Nailing it: Salon taps into care for fingers and feet

Emiria Wijayanti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

An unpardonably pretty face or a shock of glossy hair may be the dream of many in the beauty stakes, but for others it's about putting our best foot forward.

Yes, nails, on the hands or feet, may not come to mind as a beauty must, until we have encountered some sorry gnawed examples (hopefully on the offender's hands), the dreaded hangnail peaking out from a pair of pumps or personally endured the pain of an ingrown toenail.

Nowadays, billboards are not the only palette used for airbrushing -- nails are too. The opening of KooKoo Nail Spa in South Jakarta in November 2003 was apparently meant to tap into the concern for presenting pretty nails.

"We took the chance of creating the first spa in Jakarta that specifically tends to the hands and feet," said its director, Samantha Barbara. "The trend of nail pampering has long existed overseas and we knew that eventually it would reach Indonesia."

With her family already in the business abroad, Samantha had help in opening the first nail spa in Jakarta (it also offers waxing, reflexology and hair creambaths).

"We feel like its time for women to care not only for hair and make-up but also for their hands and feet, which need as much attention as other parts of the body," said Samantha.

The spa employs six nail technicians who underwent three months of training. This qualifies the technicians to multi-task, from airbrushing nails to applying nail art, the treatment that I received.

"First we clean the nails, we cut them and soak them in hot water," said Nurhayatun, the nail technician who worked on me. "Then we start cleaning the cuticles, scrubbing and washing the hands.

"If you take the spa, we will soak your hands in paraffin and also give it a massage. After that customers can choose either to have their nails colored with nail polish, airbrushed or apply nail art."

Although it might seem that decorating nails in multicolored hues would only appeal to the most trend-conscious teens, Samantha said it was not the case.

"We have customers in their late teens to those aged 60. Usually for women aged 25 to 60, manicures are a habit. Our younger customers, on the other hand, prefer nail art."

It also seems that local citizens are getting into the hang of the nail beautifying habit.

"Our target market is 60 percent local and 40 percent expat," said Samantha. "Many of our customers are models and celebrities. And we even have customers who fly in from Surabaya just to have their nails done!"

The trend has also been fueled by the rising popularity of nail extensions. This service offers colors from natural to baby blue, and light pink for the more daring.

But maintaining that fresh-from-the-salon look of nail art requires care and attention.

"Customers have to remember that their nails are investments. They must be reasonable with their nails, and don't go around opening cola cans or eating Padang food with their hands after coming home," Samantha said.

If an accident does occur, customers can turn to home care for nail extensions or call KooKoo to set up an appointment save the day.

Nowadays, even the metrosexual man is joining the trend to make his nails look presentable.

"Usually we have male customers who are waiting for their partners but eventually have their nails done too. And why not? It is a healthy ritual to maintain."

Customers are recommended to come in twice a month to care for their nails. It takes on average one and a half hours for nail extensions and as fast as 30 minutes for an express manicure/ pedicure, with prices ranging from Rp 40,000 to Rp 200,000 for a combo service.

As it is with Jakarta and trends, it will be just a matter of time before similar places start to pop up around the corner. Although many citizens would think twice before spending as much Rp 400,000 a month for a manicure/pedicure spa, it seems that this is the price Jakartans have to pay to avoid yellow nails and in-grown toenails.

If you are lucky and do not suffer from either of the above, then nail art to beautify your hands is not a waste of time, as I found out to my satisfaction. Now, if only I had time to do my toes ...

---------------------------------- KooKoo Nail Art and Pedi Spa Jl. Cililin No. 7, Kebayoran Baru South Jakarta Tel. 021-7244039 ---------------------------------