Goodbye Shellac
Chic new Houston salon nails the healthy mani/pedi with no smelly chemicals
Step inside the new Paloma Nail Salon in BLVD Place and it’s what you don't hear, and don’t smell that immediately grabs your attention at most nail salons.
No whirring of nail drills. No overpowering chemical scent.
That’s exactly what Paloma salon owner Maryam Naderi wanted when conceptualizing the space. A salon that wasn’t a full-blown day spa experience, but something more elegant and hygienic than a budget nail salon, with a focus on only the highest-quality non-toxic products.
The salon is free of toxic chemicals like dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and camphor, all of which are commonly used in traditional nail salons in the U.S., but are banned in Europe and Australia. The product mix is luxe and healthy for both clients and nail techs, something that’s important to Naderi.
You won't find a massage chair with an attached tub at Paloma. Instead, Naderi has outfitted her chic space with custom furniture like the deep enveloping chairs that encourages clients to sit back and relax. Black basins rest at the foot of each chair and are thoroughly sanitized between each client.
“I want you to come in and have all the stresses of the day melt off. I want you to feel better about yourself when you leave,” Naderi said.
Paloma’s laquer selection includes Chanel, Dior, RMS, SpaRitual, Deborah Lippmann, and Lauren B., all of which are five-free, so they don't contain dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. While some nail salons charge extra for Chanel and Dior polishes, Naderi said price is the same across the board at Paloma.
The mani/pedi menu ranges from $20/$30 for a quicker nail experience and tops out at $40/$60 for the All In, an 18-step mani/pedi that includes exfoliant and extra massage. Paloma does not offer acrylic or shellac and eschews UV lights.
Naderi stayed true to her vision of a healthy, non-toxic environment with the HTX Made furniture, which is free of toxic chemicals. She pours red and white wine chosen specifically for the salon and serves Illy espresso and provides outlets for charging electronics during appointments.
It’s the experience she always wanted, but could never find.
“The nail experience is one of the most time-effective ways to boost your confidence. Here, you can escape the day-to-day rigors of life,” Naderi said.