For the last year and four months, I've been sitting in Ms. Akira's chair, and I can honestly say she has completely changed my relationship with getting my nails done. Before meeting her, getting my nails done was simply something I did because I worked in a professional environment and wanted to look put together. I never experimented. I played it safe. Short, simple, and predictable. Fast forward just a few months into being in Ms. Akira's chair, and somehow, I was walking around with bright red stiletto nails! Now, you couldn't pay me to go back to short nails.
What makes her special isn't just her talent. She took the time to nurse my natural nails back to health. She listens to what her clients want, she's fair, and she's incredibly welcoming and culturally respectful. One of my favorite traditions is during Ramadan, when we remove my polish together and count down the days until Eid. It's such a small gesture, but it means so much because she genuinely cares about the people who sit in her chair.
She doesn't just do nails. She learns her clients. She knows what works for you, and she'll tell you when something isn't the best choice. My advice is simple. Listen to her. If she recommends a shape, trust her. If she tells you no, there's a reason. Her goal is always to make sure you leave looking your best while keeping your nails healthy. Some people have a nail tech. I gained family.
Thank you, Ms. Akira, for every set, every conversation, and for helping me become a little bolder, one nail appointment at a time. read more