps a reflection that we are paying more attention to our nails now more than ever.

One such salon is Posh Nails, which was founded in 2002 by an Export Management business degree-holder from De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde.

“My friends and I used to go to the spa to bond and unwind. I got a severe infection on my toe in one of the spas we visited, though, and this led to the surgical removal of the toenail,” Catherine Ilacad said.

The unfortunate incident may have scared others in trusting their nail care to others again; Ilacad turned it into a thriving business instead.

She left her job at OctoArts and Virgin Café, businesses that her family run, and put up a salon that would address the nail care needs of customers like her.

Posh Nails offers varied services related to taking care of one’s nails. Aside from the usual manicure and pedicure, it also offers hand and feet micro-derm abrasion, hand spa, hand and arm scrub, foot scrub, foot and leg mask, and foot spa services. It has also expanded its services to include reflexology, paraffin dip, half leg waxing, and coffee or green tea manicure and pedicure.

To keep abreast with the latest trends in nail care, Ilacad said she attends international conventions.

She also invests on research and development to come up with new product and service offerings and sees to the training of the salon's personnel.

“We’re planning to introduce more intricate procedures in natural nail care and wellness-related services," she said.

The company is also looking to expanding its business through franchising in Cebu, Pampanga, Davao and Batangas and licensing in the United States. It is also planning to open a day spa in the future. - Ruth Sindico