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We all see love differently.
For Tony Kemeny, love is about second chances – and nail polish. As founder of Love Nail Products USA in Anaheim, the nail industry veteran is spreading the love in more sense than one.
“My goal is to help as many people as I can and there is nothing more gratifying than to see the look on a person’s face when you’ve helped them,” says Kemeny, who founded Love Nail Products in November 2012. “My manager was at one time homeless and I saw a great person and great potential for his life. He lived behind my building under cardboard boxes and I decided to give him a job.”
Kemeny took some time from designing nail lacquer and doing good to answer some of our questions about his new line and giving back.
What is your beauty background?
I have 20 years of experience in the nail industry. I began by servicing salons with nail products on a weekly basis. I attended countless classes on proper application of acrylics, gels, silks, paper, and natural nails.
Why did you gravitate toward nails?
My mother began her career as a manicurist 30 years ago and eventually started a nail supply company. I admired her and wanted to follow in her footsteps. She passed away four years ago and I not only wanted to carry on her legacy, but I want to take it to the next level.
What is the mission behind Love Nail Products USA?
It was founded on a very simple principle: Life is about second chances. Love is about helping those in need. I have a real soft spot in my heart for people in general and I feel we live in the best country in the world. It breaks my heart to see so many people struggling… My manager had built a little shelter behind my building. He never caused any problems and would tidy up after himself and be gone during the day. I approached Roy for the first time on Christmas Day. I saw him leaving my parking lot, so I stopped him and gave him some money for food. Prior to that, we hadn’t really conversed as he was an introvert. I felt badly for him and asked if he would like a job. After about five months, I gave him a key and allowed him to sleep in the storage area of my store. He now owns his own mobile home and two motorcycles.
Describe your product line and how it stands out from other nail products out there.
We take great pride in the fact that our product line is vegan standard friendly and manufactured in the United States… [There are] 78 shades of lacquers, top coat and base coat. The color palette comes from many years of experience in selling lacquer, watching fashion trends and relationships with manicurists. The triangular brush was created for ease of application. The brush fans out much better than the standard round brush. It enables the user to have better control of the lacquer on the nail bed.
What ingredients are not in your products?
Our nail lacquer does not contain toluene, DBP or formaldehyde. We do not use guanine (fish scales) pearl. Our product contains no animal-derived ingredients, including any ingredients produced by animals. It is cruelty-free and not tested on animals.
What are the biggest mistakes you see people making when applying nail lacquer?
Many times I find consumers don’t use a base coat. A base coat is very important as it acts like a double-sided sticky tape. The base coat adheres to the natural nail and also provides a barrier. The lacquer adheres to the base coat and the top coat creates a seal and provides the shine. In addition, a mistake I see is not capping the free edge. When applying lacquer it is necessary to not only paint the top of the nail bed, but to also paint the tip of the nail and underneath the nail bed to prevent peeling and chipping. Love Lacquer will generally cover with one coat but for extended wear two to three thin coats of lacquer is ideal. Be sure to let each coat dry a bit between applications.
