I was scrolling through our Instagram page @shoppeblack and saw a video 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. (#BlackBusinessesInTheDiasporaMa
I’m sure we left out a few, so feel free to add another Black owned nail salons that do good work in the comments. And note, we’re not just talking about just any Black owned nail salons, but those that are clean, aesthetically nice, where they do good work and where customer service matters.
– 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)
Blessed By Beedy Nails (New Orleans, LA)
Z Luxury (West Hartford, CT)
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)
Nail Bully Bar (Dania beach, FL)
Polizhed ( Beachwood, OH)
Class Act Nails (Marietta, GA)
Nails by Keda (Cleveland, OH)
The Nail Tailor (San Pedro, CA)
Nola Organic Spa (New Orleans, LA)
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.
Hi Lyndia,
Was SHOPPEBLACK able to assist you in finding a nail salon? If so, where?
I’ll be between Vernon and Ellington for 6 weeks and would appreciate the info as I haven’t found one via google.
Does anyone know of any black owned nail salon in Denver Colorado. Thanks
Mary
Z Luxury – http://www.zluxurybrand.com
There is a Black owned nail salon in West Hartford, CT. Z Luxury
https://www.zluxurybrand.com/
They were voted best nail salon a few years in a row.
http://Www.zluxurybrand.com
A black-owned nail salon in West Hartford!
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.
Theres one in Hyde park that is black owned. We should take our business here. It’s called Tiffany’s Transformations and they are all natural as well. Planning to check them out soon.
http://www.tiffanystransformations.com
There are three or four black salons (Dominican and or Puerto Rican owned Salon in Boston)….Exotic Nails in Roslindale, Transformations by Tiffany, Needham, Plush Nails, Dorchester and one in Hyde Park I think Jeannine’s,….check them out
I know, right? I’ve spent time on google trying to find black owned nail salons on Boston.
It’s hard to find, even in areas where some black people live.
https://transformations.glossgenius.com/
https://popupmanibydani.weebly.com/
https://www.pinkandpretty.org/
. . . just to name a few.
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.
Oh, I would love info on that!!! I’m thinking of going to school to be a nail tech… perhaps
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)
Do you just of any black-owned nail salons in the Phoenix, AZ area?!
Yep! https://www.deeplyrootedaz.com/services
Need black owned nail salons in Groton, CT Norwich CT and New London CT.
Z Luxury – http://www.zluxurybrand.com – West Hartford, CT is the closest we’ve found so far.
Any blacked owned in Bridgeport, CT
Thenailspa.mysalononline.com
Black-owned nail salon located in New Haven!
Hammer and Nails is no longer black owned. It was sold recently to John Choi.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-himi-hammer-and-nails-john-choi-20180615-htmlstory.html#
The former Los Angeles/ Melrose location is still black owned and is now called The Nail Lounge for Men.
https://www.vagaro.com/thenailloungeformen/
My son and husband and son went today and service was excellent!
Thanks for that info, Dee!
Perfect 10 Nail Salon in Tampa, Florida is also black owned, Kim Mallard has been doing nails for over 30 years. If you are in Tampa or the surrounding area and searching for a professional nail salon. Please contact Perfect 10 (813)833-9831 the shop is located at 2705 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Tampa Florida 33610
We need some in Orlando, FL.
Coming soon! Peacock in Pearls Nail and Barber Spa. We are looking at spots along Colonial Drive (to accommodate those who stay in Maitland) and OBT. Remember the name. Opening fall 2019
How much money does it take a create a shop? I’m in Orlando
Amazingly, Orlando is the cheapest area to open a business. My husband and I are from South Florida and well…you can already imagine the cost to open a business down there. We have been blessed to find some spots along Colonial Drive for $20k already equipped. Check Craigslist. You can find some real good spots.
Kreations by Kiki in Durham NC and Azia B’s Salon Nails in Raleigh NC
Thanks!
Xanevia Nails Salon & Spa, Alpharetta, GA 100% black owned and operated. We look forward to serving you!
How about Tacoma (not Seattle), Washington? I’ve been going to a place for 10 years and they are good…sometimes the new staff are a little stubborn but I would like to support a shop, mobile or home based African-American business (no dogs) in the community.
