Finding My Manicure Mecca At STILL London

STILL London

Oh, how easily I’m influenced. Chuck some nail art, a very Instagrammable studio and vegan-regeneration-fave Dalston and I’d booked an appointment for a manicure at STILL London faster than you can yell “YOU FAKE HIPSTER, YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER”. In my defence though, as a chronic nail-biter for most of my life, my nails are often in terrible condition and through a combination of DIY and illness, I’ve long been overdue a little treat for my hands.

And these days, it very much is a treat. I never had manicures very regularly anyway but now I’m self-employed it’s literally the first thing to go. However, I needed motivation to get growing them again and so booked STILL London a couple of weeks out so I’d at least have something worth decorating.

STILL London
STILL London

One of the millions of reasons I love London is its constant changing face and Dalston is no exception. The vegans are moving in! I saw vegan food shops, vegan restaurants, a vegan hairdresser and now a vegan/cruelty free salon. Of course it suits me down to the ground as I’m trying hard to make better decisions where I can, not just about what I eat but what products I use at home and on myself. Is there really any need to have animal-derived elements in skincare in this day and age?

The salon itself is basically the kind of space you’d want to move in to. Pink and black velvet sofas and chairs with gold legs. Brass table lamps. Pendant lighting. Pink neon. Exposed floorboards. Dark walls. They even have a through vista via The Treatment Room to a tiny courtyard out the back and whilst it may sound like a mega interior-lovers cliché, it really is such a stunning space.

STILL London

Brands of choice at STILL London are Parisian Kure Bazaar and US Orly. I have to say I’ve never set foot inside a nail salon where the technicians wear masks and drill away at your nails. Is that REALLY how you want to treat yourself? So I’m all for trying products that are better for my skin and body. There’s a huge amount of colours to choose from and you can more or less specify what you want in terms of nail art. Just be mindful that for a proper manicure and art creation it can take a while so it’s not for anyone who wants a speedy service. But when the surroundings are so decadent why would you be in a rush to leave?

STILL London
STILL London

Yazmin (who lives locally and co-owns the salon along with her Mum) is a perfectionist and did the most incredible job of turning my stubby nails into something beautiful. You could tell she loves what she does and wants every customer to leave feeling completely satisfied. Rest assured that’s not my experience in every place I’ve had a manicure where I end up paying for something which starts to flake off inside a week.

STILL London
STILL London

As well as the manicures, STILL London also offers pedicures and a series of facials in their tranquil treatment room located towards the back of the space. I’ve definitely got my eye on one or two of those. It doesn’t end there – opt for some further indulgence with holistic massage therapy AND they can fulfil all your crystal needs.

If I was a proper lady of leisure without any financial commitments I would 100% be here every couple of weeks. My 90 minute manicure was £45 which if you consider the time of the appointment is actually very reasonable but a bit too much of a splurge for someone renovating a house without a regular income…other bills to pay and all that jazz. However, as and when I do fancy a little treat it will definitely be STILL London as it’s worth absolutely every penny. I love supporting small independent businesses, especially those that are trying to do something for the planet too.

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