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top flight:
From organic treatments to artful polish, here are the best salons for
your mani-pedi needs.
Want to give your pores the deep cleaning they deserve? We know who to call. Need to find out the latest in lasers? We’ve got the woman for you. Dying to know Demi Moore’s kundalini guru? We have her info and are sharing it with you in our series of Top Flight files on Violet Code–approved beauty experts and destinations.
Below, a selection of our favorite nail salons on both coasts to keep you properly polished.
esNAIL
Los Angeles, CA
Using Japanese art techniques, this very upscale salon considers nail polish a fashion statement and offers the Rolls-Royce of manicure treatments—the unlimited design gel esNAIL Special—for $120.
HORTŪS NAILWORKS
New York, NY
A favorite of makeup artist Violette, the cozy Hortūs uses food-grade organic ingredients in its services (even employing a soy-based, acetone-free polish remover), ensuring purity without compromising artistry.
JAUNT
Southern California / by appointment only
Founded by Chanel celebrity nail artist Ashlie Johnson, this mobile nailcare experience is inspired by the essence of ’70s surf culture and travels inside a vintage VW bus for one-of-a-kind events.
JINSOON
New York, NY
Jin Soon Choi—nail artist and founder of the Jinsoon nailcare line—has several NYC salons offering innovative Korean-inspired manicure and pedicure treatments that incorporate milk and honey or cucumber and mint soaks.
OLIVE + JUNE
Los Angeles, CA
Sarah Gibson Tuttle’s reinvention of the mani-pedi experience is the focus at these fun, minimalistic boutique salons, where expert manicurists focus on precision shaping and cuticle work.
LEFT: OLIVE & JUNE, LOS ANGELES, CA
RIGHT: TENOVERTEN, AUSTIN, TX
PAINTBOX
New York, NY
Sophisticated nail art and a seasonal collection of edited nail designs and colors (in step with runway and editorial trends, of course) are the main draws at this Soho destination.
TENOVERTEN
New York, NY / Austin, TX / Los Angeles, CA
Offering clean, eco-conscious manicures and pedicures in a luxe setting (the salon even distributes iPads to clients for entertainment during dry time), TenOverTen uses entirely nontoxic products—you won’t find gels on their menu.
VALLEY NAILS
New York, NY
West Coast transplant Nina Werman opened Valley in 2006 with one goal in mind: pampering without pretense. Fashion-focused clients flock to the laid-back salon for one-of-a-kind nail art in a cool downtown setting.
VAN COURT
New York, NY
In-the-know women visit Van Court for chic, subtle nail art and impeccable waterless manicures and pedicures—the nails are not soaked prior to being painted, a technique that ensures treatments are ultra-hygenic and long lasting.
Browse the collection of nail products currently approved by The Violet Code.
The Olive & June founder shares her morning beauty routine with The Violet Files.