Are there any black owned salons near Sugarland or Katy/ Richmond area? Or even in Houston? New to the area and would love to support!
No one knows of any shops near the Katy or Houston area?
If you guys find any in golden triangle, that would be excellent!
I have been looking for a black nail tech in the Fort Lauderdale area for over 1 yr now still no luck. Please please if anybody know of anyone. I do my nails sparingly and that is because I really don’t want to support those professionals that look like me..
I have a friend who does WONDERFUL nails in Fort Lauderdale. Her name is Ms. Tee and her mother, Debbie. They do nails and have a shop on Sunset Strip. It is in a plaza right next door to a convienent store. The only plaza with a store along Sunset Strip. If you are coming from University Drive, it will be on the left hand side. If you are coming from Sunrise Blvd, it will be on your right. I hope you like it!
I am regular reader, how are you everybody?
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I need info for a black nail tech in Lincoln, ne please if anyone knows one please let me know
How about South Jersey? Any Black owned salons
Hello Queens,
I would love to know if there are any black owned nail salons in Las Vegas
There’s a black owned nail salon in Riverside,Ca it’s called Queeniee Nails.
Do you Know of any Black Owned Nail Salons in Atlanta Area
It starts from the top, including where we buy supply’s from. I would love to be featured in an article we have a revolutionary nail product that impact the industry bringing diversity and equality. I also read the Madam CJ walker article we definitely have to connect. Please forward the information and pass along
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you just shared
this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this.
Thank you for sharing.
I am in need of a black owned nail salon that does gels and or acrylic in central Connecticut
thank you.
I love the way nail designs look on clear nails.
This is such a great article. According to Statista, “there are over 50,000 nail salons in the USA and about 440,000 nail technicians.” Now, just imagine the number we represent in the industry, which isn’t the great at all.
We would love for you to feature “Black-Owned Nail Polish Companies”. As the owner of a cosmetic company, which includes nail polish, I know first-hand the impact we can have in this industry if we work together.
I love this, thank you!!!
SB Experience NAILS & Beauty. Goldsboro NC
Looking for a nail salon in Birmingham, Alabama can you assist?
I am an African American and own my 5-star nail salon near Oakland, CA.
However, I’d love to know where all the Black owned business are in my area and beyond. Is there anyway you can survey people to determine where more Black own salons are located. I have a sneaking suspicion it’s a lot more than we think. 😉
Delane
Delane’s Natural Nail Care
Pittsburgh, PA:
Ambiance Hair & Nail Gallery
Laced Beauty Bar
Aliya Wray’s
Lala’s
These are just a few places I can think of off top; there are a few more. I go to Ambiance which is located at 1231 Federal St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
(412) 403-8257
Env Nail Spa
Charlotte NC
Hi my name is Tiffany c. I own my own nail shop here in San Antonio at 1015 west Hildebrand San Antonio Texas 78212 if you ladys are ever here check me out on Facebook @ Tiffany Covarrubias or Timelessnailz or ig@timelessnailz
I found this Tiffany via Facebook made an appointment the following Saturday I sat down in front of her and looked her dead in her face and said look before you do my nails I need you to know something I’m serious about my nails and I’m serious about my nail tech if you do my nails we are in a relationship
Tiffany laughed and say we go together. I’ve been with Tiffany and Timeless nails for over 2 years I love her work she is eager to please she has all the trendy items and she’s well-versed in her craft what she can do old-school sculpture Nails in free hand art on average my nails last from four to six weeks if you’re ever in San Antonio please come see Tiffany.
Don’t forget Polish Change Nail Studio in Maryland. She is the only true non-toxic and eco-friendly nail salon in the state AND the sister even creates and manufactures her own line of non-toxic nail polish. Isn’t interested that OPI has never done a collection inspired by the colors of Africa but has done everything from Asia to Europe?
Does anyone know of any black owned salons or nail techs in Atlanta that do SNS nails? I cannot find even one and that’s the only thing I use on my nails religiously. Please help! Seeing how much I spend on my nails, I would much rather put that back in the community. Ooh if anyone does eyebrow threading too, that’d also be great.