If you’re a nail biter, have weak nails, or like your manicures to last, you need to try a shellac manicure. Shellac manicures are essentially a hybrid between gel and your typical polish – which make them high shine and very durable. Shellac polish by CND promises to last 14 days (they really do!) and have zero dry time. Feel free to reach deep into your bag for your keys. Manicurists apply the polish layer by layer and then dry it with the UV lamps for less than a minute per coat. While I had done shellac in the past at your run of the mill nail salon, I decided to step it up a notch and try 20 Lounge, a multi-service salon with an upscale twist (stole that from their site – but it’s true) located in Cardiff, California for their Roxy Mani.

20 Lounge is located in the same upscale shopping center as Seaside Market and is far (verrrrrry far) from your average nail salon. The inside is spotless & exquisite, the staff friendly (and VERY educated on all things beauty!), and the menu is shockingly not too pricey. I scheduled my appointment for early on a Saturday and the salon had only a few customers at that time, perfect time for a relaxing, quiet experience. I was greeted with a friendly face and taken immediately to meet Erica, my manicurist for the day. To my surprise, I was seated at a bar setting (stool and long white, granite bar top) and was then asked to pick my choice of shellac color by CND. I chose the color “iced cappuccino” and the process begun. Erica was delicate and insisted on asking if there was any pain or discomfort (you won’t find that at other nail salons!), she explained each step, and it was obvious her number one priority was to make the experience enjoyable for me. A few other things I noticed: the salon played music (good music!) videos on flat screens, I was offered a beverage, and Erica was not only a beauty-genius, but I almost felt like I had gone through a day of beauty school as we sat and chatted. And I mean that in a good way. My nails were shellac-perfection and I left the salon without any cuticle cuts – shocking! Oh ya, and my nails are still perfect – 5 days later.

While 20 Lounge is a full-service salon, their manicures and pedicures are surely going to “wow” and they are worlds better than your typical nail salon. You know the salon where you’re unsure if they have ever cleaned the nail clippers (most likely they haven’t! ew!) and they make you feel like you’re an outcast (I often think…I’m paying them, right?)?!? 20 Lounge is a complete 360. The whole service and experience far exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to go back for a lash dye! Plus, they’re right next to the Sambazon, so you can grab an acai bowl after! Yum!

Much love,

The Salonista