| Get Polished Prices start at $25 for an adult manicure, $35 for an adult pedicure and $15 for a child manicure or pedicure. :: facebook.com/lollipopnailstudio |
We accept things even when they’re bad for us because we really, really want them. Anyone who’s ever braved the dating scene can probably agree, and so can anyone who’s ever eaten too much chocolate – or pizza.
It’s a simple principle that took on deeper meaning after paying a visit to Costa Mesa’s The OC Mart Mix for a mani-pedi at Lollipop Nail Studio, a new nail salon offering organic ingredients and fewer chemicals to those wishing to pretty up their hands and feet a little more naturally. Housing just four nail stations, the salon is bright and airy with a coral-and-white color palette and clean design. It looks more like a trendy fashion boutique than a nail salon. And the complimentary organic lollipops are a nice touch, too.
“The first thing that most guests notice about Lollipop is that it doesn’t smell like a typical nail salon,” says owner Jackie Dalton, a former fashion designer who once owned Iconology, a designer clothing store in La Brea. “The products we make for your skin are made up of organic ingredients and handmade at Lollipop.”
Experiencing the salon makes us think back on the chemicals and their fumes we’ve subjected ourselves to for so long just for the sake of a mani-pedi. And then we remember what we’re willing to tolerate for our passions. Fortunately, thanks to people like Dalton, we compromise no longer.
Dalton took some time from nail duties to answer some of our questions about her salon concept and about having a healthier mani-pedi experience.
What is your background in nails?
Basically, I was a frustrated consumer. I knew what I wanted to find and it didn’t seem to exist the way I envisioned it, so I set out to create it. I wanted to create a place that was safe and yet still very fashion-forward for both women and their daughters to go get their nails done, where they could breathe in fun and relaxation, not toxic fumes. Our tagline says it all: Where organic and glossy meet.
What made you open Lollipop?
My daughter kept asking to get her nails done and to go with me when I got mine done, but I was concerned with all of the chemicals and toxins in many nail polish brands, especially since kids are always putting their fingers in their mouths. Not to mention that many salons are often full of unhealthy things, too, such as acrylic dust and fumes, so even taking her to a place to have her nails done seemed dicey. So I set out to create a place where safety and style could co-exist happily.
How has reception been?
We opened on September 15 and it’s far exceeded our expectations. I think so many people have been looking for a fresh, new alternative. Visitors love that the salon doesn’t smell like chemicals, and our clients are excited – and surprised – to see all of these gorgeous nail colors in formulations that are much healthier for you. And, of course, the moms love it. A huge surprise to us has been all of the private parties we have been doing for both women and kids. We do two to three private parties a week. Also, we work with a lot of cancer survivors, pregnant moms and others for whom safety is essential to not compromise an already weakened immune system.
What sets Lollipop apart?
We limit the use of alcohol and acetone, and our polishes are either vegan, five-free [free of formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde resin, and camphor] or water-based, non-toxic. We use organic and natural ingredients in our soaks, scrubs and massage oils and we don’t have whirlpool tubs that can harbor dangerous bacteria. Instead, we use disposable liners and we have single-use files and buffers. We sterilize all our tools in a medical-grade autoclave, so even our sanitation is as chemical-free as it can be, and our staff is knowledgeable on the different organic and natural ingredients that we use. We mix our oils, scrubs and foot soaks in small batches twice a week at Lollipop to ensure that there are no preservatives, parabens or artificial colors. We use almond oil, organic sugar, natural salts, and more, which we infuse with our essential oils of rose, camellia, geranium, and almond.
What nail polishes do you carry?
We carry a few lines of polish, including SpaRitual, which is a vegan, five-free line of polish that has great lasting power and incredible, saturated colors. We also have Hopscotch Kids, a line of non-toxic, water-based polish for kids and kids at heart, which is safe for little fingers and has a really quick drying time for children since they usually can’t sit still very long. It’s got great, bright colors and kids really love it. Scotch Naturals is another line we offer, which is also water-based and has a more sophisticated range of colors than Hopscotch.
Why is it important that more salons like yours make their way into Orange County?
Many people are becoming savvy about organic products that go into their body and onto their body but haven’t given quite as much thought to nails. It’s definitely starting to change and we hope to be a part of that, not only in Orange County but, hopefully, in a broader scope as well.
