When May Shen Lim returned to Kuala Lumpur in 2005 after a four-year study stint in Sydney, the lack of nail salons dedicated to proper sanitisation procedures and consistent quality service surprised her. Inspired to take the industry to new heights, May Shen started The Nail Parlour in 2006 and today, it is a multi award-winning salon, thanks to personalised mani-pedis that focus on superior hygienic processes while adapting to the latest runway trends.
May Shen always has her finger on the latest nail trends
What makes for an exciting experience at The Nail Parlour?
A visit to The Nail Parlour is always a fun experience because we’re always the first to use fresh ingredients—honey, for example. It’s also never boring because we constantly change our menu of limited-edition offerings that feature fragrances such as lavender, pomegranate, and fig. All of our products come from the best in the industry, created exclusively for us, and customers walking into any of our 12 salons are assured of quality service.
What has been the unifying vision of the salons under The Nail Parlour group?
The Nail Parlour is a dedicated nail care boutique that offers everything from emery boards, foot files, and hand lotions to foot scrubs. On top of that, we have our Luxe salons at Suria KLCC and Mid Valley Megamall, which offer the same services in a luxurious spa ambience.
Walk us through a luxurious spa experience at one of your salons.
We are dedicated to giving our customers seriously indulgent mani-pedis, coupled with exclusivity, privacy, and pampering extras such as long massages, TWG tea, Nespresso coffee, and herbal heat packs.
How does The Nail Parlour stand out and set itself apart from other salons?
Sanitisation has become synonymous with our brand and it gives our customers peace of mind. Every station and tool is subject to a rigorous sanitisation process that includes the use of hospital-grade disinfectant Barbicide, steamed heat, and ultrasonic machine.
Tell us about the nail trends from Spring/Summer ’18 that appeal to you.
This season featured two extreme nail looks: clean, almost-nude nails, or luxe with glitter and pops of chrome. Accent nails and metallics are trending, too. The nails at the Alice + Olivia show featured green stripes or double French smile lines, which are great ways to upgrade the French mani. Jason Wu showcased nude nails, while at 3.1 Phillip Lim, it was just a single line on a nude polish or a single nail polished with the rest bare—the simplest accents can be a work of nail art.
Tips for extending the life of a mani-pedi?
Apply a good quality, high-shine top coat the day after you get your nails done. The Nail Parlour’s Radiance top coat works best. For best results, apply a layer every two days after that—that doubles the duration of your mani-pedi and keeps your nails looking shiny and new.
Lastly, what do you love most about a pampering mani-pedi?
It’s instant gratification. Unlike a facial or a haircut that last for hours, you can come in for 30 minutes and leave with a beautiful set of nails.
Luxe by The Nail Parlour, 401J, Fourth Floor, Suria KLCC. Tel: 03-2166 4908. www.thenailparlour.com
