I was scrolling through our ShoppeBlack IG when saw a video pop up of a Black woman being attacked at an Asian nail salon in Brooklyn. Someone filmed employees of nail salon attacking a customer with a broom and throwing liquid at her while she tries to fight them off. The video which has since gone viral, has led to multiple arrests, public outrage and protests calling for the salon to shut down.
I’m going to file this incident under “Another reason to Support Black Owned Businesses.” In this case, Black owned nail salons. But as someone who gets regular manicures and pedicures, I can honestly say that I’ve not come across many Black nail salons and if I have, they are far and few in between. Not to mention, I actually have more friends than I can or would name who actually rather NOT patronize Black nail salons. Why is that?
While I know that there were training and entrepreneurship programs set up in the US for Asian immigrants, particularly Vietnamese women who still dominate ownership in the eight billion dollar nail industry, I still question why there are so little Black owned salons and/or why we choose not to go to them if we know about them. Personally, my three favorite nail salons in the world happen to be all Black-owned: Powder which I recently discovered in Los Angeles, Sip and Social in Lagos and my all-time fave, Colour Riot Nails in London.
Although I haven’t had any negative experiences in salons, my go to spot in Philly is Asian-owned and the folks always treat me well, as does my go to spot in New Orleans, I’ve heard of my share of horror stories. I won’t say that’s the norm, because I do believe that most Asian business owners who are concerned about their businesses actually do value their clientele (namely us). But as in most cases, we should seek to support our own.
That said, in response to some of your comments about us needing and wanting Black-owned nail salons to patronize, we’ve compiled a list around the US and internationally. (Cause #
– Shantrelle P. Lewis
Black Owned Nail Salons
Free Edge Beauty Studio (Brooklyn)
The Nail Suite by Lisa Logan (New York, NY)
Junie Bee Nailz (New York, NY)
Dera Ebele’s Nail Boutique (Franklin Square, NY)
The Nail Belle (Brooklyn, NY)
Nail Bed (Brooklyn, NY)
SHIC by Soketah’s (Brooklyn, NY)
Koco Nail Salon & Wax Studio (Philadelphia)
Brown Sugar Nail Spa (Philadelphia)
Good Hood Girls (Philadelphia, PA)
Palms Nail Bar (Arlington, TX)
Glitter Nail Salon (Oak Park, IL)
Shine Nails (Chicago, IL)
Lux Nail Boutique (Chicago, IL)
A Polished Work Nail Spa Lounge (Chicago, IL)
Beautiful Sisters Nail Spa (Chicago, IL)
Simply Panache Nail Bar and Pedi Spa (Hampton, VA)
Nails by Tiara (Atlanta, GA)
Poochiez Pawz Nail Studio (Atlanta, GA)
Divine Designz (Jacksonville, NC)
Alicia B Nail Bar (Columbia, SC)
Artisan Nail Studio (Charlotte, NC)
Studio 7 The Salon and Spa (Baltimore, MD)
Fyubi (Washington, DC)
Cre8tions Nail Spa (District Heights, MD)
Scrub Nail Boutique (Baltimore, MD)
Ms.Glitter Nail Lounge and Spa (Oakland, CA)
Powder Beauty Co (Los Angeles, CA)
Hammer and Nails Grooming for Guys (West Hollywood, CA…Miami, FL…Atlanta, GA..Houston, TX..Portland, OR)
Blessed By Beedy Nails (New Orleans, LA)
Cher-Mère (Ontario, Canada)
Nice Nails Baby (London, UK) ) is a nail salon that provides fabulous nails, 3D nail designs, great waxing, beautiful tinting, and stunning eye.
Shea’D Beauty (London, UK)
WAH Nails (London, UK)
Colour Riot Nails (London, UK)
Cover image art by @mizellejay
–Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson (IG @thebusyafrican)
Need some in Hartford, Ct. Seem like these people are losing their minds.
Would be a great investment for someone with the finances.
Great roundup as always! I’m a client of Pretty Natural Nail Salon in Stone Mountain, GA and would love to add them to the list. The owner Yolanda is a sweetheart, customer service is exceptional and they specialize healthy, natural nails, for those of us who want to avoid the chemicals and toxins. @prettynaturalnailsalon
We need some in Boston, MA. There are no African American Nail Salons in Boston, all Asian.
I agree!! Burn and raised here and we’ve never had a black owned nail salon. Shameful!
I 2nd that! I want to get my nails done but, I don’t want to give anymore money to Asian people. They already own all the beauty supply stores in the hood.
I love to see all of the black owned nail shops, want to show some love to Rockstar Nails located in Arlington, Tx which is also black owned. The owner has a Manicure instructor school as well located in Texas.
What is the address of Rockstar Nails? I am new to the area.
I have been saying this for years we need to support each other . I would love for Memphis to have one and my plans are to one day be on this list. #girlboss
How do we update this list? Delanes natural nails (San Leandro, CA)