Local nail studio promotes artistry, clean beauty

Lollipop Nails in the Orange circle strives for jaw-dropping nail art, a tidy atmosphere and non-toxic products. TIFFANY LE, Staff Photographer

A breathtaking portrait of Mona Lisa, an abstract of mixed colors with gold foil and even a sketch of superstar Leonardo Decaprio? That sounds like the opening of the best art exhibit in town. However, those are actually just some of the capabilities of what nail studio Lollipop Nails can paint on a single finger. 

Senior screenwriting major Julianna Mitchell can attest to the wickedly talented skills of the nail artists at Lollipop, as she has been a regular at the salon since her freshman year at Chapman. Whether it was a detailed tarot card design or Frankenstein painted on her nail bed, Mitchell along with Lollipop’s 4,585 Instagram followers are head-over-cuticles in love with the manicures produced. 

With perks like free lemonade, complimentary organic lollipops and an aim for clean beauty, Mitchell said Lollipop is changing the game. 

“You know when you get your nails done, and you instantly feel better?” Mitchell said. “I wanted the look of having a pretty manicure. I saw Lollipop nearby, they were non-toxic, they were healthy for your nail beds, and they also had amazing nail artists.”

Although nail art is a growing characteristic for the business, Lollipop began its journey back in 2012 with the goal of incorporating handmade products and non-toxic polishes. With their first primary location in Costa Mesa and the opening of their second location in Orange in 2017, they have stayed true to their foundation of offering a sparkling-clean and trendy atmosphere. 

Not only does Lollipop provide handmade soaps, scrubs and pedicure soaks, but the salon also paints with polishes that are five-free — meaning free of formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde resin and camphor. While the menu may seem limited compared to other salons, the mission of the business keeps its following strong. 

Michele Coryell, manager of the Orange location and fellow manicurist, said with signature options such as the “Boss Mani” or the “Hippie Hippie Shake Mani,” there are countless possibilities a client can choose from.  

Manager and nail artist Michelle Coryell begins the process of transforming nails into a work of art. TIFFANY LE, Staff Photographer

“We’ve done pretty well just having those services because there is opportunity for a place like us to highlight the organic and natural aspect, which is something that is not really common in nail salons at the moment,” Coyell said.

Of course, the benefits of having an organic and non-toxic environment will lead to cleaner and stronger nails, but Lollipop Nails has also gained customers specifically because they can customize their experience and avoid any allergens from other nail salons. 

“We can adjust for an allergy,” Coryell said. “If someone is allergic to rose petals, we can get rid of those and put lavender in instead. The nice thing about knowing your products is that you are able to customize it instead of worrying about checking the ingredient list.”

Coryell told The Panther that her favorite part about doing nails, besides the fabulous color palette, is the ways they transform a person’s self-esteem by creating a fresh set of hands that could include glitter, stripes and anything of their heart’s desire.

“(It’s motivating) having someone come in and be kind of afraid to show me their nails and be like, ‘Oh they are awful’ and apologize to me,” Coryell said. “I always say, ‘That’s O.K., that’s why you are here’ to put them at ease. When they are excited and happy about their nails, that’s a really rewarding thing. I do my own nails most of the time, and I always feel better when I have my nails done, and I know it’s just the same for other people as well.”

With an average Yelp rating of four stars, there are still some critiques that Lollipop does not offer acrylic nails in their salon. Anjelina Melvin, one of the new owners who partnered to create the second location in Orange, said the lack of acrylics gives more of a boost, not a burden, to the business. 

“The problem with acrylics is that there is usually a glue applied to the tip, and the type of glue that it takes and the process itself has not been good for the manicurist and not good for the client,” Melvin said. “People always say our salon does not smell like a nail shop, because if you go to one that does acrylics, there’s that heavy chemical smell from the glues they use and the process they use to secure nail extensions.”

The team at the salon is composed of eager manicurists, also known as nail artists, and while Melvin said all of them are either at or are about to reach the top of their game, they recognize the strengths of each person. 

“All of the people we have are pretty good at art,” Melvin said. “Some are better at doing marbled looks, some are better at negative space looks, some are better at doing actual paintings and characters, so they all have their different strengths and weaknesses, but they all have that common thread where when we say, ‘This person would like art,’ they say, ‘Great!’”

At first glance, this salon appears to be a comforting space with its ratan furniture and walls adorned with shades of pink, but Coryell said there is so much more. A client coming in to get a simple buff and shine or the entire cast of their favorite film painted on their nails are coming in for a catered experience, which should allow them to walk away refreshed and powerful — just like their sturdy nail beds.

“At the end of the day, getting your nails done is like color therapy and having something that feels exciting and fun and gives you an extra personality reflecting how you feel,” Coryell said.