K K Nails & Beauty | Nail salon in Lawrenceville, NJ (2024)

FAQs

What to expect when you go to a nail salon? ›

At the salon, the manicure service usually starts with the removal of the existing nail polish. Then, your nails will be cleaned, shaped, filed; and your cuticle are pushed down (unless you request not to). The goal is to make your fingernails look clean, attractive and well-kept.

The nail salon industry, made up heavily of Vietnamese women, sees many labor violations and lack of benefits, according to a UCLA study.

"For example, if your service costs $50, you should see it as costing $60." The widely accepted minimum tip in the industry is 15 percent, Kandalec says, but the most common tip at a nail salon is 20 percent. This is similar to what's expected when tipping at a hair salon, or for a massage or spa treatment.

Much like at restaurants and hair salons, the industry standard for tipping at the nail salon ranges around 15 to 20 percent, and it is generally recommended that if you've received extra services or specialty designs, a minimum of 20 percent is appreciated.

Hedren also connected the women to jobs at salons across Southern California. By the end of the 1980s, over 125,000 Vietnamese refugees had settled in the United States, and word had spread among the close-knit community that nail salons were a viable business to earn a stable income and become self-sufficient.

“Being a nail technician is just much safer and easier — it doesn't require much physical labor, you make way much more and get to work indoors.” For Nguyen and many other Vietnamese Americans, nail salons have long served as a gateway to American culture.

According to the UCLA report, approximately 80 percent of nail salon workers are female; about 75 percent are of Asian descent, with Vietnam as the most common place of birth; 65 percent of the workforce is between 16 and 44 years old; and nearly 50 percent do not speak English or have limited English proficiency.

You'll feel incredibly pampered

The manicurist will clean your nails, buff them, and remove any lingering nail polish. Depending on the type of manicure you're getting, your nails will also be cut and shaped to a uniform style, and you'll finish up with an indulgent hand massage.

Your feet are soaked and cleansed in warm, scented water to soften the skin - like a mini-Jacuzzi for your feet. An exfoliating rub will slough off dead skin with salts or minerals. Your pedicurist will also remove your cuticles and cut and shape your toenails.

Even if you feel awkward or embarrassed, you should make sure your artist understands what it is you're looking for. Tell them if you want shorter nails, a certain shape, or a specific color; they may be able to accommodate your request without any extra fee, so don't be afraid to speak up.

Should I cut my toenails before a pedicure? ›

If it's your first time getting a pedicure, here are a few tips to follow before and after your appointment. First off, don't trim your toenails beforehand. Your pedicurist will take care of this for you. Choose your nail polish color ahead of time.