Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove
Sometimes mama just wants a pedicure. Or a cool, stylish mani. Fortunately getting one’s nails-did is the perfect opportunity for a little R&R while bonding with the little ones. Call it the ultimate in time management. After all - girl or boy - who doesn’t love a good foot soak? Or a fun, ticklish massage? Or picking out a cool color? In a city like New York, where there are virtually two manicure salons to every block, it’s hard to figure out where to go to get a top quality job with as much “spahhh” time as possible. Enter tenoverten, Nadine Abramcyk and Adair Ilyinsky’s six year old luxury nail environment that feels more like your chicest friend’s apartment rather than a salon.
As stylish mamas in their own right, the pair opened their first of four New York outposts in 2010 after finding a void in the market for a cool, relaxing space where women can choose from top labels like Nars, Chanel, RGB and the the duo’s own tenoverten line. Even better is that almost all of the services, from the signature mani, to the scrubs, to sugaring hair removal are free of harsh chemicals and toxins, including the all natural tenoverten polish and the line’s brand new two-in-one portable polish remover and hand cleanser. Designed for on-the-go use, this gentle, odor-free, non-toxic remover is residue-free and features a biodegradable cloth with polish-removing formula that soothes red, dry cuticles and strengthens nails with collagen-promoting horsetail leaf extract. A soft, naturally scented cleansing hand wipe leaves hands clean with a witch-hazel-and-rosehip-based liquid.
At the studios themselves, there aren’t any loud nail dryers, bulky seats or overly-ambitious cuticle cutters. Every aspect, like the plush couches and stellar technicians, is top top top, including star waxer Miranda Boci, who began working with the salon when it opened. “What you believe is old fashioned is always the best,” Boci said of the popular sugar treatment. “It doesn’t bother the skin like other waxes. It’s not hot at all. It’s warm, but you don’t feel it. And it’s very gentle.” We especially love how easy the treatment is on the skin and the fact that there is little to no irritation following. No need for that three day window of bumps and bruises. Just smooth skin and hair free. But for those who love old school waxing, the studio also offers sensitive wax for everywhere, from the bikini to arms to legs.
With four locations in New York City, a new outpost in Austin and a rapidly expanding line, it’s only a matter of time before Tenoverten becomes the standard in creating a fabulous nail care experience.
Now, if we can just figure out how to bring our kids to a massage….